HigherGov Pricing Explained
Including the Hidden $995/Year SLED Add-On
A transparent breakdown of what HigherGov actually costs, and how it compares to GCFinder.
HigherGov Pricing Breakdown
Base Plans
HigherGov offers tiered pricing based on features and number of users. Plans typically range from $150 to $500+ per month.
Basic search and alerts
Analytics and award data
Full analytics suite
The Hidden SLED Add-On: $995/Year
HigherGov charges a separate $995/year add-on fee for access to state and local (SLED) procurement data. This is not prominently featured on their main pricing page.
If you are a contractor who bids on both federal and state/local opportunities, this add-on is not optional. That is an additional ~$83/month on top of your base plan.
What this means for your total cost:
- - Entry plan + SLED: ~$150 + $83 =~$233/month
- - Mid-tier + SLED: ~$300 + $83 =~$383/month
- - Enterprise + SLED: $500+ + $83 =$583+/month
Total Cost Comparison
GCFinder Pricing
All features included. No add-on fees.
1 user, 5 searches/day
3 users, AI bid assistant
7 users, 500 searches/day
HigherGov Pricing
Base plan + SLED add-on required for full coverage.
Federal only
Federal + analytics
Full suite
Annual Cost Comparison
GCFinder Max (annual)
$3,588
$299/mo x 12
HigherGov Entry + SLED (annual)
$2,795
$150/mo x 12 + $995
HigherGov Mid + SLED (annual)
$4,595
$300/mo x 12 + $995
GCFinder Max at $3,588/year includes AI bid assistant, browser extension, mobile app, 7 users, and state/local coverage. HigherGov mid-tier with SLED at $4,595/year does not include AI, browser extension, or mobile app.
Feature Comparison
What you get at each price point
Who Should Choose What?
Choose GCFinder If You...
- Want transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Need AI-powered bid analysis
- Want a SAM.gov browser extension
- Need state/local coverage included in the base price
- Prefer self-serve signup without sales calls
- Want to start free and upgrade when ready
- Need mobile access to track contracts
Consider HigherGov If You...
- Prioritize deep spending analytics above all else
- Need detailed award data visualization dashboards
- Have budget for $150-$500+/mo plus SLED add-ons
- Do not need AI bid writing or browser extension
- Focus on market research over day-to-day bidding
- Want comprehensive competitive intelligence data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does HigherGov actually cost per month?
HigherGov base plans range from $150 to $500+ per month depending on features and seats. However, if you need state and local (SLED) data, there is an additional $995/year add-on fee. This means a contractor needing both federal and SLED coverage could pay $150-$500+/month plus approximately $83/month for the SLED add-on, bringing total costs to $233-$583+/month.
What is HigherGov's hidden SLED add-on fee?
HigherGov charges a separate $995/year fee for access to state and local (SLED) procurement data. This fee is not prominently displayed on their main pricing page. Contractors who assume SLED data is included in the base price may face an unexpected additional cost when they need coverage beyond federal opportunities.
How does GCFinder pricing compare to HigherGov?
GCFinder offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees: Free ($0/month), Professional ($99/month), and Max ($299/month). All features are included at each tier. State and local coverage via Workflow Automation is included. Even the Max plan at $299/month is significantly less than HigherGov base plans plus the SLED add-on.
Can I switch from HigherGov to GCFinder?
Yes. You can recreate your saved searches and alert preferences in GCFinder in minutes. You also gain access to features HigherGov does not offer: a SAM.gov browser extension, mobile app, AI bid assistant, and registration services. Many contractors switch to reduce costs while gaining workflow tools.
Comparison Disclaimer
Gov Contract Finder is not affiliated with HigherGov. Pricing information compiled from public sources and may not reflect the latest updates. HigherGov features and pricing vary by plan. For accurate HigherGov pricing, visit their official website.
Last updated: February 2026
Need More Than Self-Service?
Looking for:
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- End-to-end workflow automation
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- Dedicated implementation support
Verified Reviews
Transparent Pricing. No Hidden Fees.
GCFinder pricing is simple: Free, $99/mo, or $299/mo. Everything included.