Softwr

Software · head to head

Laserfiche vs OpenCities

Laserfiche logo

Laserfiche

Software

Intelligent Content Management

From
$50/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenCities logo

OpenCities

Software

Digital Government Experience Platform

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Laserfiche self-hosted deployment requires dedicated IT resources and infrastructure management; OpenCities population-based pricing model limits scalability for growing municipalities
  • They diverge on capability: Laserfiche covers Document Capture, OpenCities covers Website Management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Laserfiche and OpenCities actually diverge.

Attributes where Laserfiche and OpenCities differ
AttributeLaserficheOpenCities
Starting price$50/month$500/month
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, Windows, macOS, LinuxWeb, Mobile
Founded19762008

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Laserfiche

  • Document Capture
  • Workflow Automation
  • Records Management
  • Electronic Forms
  • Process Automation
  • Microsoft Office
  • SharePoint
  • Desktop support

Only in OpenCities

  • Website Management
  • Digital Forms
  • Search Optimization
  • Accessibility Compliance
  • Analytics
  • Microsoft 365
  • Google Analytics

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Laserfiche

  • Citizen Services
  • Records Management
  • Public Safety
  • Civic Engagement

OpenCities

  • Citizen Services
  • Records Management
  • Public Safety
  • Civic Engagement

Both are used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Laserfiche

  • Self-hosted deployment requires dedicated IT resources and infrastructure management
  • Complex implementation often requires significant upfront customization
  • High total cost of ownership for on-premises deployments due to infrastructure needs

OpenCities

  • Population-based pricing model limits scalability for growing municipalities
  • No self-hosted or on-premises deployment option
  • Limited code customization without vendor support

Pricing, plan by plan

Laserfiche

$50/month
  • Cloud$50/month
    • Document Management
    • Workflow Automation
    • Records Management

OpenCities

$500/month
  • Government Platform$500/month
    • Website CMS
    • Digital Forms
    • Accessibility

Which should you pick?

Choose Laserfiche if

  • You need document capture.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want workflow automation.
Laserfiche review

Choose OpenCities if

  • You need website management.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want digital forms.
OpenCities review

Questions people ask

Is Laserfiche or OpenCities better?
Neither clearly leads. Laserfiche starts at $50/month and OpenCities at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Laserfiche or OpenCities?
Laserfiche starts at $50/month and OpenCities at $500/month.
Does Laserfiche or OpenCities run on more platforms?
Laserfiche runs on Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux. OpenCities runs on Web, Mobile.
What is Laserfiche best used for?
Laserfiche is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement.
What can Laserfiche do that OpenCities cannot?
Laserfiche covers Document Capture, Workflow Automation, Records Management, Electronic Forms. OpenCities covers Website Management, Digital Forms, Search Optimization, Accessibility Compliance. Both handle Salesforce, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Laserfiche: Does Laserfiche offer both cloud and self-hosted options?

Yes. Laserfiche Cloud offers three tiers (Starter $53/user/month, Professional $73, Business $93). Laserfiche 12 provides self-hosted deployment for organizations requiring on-premise infrastructure or with strict security and regulatory constraints.

Source
OpenCities: Does OpenCities work offline?

No, OpenCities is a cloud-based SaaS platform that requires an internet connection. All editing and management is done through web browsers.

Source
Laserfiche: What does Laserfiche capture from documents?

Laserfiche provides document capture, electronic forms, workflow automation, case management, mobile access, and government-certified records management with automatic filing and retention schedules.

Source
OpenCities: What accessibility standards does OpenCities meet?

OpenCities is maintained to comply with WCAG AA requirements, ensuring equitable access to government services and information for all residents.

Source
Laserfiche: Can Laserfiche track document workflows automatically?

Yes. Laserfiche includes workflow automation that tracks and fulfills processes like FOIA requests, with access controls, audit trails, and automated recordkeeping for compliance.

Source
OpenCities: Can I integrate OpenCities with other government systems?

Yes. OpenCities integrates with Google Analytics, govDelivery for notifications, EngagementHQ for feedback collection, Legistar for meeting management, and Active Directory for intranet workflows.

Source
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Related pages

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