FirstDig vs PermitRadar

A permit map and address watch for investors, homeowners and contractors across 250+ cities. How it compares with FirstDig for local service businesses, from both sites (checked Oct 31, 2026).

	FirstDig	PermitRadar
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.	Investors, homeowners and contractors following new construction.
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.	250+ cities 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).	Updated daily.
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.	Watch an address and get notified when a permit is filed nearby, filtered by type, value and category (paid plans).
Homeowner names	Never: owner and applicant names are removed before anything is saved. Alerts go to businesses.	Not described; property reports list permits, inspections, sales and violations.
Contractor details	The contractor's business name on each permit; the busiest builders in your area (Business).	Contractor permit history, inspection pass rates and reviews (Pro).
Exports and API	No exports; connect ChatGPT or Claude to ask about your permits (Pro and Business).	Mentions data export; its API page was not available.
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.	The map and permit search are free; alerts are on paid plans (prices not shown on the pages we could read).

Choose PermitRadar if

You research properties or watch specific addresses.

Choose FirstDig if

You want every new permit for your trades across your whole service area, by email each morning.
You want published prices: free, or from $49 a month.

Questions

What is the difference between FirstDig and PermitRadar?

FirstDig: Home-service businesses and contractors (pool, roofing, solar, HVAC, plumbing, remodel and more) who want the new jobs in their own service area. PermitRadar: Investors, homeowners and contractors following new construction.

How much does PermitRadar cost compared with FirstDig?

PermitRadar: The map and permit search are free; alerts are on paid plans (prices not shown on the pages we could read). 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 PermitRadar or FirstDig include homeowner names?

PermitRadar: Not described; property reports list permits, inspections, sales and violations. 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

PermitRadar'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.