FirstDig vs PermitStack

A building permit data API for developers, with no-code search, email lead feeds and webhooks. How it compares with FirstDig for local service businesses, from both sites (checked Oct 31, 2026).

	FirstDig	PermitStack
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.	Developers building on permit data (API, SDKs, an MCP server), and contractors through no-code search and alerts.
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.	121 million+ permits from 8,000+ cities in 48 states and DC by its own count; some sources are marked access-blocked with older data.
How fresh	City feeds read about every hour; the matching permits arrive by email every morning (Pro), within the hour (Business) or weekly (Free).	Re-read nightly.
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 or weekly email lead feeds (up to 3 saved searches free); webhooks from the $79/month Developer plan.
Homeowner names	Never: owner and applicant names are removed before anything is saved. Alerts go to businesses.	Owner name on API records on every plan; owner mailing address from the $149/month Business plan.
Contractor details	The contractor's business name on each permit; the busiest builders in your area (Business).	Name, licence and trade on every plan; business phone and other contact details from the Developer plan.
Exports and API	No exports; connect ChatGPT or Claude to ask about your permits (Pro and Business).	REST API, SDKs, CSV exports and bulk city files.
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.	Free (100 API requests a day, last 30 days); paid plans from $29 to $499 a month; bulk city files $39 to $349.

Choose PermitStack if

You're building software and need an API over thousands of cities.
You want raw permit data, history and bulk files to work with yourself.
You need webhooks into your own systems.

Choose FirstDig if

You run a service business, not software, and want the permits in your area by email without setting anything up.
You want the permits sorted by your trade, on a map of your service area, with job-finished alerts and ready dates.
You prefer to approach the job through the permit and the contractor, without homeowners' personal data.

Questions

What is the difference between FirstDig and PermitStack?

FirstDig: Home-service businesses and contractors (pool, roofing, solar, HVAC, plumbing, remodel and more) who want the new jobs in their own service area. PermitStack: Developers building on permit data (API, SDKs, an MCP server), and contractors through no-code search and alerts.

How much does PermitStack cost compared with FirstDig?

PermitStack: Free (100 API requests a day, last 30 days); paid plans from $29 to $499 a month; bulk city files $39 to $349. 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 PermitStack or FirstDig include homeowner names?

PermitStack: Owner name on API records on every plan; owner mailing address from the $149/month Business plan. 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

PermitStack'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.