Softwr

Software · head to head

ArchivesSpace vs Evergreen ILS

ArchivesSpace logo

ArchivesSpace

Software

Open source archives information management application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Software

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ArchivesSpace requires Java 17 or 21 (or Java 11/17 for older versions), adding infrastructure complexity; Evergreen ILS server installation is supported only on Debian 10, 11, 12 and 13 and Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04
  • They diverge on capability: ArchivesSpace covers Accession management, Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchivesSpace and Evergreen ILS actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchivesSpace and Evergreen ILS differ
AttributeArchivesSpaceEvergreen ILS
PlatformsUbuntu Linux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Desktop, Api
Founded20132006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 ArchivesSpace

  • Accession management
  • Resource description
  • Digital object management
  • Agent and subject authorities
  • Location management
  • Assessment module
  • Public user interface
  • EAD/MARCXML export

Only in Evergreen ILS

  • Circulation management
  • MARC cataloging
  • Acquisitions
  • Serials management
  • OPAC with faceted search
  • Patron management
  • Offline circulation
  • Consortia support

Both cover

  • Role-based access
  • LDAP
  • Self-hosted deployment
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

ArchivesSpace

  • Archives and manuscripts repositories providing web access to collectionsnot Evergreen ILS
  • Institutions managing digital objects alongside traditional archival materialsnot Evergreen ILS
  • Community-supported archival organisations seeking open-source solutionsnot Evergreen ILS

Evergreen ILS

  • Running a consortium-scale library catalogue and circulation systemnot ArchivesSpace
  • Self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branchesnot ArchivesSpace

Where each one falls short

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

ArchivesSpace

  • Requires Java 17 or 21 (or Java 11/17 for older versions), adding infrastructure complexity
  • Mandatory Solr 9 (or 8 for older versions) for all production deployments since v3.2.0
  • Production deployments must use external MySQL 5.x or 8.x; embedded database only for testing
  • Minimum 1 GB RAM required, 2 GB recommended; Docker installation recommended as of v4.0.0 due to complexity

Evergreen ILS

  • Server installation is supported only on Debian 10, 11, 12 and 13 and Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04
  • PostgreSQL 14 is the minimum supported version
  • OpenSRF 3.3.0 or later must be installed separately before Evergreen itself
  • Installation is a manual multi-service process requiring a dedicated PostgreSQL superuser account and shell access

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchivesSpace

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchivesSpace review.

Evergreen ILS

Free
  • Self-HostedFree
    • Full ILS functionality
    • Circulation system
    • OPAC
  • Hosted (via partners)$200/month
    • Everything in Self-Hosted
    • Managed hosting
    • Professional support

Which should you pick?

Choose ArchivesSpace if

  • You need accession management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want resource description.
ArchivesSpace review

Choose Evergreen ILS if

  • You need circulation management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Api.
  • You also want marc cataloging.
Evergreen ILS review

Questions people ask

Is ArchivesSpace or Evergreen ILS better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchivesSpace starts at Free and Evergreen ILS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchivesSpace or Evergreen ILS?
ArchivesSpace starts at Free and Evergreen ILS at Free.
Does ArchivesSpace or Evergreen ILS run on more platforms?
ArchivesSpace runs on Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows. Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api.
Can I use ArchivesSpace for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ArchivesSpace best used for?
ArchivesSpace is most often used for archives and manuscripts repositories providing web access to collections, institutions managing digital objects alongside traditional archival materials, community-supported archival organisations seeking open-source solutions. Of those, archives and manuscripts repositories providing web access to collections and institutions managing digital objects alongside traditional archival materials are not what Evergreen ILS is typically brought in for.
What can ArchivesSpace do that Evergreen ILS cannot?
ArchivesSpace covers Accession management, Resource description, Digital object management, Agent and subject authorities. Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Both handle Role-based access, LDAP, Self-hosted deployment, Cloud deployment.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on ArchivesSpace

More on Evergreen ILS

Keep looking

Other head to heads