Software · head to head
MuckRock vs NextRequest
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; NextRequest now sold as part of the CivicPlus product line rather than standalone, and nextrequest.com redirects into the CivicPlus site
- They diverge on capability: MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, NextRequest covers Request Intake.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MuckRock and NextRequest actually diverge.
| Attribute | MuckRock | NextRequest |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $300/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 2010 | 2015 |
Identical on both: 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 NextRequest
- Request Intake
- Workflow Management
- Document Redaction
- Public Portal
- Reporting
- Document Systems
- Payment Processors
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MuckRock
- Citizen Servicesnot NextRequest
- Records Managementnot NextRequest
- Public Safetynot NextRequest
- Civic Engagementnot NextRequest
NextRequest
- Receiving and routing public records and FOIA requestsnot MuckRock
- Tracking request status and statutory deadlines centrallynot MuckRock
- Redacting documents before release with RapidReviewnot MuckRock
- Invoicing and collecting payment for records requestsnot MuckRock
- Publishing a public-facing request portal for residentsnot 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
NextRequest
- Now sold as part of the CivicPlus product line rather than standalone, and nextrequest.com redirects into the CivicPlus site
- Pricing is not published
- Aimed at government agencies, so it is not a general purpose request or ticketing tool
Pricing, plan by plan
MuckRock
Free- BasicFree
- FOIA Filing
- Request Tracking
- Document Archive
NextRequest
$300/month- Standard$300/month
- Request Management
- Document Redaction
- Public Portal
Which should you pick?
Choose MuckRock if
- You need foia filing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want request tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is MuckRock or NextRequest better?
- Neither clearly leads. MuckRock starts at Free and NextRequest at $300/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MuckRock or NextRequest?
- MuckRock has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MuckRock and $300/month for NextRequest.
- Does MuckRock or NextRequest run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use MuckRock for free?
- Yes. MuckRock has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. NextRequest starts at $300/month.
- 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 NextRequest is typically brought in for.
- What can MuckRock do that NextRequest cannot?
- MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Request Tracking, Document Archive, Collaboration. NextRequest covers Request Intake, Workflow Management, Document Redaction, Public Portal. Both handle Web support.