Best Government Software for 2025

Government employees constantly deal with changing regulations and outdated systems, often leading to slow operations, frustrated constituents, and most of all, costly redundancies. Multiple data coming in from different sources also result in raw, unstructured information sitting untouched in isolated systems, making it harder for employees to access accurate documents needed to make data-driven decisions.

Implementing a government software solution ultimately enriches institutions with better and faster services. It unifies siloed systems and improves collaboration across departments, enabling government sectors to provide citizens with seamless experiences. It also allows government agencies to gain insights into details that were previously unavailable.

In this article, we compiled 20 of the best government software available in the marketplace. Each of these systems offers essential features and functionalities to help government employees streamline their day-to-day tasks, from comprehensive business software programs to intuitive performance management applications.

Like most organizations, government institutions are aiming to do more with less by turning to digital solutions to accomplish their goals. In recent years, a number of institutions are implementing or upgrading government software to enhance the connection between agencies and their constituents. With their capabilities to improve an organization’s operations, most government software in the market have worked effectively for city governments, the federal government, and basically all types of governments in between.

However, a report by CivicPulse indicated that the prioritization of specialized government software products declined in 2021. The report shows that in 2020, 32% of department heads in government agencies say that the adoption of new software technology is a high priority. On the other hand, the 2021 survey reveals that only 21% of department heads today view new software adoption as a high priority.

Technology in the Government Sector

To keep up with the changing times and increasing citizen demands, governments are pushed to explore innovative solutions that can streamline processes and increase work efficiency among government employees. Today, a host of new technologies are transforming the way organizations share data and perform administrative tasks across multiple departments. Here are some of the latest data about technology in the government sector that you should keep in mind.

• Nearly 100% of public servants expect to use the latest technology in their workplace. (Ainsbury, 2020)
• 73% of public servants were tasked to accomplish more with less budget. (Ainsbury, 2020)
• According to 55% of county officials, less than half of their applications can be migrated to the cloud. (Miller, 2022)
• 52% of organizations believe that they have better security in the cloud than on-premise IT environments. (New McAfee, 2019)
• 87% of organizations experience business acceleration from using cloud-based solutions. (New McAfee, 2019)

COVID-19 Impact on Government Sectors

When COVID-19 blitzed government sectors, many of them had to migrate their operations to the cloud and rely on teleworking and implement remote training guidelines. The breakneck speed of the shift presented myriad technological challenges and opportunities to nearly all kinds of government institutions. Below, you’ll find some of the most relevant statistics showing how COVID-19 advanced digital services and data projects among government organizations.

• In 2021, 28% of government employees were working remotely at local government agencies. (Miller, 2022)
• In 2022, the number of government employees working remotely rose to 34%. (Miller, 2022)
• In the United States, the penetration of laptops or tablets was at about 85%. (Raths, 2022)
• According to federal agencies, telework hours in their organization comprised more than 80% of total work time. (Gao, 2022)

Today, national organizations use government-specific software solutions for almost every aspect of their administrative duties, from accounting, budgeting, reporting, and new-hire procedures to facilitating communication within the organization. Users can easily find public administration tools and political campaign software with just a quick search on the internet. Thanks to a wide range of government software available today, government sectors possess the technologies that facilitate better services and improve connections with their constituents.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, government sectors from different parts of the globe turned to the best government software solutions to overcome the difficult challenges of remote governance, such as creating a sustainable work-from-home policy for government employees. Below is a compilation of some key statistics showing the increasing adoption of software services in government sectors:

1. 50% of fire protection and law enforcement departments have used specialized software products in the last three years. (Civic Pulse, 2021)
2. Meanwhile, 25 to 35% of finance, purchasing, and zoning departments have adopted new software solutions in the past three years. (Civic Pulse, 2021)
3. 68% of department heads in government agencies saw a positive impact from software adoption. (Civic Pulse, 2021)

When selecting government software, it's crucial to evaluate several key factors to ensure it meets your institution's unique requirements:

