Library & Archives · head to head
Axiell Collections vs Ex Libris Alma
Axiell Collections
Library & Archives
Comprehensive museum and archive collections management
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Ex Libris Alma
Library & Archives
Unified library services platform for the modern library
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Axiell Collections not user-friendly for non-cataloger roles; researchers find the interface database-like rather than web-like; 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: Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging, Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Axiell Collections and Ex Libris Alma actually diverge.
| Attribute | Axiell Collections | Ex Libris Alma |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | Web, Api |
| Founded | 1985 | 1986 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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
- Loans and exhibitions
- Conservation management
- Location and movement
- Acquisition and disposal
- Rights management
- Public portal
- Advanced search
Only in Ex Libris Alma
- Unified resource management
- Electronic resource management
- Acquisitions and licensing
- Circulation and fulfillment
- Analytics and reporting
- Resource sharing
- Consortia support
- API ecosystem
Both cover
- Digital asset management
- SOC2
- ISO27001
- GDPR
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Axiell Collections
- Museum collection managementnot Ex Libris Alma
- Archive managementnot Ex Libris Alma
- Exhibition planningnot Ex Libris Alma
- Conservation trackingnot Ex Libris Alma
Ex Libris Alma
- Academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platformnot 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
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
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$undefined/year
- Everything in Professional
- Multi-site support
- Custom workflows
Ex Libris Alma
On request- Alma Essentials$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 Axiell Collections if
- You need object cataloging.
- You also want loans and exhibitions.
Choose Ex Libris Alma if
- You need unified resource management.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want electronic resource management.
Questions people ask
- Is Axiell Collections or Ex Libris Alma better?
- Neither clearly leads. Axiell Collections starts at On request 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, Axiell Collections or Ex Libris Alma?
- Axiell Collections starts at On request and Ex Libris Alma at On request.
- Does Axiell Collections or Ex Libris Alma run on more platforms?
- Axiell Collections runs on Web. Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api.
- 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 Ex Libris Alma is typically brought in for.
- What can Axiell Collections do that Ex Libris Alma cannot?
- Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging, Loans and exhibitions, Conservation management, Location and movement. Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Acquisitions and licensing, Circulation and fulfillment. Both handle Digital asset management, SOC2, ISO27001, GDPR.
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.
SourceAxiell 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.
SourceAxiell 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.
SourceAxiell 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