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Libraries · head to head

ArchivesSpace vs Hoopla

ArchivesSpace logo

ArchivesSpace

Libraries

Open source archives information management application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hoopla logo

Hoopla

Libraries

Free library streaming app with instant borrowing, capped by a monthly checkout limit set by your library

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; Hoopla the monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.
  • They diverge on capability: ArchivesSpace covers Accession management, Hoopla covers Instant borrowing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchivesSpace and Hoopla actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchivesSpace and Hoopla differ
AttributeArchivesSpaceHoopla
Pricing modelsubscriptionFree with a participating library card, capped by monthly borrow limit
PlatformsUbuntu Linux, macOS, WindowsiOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV
Founded2013Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 ArchivesSpace

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

Only in Hoopla

  • Instant borrowing
  • Video and music
  • Monthly borrow cap
  • Comics and graphic novels
  • Kids mode
  • Offline downloads

What people use each for

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

ArchivesSpace

  • Digital archive managementnot Hoopla
  • Repository managementnot Hoopla
  • Cultural heritage preservationnot Hoopla

Hoopla

  • A patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queuenot ArchivesSpace
  • A family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card appnot ArchivesSpace
  • A light-to-moderate reader whose habits fit comfortably inside a monthly borrow capnot ArchivesSpace
  • Someone using a Roku or Fire TV who wants library video content on the living room screennot 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

Hoopla

  • The monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.
  • Borrow limits and even Hoopla availability itself vary by library and can be reduced if a library needs to control its licensing costs, sometimes with little notice to patrons.
  • Because libraries pay per checkout, a library under budget pressure may cut its Hoopla limit or drop the service entirely, which is a risk outside the app.
  • The video and music catalogue is decent but noticeably smaller than Netflix or Spotify, so it is a supplement, not a replacement, for those services.
  • Audio and video quality and metadata are sometimes inconsistent, particularly for older or niche titles licensed from smaller distributors.

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchivesSpace

Free
  • Very Small$300/year
    • Academic/Public Library tier (JSTOR/Artstor Very Small, etc.)
    • Non-Academic: 0-50 FTE staff
  • Small$1000/year
    • Academic/Public Library tier (JSTOR/Artstor Small, etc.)
    • Non-Academic: 51-150 FTE staff
  • Medium$3000/year
    • Academic/Public Library tier (JSTOR/Artstor Medium, etc.)
    • Non-Academic: 151-300 FTE staff
  • Large$5000/year
    • Academic/Public Library tier (JSTOR/Artstor Large, etc.)
    • Non-Academic: 301-400 FTE staff

Hoopla

Free
  • HooplaFree
    • Free with an eligible library card
    • Monthly borrow limit set by your library, commonly 5 to 15 items
    • No holds queues, instant availability

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 Hoopla if

  • You need instant borrowing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV.
  • You also want video and music.
Hoopla review

Questions people ask

Is ArchivesSpace or Hoopla better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchivesSpace starts at Free and Hoopla at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchivesSpace or Hoopla?
ArchivesSpace starts at Free and Hoopla at Free.
Does ArchivesSpace or Hoopla run on more platforms?
ArchivesSpace runs on Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows. Hoopla runs on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV.
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 digital archive management, repository management, cultural heritage preservation. Of those, digital archive management and repository management are not what Hoopla is typically brought in for.
What can ArchivesSpace do that Hoopla cannot?
ArchivesSpace covers Accession management, Resource description, Digital object management, Agent and subject authorities. Hoopla covers Instant borrowing, Video and music, Monthly borrow cap, Comics and graphic novels.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ArchivesSpace: Is ArchivesSpace free to use?

ArchivesSpace application is free to download and use. However, community membership is required and costs $300-$7,500 annually depending on organization type and size.

Source
Hoopla: Does Hoopla have holds queues like Libby?

No, everything is available instantly, but your library sets a monthly limit on how many items you can borrow.

ArchivesSpace: How much does ArchivesSpace membership cost?

Membership costs range from $300/year (Very Small institutions) to $7,500/year (Very Large institutions). Costs are based on FTE staff size for non-academic archives (0-50 staff: $300; 400+ staff: $7,500) or JSTOR/Artstor classification for academic institutions.

Source
Hoopla: What happens when I hit my monthly limit?

You cannot borrow anything further until the limit resets, usually on the first of the next month.

ArchivesSpace: When does the ArchivesSpace membership year run?

ArchivesSpace membership runs from July 1 to June 30 each year and renews annually. New members joining outside this period receive prorated fees for their initial term.

Source
Hoopla: Does Hoopla include movies and music, not just books?

Yes, that is one of its main differences from Libby, which only offers ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

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