Comparison · Beacon vs PDI
Political Data Inc (PDI) pairs its voter file (the list of registered voters) with desktop-era canvassing tools, and that dependence is the reason teams come looking for a PDI alternative. Beacon is a cloud-native canvassing platform, meaning it runs entirely online, and it works with any voter file, any party, and any organization. Real-time GPS is available at the Growth tier, AI Script Coach is a paid add-on from $29/mo, pricing starts at $59/mo, and every plan includes unlimited canvassers.
Summary
Feature by feature
| Feature | Beacon | PDI |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-native platform | IncludedBuilt to run online from the start; no software to install | HybridDesktop-first design with web options |
| Voter-file-agnostic | IncludedAny voter file or CSV, including L2, Aristotle, a PDI export, or your own list | PDI data onlyTools closely paired with PDI's own voter file product |
| AI Script Coach | Add-on, from $29/moPersonalized talking points per door, on any tier | Not availableData only, no AI coaching |
| Real-time GPS tracking | Growth+Live canvasser locations on Growth ($129) and up | Not availableNo real-time tracking |
| Works without cell signal | IncludedDoor visits saved on the phone, sent to the server when signal returns | LimitedLimited mobile capabilities |
| Data enrichment | IncludedBuilt in; adds phone, email, and demographic details at $0.10/record | Some dataVoter file fields included; limited enrichment beyond those |
| Route optimization | IncludedAutomatically orders the walk by street, giving extra weight to priority contacts | Not available |
| Modern design and ease of use | IncludedModern design, works on any phone | FunctionalDesktop-oriented design |
| Gamification | IncludedBadges, streaks, team leaderboards | Not available |
| Custom surveys | IncludedFive question types, works without cell signal | Included |
| Same-day setup | MinutesImport a CSV, draw turfs, and canvass the same day | LongerOnboarding through a sales team is typical |
| API & webhooks | IncludedFull REST API and signed webhooks (automatic updates to other software), retried on failure | LimitedLimited integration options |
| Pricing model | Flat tiersFrom $59/mo by contact volume; unlimited canvassers; published on the website | Custom quoteSales call required, prices not published, long-term contracts typical |
The five main differences
PDI's canvassing tools are designed to work with PDI's voter file. Beacon is voter-file-agnostic, so a campaign can bring data from L2, Aristotle, NationBuilder, a secretary of state export, or a custom CSV. Any source works, so you are not tied to one data vendor.
PDI was built in the desktop era. Beacon has run online from the start, on modern servers that adjust automatically to heavy use. There are no desktop installs, no IT department, and no server maintenance, and updates are released continuously.
PDI does not offer real-time GPS tracking. On the Growth plan and up, Beacon updates each canvasser's location every 30 seconds, and on every plan it shows a live feed of conversations as they happen. Field directors can see the whole operation on one screen and reassign canvassers during the shift.
PDI provides voter data, and Beacon adds an AI tool that uses it. AI Script Coach, a paid add-on from $29/mo, suggests personalized talking points from the contact's record, past conversations, and the campaign's script.
PDI requires a sales call and a custom quote, often thousands of dollars per month. Beacon's pricing is published, from Starter at $59 for 2,500 contacts up to Enterprise at $599 for 250K+. Sign up, import contacts, draw territories, and start canvassing the same day. Month-to-month billing is the default, with no long-term contracts.
Pricing, head to head
Beacon Pro
$149 /mo
Beacon Pro covers 25,000 contacts with unlimited canvassers and live GPS tracking. Surveys, gamification, and the rest of the platform are included on every plan. AI Script Coach is a paid add-on from $29/mo, and the whole platform works with any voter file, for any party and any organization.
PDI
Custom ($$$)
PDI quotes a custom price based on voter file size and tools, with onboarding through a sales team and long-term contracts typical. AI coaching, real-time tracking, and route optimization are not included at any quoted price.
Frequently asked questions
Beacon works for campaigns of any party, including Republican, Democratic, nonpartisan, and ballot measure campaigns. It also works for nonprofits, advocacy groups, and door-to-door sales teams. The data is organized the same way for all of them, and the labels and dispositions (the result options for each visit) change to fit the program.
Yes. Export from PDI as a CSV file and upload it to Beacon. Voter IDs, party affiliation, and precinct assignments are preserved. Addresses are placed on the map automatically, and records can go through data enrichment in the same step.
Beacon supports voter file import with VoterID matching, party affiliation, precinct assignment, and voter score tracking. Built-in enrichment adds phone, email, and household details such as age, income range, and homeowner status at $0.10/record on top of whatever's in the voter file.
No. Beacon is month-to-month by default, and annual billing saves 20% for teams that want to commit for a year. No multi-year contract or minimum commitment is required.
You can keep PDI for the data and use Beacon for the field program. Each time the PDI data is updated, export it as a CSV file and import it into Beacon. Many programs work this way, with a voter file vendor on one side and Beacon's canvassing platform on the other.
Switch to Beacon
Start a free trial, import a file exported from PDI, and canvass your first turf this week. We will help you move your data over.