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ArchivesSpace vs Koha

ArchivesSpace logo

ArchivesSpace

Software

Open source archives information management application

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Koha logo

Koha

Software

The world's first free and open source library system

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; Koha no official vendor exists; hosting, support and development come only from third-party providers in a community directory that explicitly carries no official status
  • They diverge on capability: ArchivesSpace covers Accession management, Koha covers Circulation management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ArchivesSpace and Koha actually diverge.

Attributes where ArchivesSpace and Koha differ
AttributeArchivesSpaceKoha
PlatformsUbuntu Linux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Api
Founded20131999

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 Koha

  • Circulation management
  • MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging
  • Acquisitions
  • Serials management
  • Patron management
  • OPAC with faceted search
  • Reports and statistics
  • Z39.50 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 Koha
  • Institutions managing digital objects alongside traditional archival materialsnot Koha
  • Community-supported archival organisations seeking open-source solutionsnot Koha

Koha

  • Libraries self-hosting an open source integrated library system for cataloging and circulation without vendor licensing feesnot 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

Koha

  • No official vendor exists; hosting, support and development come only from third-party providers in a community directory that explicitly carries no official status

Pricing, plan by plan

ArchivesSpace

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ArchivesSpace review.

Koha

Free
  • Self-HostedFree
    • Full ILS functionality
    • Circulation management
    • Cataloging (MARC21/UNIMARC)
  • Hosted (via partners)$150/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 Koha if

  • You need circulation management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want marc21/unimarc cataloging.
Koha review

Questions people ask

Is ArchivesSpace or Koha better?
Neither clearly leads. ArchivesSpace starts at Free and Koha at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ArchivesSpace or Koha?
ArchivesSpace starts at Free and Koha at Free.
Does ArchivesSpace or Koha run on more platforms?
ArchivesSpace runs on Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows. Koha runs on Web, 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 Koha is typically brought in for.
What can ArchivesSpace do that Koha cannot?
ArchivesSpace covers Accession management, Resource description, Digital object management, Agent and subject authorities. Koha covers Circulation management, MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Both handle Role-based access, LDAP, Self-hosted deployment, Cloud deployment.
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