• Specific Institutional Needs: Understand the specific administrative, operational, or regulatory needs of your organization. Consider if the software has functionalities tailored to public sector workflows, such as budgeting, performance tracking, or data management.
• Essential Features: Look for essential features such as compliance tracking, performance metrics, budget management, and reporting capabilities. Depending on the department, needs may vary, so choose software that aligns with your goals.
• Adaptability and Customization: Opt for software that offers flexibility and customization options. Tailored solutions can help meet specialized workflows and adapt to the evolving demands of public administration.
• Integration Capabilities: Ensure the software can integrate seamlessly with existing systems, like ERPs or communication platforms, to facilitate data sharing and streamline workflows across departments.
• Security and Compliance: Given the sensitive data involved, prioritize robust security features and compliance with regulatory standards to protect your institution from cyber threats and ensure the integrity of operations.
• Scalability: Select a solution that can grow with your organization and handle increasing data volumes, users, and processing needs.

List of 20 Best Government Software

Performance Management Software

One of the most essential functions needed in a government software is performance management. For this reason, a growing number of government organizations are implementing performance management software solutions to help them achieve their goals. Most government sectors use this type of software to meet key performance metrics, review their targets, and track progress toward specific goals or projects. Here are some of the best examples of a performance management software specifically built for government bodies.

1. Adaptive Insights

Adaptive Insights is a government software that helps institutions maximize their resources and technology. It enables government agencies to streamline their operations, eliminate arbitrage confusion, and increase and manage revenue streams. It gives you a complete view of the entire organization, allowing government employees to simplify complex workflows and access real-time analytics.

Key Features

• Profitability analysis
• Expense management tools
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow management
• Revenue management
• Capital management
• Workforce management
• Analytics and reporting
• Data consolidation

Pricing

• Quote-based

2. CGI

CGI offers an ERP system that helps government agencies meet their unique needs. It allows government employees to perform core federal financial system functions, such as performance budgeting, funds management, general ledger management, payment management, cost management, and external reporting. It also streamlines administrative tasks, from payroll to human resource management.

Key Features

• Financial management
• Budget planning
• Budget tracking
• Accounting
• Human resource management
• Document management
• General ledger
• Workflow automation
• Procurement module

Pricing

• Quote-based

3. Oracle

Oracle is an ERP solution that modernizes IT infrastructure and applications.  Among the most popular ERP systems, the platform serves as a powerful tool to seamlessly manage administrative tasks, which government institutions deal with in heavy doses. With its fully-integrated cloud application, Oracle enables government agencies to experience better security and performance. Plus, it offers some of the best public financial management systems with its advanced features for finance tracking.

Key features

• Embedded business intelligence
• Enterprise planning
• Performance management
• Analytics and reporting
• Identity and access management
• Isolated network visualization
• Security zones
• Archive storage
• Data transfer service
• Storage gateway

Pricing

• Quote-based

4. Workday

Workday is an adaptive planning software that helps government institutions streamline administrative and financial-related tasks. It has a wide range of budgeting and forecasting tools, allowing organizations to significantly reduce time spent on budgeting and operational processes. In addition, the solution is equipped with human capital management tools to help institutions improve productivity and employee performance.

Key Features

• Succession planning
• Performance management
• Onboarding
• Talent management
• Benefits administration
• Organization management
• Analytics
• Real-time performance insights

Pricing

• Quote-based

ERP Software

Perhaps the most common type of software deployed by government organizations are ERP solutions. After all, ERP software products can provide a more pragmatic way for the government sector and its IT infrastructure to deliver business insights and efficiencies to stakeholders. Below are some of the most commonly used ERP solutions by government organizations:

5. Infor

Infor offers a complete suite of applications for public entities and all levels of government, including federal, municipal, public safety, educational sector, and more. It is designed to meet the complex industry demands of government agencies and optimize key financial and administrative processes. The solution is also equipped with cost accounting and grant management tools to help public sectors identify and manage grant project teams.

