Comparison
PermitFlow vs Accela
Accela built the software cities use to issue permits. We built the API developers use to read those permits. Different products, different audiences.
Feature
PermitFlow
Accela
Built for
✓Developers, lead-gen tools, PropTech
City permitting departments
Time to first API call
✓5 minutes — sign up, copy key
2-6 weeks — sales, MSA, procurement
Pricing
✓$99–$2k/mo, public
Quote-only, often $50k+/yr
API style
✓REST + OpenAPI 3.1, JSON, webhooks
Construct API (REST) — but only after enterprise contract
Multi-city
✓Single endpoint across all cities
Per-tenant install. Each city is its own Accela.
Sandbox
✓Free forever, identical schema
None public
When to pick Accela
- • You're a city government issuing permits to contractors.
- • You need workflow automation for plan review, inspections, code enforcement.
- • You require on-prem or FedRAMP deployment.
For everyone reading permit data — solar installers, lead-gen tools, market analysts — you want PermitFlow.