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Libraries · head to head

Evergreen ILS vs FOLIO

Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Libraries

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FOLIO logo

FOLIO

Libraries

The open source library services platform reimagined

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; FOLIO fOLIO is open source with no vendor-run SaaS from the FOLIO project itself; adopters must self-host or contract a third-party hosting partner separately.
  • They diverge on capability: Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, FOLIO covers Modular app architecture.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Evergreen ILS and FOLIO actually diverge.

Attributes where Evergreen ILS and FOLIO differ
AttributeEvergreen ILSFOLIO
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb, Api
Founded20062016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Consortia support

Only in FOLIO

  • Modular app architecture
  • Circulation and check-out
  • Inventory and cataloging
  • Acquisitions and invoicing
  • Electronic resource management
  • User management
  • Agreements and licenses
  • Course reserves

Both cover

  • SIP2
  • NCIP
  • LDAP
  • LDAP
  • Role-based access
  • Self-hosted 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 FOLIO
  • Self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branchesnot FOLIO

FOLIO

  • Academic library managementnot Evergreen ILS
  • Custom library applicationsnot Evergreen ILS
  • Consortial systemsnot Evergreen ILS
  • Electronic resource managementnot 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

FOLIO

  • FOLIO is open source with no vendor-run SaaS from the FOLIO project itself; adopters must self-host or contract a third-party hosting partner separately.

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

FOLIO

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Modular app ecosystem
    • Circulation management
    • Cataloging
  • Hosted (via EBSCO/Index Data)$undefined/year
    • Everything in Community
    • Managed hosting
    • Professional support

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 FOLIO if

  • You need modular app architecture.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want circulation and check-out.
FOLIO review

Questions people ask

Is Evergreen ILS or FOLIO better?
Neither clearly leads. Evergreen ILS starts at Free and FOLIO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Evergreen ILS or FOLIO?
Evergreen ILS starts at Free and FOLIO at Free.
Does Evergreen ILS or FOLIO run on more platforms?
Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api. FOLIO runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Evergreen ILS for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 FOLIO is typically brought in for.
What can Evergreen ILS do that FOLIO cannot?
Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. FOLIO covers Modular app architecture, Circulation and check-out, Inventory and cataloging, Acquisitions and invoicing. Both handle SIP2, NCIP, LDAP, LDAP.

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
FOLIO: Is Folio free to use?

Yes, Folio is an open source library services platform built through community collaboration, with no licensing fees for the software itself.

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
FOLIO: Is Folio free for commercial use?

Folio is open source software with no inherent restrictions on commercial use, though the specific license terms should be reviewed for your use case.

Source
FOLIO: Is there professional support available for Folio?

The website does not specify whether paid support contracts or professional services are available for Folio implementation and maintenance.

Source
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