Key Features

• Governance, risk, and compliance
• Analytics and reporting
• Financial visibility
• Advanced planning and scheduling
• Employee management
• Electronic payments
• Performance metrics
• Project management

Pricing

• Quote-based

6. SAP

SAP cloud solution is loaded with tools that help regional, state, and local government organizations improve service efficiency and effectiveness for better citizen outcomes. By leveraging AI, personal data, and proactive automation, the platform allows institutions to deliver better services to their constituents. It also utilizes a project intelligence network to improve collaboration within an organization.

Key Features

• Business intelligence
• Industry-specific capabilities
• End-to-end business automation
• Operational visibility and control
• Real-time reporting and analytics
• Access to critical data

Pricing

• Quote-based

Communication Software

Communication is the lifeblood of any organization, and so it is in a government institution. Without the right tool to facilitate effective communication, government sectors run the risk of negatively impacting collaboration between government employees and citizens. Therefore, organizations need an efficient communication platform to address communication challenges and improve workflows. Below is an example of a communication solution for government sectors:

7. Granicus

Granicus is a cloud communications platform purposely built to connect people and government with a seamless user experience. It unifies online services, websites, and digital communication platforms used by organizations to serve constituents more efficiently. Also serving as a public records management software, it provides a state-of-the-art content management system to make it easier for government institutions to create and publish content, customize experiences, and optimize sites for every device.

Key Features

• Customizable CMS
• Digital forms
• Agenda and meeting management
• Records management
• Government workflow automation
• Online customer portal
• Website design

Pricing

• Quote-based

Reporting and Analytics Software

Government institutions handle massive volumes of data on a daily basis. To make use of all these data and condense vast and disparate information into valuable insights, government sectors need reporting and analytics tools. Here are some great examples of software solutions that help address emerging trends and challenges in business analytics :

8. Hyperion

Part of Oracle’s suite of applications, Hyperion is a financial management solution ideal for organizations that need to consolidate and report financial results and comply with global regulatory requirements. It enables government agencies to easily facilitate in-depth analysis of key performance and operational metrics. In addition, the solution is equipped with intelligent process automation, which allows organizations to streamline process monitoring and other workflow capabilities.

Key Features

• Plan management capabilities
• Reports and dashboards
• Microsoft Office integration
• Financial planning
• Operational planning
• Resource optimization
• Financial forecasting
• Cost management
• Data sheet

Pricing

• Quote-based

9. BRASS

BRASS, or Building Resource Adaptive Software Systems, is a software solution that unifies any organization’s complex ecosystem of libraries, protocols, models, and devices. It optimizes the applications used by government institutions and ensures that they can seamlessly continue to operate correctly and usefully despite system changes or upgrades. It also supports the design and implementation of long-lived, complicated software systems that are adaptive to changes and transformations.

Key Features

• System reconfiguration
• Program transformations
• Runtime systems
• Virtual machine implementations

Pricing

• Quote-based

10. SherpaGov

SherpaGov is a budgeting software and consulting services designed specifically for the public sector. It offers a wide range of budget formulation and management capabilities, enabling government agencies to perform budget development, personnel forecasting, and capital programming. It also helps institutions create allotments, spending plans, and annual budget development.

Key Features

• Budget monitoring
• Budget execution
• Performance management
• Reporting and analytics
• Key metrics monitoring
• Payroll management
• Budget development

Pricing

• Quote-based

11. Anaplan

Anaplan is a cloud-based enterprise platform built for business planning and streamlining operational tasks. It enables government sectors to quickly organize and analyze disparate sets of enterprise data from different departments, including human resources, finance, sales and others. Built with an Excel-style functionality, Anaplan allows institutions to simplify workflows and make data-driven decisions.

Key Features

• Model building
• Model versioning
• Dynamic scenario building
• Dashboards and reports
• Model replication
• App hub
• Business rules storage
• Labor forecasting
• Skills management

Pricing

• Quote-based

12. IBM Planning Analytics with Watson

IBM Planning Analytics with Watson is a project planning solution used by government departments to build and change plans based on specific operational requirements. It is a highly scalable solution that supports increased data volumes, planning models, and number of users without impacting performance. The platform also helps organizations drill down into data, generate valuable insights, and identify trends to make smarter business decisions.

