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Library & Archives · head to head

Evergreen ILS vs Axiell Collections

Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Library & Archives

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Axiell Collections logo

Axiell Collections

Library & Archives

Comprehensive museum and archive collections management

From
On request
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: Evergreen ILS server installation is supported only on Debian 10, 11, 12 and 13 and Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04; Axiell Collections not user-friendly for non-cataloger roles; researchers find the interface database-like rather than web-like
  • They diverge on capability: Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Evergreen ILS and Axiell Collections differ
AttributeEvergreen ILSAxiell Collections
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb
Founded20061985

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 Evergreen ILS

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

Only in Axiell Collections

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

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

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

Axiell Collections

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Evergreen ILS

Free
  • Self-HostedFree
    • Full ILS functionality
    • Circulation system
    • OPAC
  • Hosted (via partners)$200/month
    • Everything in Self-Hosted
    • Managed hosting
    • Professional support

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

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Axiell Collections if

  • You need object cataloging.
  • You also want digital asset management.
Axiell Collections review

Questions people ask

Is Evergreen ILS or Axiell Collections better?
Neither clearly leads. Evergreen ILS starts at Free and Axiell Collections at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Evergreen ILS or Axiell Collections?
Evergreen ILS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Evergreen ILS and On request for Axiell Collections.
Does Evergreen ILS or Axiell Collections run on more platforms?
Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api. Axiell Collections runs on Web.
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 Evergreen ILS best used for?
Evergreen ILS is most often used for running a consortium-scale library catalogue and circulation system, self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branches. Of those, running a consortium-scale library catalogue and circulation system and self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branches are not what Axiell Collections is typically brought in for.
What can Evergreen ILS do that Axiell Collections cannot?
Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging, Digital asset management, Loans and exhibitions, Conservation 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
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