First Due vs SoundThinking
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Gunshot detection and public safety analytics
The verdict
Both First Due and SoundThinking are credible public safety tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose First Due if you want broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.6/5). Cloud platform for fire and EMS
SoundThinking — Gunshot detection and public safety analytics
First Due vs SoundThinking: side by side
| Dimension | First Due | SoundThinking |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | Custom |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Fire Departments, Ems Agencies | Law Enforcement, Cities |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, ApiWinner | Web, Api |
| Rating | 4.6/5Winner | 3.9/5 |
First Due key facts
- Vendor
- First Due (Locality Media)
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android, Api
- Best for
- Fire Departments, Ems Agencies
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Long Island City, NY, USA
SoundThinking key facts
- Vendor
- SoundThinking
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Law Enforcement, Cities
- Editor rating
- 3.9 / 5
- Founded
- 1996
- Headquarters
- Fremont, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is First Due better than SoundThinking?
Neither is universally better — First Due edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is First Due or SoundThinking cheaper?
First Due is the more affordable of the two to get started, at custom. First Due starts at custom; SoundThinking starts at custom.
Can First Due replace SoundThinking?
Yes for most teams — both are public safety tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.