Key Features

• Guided planning
• Predictive forecasting
• Customizable applications
• In-memory database
• Real-time data access
• Workflow management
• Budgeting
• Reporting

Pricing

• Quote-based

13. Socrata

Socrata is a reporting tool purposely built for governments, non-profits, and NGOs that need to programmatically access a wealth of open data resources. It allows organizations to easily publish and manage data and keep their information accurate and constantly up-to-date. Moreover, it enables government institutions to leverage data in the design, management, and execution of programs.

Key Features

• Data management
• Metadata
• Data catalog
• Libraries and SDKs
• Data visualization

Pricing

• Quote-based

14. Tableau

Tableau is a data analysis software that helps government institutions create that single source of truth, facilitate performance, and gain actionable insights for smarter and data-driven decisions. It is loaded with numerous data management tools that allow organizations to discover and understand massive volumes of data. It brings together intelligent data flows and governance and security features to enrich any organization’s data and asset management tasks.

Key Features

• Workflow automation
• Business intelligence
• Data visualization
• Reporting
• Dashboards
• Graphs and charts
• Multiple data sources
• Real-time analytics
• Heat maps
• Motion chart

Pricing

Hosted by Tableau

• Tableau Creator $70/user/month billed annually
• Tableau Explorer $42/user/month billed annually
• Tableau Viewer $15/user/month billed annually

On-premise

• Tableau Creator $70/user/month billed annually
• Tableau Explorer $35/user/month billed annually
• Tableau Viewer $12/user/month billed annually

15. Qlik Sense Enterprise SaaS

Qlik Sense Enterprise SaaS provides government organizations with a modern and reliable data analytics platform built for speed, scale, and security. It comes with a wide range of data analytics and visualization tools, enabling governments and agencies to optimize their digital infrastructure and extract crucial data insights. With its purpose-built analytics engine, the solution helps governments augment data and drive world-class visualization and discovery. Moreover, it has content delivery functionalities reminiscent of the key features of some of the best CMS software platforms on the market.

Key Features

• Advanced analytics
• Natural language interaction
• Augmented analytics
• Chart monitoring
• Content delivery
• Smart visualization and analytics
• Data storytelling and reporting
• Advanced data preparation

Pricing

• Quote-based

16. Birst

Birst is a data analytics solution acquired by Infor, an ERP solutions provider for enterprises and government organizations. It serves as an industry-grade analytics platform that delivers relevant and meaningful insights for different types of government institutions. It provides a modern data architecture, allowing organizations to experience a flexible and business-centric approach to managing data.

Key Features

• Networked business intelligence
• Enterprise-grade governance
• Business rules and definitions
• Adaptive user interface
• Native cloud multi-tenant architecture
• Reporting
• Data discovery

Pricing

• Quote-based

17. Palantir

Palantir is another analytics platform built to address the toughest data challenges of government organizations. It offers a plethora of data management and analytics features that empower organizations to efficiently integrate their data, operations, and decisions. By seamlessly connecting with government systems, it helps organizations to fully leverage data assets with discretion.

Key Features

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Automotive and mobility
• Contract management
• Analytics
• Data import and export
• Calendar management
• A/B testing
• 2-factor authentication
• Contact management

Pricing

• Quote-based

18. SAS Analytics

SAS Analytics is another reporting and analytics tool that supports the resource management and program investment decisions of government organizations. It allows state, provincial, and local governments to develop tailored solutions and provide exceptional public services in a more efficient and cost-effective way. It also provides numerous data visualization tools to make complex concepts more appealing and easier to understand.

Key Features

• Graphs and charts
• Reporting dashboards
• Analytics
• Innovative R&D design
• Model manager
• Visual analytics
• Visual data mining

Pricing

• Quote-based

Compliance Software

Compliance software products allow government institutions to face continually evolving compliance requirements. This type of software helps government bodies ensure that the growing inventory of policies, data, and procedures are audit-ready and can easily be evoked on demand. Below is an example of a compliance management solution ideal for all levels of governments.

