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Libraries · head to head

Archivematica vs Ex Libris Alma

Archivematica logo

Archivematica

Libraries

Free and open source digital preservation system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ex Libris Alma logo

Ex Libris Alma

Libraries

Unified library services platform for the modern library

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Archivematica has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Archivematica cannot run natively on Windows; requires virtualization platform with Linux VM; Ex Libris Alma pricing is not published for Alma; the site provides no plans or figures and requires contacting a sales representative for a quote
  • They diverge on capability: Archivematica covers OAIS-compliant workflow, Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Archivematica and Ex Libris Alma actually diverge.

Attributes where Archivematica and Ex Libris Alma differ
AttributeArchivematicaEx Libris Alma
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, WebWeb, Api
Founded20011986

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Libraries).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Archivematica

  • OAIS-compliant workflow
  • Format identification (FIDO/Siegfried)
  • File characterization (FITS)
  • Format normalization
  • PREMIS metadata
  • AIP and DIP creation
  • Checksum verification
  • Micro-services architecture

Only in Ex Libris Alma

  • Unified resource management
  • Electronic resource management
  • Digital asset management
  • Acquisitions and licensing
  • Circulation and fulfillment
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Resource sharing
  • Consortia support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Archivematica

  • Digital preservationnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Born-digital archivesnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Digitization workflowsnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Long-term accessnot Ex Libris Alma

Ex Libris Alma

  • Academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platformnot Archivematica

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Archivematica

  • Cannot run natively on Windows; requires virtualization platform with Linux VM
  • Requires 7GB disk space plus 2 to 3 times the collection size during processing, demanding significant storage resources
  • Processing large collections requires high-end hardware; small collections require minimal hardware but enterprise use scales expensively
  • Known issues with Internet Explorer browser; most extensive testing only in Firefox and Chrome

Ex Libris Alma

  • Pricing is not published for Alma; the site provides no plans or figures and requires contacting a sales representative for a quote

Pricing, plan by plan

Archivematica

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Archivematica review.

Ex Libris Alma

On request
  • Alma Essentials$undefined/year
    • Core library services
    • Print resource management
    • Basic acquisitions
  • Alma Premium$undefined/year
    • Everything in Essentials
    • Electronic resource management
    • Digital resource management
  • Alma Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Everything in Premium
    • Multi-institution network
    • Consortia management

Which should you pick?

Choose Archivematica if

  • You need oais-compliant workflow.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Web.
  • You also want format identification (fido/siegfried).
Archivematica review

Choose Ex Libris Alma if

  • You need unified resource management.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want electronic resource management.
Ex Libris Alma review

Questions people ask

Is Archivematica or Ex Libris Alma better?
Neither clearly leads. Archivematica starts at Free and Ex Libris Alma at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Archivematica or Ex Libris Alma?
Archivematica has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Archivematica and On request for Ex Libris Alma.
Does Archivematica or Ex Libris Alma run on more platforms?
Archivematica runs on Linux, Web. Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Archivematica for free?
Yes. Archivematica has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ex Libris Alma starts at On request.
What is Archivematica best used for?
Archivematica is most often used for digital preservation, born-digital archives, digitization workflows, long-term access. Of those, digital preservation and born-digital archives are not what Ex Libris Alma is typically brought in for.
What can Archivematica do that Ex Libris Alma cannot?
Archivematica covers OAIS-compliant workflow, Format identification (FIDO/Siegfried), File characterization (FITS), Format normalization. Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Digital asset management, Acquisitions and licensing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Archivematica: Is Archivematica free and open source?

Yes. Archivematica is free open-source software released under GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL 3.0). All code is free to study, modify, improve, and distribute.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: Why doesn't Ex Libris publish Alma pricing online?

Alma uses a custom quote model. The company directs inquiries to sales representatives who tailor pricing based on institutional size, feature requirements, and implementation scope.

Source
Archivematica: What standards does Archivematica use for digital preservation?

Archivematica uses METS, PREMIS, Dublin Core, and Library of Congress BagIt specification to generate trustworthy Archival Information Packages (AIPs) for long-term storage.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: Can I try Alma before committing to a purchase?

Yes, Ex Libris offers a Demo Center where you can explore Alma's capabilities in action before formal pricing discussions.

Source
Archivematica: Does Archivematica include an access system?

Yes. Archivematica is packaged with AtoM, a web-based content management system for providing access to your digital objects.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: What support services are available separately from Alma licensing?

Ex Libris offers Professional Services and Support Services as separate offerings available in addition to the core platform license.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: How do I request pricing for Alma?

Contact Ex Libris using their contact form on the website or reach out to their sales team directly to discuss your institution's needs.

Source
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