Government · head to head
OnBase vs ShotSpotter
The short version
- Each has a real cost: OnBase pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies; ShotSpotter shotSpotter now trades as SoundThinking and shotspotter.com redirects to soundthinking.com
- They diverge on capability: OnBase covers Content Management, ShotSpotter covers Gunshot Detection.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OnBase and ShotSpotter actually diverge.
| Attribute | OnBase | ShotSpotter |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $400/month | $5000/month |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 1991 | 1996 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Government).
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 ShotSpotter
- Gunshot Detection
- Location Triangulation
- Real-time Alerts
- Forensic Analysis
- Historical Data
- CAD Systems
- 911 Centers
- Camera Systems
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 ShotSpotter
- Records Managementnot ShotSpotter
- Public Safetynot ShotSpotter
- Civic Engagementnot ShotSpotter
ShotSpotter
- Gunshot detection and location alerting for police departmentsnot OnBase
- Directing patrol response to outdoor firearm dischargesnot OnBase
- Building incident data for law enforcement analysisnot 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
ShotSpotter
- ShotSpotter now trades as SoundThinking and shotspotter.com redirects to soundthinking.com
- No pricing is published; the site routes to contact and demo requests with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
- The service depends on an acoustic sensor array installed across a defined coverage area rather than being software alone
Pricing, plan by plan
OnBase
$400/month- Government$400/month
- Content Management
- Process Automation
- Case Management
ShotSpotter
$5000/month- Detection Service$5000/month
- Gunshot Detection
- Real-time Alerts
- Forensic Reports
Which should you pick?
Choose OnBase if
- You need content management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want workflow automation.
Choose ShotSpotter if
- You need gunshot detection.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want location triangulation.
Questions people ask
- Is OnBase or ShotSpotter better?
- Neither clearly leads. OnBase starts at $400/month and ShotSpotter at $5000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OnBase or ShotSpotter?
- OnBase starts at $400/month and ShotSpotter at $5000/month.
- Does OnBase or ShotSpotter run on more platforms?
- OnBase runs on Web, Mobile. ShotSpotter 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 ShotSpotter is typically brought in for.
- What can OnBase do that ShotSpotter cannot?
- OnBase covers Content Management, Workflow Automation, Case Management, Records Management. ShotSpotter covers Gunshot Detection, Location Triangulation, Real-time Alerts, Forensic Analysis. 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.
SourceShotSpotter: Does SoundThinking publish ShotSpotter pricing?
No. SoundThinking does not disclose ShotSpotter pricing on their website. Interested municipalities and organizations must request a consultation, contact the sales team, or book a demo.
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.
SourceShotSpotter: How do I get a ShotSpotter quote?
SoundThinking directs prospects to book a demo, contact them directly, or request a consultation through their website. No self-serve pricing, calculator, or trial is available.
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.
SourceShotSpotter: Who is ShotSpotter for?
ShotSpotter is a gunshot detection system designed for law enforcement and municipalities to improve public safety response.
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 ShotSpotter
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