Shovels Alternative — Igni for ADU & Permit Data
Looking for a Shovels alternative? See how Igni approaches permit-data coverage, freshness and ADU/SB-9 typing — and what to verify before you choose.
If you're evaluating Shovels and want to compare it against another permit-data option, this page lays out the dimensions that matter when choosing a source and explains how Igni approaches each one. Shovels is a known player in construction and permit data; rather than make claims about its specifics — which change and which you should verify on their own site — we focus on how Igni works and what to look for in any permit-data source.
Igni's focus is ADU and residential permit intelligence: typed ADU classification, California SB-9/SB-10 flags, and sub-24-hour freshness, all sourced directly from official municipal open-data portals. For the full picture of how permit data works, start with our building-permit data guide.
Competitor details change. The comparison below is based on general, publicly available information and describes how Igni approaches each dimension — always verify a vendor's current specifics, pricing, and coverage on their official site before deciding.
How they compare
| Dimension | Igni | Shovels (verify on their site) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | ADU & residential permit intelligence (typed ADU, SB-9/SB-10). | Construction & permit data — verify scope on their site. |
| Data sourcing | Directly from official municipal open-data portals, normalized. | Check their site for sourcing details. |
| Coverage | 60 cities across 37 US states, expanding by jurisdiction. | Varies — verify current coverage on their site. |
| Freshness | Sub-24h where the source portal supports it. | Varies — check their stated update cadence. |
| Typed ADU classification | Detached / attached / junior / conversion / unknown. | Verify whether ADU-subtype typing is offered. |
| California SB-9 / SB-10 flags | Carried as flags on California records. | — (verify on their site) |
| Pricing model | Contact-driven during the pilot (pre-revenue, no self-serve checkout). | Varies — see their pricing page. |
| Access | Request access via contact form; coverage discussed per market. | Check their site for sign-up / access details. |
What to look for in a permit-data source
When you compare any two permit-data sources, the dimensions that actually decide fit are sourcing (where the data originates and how verifiable it is), coverage (which markets, and how it expands), freshness (how soon a filing appears), classification (whether ADUs are typed or left as raw text), and delivery (dashboard, export, API, or alerts). Pricing model matters too, but it's downstream of whether the data fits your workflow.
We'd rather give you that framework than assert specifics about another vendor that may have changed. Apply the same checklist to Shovels and to Igni using each source's own current documentation.
How Igni approaches each dimension
Igni is built specifically around ADU and residential permit intelligence. On sourcing, every record traces back to an official municipal open-data portal, normalized into one consistent schema. On coverage, it's live in 60 cities across 37 US states and expands jurisdiction by jurisdiction. On freshness, it ingests continuously and surfaces permits with sub-24-hour freshness where the source supports it.
On classification, Igni applies typed ADU classification and carries California SB-9/SB-10 flags — the specialization at the heart of the product. You can preview live activity in the permit dashboard and read how the ADU typing works in our ADU permit guide.
When Igni is the right fit
Igni is the strongest fit if your work centers on ADUs and residential construction, you want California SB-9/SB-10 signal, and you value open-data sourcing you can verify. It's pre-revenue and contact-driven during the pilot, so access is a conversation about your markets rather than a self-serve checkout.
If that matches how you work, request access and tell us which cities and project types you focus on. For audience-specific detail, see our pages for ADU builders and general contractors.
Frequently asked questions
Is Igni a good Shovels alternative?
How does Igni source its permit data?
What does Igni specialize in?
How do I compare specifics with Shovels?
See how Igni fits your markets
Igni is contact-driven during its pilot. Tell us which cities and project types you focus on, and we'll show you the coverage, freshness and ADU typing for your markets.
Related reading
Competitor details change and this comparison reflects general, publicly available information — always verify a vendor's current specifics on their official site. Informational only, not legal advice.