Council Platform vs GOSS iCM

Council Platform is a web service for running local government CMS websites. Its drag-and-drop editor lets teams create complex pages without developer time, with a customisable front end based on the GOV.UK Design System. Features include service directories, news, event calendars, global search, CRM functions, forms, and editorial workflows. The platform supports manual and machine translation for bilingual sites, plus multi-site publishing and document management. The maker describes sites as accessible from the outset and says subscribers receive free accessibility audit scans. Listed integrations include Bartec, ModernGov, Elgin Roadworks, Council Advertising Network, Microsoft Azure Chatbots, Google Analytics, SiteImprove, and ReciteMe. Security provisions include two-factor authentication, password complexity requirements, and automatic logout. Subscriptions include production and test hosting, support, documentation, uptime monitoring, security updates, and a 99.9% uptime SLA. Pricing is based on monthly page views: the plan up to 5,000 page views costs £200 monthly licence fee (ex VAT), while the 5,001–15,000 tier costs £400 monthly licence fee (ex VAT). Plans above 100,000 monthly page views add features including microsites, cookie-less analytics, accessibility auditing, and PDF conversion.

GOSS iCM is a content management system for teams creating and managing high-traffic, business-critical websites. It can manage an unlimited number of websites, intranets, and microsites through one administration interface. Content managers can configure user privileges and approval steps before publishing, while media can be uploaded, categorised, and tagged for site use. Responsive themes and templates are built around GDS standards; GOSS says its themes are WCAG compliant. Website capabilities include Apache SOLR search, faceted filtering, SEO, and multilingual publishing. The wider Digital Platform adds forms and workflow designers, user management, reporting, logging, APIs, and integration endpoints. Its integration engine supports REST, SOAP, and XML APIs, direct database connections, and webhooks. GOSS says its cloud infrastructure uses AWS and Google Cloud Platform regions in London and stores and processes data in the UK. The company states that its information security management systems are ISO 27001 certified and its internet-facing infrastructure is assessed under Cyber Essentials Plus. Pricing is on request.