Software · head to head
OpenGov vs American Legal Publishing
The short version
- Each has a real cost: OpenGov custom pricing only, no transparent public pricing; 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: OpenGov covers Budgeting & Planning, American Legal Publishing covers Code Codification.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OpenGov and American Legal Publishing actually diverge.
| Attribute | OpenGov | American Legal Publishing |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1000/month | $150/month |
| Founded | 2012 | 1912 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web), 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 OpenGov
- Budgeting & Planning
- Financial Reporting
- Permitting & Licensing
- Asset Management
- Transparency Portal
- Tyler Technologies
- Munis
- Microsoft Excel
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.
OpenGov
- 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.
OpenGov
- Custom pricing only, no transparent public pricing
- No free tier available
- Requires vendor contact for quotes
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
OpenGov
$1000/month- Government Cloud$1000/month
- Budgeting & Planning
- Reporting & Transparency
- Citizen Services
American Legal Publishing
$150/month- Online Code$150/month
- Online Publishing
- Code Updates
- Search
Which should you pick?
Choose American Legal Publishing if
- You need code codification.
- You also want online publishing.
Questions people ask
- Is OpenGov or American Legal Publishing better?
- Neither clearly leads. OpenGov starts at $1000/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, OpenGov or American Legal Publishing?
- OpenGov starts at $1000/month and American Legal Publishing at $150/month.
- Does OpenGov or American Legal Publishing run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is OpenGov best used for?
- OpenGov is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement.
- What can OpenGov do that American Legal Publishing cannot?
- OpenGov covers Budgeting & Planning, Financial Reporting, Permitting & Licensing, Asset Management. American Legal Publishing covers Code Codification, Online Publishing, Print Services, Editorial Support. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
OpenGov: What does OpenGov provide?
OpenGov is government budgeting and planning software for municipalities and public sector organizations. It helps with budget planning, financial management, and government transparency.
SourceOpenGov: How much does OpenGov cost?
OpenGov pricing is custom and quote-based. There is no public pricing listed. Organizations need to contact OpenGov directly for a proposal based on their specific needs.
SourceOpenGov: Is there a free tier?
No. OpenGov does not offer a free plan. Pricing requires direct vendor contact and is procurement-led.
Source