Compare filing tools and costs
This is a comparison of published product information, checked October 30, 2026. We have not tested these products or certified their filing output. Prices are not quotes for your committee. Confirm coverage and terms with the provider.
Scroll across the table to compare scope, prices and checks.
| Software | Published scope | Price basis | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| FECFile ↗ | The FEC’s Windows desktop tool for federal electronic filing. | Free download. | Check the supported report and current computer requirements. This is not a state reporting tool. |
| Campaign ToolBox ↗ | Vendor lists Florida, Kentucky and Pennsylvania versions for state and local reporting. | $140 for one year, one reporting entity. Minimum one year; extensions available. | Confirm your state version and filer type. The vendor says it is a reporting program, not an accounting program. |
| ISPolitical ↗ | Political accounting, fundraising and FEC reporting, including work by treasurers managing multiple committees. | Request a written quote for your scope. | Ask for a demonstration of your exact jurisdiction, committee type, reconciliation and export workflow. |
| Campaign Deputy ↗ | Fundraising CRM with state reporting and FEC options. | Published Starter example $185/month, including an ACH discount. Price depends on campaign and scope. | Confirm organization eligibility, federal pricing and compliance support. Other payment methods do not receive the published 2.9% ACH discount. |
| CMDI Crimson ↗ | Fundraising, data and compliance products for the Republican campaign market. | Request a quote for the required products and services. | Confirm supported filings and whether compliance staff, migration or other services are included. |
The rows cover different scopes and billing periods. They are not a ranked list or a claim that the cheapest product can do the same work as the others. Compare the same scope before comparing totals.
Check the free filing route first
For federal reporting, start with FECFile. The FEC also offers FECfile+, a web-based service with limited committee eligibility during rollout. Read its current eligibility instructions before planning a switch.
The FEC’s other-software guidance explains that inclusion in its vendor list is not endorsement or approval. Confirm electronic filing support directly with the vendor.
For state or local reports, use your own filing authority’s system and specifications. Florida filing resources explain where to begin.
Choose the job before the platform
| Your task | What the demonstration needs to prove |
|---|---|
| Prepare and submit a report | Your committee’s report type, required output and the authority’s receipt or confirmation. |
| Maintain campaign accounts | Gross contributions, processing fees, deposits, payments and bank reconciliation, not just a donor list. |
| Raise funds and manage supporters | Donation records, contact management and a clear handoff to the reporting system. |
| Manage several committees | Separate records, permissions, costs and exports for each entity. |
Broader platforms such as NationBuilder combine supporter records, websites and fundraising. Those features alone do not establish support for your filing format. Treat the reporting connection as a separate requirement.
Our contribution recordkeeping checklist and report review checklist give you sample tasks to take into a demonstration.
Ask for evidence in the demonstration
| Ask the provider | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Which authorities and filer categories do you support? | The current export specification and a sample output for your actual filing type. |
| How are corrections and amendments handled? | The change history, reviewer permissions and amendment workflow. |
| What happens when a rule or format changes? | The update process, support responsibility and effective date. |
| Can we export all our records? | A sample export including identifiers, history and links to supporting records. |
| Who can see or change each record? | User roles, access removal and the treatment of shared accounts. |
| What happens if we leave? | Export access, termination terms and the handling of retained data. |
Compare the same period and scope
Ask for a written quote using your expected number of users, committees and filing jurisdictions. Separate recurring charges from setup, migration, training and support. If a price is quoted per election cycle, confirm what the provider means by that period and what happens if the campaign continues.
A low headline price cannot tell you whether migration or support is included. Keep the quote and service terms beside your comparison so the reason for a decision remains clear.
Use sample records before committing
Request a demonstration with fictional records. Ask the provider to show an ordinary contribution, a correction and an export. Check what the system does when information is missing. You can evaluate the workflow without sending real donor information during a sales conversation.
For Florida filing software, consult the Florida filing software vendor directory . For federal filing requirements, start with FEC guides by committee type . A vendor demonstration is not a substitute for the authority’s instructions.
How this comparison was prepared
We selected an official free option, a state-focused reporting product and vendors that combine campaign finance with broader workflows. The comparison uses each linked provider’s public description and price information. Unknown prices stay unknown; a feature claim is not an independent product test.
We receive no commission from these links, and no provider paid for placement. We are not an approved referral partner of NationBuilder or CMDI. Any future commercial relationship will be disclosed beside the relevant links.
Primary sources
Read the official guidance
Sources reviewed October 30, 2026. Check the current guidance before filing.