Software · head to head
OnBase vs PublicInput
The short version
- Each has a real cost: OnBase pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies; PublicInput all three plans, Listen, Engage and Engage Plus, are listed as Request Pricing with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
- They diverge on capability: OnBase covers Content Management, PublicInput covers Virtual Public Meetings.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnBase and PublicInput actually diverge.
| Attribute | OnBase | PublicInput |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 1991 | 2014 |
Identical on both: starting price ($400/month), 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 PublicInput
- Virtual Public Meetings
- Online Surveys
- Comment Management
- Multi-language Support
- Engagement Analytics
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- GovDelivery
Both cover
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
OnBase
- Citizen Servicesnot PublicInput
- Records Managementnot PublicInput
- Public Safetynot PublicInput
- Civic Engagementnot PublicInput
PublicInput
- Running public comment and community engagement programmes for local governmentnot OnBase
- Collecting resident feedback across surveys, interactive maps and project websitesnot OnBase
- Compliant public meeting management for transit agencies, DOTs and MPOsnot OnBase
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
PublicInput
- All three plans, Listen, Engage and Engage Plus, are listed as Request Pricing with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
- HTML and CSS customization, custom workflows and approvals, and external system integration with Accela and ESRI are listed as Enterprise Capabilities rather than core platform features
- Public meetings functionality is sold under a separate Meetings plan rather than being included with the Engagement plans
- Getting a plan requires booking a consultation and a tailored demo rather than self serve signup
Pricing, plan by plan
OnBase
$400/month- Government$400/month
- Content Management
- Process Automation
- Case Management
PublicInput
$400/month- Enterprise$400/month
- Virtual Meetings
- Surveys
- Comment Management
Which should you pick?
Choose OnBase if
- You need content management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want workflow automation.
Choose PublicInput if
- You need virtual public meetings.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want online surveys.
Questions people ask
- Is OnBase or PublicInput better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnBase starts at $400/month and PublicInput at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnBase or PublicInput?
- OnBase starts at $400/month and PublicInput at $400/month.
- Does OnBase or PublicInput run on more platforms?
- OnBase runs on Web, Mobile. PublicInput runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- What is OnBase best used for?
- OnBase is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what PublicInput is typically brought in for.
- What can OnBase do that PublicInput cannot?
- OnBase covers Content Management, Workflow Automation, Case Management, Records Management. PublicInput covers Virtual Public Meetings, Online Surveys, Comment Management, Multi-language Support. Both handle Web support, 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on PublicInput
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