CityView vs OpenCities
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading government & public sector solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose CityView if you need Building Permits and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose OpenCities if you prioritize Website Management and want plans starting at $500/month. OpenCities has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.0).
CityView vs OpenCities: At a Glance
| Criteria | CityView | OpenCities |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | $600/month | $500/month |
| Pricing Model | subscription | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Desktop | Web |
| Category | Government & Public Sector | Government & Public Sector |
| Founded | 1976 | 2006 |
Feature Comparison: CityView vs OpenCities
| Feature | CityView | OpenCities |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permits | ||
| Business Licensing | ||
| Code Enforcement | ||
| Inspections Management | ||
| Online Citizen Portal | ||
| Esri ArcGIS | ||
| Microsoft Office | ||
| Payment Gateways | ||
| Web support | ||
| Desktop support | ||
| Website Management | ||
| Digital Forms | ||
| Search Optimization | ||
| Accessibility Compliance | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| Microsoft 365 | ||
| Google Analytics |
CityView vs OpenCities: Pricing Breakdown
CityView Pricing
Model: subscription
- Permitting
- Licensing
- Inspections
OpenCities Pricing
Model: subscription
- Website CMS
- Digital Forms
- Accessibility
Pros and Cons
CityView
Pros
- Rich feature set with 10+ capabilities
- Strong Building Permits functionality
- Strong Business Licensing functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
OpenCities
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong Website Management functionality
- Strong Digital Forms functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use CityView vs OpenCities?
Choose CityView if you:
- Need Building Permits
- Have a budget of $600/month+
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Business Licensing
Choose OpenCities if you:
- Need Website Management
- Have a budget of $500/month+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Digital Forms
Frequently Asked Questions: CityView vs OpenCities
Is CityView better than OpenCities?
It depends on your needs. CityView has a 4.0/5 user rating while OpenCities has 4.3/5. CityView excels in Building Permits and Business Licensing, while OpenCities stands out with Website Management and Digital Forms. Consider your budget ($600/month vs $500/month), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, CityView or OpenCities?
CityView starts at $600/month. OpenCities starts at $500/month. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use CityView and OpenCities together?
While both are government & public sector tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core government & public sector needs.
What are the main differences between CityView and OpenCities?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs subscription), platform support (Web, Desktop vs Web), and feature focus. CityView emphasizes Building Permits, Business Licensing, Code Enforcement while OpenCities focuses on Website Management, Digital Forms, Search Optimization. User ratings differ slightly: 4.0 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both CityView and OpenCities.