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Software · head to head

MuckRock vs DataSF

MuckRock logo

MuckRock

Software

FOIA Filing and Research Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DataSF

Software

San Francisco Open Data Portal

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, DataSF covers Open Datasets.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MuckRock and DataSF actually diverge.

Attributes where MuckRock and DataSF differ
AttributeMuckRockDataSF
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
Founded20102009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), 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 DataSF

  • Open Datasets
  • Data API
  • Visualizations
  • Data Catalog
  • Automated Updates
  • Socrata
  • ArcGIS
  • Analysis Tools

Both cover

  • Web support

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

DataSF

  • 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

DataSF

Nothing recorded yet. See the DataSF review.

Pricing, plan by plan

MuckRock

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

DataSF

Free
  • Public AccessFree
    • Dataset Access
    • API Access
    • Visualizations

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 DataSF if

  • You need open datasets.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want data api.
DataSF review

Questions people ask

Is MuckRock or DataSF better?
Neither clearly leads. MuckRock starts at Free and DataSF at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MuckRock or DataSF?
MuckRock starts at Free and DataSF at Free.
Does MuckRock or DataSF run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 DataSF cannot?
MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Request Tracking, Document Archive, Collaboration. DataSF covers Open Datasets, Data API, Visualizations, Data Catalog. Both handle Web support.
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Related pages

More on MuckRock

More on DataSF

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