FirstDig vs PermitGrab

Permit prospecting for local contractors across 775 cities, with digest alerts, contractor profiles and CSV export. How it compares with FirstDig for local service businesses, from both sites (checked Oct 31, 2026).

	FirstDig	PermitGrab
Built for	Home-service businesses and contractors (pool, roofing, solar, HVAC, plumbing, remodel and more) who want the new jobs in their own service area.	Local contractors prospecting from public permits; also tracks for suppliers, fire safety, equipment and public works.
Coverage	100 city and county permit feeds in 29 states and DC; 113,450 permits in the last 30 days. Any other city can be requested.	775 cities with permits in the last 30 days, in 42 states, and 5.4 million+ permits, by its own count.
How fresh	City feeds read about every hour; the matching permits arrive by email every morning (Pro), within the hour (Business) or weekly (Free).	Depends on each city's source; every city page shows its newest record.
Alerts	Draw your service area on a map and pick your trades; plus job-finished alerts, ready dates, busy streets and a route planner. Works inside ChatGPT and Claude too.	Daily and weekly digest alerts from saved searches, by market, trade, project value, neighborhood or ZIP code.
Homeowner names	Never: owner and applicant names are removed before anything is saved. Alerts go to businesses.	Owner details where a public source supports the match.
Contractor details	The contractor's business name on each permit; the busiest builders in your area (Business).	Contractor profiles (project count, trade mix, typical value, service area); up to 10 contractor phone numbers free.
Exports and API	No exports; connect ChatGPT or Claude to ask about your permits (Pro and Business).	CSV export; an API is on its roadmap.
Price	Free (weekly, one area, one trade); Pro $49 a month, Business $99 a month. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro, no card.	Pro $149 a month with a 14-day trial (card needed); no free plan listed, though city pages can be browsed free.

Choose PermitGrab if

You need permits from far more cities than FirstDig covers.
You want CSV exports and owner details where the city publishes them.

Choose FirstDig if

You want a free plan, or a paid plan at a third of the price.
You want your service area drawn on a map, with job-finished alerts, ready dates, busy streets and a route planner.
You prefer to approach the job through the permit and the contractor, without homeowners' personal data.

Questions

What is the difference between FirstDig and PermitGrab?

FirstDig: Home-service businesses and contractors (pool, roofing, solar, HVAC, plumbing, remodel and more) who want the new jobs in their own service area. PermitGrab: Local contractors prospecting from public permits; also tracks for suppliers, fire safety, equipment and public works.

How much does PermitGrab cost compared with FirstDig?

PermitGrab: Pro $149 a month with a 14-day trial (card needed); no free plan listed, though city pages can be browsed free. FirstDig: Free (weekly, one area, one trade); Pro $49 a month, Business $99 a month. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro, no card.

Does PermitGrab or FirstDig include homeowner names?

PermitGrab: Owner details where a public source supports the match. FirstDig: Never: owner and applicant names are removed before anything is saved. Alerts go to businesses.

Start free with FirstDig (14 days of Pro, no card needed).

Sources

PermitGrab's side comes from its own website, read on Oct 31, 2026; prices and features may have changed since. FirstDig's side is live. Spotted a mistake? Write to support@firstdig.net.