Software · head to head
OnBase vs American Legal Publishing
The short version
- Each has a real cost: OnBase pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies; American Legal Publishing a 2019 recodification contract between American Legal Publishing Corporation and the City of Dry Ridge, Kentucky, publicly posted by a separate Kentucky municipality as a model agreement, sets a base codification cost of $9,485 (USD) plus per-page increase rates of $18 (single column) and $21 (dual column) once the code exceeds the estimated page count, a one-time $550 setup fee to put the code in a searchable online format, $495 per year to host the code online after that, and a five-year supplement plan billed at $18-21 per reprinted page plus $200 per annual statutory update. This is one specific signed municipal contract, not a general price list, and actual costs for other municipalities will scale with code length.
- They diverge on capability: OnBase covers Content Management, American Legal Publishing covers Code Codification.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnBase and American Legal Publishing actually diverge.
| Attribute | OnBase | American Legal Publishing |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $400/month | $150/month |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web |
| Founded | 1991 | 1912 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 OnBase
- Content Management
- Workflow Automation
- Case Management
- Records Management
- Intelligent Capture
- Microsoft 365
- Salesforce
- Epic
Only in American Legal Publishing
- Code Codification
- Online Publishing
- Print Services
- Editorial Support
- Code Search
- Legislative Systems
- Document Management
- Public Portals
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
OnBase
- Citizen Services
- Records Management
- Public Safety
- Civic Engagement
American Legal Publishing
- 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.
OnBase
- Pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies
- Complex implementation and configuration required for government-specific workflows
- Requires significant IT resources for deployment and ongoing management
American Legal Publishing
- A 2019 recodification contract between American Legal Publishing Corporation and the City of Dry Ridge, Kentucky, publicly posted by a separate Kentucky municipality as a model agreement, sets a base codification cost of $9,485 (USD) plus per-page increase rates of $18 (single column) and $21 (dual column) once the code exceeds the estimated page count, a one-time $550 setup fee to put the code in a searchable online format, $495 per year to host the code online after that, and a five-year supplement plan billed at $18-21 per reprinted page plus $200 per annual statutory update. This is one specific signed municipal contract, not a general price list, and actual costs for other municipalities will scale with code length.
Pricing, plan by plan
OnBase
$400/month- Government$400/month
- Content Management
- Process Automation
- Case Management
American Legal Publishing
$150/month- Online Code$150/month
- Online Publishing
- Code Updates
- Search
Which should you pick?
Choose OnBase if
- You need content management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want workflow automation.
Choose American Legal Publishing if
- You need code codification.
- You also want online publishing.
Questions people ask
- Is OnBase or American Legal Publishing better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnBase starts at $400/month and American Legal Publishing at $150/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnBase or American Legal Publishing?
- OnBase starts at $400/month and American Legal Publishing at $150/month.
- Does OnBase or American Legal Publishing run on more platforms?
- OnBase runs on Web, Mobile. American Legal Publishing runs on Web.
- What is OnBase best used for?
- OnBase is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement.
- What can OnBase do that American Legal Publishing cannot?
- OnBase covers Content Management, Workflow Automation, Case Management, Records Management. American Legal Publishing covers Code Codification, Online Publishing, Print Services, Editorial Support. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
OnBase: What is OnBase used for in government?
OnBase is used for digital permitting, inspections, and plan review processes. Government agencies use it to streamline workflows, enable online forms, automate approvals, and provide citizen access to application status.
SourceOnBase: Does OnBase support mobile access?
Yes. Mobile access is a key feature of OnBase, allowing users to manage documents and cases on the go.
SourceOnBase: What document management capabilities does OnBase provide?
OnBase provides centralized document storage with version control, search and retrieval tools, records management across physical and electronic lifecycles, and compliance with policies and regulations.
SourceOnBase: Can OnBase workflows be customized?
Yes. OnBase is flexible and configurable with user-defined workflows for case management, streamlining processes like accounts payable, employee onboarding, and contract management.
SourceRelated pages
More on American Legal Publishing
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