Softwr

Library & Archives · head to head

Axiell Collections vs Evergreen ILS

Axiell Collections logo

Axiell Collections

Library & Archives

Comprehensive museum and archive collections management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Library & Archives

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Evergreen ILS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Axiell Collections not user-friendly for non-cataloger roles; researchers find the interface database-like rather than web-like; 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: Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging, Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Axiell Collections and Evergreen ILS actually diverge.

Attributes where Axiell Collections and Evergreen ILS differ
AttributeAxiell CollectionsEvergreen ILS
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Desktop, Api
Founded19852006

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Library & Archives).

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 Axiell Collections

  • Object cataloging
  • Digital asset management
  • Loans and exhibitions
  • Conservation management
  • Location and movement
  • Acquisition and disposal
  • Rights management
  • Public portal

Only in Evergreen ILS

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

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Axiell Collections

  • Museum collection managementnot Evergreen ILS
  • Archive managementnot Evergreen ILS
  • Exhibition planningnot Evergreen ILS
  • Conservation trackingnot Evergreen ILS

Evergreen ILS

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

Where each one falls short

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

Axiell Collections

  • Not user-friendly for non-cataloger roles; researchers find the interface database-like rather than web-like
  • Limited visibility for user reviews and feedback, making it difficult to assess real-world experiences
  • Complex data requirements such as strict formatting for image titles, including accent mark sensitivity
  • Custom pricing with quotation-based model lacks transparency for budgeting
  • May present complexity challenges for institutions with very small or simple collections

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

Axiell Collections

On request
  • Standard$undefined/year
    • Object cataloging
    • Digital asset management
    • Location tracking
  • Professional$undefined/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • Loans and exhibitions
    • Conservation management
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Everything in Professional
    • Multi-site support
    • Custom workflows

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 Axiell Collections if

  • You need object cataloging.
  • You also want digital asset management.
Axiell Collections 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 Axiell Collections or Evergreen ILS better?
Neither clearly leads. Axiell Collections starts at On request and Evergreen ILS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Axiell Collections or Evergreen ILS?
Evergreen ILS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Axiell Collections and Free for Evergreen ILS.
Does Axiell Collections or Evergreen ILS run on more platforms?
Axiell Collections runs on Web. Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api.
Can I use Evergreen ILS for free?
Yes. Evergreen ILS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Axiell Collections starts at On request.
What is Axiell Collections best used for?
Axiell Collections is most often used for museum collection management, archive management, exhibition planning, conservation tracking. Of those, museum collection management and archive management are not what Evergreen ILS is typically brought in for.
What can Axiell Collections do that Evergreen ILS cannot?
Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging, Digital asset management, Loans and exhibitions, Conservation management. Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Both handle Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Axiell Collections: Does Axiell Collections offer a free trial?

Axiell Collections pricing is quotation-based with no publicly disclosed pricing or free trial information available. Interested organizations must contact Axiell directly for pricing quotes tailored to their institution's needs.

Source
Axiell Collections: What deployment options does Axiell Collections support?

Axiell Collections supports both managed hosting through Axiell's data centers in the USA, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden, as well as on-premises deployment for institutions with specific requirements.

Source
Axiell Collections: What standards does Axiell Collections comply with?

Axiell Collections complies with archival standards including ISAD(G), ISAAR(CPF), EAD, DACS, and EAC-CPF, and museum standards including SPECTRUM, LIDO, and EN 15907. For libraries, it supports AACR2, ISBD, RDA, ISSN, and ISBN.

Source
Axiell Collections: Does Axiell Collections provide an API for integration?

Yes, Axiell Collections includes an open REST Web API that allows third-party applications and discovery layers to access the collections database. The API can be configured for any part of the system and supports multiple integration methods including URL requests, data windows, and jQuery plugins.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Axiell Collections

More on Evergreen ILS

Keep looking

Other head to heads