19. Constellation GovCloud

Constellation GovCloud leverages a stack of technologies and services to help government organizations meet the demands of constituents. It offers a security incident management and vulnerability monitoring solution, allowing institutions to securely and compliantly accomplish administrative duties. Furthermore, it comes with plenty of pre-configured alerting, monitoring, logging, and reporting service tools to help organizations track performances and key metrics.

Key Features

• Integrated security

AllAround Solution

Government institutions all have varying needs. In some cases, it’s hard to find a software product for the specific requirements of a government body, so organizations turn to tailored solutions that can be customized depending on their specialized workflows and processes. Here is an example of an all-around government software that caters to the specialized needs of government bodies.

20. Tyler Technologies

Tyler Technologies offers a wide range of software solutions designed specifically for the unique needs of local, state, and federal government organizations. It helps the public sector deliver better and faster assistance to citizens through its emergency management software, and provides greater transparency and accessibility to digital services. Furthermore, Tyler Technologies enables organizations to connect siloed data, systems, and processes to address citizens’ needs more efficiently.

Key Features

• Economic intelligence
• Financial insights
• Enterprise data platform
• Open data platform
• Workflow optimization
• Content management
• Meeting management

Pricing

• Quote-based

Applications of Procurement Software in Government Operations

Procurement software plays a vital role in modern government operations by streamlining procurement processes and ensuring regulatory compliance. These solutions enable government institutions to effectively manage purchasing workflows, optimize supplier relationships, and ensure transparency in procurement activities. By automating processes such as bid evaluation, contract management, and budget tracking, procurement tools help agencies achieve higher efficiency and cost savings.

Additionally, procurement systems improve accountability by providing audit trails and ensuring adherence to procurement regulations. For instance, solutions that offer supplier performance tracking allow agencies to maintain consistent quality standards while fostering competitive bidding among vendors. Governments can also address corruption risks by leveraging digital procurement systems, enhancing accountability and trust.

If you're looking for comprehensive "procurement systems examples" to better understand how these tools operate and their specific use cases in government, explore this curated list of solutions: procurement systems examples. These tools support professional practices and ensure the best outcomes for public institutions aiming to achieve operational excellence through digital transformation.

Can Government Software Solutions Optimize Facility Management?

Government institutions face ever-increasing demands to maintain and enhance public infrastructure. Integrating specialized facility management software can significantly streamline maintenance operations by pooling real-time data from various public facilities. This integration enables agencies to monitor facility performance, manage preventive maintenance schedules, and control energy use more effectively. Additionally, leveraging these systems facilitates tighter regulatory compliance and cost efficiency by centralizing facility-related analytics with broader administrative processes.

What is the best government software?

Evidently, there is no one-size-fits-all government software. In fact, there are several types of solutions, from financial software to procurement software, depending on the specific requirements of an organization and the public demands that need to be met. In choosing the best government software, the best thing to do is to consider the particular needs of your institution.

The applications included in this list all have unique features and capabilities, so choose carefully the one that can meet all the requirements and demands of your organization. Consider if the platform has all the essential features that you need, such as performance tracking, budget management, and reporting and analytics. You may also want to consider a tailored solution that can be configured and customized according to your needs.

In case you’re also interested in learning more about public administration, check out our article on public administration degree guide.

Key Insights

• Enhanced Efficiency and Collaboration: Implementing government software solutions significantly enhances efficiency and collaboration across departments, leading to faster and better services for constituents.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Government software unifies siloed systems, providing access to accurate and structured data, enabling data-driven decision-making processes.
• Increased Adoption of Cloud Solutions: With the impact of COVID-19, there has been a notable increase in the adoption of cloud-based solutions, enabling remote work and improving security and performance.
• Performance Management Focus: Many government institutions are now using performance management software to meet key metrics, track progress, and review targets, ensuring efficient operation.
• Diverse Software Needs: Government sectors require a variety of software solutions, including ERP, communication, reporting, analytics, and compliance software, to address their unique administrative needs.
• Adaptability and Customization: The best government software solutions offer adaptability and customization to meet the specific needs of different government institutions and their varying workflows.
• Positive Impact on Services: The adoption of specialized government software has shown a positive impact on service efficiency and effectiveness, improving connections between government agencies and constituents.
• Security and Compliance: With increased cyber threats, government software prioritizes robust security features and compliance with regulatory requirements to protect sensitive data and ensure operational integrity.

