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Libraries · head to head

Evergreen ILS vs Hoopla

Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Libraries

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hoopla logo

Hoopla

Libraries

Free library streaming app with instant borrowing, capped by a monthly checkout limit set by your library

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; Hoopla the monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.
  • They diverge on capability: Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, Hoopla covers Instant borrowing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Evergreen ILS and Hoopla differ
AttributeEvergreen ILSHoopla
Pricing modelopen-sourceFree with a participating library card, capped by monthly borrow limit
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiiOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV
Founded2006Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Hoopla

  • Instant borrowing
  • Video and music
  • Monthly borrow cap
  • Comics and graphic novels
  • Kids mode
  • Offline downloads

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 Hoopla
  • Self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branchesnot Hoopla

Hoopla

  • A patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queuenot Evergreen ILS
  • A family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card appnot Evergreen ILS
  • A light-to-moderate reader whose habits fit comfortably inside a monthly borrow capnot Evergreen ILS
  • Someone using a Roku or Fire TV who wants library video content on the living room screennot 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

Hoopla

  • The monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.
  • Borrow limits and even Hoopla availability itself vary by library and can be reduced if a library needs to control its licensing costs, sometimes with little notice to patrons.
  • Because libraries pay per checkout, a library under budget pressure may cut its Hoopla limit or drop the service entirely, which is a risk outside the app.
  • The video and music catalogue is decent but noticeably smaller than Netflix or Spotify, so it is a supplement, not a replacement, for those services.
  • Audio and video quality and metadata are sometimes inconsistent, particularly for older or niche titles licensed from smaller distributors.

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

Hoopla

Free
  • HooplaFree
    • Free with an eligible library card
    • Monthly borrow limit set by your library, commonly 5 to 15 items
    • No holds queues, instant availability

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 Hoopla if

  • You need instant borrowing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV.
  • You also want video and music.
Hoopla review

Questions people ask

Is Evergreen ILS or Hoopla better?
Neither clearly leads. Evergreen ILS starts at Free and Hoopla at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Evergreen ILS or Hoopla?
Evergreen ILS starts at Free and Hoopla at Free.
Does Evergreen ILS or Hoopla run on more platforms?
Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api. Hoopla runs on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV.
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 Hoopla is typically brought in for.
What can Evergreen ILS do that Hoopla cannot?
Evergreen ILS covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Hoopla covers Instant borrowing, Video and music, Monthly borrow cap, Comics and graphic novels.

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
Hoopla: Does Hoopla have holds queues like Libby?

No, everything is available instantly, but your library sets a monthly limit on how many items you can borrow.

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
Hoopla: What happens when I hit my monthly limit?

You cannot borrow anything further until the limit resets, usually on the first of the next month.

Hoopla: Does Hoopla include movies and music, not just books?

Yes, that is one of its main differences from Libby, which only offers ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

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