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Software · head to head

MuckRock vs CivicPlus

MuckRock logo

MuckRock

Software

FOIA Filing and Research Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CivicPlus logo

CivicPlus

Software

Civic Engagement Technology

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; CivicPlus pricing not published, available by custom quote only
  • They diverge on capability: MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, CivicPlus covers Government Websites.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MuckRock and CivicPlus actually diverge.

Attributes where MuckRock and CivicPlus differ
AttributeMuckRockCivicPlus
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102001

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 CivicPlus

  • Government Websites
  • Agenda Management
  • Mass Notifications
  • Online Forms
  • Social Media Management
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • GovDelivery

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

MuckRock

  • Citizen Servicesnot CivicPlus
  • Records Managementnot CivicPlus
  • Public Safetynot CivicPlus
  • Civic Engagementnot CivicPlus

CivicPlus

  • Government website and communication platformnot MuckRock
  • Civic engagement and public sector solutionsnot 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

CivicPlus

  • Pricing not published, available by custom quote only
  • No standardised pricing tiers available

Pricing, plan by plan

MuckRock

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

CivicPlus

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the CivicPlus review.

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 CivicPlus if

  • You need government websites.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want agenda management.
CivicPlus review

Questions people ask

Is MuckRock or CivicPlus better?
Neither clearly leads. MuckRock starts at Free and CivicPlus at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MuckRock or CivicPlus?
MuckRock has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MuckRock and On request for CivicPlus.
Does MuckRock or CivicPlus run on more platforms?
MuckRock runs on Web. CivicPlus runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use MuckRock for free?
Yes. MuckRock has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CivicPlus 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 CivicPlus is typically brought in for.
What can MuckRock do that CivicPlus cannot?
MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Request Tracking, Document Archive, Collaboration. CivicPlus covers Government Websites, Agenda Management, Mass Notifications, Online Forms. Both handle Web support.
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Related pages

More on MuckRock

More on CivicPlus

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