Software · head to head
OpenCities vs CKAN
The short version
- Only CKAN has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: OpenCities population-based pricing model limits scalability for growing municipalities; CKAN the package install path requires Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 64-bit specifically; other operating systems must use the source install
- They diverge on capability: OpenCities covers Website Management, CKAN covers Dataset Management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OpenCities and CKAN actually diverge.
| Attribute | OpenCities | CKAN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $500/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web |
| Founded | 2008 | 2006 |
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 OpenCities
- Website Management
- Digital Forms
- Search Optimization
- Accessibility Compliance
- Analytics
- Salesforce
- Microsoft 365
- Google Analytics
Only in CKAN
- Dataset Management
- Data Harvesting
- API Access
- Visualization
- Extensions
- DataPusher
- Harvester
- Third-party Tools
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
OpenCities
- Citizen Servicesnot CKAN
- Records Managementnot CKAN
- Public Safetynot CKAN
- Civic Engagementnot CKAN
CKAN
- Publishing open government datasets in a searchable public data portalnot OpenCities
- Self-hosting a data catalogue with harvesting and an APInot OpenCities
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
OpenCities
- Population-based pricing model limits scalability for growing municipalities
- No self-hosted or on-premises deployment option
- Limited code customization without vendor support
CKAN
- The package install path requires Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 64-bit specifically; other operating systems must use the source install
- Only Solr 9 and Solr 8 are supported, and from CKAN 2.10 they are the only Solr versions supported at all
- A working deployment requires PostgreSQL, Solr, Redis, nginx, supervisor and uWSGI to be installed and maintained separately
- Python 3.10 or later is required
Pricing, plan by plan
OpenCities
$500/month- Government Platform$500/month
- Website CMS
- Digital Forms
- Accessibility
CKAN
Free- Open SourceFree
- Data Management
- API Access
- Visualization
Which should you pick?
Choose OpenCities if
- You need website management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want digital forms.
Choose CKAN if
- You need dataset management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want data harvesting.
Questions people ask
- Is OpenCities or CKAN better?
- Neither clearly leads. OpenCities starts at $500/month and CKAN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OpenCities or CKAN?
- CKAN has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $500/month for OpenCities and Free for CKAN.
- Does OpenCities or CKAN run on more platforms?
- OpenCities runs on Web, Mobile. CKAN runs on Web.
- Can I use CKAN for free?
- Yes. CKAN has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OpenCities starts at $500/month.
- What is OpenCities best used for?
- OpenCities is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what CKAN is typically brought in for.
- What can OpenCities do that CKAN cannot?
- OpenCities covers Website Management, Digital Forms, Search Optimization, Accessibility Compliance. CKAN covers Dataset Management, Data Harvesting, API Access, Visualization. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
OpenCities: Does OpenCities work offline?
No, OpenCities is a cloud-based SaaS platform that requires an internet connection. All editing and management is done through web browsers.
SourceOpenCities: What accessibility standards does OpenCities meet?
OpenCities is maintained to comply with WCAG AA requirements, ensuring equitable access to government services and information for all residents.
SourceOpenCities: Can I integrate OpenCities with other government systems?
Yes. OpenCities integrates with Google Analytics, govDelivery for notifications, EngagementHQ for feedback collection, Legistar for meeting management, and Active Directory for intranet workflows.
Source