ARMS vs First Due

ARMS—Visit First Due—Visit

ARMS #1 in Public Safety software —/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Contact End2End

vs

First Due #7 in Public Safety software —/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit First Due

• ARMS fits best

  Full-service agencies needing CAD and RMS

• First Due fits best

  Fire and EMS departments with broad operations

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Side by side

Feature	ARMS —/10 Visit ↗	First Due —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	—	—
Ranking	#1 in Public Safety software	#7 in Public Safety software
Best for	Full-service agencies needing CAD and RMS	Fire and EMS departments with broad operations
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	Not published	Not published
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Phone, Docs · 24/7	Phone
Integrations	12 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ARMS 4/4 · First Due 4/4
Dispatch management	✓	✓
Records management	✓	✓
Emergency call handling	✓	✓
Mobile field access	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment options	Both	Cloud
Our review
Pros	Combines dispatch, records, officer mobile access and evidence tracking Supports cloud SaaS and self-hosted deployment options Includes UCR, NIBRS, Clery and customizable statistical reports	Combines incident reporting, ePCR, CAD workflows and mobile response. Covers inspections, scheduling, personnel, assets, training and command. Connects with CAD systems and public-safety tools including Esri and Hexagon.
Cons	Pricing requires contacting the company Capabilities and deployment options may vary by module Broad suite may exceed the needs of agencies seeking a single-purpose tool	Broad module coverage may be more than a narrowly focused agency needs. Pricing is provided through a sales conversation rather than published plans. Cloud deployment may not suit agencies requiring on-premises software.
Our verdict	ARMS brings dispatch, records management and field access together for municipal police, higher-education, healthcare, K-12 and other public safety agencies. Its computer-aided dispatch supports call initiation, unit assignment, standard… Read the review →	First Due brings operational tools for fire and EMS agencies into a cloud-based platform. Its scope reaches from incident documentation and electronic patient care reporting (ePCR) to prevention, scheduling, assets, training and incident… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ARMS — where it wins

  • Combines dispatch, records, officer mobile access and evidence tracking
  • Supports cloud SaaS and self-hosted deployment options
  • Includes UCR, NIBRS, Clery and customizable statistical reports

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting the company
  • Capabilities and deployment options may vary by module
  • Broad suite may exceed the needs of agencies seeking a single-purpose tool

• First Due — where it wins

  • Combines incident reporting, ePCR, CAD workflows and mobile response.
  • Covers inspections, scheduling, personnel, assets, training and command.
  • Connects with CAD systems and public-safety tools including Esri and Hexagon.

  Where it doesn't

  • Broad module coverage may be more than a narrowly focused agency needs.
  • Pricing is provided through a sales conversation rather than published plans.
  • Cloud deployment may not suit agencies requiring on-premises software.

• ARMS—/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad CAD and records suite for agencies that need connected dispatch and case workflows.

  Contact End2EndFull verdict →
• First Due—/10 · Pricing on request

  A cloud platform spanning incident response, prevention, staffing, assets and training.

  Visit First DueFull verdict →