Software · head to head
OnBase vs Citizen
The short version
- Only Citizen has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: OnBase pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies; 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: OnBase covers Content Management, Citizen covers Real-time Alerts.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnBase and Citizen actually diverge.
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 OnBase
- Content Management
- Workflow Automation
- Case Management
- Records Management
- Intelligent Capture
- Microsoft 365
- Salesforce
- Epic
Only in Citizen
- Real-time Alerts
- 911 Monitoring
- Live Video
- Safety Map
- Personal Safety
- Emergency Services
- Social Media
- Location Services
Both cover
- Ios support
- Android 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
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.
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
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
OnBase
$400/month- Government$400/month
- Content Management
- Process Automation
- Case Management
Citizen
Free- BasicFree
- Real-time Alerts
- Incident Feed
- Safety Map
Which should you pick?
Choose OnBase if
- You need content management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want workflow automation.
Choose Citizen if
- You need real-time alerts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Android.
- You also want 911 monitoring.
Questions people ask
- Is OnBase or Citizen better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnBase starts at $400/month and Citizen at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnBase or Citizen?
- Citizen has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $400/month for OnBase and Free for Citizen.
- Does OnBase or Citizen run on more platforms?
- OnBase runs on Web, Mobile. Citizen runs on Ios, Android.
- Can I use Citizen for free?
- Yes. Citizen has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OnBase starts at $400/month.
- 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 Citizen cannot?
- OnBase covers Content Management, Workflow Automation, Case Management, Records Management. Citizen covers Real-time Alerts, 911 Monitoring, Live Video, Safety Map. Both handle Ios support, Android 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.
Source