Softwr

Software · head to head

MuckRock vs Citizen

MuckRock logo

MuckRock

Software

FOIA Filing and Research Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Citizen logo

Citizen

Software

Real-time Safety Alerts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Citizen the App Store listing for Citizen: Safety & Live Video (seller sp0n, Inc., matched) states the base app is free but gates police/fire scanner audio, detailed incident archives and multiple alert zones behind a Citizen Premium subscription tier, whose price is not disclosed in the listing.
  • They diverge on capability: MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Citizen covers Real-time Alerts.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MuckRock and Citizen actually diverge.

Attributes where MuckRock and Citizen differ
AttributeMuckRockCitizen
PlatformsWebIos, Android
Founded20102016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 Citizen

  • Real-time Alerts
  • 911 Monitoring
  • Live Video
  • Safety Map
  • Personal Safety
  • Emergency Services
  • Social Media
  • Location Services

What people use each for

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

MuckRock

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

Citizen

  • 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.

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

Citizen

  • The App Store listing for Citizen: Safety & Live Video (seller sp0n, Inc., matched) states the base app is free but gates police/fire scanner audio, detailed incident archives and multiple alert zones behind a Citizen Premium subscription tier, whose price is not disclosed in the listing.

Pricing, plan by plan

MuckRock

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

Citizen

Free
  • BasicFree
    • Real-time Alerts
    • Incident Feed
    • Safety Map

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 Citizen if

  • You need real-time alerts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want 911 monitoring.
Citizen review

Questions people ask

Is MuckRock or Citizen better?
Neither clearly leads. MuckRock starts at Free and Citizen at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MuckRock or Citizen?
MuckRock starts at Free and Citizen at Free.
Does MuckRock or Citizen run on more platforms?
MuckRock runs on Web. Citizen runs on Ios, Android.
Can I use MuckRock for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MuckRock best used for?
MuckRock is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement.
What can MuckRock do that Citizen cannot?
MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Request Tracking, Document Archive, Collaboration. Citizen covers Real-time Alerts, 911 Monitoring, Live Video, Safety Map.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on MuckRock

More on Citizen

Keep looking

Other head to heads