FAQ

• Why is government software important for public institutions?

Government software is crucial for public institutions because it streamlines administrative tasks, enhances efficiency, improves data accuracy, and facilitates better service delivery to constituents. It helps unify siloed systems, enabling seamless collaboration across departments and making data-driven decision-making possible.

• How does government software improve collaboration among departments?

Government software improves collaboration among departments by unifying disparate systems, providing a centralized platform for data access and communication. This ensures that all departments can work together more effectively, share information in real-time, and coordinate efforts to provide better services to the public.

• What are the benefits of cloud-based government software solutions?

Cloud-based government software solutions offer numerous benefits, including remote access to data, improved security, scalability, cost savings, and enhanced performance. They enable government employees to work from anywhere, ensuring continuity of services even during disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

• How does performance management software benefit government agencies?

Performance management software benefits government agencies by providing tools to set and track key performance metrics, review targets, and monitor progress. This ensures that agencies can achieve their goals efficiently, identify areas for improvement, and enhance overall productivity and service quality.

• What factors should be considered when choosing the best government software?

When choosing the best government software, consider factors such as the specific needs of your institution, essential features like performance tracking and budget management, adaptability and customization options, integration capabilities with existing systems, security features, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• How does government software ensure data security and compliance?

Government software ensures data security and compliance by implementing robust security features such as encryption, access controls, regular security updates, and compliance with industry standards. These measures protect sensitive data from cyber threats and unauthorized access, ensuring operational integrity and adherence to regulatory requirements.

• Can government software solutions be customized to meet specific needs?

Yes, many government software solutions offer customization options to meet the specific needs of different institutions. These solutions can be configured to match the unique workflows and processes of an organization, ensuring that they effectively address the institution's requirements and public demands.

• What impact has COVID-19 had on the adoption of government software?

COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of government software, particularly cloud-based solutions, as institutions had to quickly adapt to remote work and teleworking. This shift presented technological challenges and opportunities, pushing government sectors to enhance their digital infrastructure and adopt new software to maintain continuity of services.

• Why is reporting and analytics software important for government institutions?

Reporting and analytics software is important for government institutions because it helps manage and analyze large volumes of data, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making. These tools enable institutions to condense vast and disparate information into actionable insights, improving operational efficiency and service delivery.

• How do compliance software solutions benefit government organizations?

Compliance software solutions benefit government organizations by ensuring they meet evolving regulatory requirements, maintaining audit readiness, and managing policies, data, and procedures efficiently. These solutions help institutions stay compliant with laws and regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.

References:

• Ainsbury, B. (2020, May 6). The 6 Key Drivers of Tech Innovation in Government. Technology Solutions That Drive Government. https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2019/01/6-key-drivers-tech-innovation-government
• Civic Pulse. (2021). 2021 Software Adoption Trends. https://www.civicpulse.org/2021-software-adoption-trends-in-local-government
• Federal Employees Teleworked More During COVID-19, But What Does the Future of Work Look Like? (2021). U.S. GAO. https://www.gao.gov/blog/federal-employees-teleworked-more-during-covid-19-what-does-future-work-look
• Miller, B. (2022a, March 21). Survey Shows Many Government Employees Still Teleworking. GovTech. https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/survey-shows-many-government-employees-still-teleworking
• Miller, B. (2022b, June 2). Survey: Government Is Optimistic About Ditching Data Centers. GovTech. https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/survey-government-is-optimistic-about-ditching-data-centers
• New McAfee Report Finds Eighty-Seven Percent of Companies Experience Business Acceleration from Use of Cloud Services. (2019, June 18). Business Wire. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190617005945/en/New-McAfee-Report-Finds-Eighty-Seven-Percent-Companies