Archivematica vs Evergreen ILS
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading library & archives solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Archivematica if you need OAIS-compliant workflow and prefer a free starting option. Choose Evergreen ILS if you prioritize Circulation management and want a free tier to start. Both are rated 4.2/5 by users.
Archivematica vs Evergreen ILS: At a Glance
| Criteria | Archivematica | Evergreen ILS |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | open-source | open-source |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Desktop, Api |
| Category | Library & Archives | Library & Archives |
| Founded | 2001 | 2006 |
Feature Comparison: Archivematica vs Evergreen ILS
| Feature | Archivematica | Evergreen ILS |
|---|---|---|
| OAIS-compliant workflow | ||
| Format identification (FIDO/Siegfried) | ||
| File characterization (FITS) | ||
| Format normalization | ||
| PREMIS metadata | ||
| AIP and DIP creation | ||
| Checksum verification | ||
| Micro-services architecture | ||
| Appraisal workflow | ||
| AtoM | ||
| ArchivesSpace | ||
| DSpace | ||
| Arkivum | ||
| Preservica | ||
| Role-based access | ||
| Circulation management | ||
| MARC cataloging | ||
| Acquisitions | ||
| Serials management | ||
| OPAC with faceted search | ||
| Patron management | ||
| Offline circulation | ||
| Consortia support | ||
| SIP2/NCIP support | ||
| SIP2 | ||
| NCIP | ||
| Z39.50 | ||
| EDI | ||
| LDAP | ||
| Shibboleth |
Archivematica vs Evergreen ILS: Pricing Breakdown
Archivematica Pricing
Model: open-source
- Full preservation workflow
- OAIS compliance
- Format identification
- Characterization
- Everything in Community
- Managed hosting
- Storage included
- Professional support
Evergreen ILS Pricing
Model: open-source
- Full ILS functionality
- Circulation system
- OPAC
- Cataloging
- Everything in Self-Hosted
- Managed hosting
- Professional support
- Regular updates
Pros and Cons
Archivematica
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.2/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong OAIS-compliant workflow functionality
- Strong Format identification (FIDO/Siegfried) functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Evergreen ILS
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.2/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Desktop, Api)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Circulation management functionality
- Strong MARC cataloging functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Archivematica vs Evergreen ILS?
Choose Archivematica if you:
- Need OAIS-compliant workflow
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Api
- Value Format identification (FIDO/Siegfried)
Choose Evergreen ILS if you:
- Need Circulation management
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value MARC cataloging
Frequently Asked Questions: Archivematica vs Evergreen ILS
Is Archivematica better than Evergreen ILS?
It depends on your needs. Archivematica has a 4.2/5 user rating while Evergreen ILS has 4.2/5. Archivematica excels in OAIS-compliant workflow and Format identification (FIDO/Siegfried), while Evergreen ILS stands out with Circulation management and MARC cataloging. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Archivematica or Evergreen ILS?
Archivematica offers a free plan and starts at Free. Evergreen ILS offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Archivematica and Evergreen ILS together?
While both are library & archives tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core library & archives needs.
What are the main differences between Archivematica and Evergreen ILS?
The key differences include: pricing model (open-source vs open-source), platform support (Web, Api vs Web, Desktop, Api), and feature focus. Archivematica emphasizes OAIS-compliant workflow, Format identification (FIDO/Siegfried), File characterization (FITS) while Evergreen ILS focuses on Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions. User ratings differ slightly: 4.2 vs 4.2 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Archivematica and Evergreen ILS.