Direct comparison
DMPTool vs DMPonline: Which DMP Tool?
Compare DMPTool (US, CDL/UC3) and DMPonline (UK/EU, DCC): funder template coverage, cost, and institutional access, so you pick the right DMP tool.
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How do DMPTool, DMPonline compare side by side?
The table below compares DMPTool, DMPonline across 9 procurement-relevant dimensions, from operator through best for.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | DMPTool | DMPonline |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | California Digital Library (CDL) / UC3, University of California | Digital Curation Centre (DCC), hosted at the University of Edinburgh |
| Primary region | United States | United Kingdom / Europe |
| Underlying software | Open-source DMPRoadmap | Open-source DMPRoadmap (same codebase lineage) |
| Cost to researchers | Free | Free |
| Institutional affiliation required? | No — standalone account available; institutional Shibboleth login optional for registered institutions | No — free to individual end users; institutions pay separately for enhanced/customization features |
| Primary funder templates | NSF, NIH, DOE, NEH, IMLS and other US funders | UKRI and constituent councils (incl. ESRC), Wellcome Trust, Horizon Europe |
| Template selection | Browse/search template library | Guided question flow narrows to the right funder template |
| Institutional customization | Yes — participating institutions add branded templates and guidance | Yes — subscribing institutions add custom templates, guidance, and usage analytics |
| Best for | Researchers applying to US federal or private US funders | Researchers applying to UK or EU funders |
Common questions
Common questions about DMPTool vs DMPonline
Can a UK researcher use DMPTool for a US-funded grant?
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Yes. Anyone can create a standalone DMPTool account regardless of institutional location; the tool is chosen based on which funder’s template you need, not your own country.
Are DMPTool and DMPonline the same software?
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They share the same open-source DMPRoadmap codebase, which is why the core plan-writing workflow looks similar, but they are operated independently (CDL/UC3 vs. DCC) with different curated template libraries and institutional customizations.
Do I need my institution to subscribe before I can use either tool?
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No. Both offer free standalone accounts for basic plan creation. An institutional subscription/affiliation adds customized templates and local guidance text, but is not required to draft a plan.
Which tool should I use if my project has both a US and a UK funder?
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Use whichever tool holds the correct template for each specific application — DMPTool for the US-funded submission, DMPonline for the UK/EU-funded one. Using both tools for different grants on the same project is common.
