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Evergreen ILS vs Koha

Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Libraries

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Koha logo

Koha

Libraries

The world's first free and open source library system

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; Koha no pricing published; Koha is free and open source with no commercial licensing fee
  • They diverge on capability: Evergreen ILS covers MARC cataloging, Koha covers MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Evergreen ILS and Koha differ
AttributeEvergreen ILSKoha
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb, Api
Founded20061999

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

  • MARC cataloging
  • Offline circulation
  • Consortia support
  • SIP2/NCIP support
  • NCIP

Only in Koha

  • MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging
  • Reports and statistics
  • Z39.50 support
  • SIP2 integration
  • OAI-PMH
  • OAuth

Both cover

  • Circulation management
  • Acquisitions
  • Serials management
  • OPAC with faceted search
  • Patron management
  • SIP2
  • Z39.50
  • EDI
  • LDAP
  • Shibboleth
  • LDAP
  • Role-based access
  • Shibboleth
  • 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 Koha
  • Self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branchesnot Koha

Koha

  • Libraries self-hosting an open source integrated library system for cataloging and circulation without vendor licensing feesnot 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

Koha

  • No pricing published; Koha is free and open source with no commercial licensing fee

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

Koha

Free
  • Self-HostedFree
    • Full ILS functionality
    • Circulation management
    • Cataloging (MARC21/UNIMARC)
  • Hosted (via partners)$150/month
    • Everything in Self-Hosted
    • Managed hosting
    • Professional support

Which should you pick?

Choose Evergreen ILS if

  • You need marc cataloging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Api.
  • You also want offline circulation.
Evergreen ILS review

Choose Koha if

  • You need marc21/unimarc cataloging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want reports and statistics.
Koha review

Questions people ask

Is Evergreen ILS or Koha better?
Neither clearly leads. Evergreen ILS starts at Free and Koha at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Evergreen ILS or Koha?
Evergreen ILS starts at Free and Koha at Free.
Does Evergreen ILS or Koha run on more platforms?
Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api. Koha 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 Koha is typically brought in for.
What can Evergreen ILS do that Koha cannot?
Evergreen ILS covers MARC cataloging, Offline circulation, Consortia support, SIP2/NCIP support. Koha covers MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, Reports and statistics, Z39.50 support, SIP2 integration. Both handle Circulation management, Acquisitions, Serials management, OPAC with faceted search.

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
Koha: How much does Koha cost?

Koha is free and open source. There is no software licensing fee. Development is sponsored by libraries, volunteers, and support companies worldwide.

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
Koha: Are there paid support options available?

While no specific pricing is detailed on the main site, Koha mentions paid support options available from support companies, but exact costs require contacting providers directly.

Source
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