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MuckRock vs AWS GovCloud

MuckRock logo

MuckRock

Software

FOIA Filing and Research Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AWS GovCloud logo

AWS GovCloud

Software

Secure Cloud for Government

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MuckRock has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MuckRock muckRock's core platform, Squarelet identity service, and DocumentCloud are licensed AGPL-3.0, which requires anyone running a modified version as a network service to release their source code; AWS GovCloud access is restricted to vetted US entities, with account holders screened for US citizenship or permanent residency
  • They diverge on capability: MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, AWS GovCloud covers FedRAMP High Authorized.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MuckRock and AWS GovCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where MuckRock and AWS GovCloud differ
AttributeMuckRockAWS GovCloud
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, Cli, Sdk
Founded20102006

Identical on both: 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 MuckRock

  • FOIA Filing
  • Request Tracking
  • Document Archive
  • Collaboration
  • Agency Directory
  • DocumentCloud
  • News Organizations
  • Research Tools

Only in AWS GovCloud

  • FedRAMP High Authorized
  • ITAR Compliant
  • DOD SRG Levels
  • Isolated Infrastructure
  • Full AWS Services
  • Third-party Tools
  • Government Systems
  • Security Tools

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

MuckRock

  • Citizen Servicesnot AWS GovCloud
  • Records Managementnot AWS GovCloud
  • Public Safetynot AWS GovCloud
  • Civic Engagementnot AWS GovCloud

AWS GovCloud

  • Hosting controlled unclassified information for US federal agenciesnot MuckRock
  • Workloads requiring FedRAMP High, ITAR or DFARS compliancenot MuckRock
  • Defence and public sector systems needing US-person operationnot MuckRock
  • Regulated contractors handling government datanot MuckRock

Where each one falls short

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

MuckRock

  • MuckRock's core platform, Squarelet identity service, and DocumentCloud are licensed AGPL-3.0, which requires anyone running a modified version as a network service to release their source code

AWS GovCloud

  • Access is restricted to vetted US entities, with account holders screened for US citizenship or permanent residency
  • Separate IAM, console, CLI and APIs from commercial AWS, so accounts and tooling do not carry across
  • Not every AWS service is available in the two GovCloud regions
  • Pricing is not published on the product page

Pricing, plan by plan

MuckRock

Free
  • BasicFree
    • FOIA Filing
    • Request Tracking
    • Document Archive

AWS GovCloud

On request
  • Pay-as-you-goFree
    • Compute
    • Storage
    • Database

Which should you pick?

Choose MuckRock if

  • You need foia filing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want request tracking.
MuckRock review

Choose AWS GovCloud if

  • You need fedramp high authorized.
  • You work on Web, Cli, Sdk.
  • You also want itar compliant.
AWS GovCloud review

Questions people ask

Is MuckRock or AWS GovCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. MuckRock starts at Free and AWS GovCloud at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MuckRock or AWS GovCloud?
MuckRock has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MuckRock and On request for AWS GovCloud.
Does MuckRock or AWS GovCloud run on more platforms?
MuckRock runs on Web. AWS GovCloud runs on Web, Cli, Sdk.
Can I use MuckRock for free?
Yes. MuckRock has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. AWS GovCloud starts at On request.
What is MuckRock best used for?
MuckRock is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what AWS GovCloud is typically brought in for.
What can MuckRock do that AWS GovCloud cannot?
MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Request Tracking, Document Archive, Collaboration. AWS GovCloud covers FedRAMP High Authorized, ITAR Compliant, DOD SRG Levels, Isolated Infrastructure. Both handle Web support.
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Related pages

More on MuckRock

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