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Libraries · head to head

Evergreen ILS vs Ex Libris Alma

Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Libraries

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ex Libris Alma logo

Ex Libris Alma

Libraries

Unified library services platform for the modern library

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; 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: Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Evergreen ILS and Ex Libris Alma actually diverge.

Attributes where Evergreen ILS and Ex Libris Alma differ
AttributeEvergreen ILSEx Libris Alma
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb, Api
Founded20061986

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Libraries).

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
  • SIP2/NCIP support

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
  • API ecosystem

Both cover

  • Consortia support

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 Ex Libris Alma
  • Self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branchesnot Ex Libris Alma

Ex Libris Alma

  • Academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platformnot 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

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

Evergreen ILS

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

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 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 Ex Libris Alma if

  • You need unified resource management.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want electronic resource management.
Ex Libris Alma review

Questions people ask

Is Evergreen ILS or Ex Libris Alma better?
Neither clearly leads. Evergreen ILS 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, Evergreen ILS or Ex Libris Alma?
Evergreen ILS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Evergreen ILS and On request for Ex Libris Alma.
Does Evergreen ILS or Ex Libris Alma run on more platforms?
Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api. Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Evergreen ILS for free?
Yes. Evergreen ILS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ex Libris Alma 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 Ex Libris Alma is typically brought in for.
What can Evergreen ILS do that Ex Libris Alma cannot?
Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Digital asset management, Acquisitions and licensing. Both handle Consortia support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Evergreen ILS: Is Evergreen ILS free?

Yes, Evergreen ILS is a free open source library management system. The software is available at no cost for libraries and organizations to install, deploy, and customize according to their needs.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: Why doesn't Ex Libris publish Alma pricing online?

Alma uses a custom quote model. The company directs inquiries to sales representatives who tailor pricing based on institutional size, feature requirements, and implementation scope.

Source
Evergreen ILS: Does Evergreen ILS offer commercial support or hosting?

Evergreen ILS website does not list commercial hosting or support services. As an open source project, it relies on community contributions and institutional deployments. Libraries may arrange custom support through integrators or consultants, but no official commercial offerings are detailed on the website.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: Can I try Alma before committing to a purchase?

Yes, Ex Libris offers a Demo Center where you can explore Alma's capabilities in action before formal pricing discussions.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: What support services are available separately from Alma licensing?

Ex Libris offers Professional Services and Support Services as separate offerings available in addition to the core platform license.

Source
Ex Libris Alma: How do I request pricing for Alma?

Contact Ex Libris using their contact form on the website or reach out to their sales team directly to discuss your institution's needs.

Source
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