Software · head to head
DSpace vs Ex Libris Alma
DSpace
Software
The software of choice for academic and research repositories
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Ex Libris Alma
Software
Unified library services platform for the modern library
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only DSpace has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: DSpace self-hosting means running and maintaining the repository; managed hosting comes from third-party service providers such as Atmire, 4Science and DSpaceDirect rather than the project; 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: DSpace covers Self-submission workflows, Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DSpace and Ex Libris Alma actually diverge.
| Attribute | DSpace | Ex Libris Alma |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Api |
| Founded | 2002 | 1986 |
Identical on both: 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 DSpace
- Self-submission workflows
- Configurable metadata schemas
- Persistent identifiers (DOI, Handle)
- OAI-PMH support
- Full-text search
- Statistics and reports
- SWORD deposit
- ORCID integration
Only in Ex Libris Alma
- Unified resource management
- Electronic resource management
- Digital asset management
- Acquisitions and licensing
- Circulation and fulfillment
- Analytics and reporting
- Resource sharing
- Consortia support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
DSpace
- Institutional repositories for universities and research librariesnot Ex Libris Alma
- Subject-based and dataset repositoriesnot Ex Libris Alma
- Long-term preservation of mixed digital formats including PDF, image and audio-videonot Ex Libris Alma
- Group-based access control over restricted collectionsnot Ex Libris Alma
- Exposing records to ORCID and OpenAIREnot Ex Libris Alma
Ex Libris Alma
- Academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platformnot DSpace
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
DSpace
- Self-hosting means running and maintaining the repository; managed hosting comes from third-party service providers such as Atmire, 4Science and DSpaceDirect rather than the project
- Aimed at institutional repositories, so it assumes library metadata practice rather than general file storage
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
DSpace
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DSpace review.
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 DSpace if
- You need self-submission workflows.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want configurable metadata schemas.
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 DSpace or Ex Libris Alma better?
- Neither clearly leads. DSpace starts at Free 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, DSpace or Ex Libris Alma?
- DSpace has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DSpace and On request for Ex Libris Alma.
- Does DSpace or Ex Libris Alma run on more platforms?
- DSpace runs on Web. Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use DSpace for free?
- Yes. DSpace has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ex Libris Alma starts at On request.
- What is DSpace best used for?
- DSpace is most often used for institutional repositories for universities and research libraries, subject-based and dataset repositories, long-term preservation of mixed digital formats including pdf, image and audio-video, group-based access control over restricted collections. Of those, institutional repositories for universities and research libraries and subject-based and dataset repositories are not what Ex Libris Alma is typically brought in for.
- What can DSpace do that Ex Libris Alma cannot?
- DSpace covers Self-submission workflows, Configurable metadata schemas, Persistent identifiers (DOI, Handle), OAI-PMH support. Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Digital asset management, Acquisitions and licensing.