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Evergreen ILS vs OCLC WorldShare Management Services

Evergreen ILS logo

Evergreen ILS

Libraries

Highly scalable open source library software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OCLC WorldShare Management Services logo

OCLC WorldShare Management Services

Libraries

Cloud-based library management built on WorldCat

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; OCLC WorldShare Management Services no published pricing; custom quote model based on institutional needs
  • They diverge on capability: Evergreen ILS covers MARC cataloging, OCLC WorldShare Management Services covers WorldCat cataloging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Evergreen ILS and OCLC WorldShare Management Services actually diverge.

Attributes where Evergreen ILS and OCLC WorldShare Management Services differ
AttributeEvergreen ILSOCLC WorldShare Management Services
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, ApiWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20061967

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

  • MARC cataloging
  • Acquisitions
  • Serials management
  • OPAC with faceted search
  • Patron management
  • Offline circulation
  • Consortia support
  • SIP2/NCIP support

Only in OCLC WorldShare Management Services

  • WorldCat cataloging
  • Acquisitions and invoicing
  • License management
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Interlibrary loan
  • WorldCat Discovery
  • Mobile circulation
  • Request management

Both cover

  • Circulation management
  • 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 OCLC WorldShare Management Services
  • Self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branchesnot OCLC WorldShare Management Services

OCLC WorldShare Management Services

  • Libraries relying on the shared WorldCat catalog for cataloging and resource sharingnot 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

OCLC WorldShare Management Services

  • No published pricing; custom quote model based on institutional needs

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

OCLC WorldShare Management Services

On request
  • WMS Standard$undefined/year
    • WorldCat cataloging
    • Circulation management
    • Acquisitions
  • WMS Premium$undefined/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • License Manager
    • Advanced analytics

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 acquisitions.
Evergreen ILS review

Choose OCLC WorldShare Management Services if

  • You need worldcat cataloging.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want acquisitions and invoicing.
OCLC WorldShare Management Services review

Questions people ask

Is Evergreen ILS or OCLC WorldShare Management Services better?
Neither clearly leads. Evergreen ILS starts at Free and OCLC WorldShare Management Services at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Evergreen ILS or OCLC WorldShare Management Services?
Evergreen ILS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Evergreen ILS and On request for OCLC WorldShare Management Services.
Does Evergreen ILS or OCLC WorldShare Management Services run on more platforms?
Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api. OCLC WorldShare Management Services runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
Can I use Evergreen ILS for free?
Yes. Evergreen ILS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OCLC WorldShare Management Services 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 OCLC WorldShare Management Services is typically brought in for.
What can Evergreen ILS do that OCLC WorldShare Management Services cannot?
Evergreen ILS covers MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management, OPAC with faceted search. OCLC WorldShare Management Services covers WorldCat cataloging, Acquisitions and invoicing, License management, Analytics and reporting. Both handle Circulation management, Cloud deployment.

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
OCLC WorldShare Management Services: What is the pricing for OCLC WorldShare Management Services?

OCLC does not publish pricing information for WorldShare Management Services. Pricing is customized based on institutional requirements. Institutions should request personalized guidance from OCLC experts.

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
OCLC WorldShare Management Services: How do I get a quote for WorldShare?

Contact OCLC through their website contact form or request personalized guidance from expert consultants to discuss your library's specific needs and receive a customized proposal.

Source
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