Action Builder vs ControlShift

Action Builder is a toolset for organizing and leadership development, with web and API access. It gives organizations a central place to identify and develop leaders through assessments. Its wall chart brings activist names and information together, while Quick Filter can create activist lists or help organizers map worksites. Teams can assign outreach tasks with targets and timelines, then track campaign activity by user and time period. Organizations can import and export information, and campaigns can sync with an Action Network group. The API supports integration partnerships, but is limited to four calls per second; most access requires an organization-specific key. Partners can request a read-only SQL mirror, typically updated within no more than a minute. The mirror contains sensitive data, including API keys, and its documentation recommends SSL and restricted credential access. Volunteer leaders can use the free Activist user plan. Admin users pay $80 a month per user. Support is available by email Monday through Saturday, and monthly online training and coordinator office hours are offered.

ControlShift is a platform for progressive organizations and campaigns to coordinate distributed events, local groups, petitions, and supporter-led campaigns. Supporters can create or attend local events from organization templates, while staff review submissions, coach hosts, track activity, and measure results. Members can find nearby groups or organize new ones, with mailing lists and directories for coordination. Petition campaigns can use distributed targets and templated content under organizational moderation and approval. Organizations can approve group leaders and give them communication, event, and campaign tools, including tactics such as petition delivery. The platform supports 15 languages, including Arabic and Hebrew, and runs through web and API access. Integrations include CRMs, Amazon Redshift, SQL databases, Segment, Facebook, Matomo, Google Analytics, Freshchat, and Customer.io. Developer tools include authenticated REST APIs, webhooks, JSONP, and bulk data. Data is stored in a selected AWS US-East or EU-Central region. Pricing is on request.