Action Network vs ControlShift
Action Network
actionnetwork.org
ControlShift
controlshiftlabs.comSide by side
| Figure | Action Network | ControlShift |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $15/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Advocacy Software | 9.1 (#1) | 7.9 (#9) |
| API | A REST-style API and webhooks support synchronizing people, email addresses, action histories, subscriptions, embeds and near-real-time event notifications. | Developer documentation describes JSONP, webhooks, bulk data, and authenticated REST APIs for connecting ControlShift content and data to external systems. |
| Events | Event management includes RSVP handling, calendar integration, reminders, self check-in and in-person or virtual events. | Supporters can create and host local events from organization-provided templates, while staff review and moderate submissions. |
| Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| Integrations | Action Network reports more than 20 integrations, including Salesforce, Catalist, SpeechifAI, ActBlue, CallHub, Zapier, Make, n8n, Inbox Monster and Mobile Commons. | The maker lists CRM integrations, Segment, Facebook, Matomo, Google Analytics, Freshchat, Customer.io, Slack, and data warehouse integrations. |
| Purpose | Action Network describes itself as a progressive online organizing platform for individuals and groups organizing for progressive causes. | ControlShift provides distributed events, local groups, and member-led petitions for organizations. |
| Security | Action Network says it encrypts traffic and stored data, uses HTTPS/SSL on its pages and widgets, and is PCI compliant; Stripe handles card information. | The maker says it uses TLS/SSL in transit, encrypts backups, and encrypts stored data at rest where possible. |
| Support | Plans include unlimited email support, a getting-started training series, and help articles; the site also offers a weekly demo every Tuesday at 1pm Eastern. | The maker offers a help center, developer documentation, email support, and the option to discuss questions on a call. |
Plans
Action Network
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- Movement$15 a month
- Movement$15 a month
- Network$125 a month
- Network$125 a month
- Boost$450 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Action Network
Action Network is an online organizing platform for people and groups working on progressive causes. Organizers can create petitions, event RSVPs, surveys, fundraising forms, ticketed event pages, and letter campaigns, then use mass email and mobile texting tools. Email features include testing subject or message variants, templates, automated workflows, drip campaigns, personalization, targeting, and analytics. Event tools cover RSVP management, reminders, self check-in, ticketing, and maps; fundraising pages support recurring giving and donor management. Lists can be downloaded. Integrations include Salesforce sync, Catalist, SpeechifAI, ActBlue, CallHub, Zapier, Make, and n8n. Its REST API can retrieve and post data and sync systems, but access is limited to paying partners. The free plan is available; Movement starts at $15/mo and charges for email usage above its included allowance. Mobile SMS and MMS campaigns are a separate add-on to an email partnership. The platform says it does not provide websites, offline organizing, general CRM work, or FEC compliance.
ControlShift
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.