Library & Archives · head to head
Evergreen ILS vs SirsiDynix Symphony
Evergreen ILS
Library & Archives
Highly scalable open source library software
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
S
SirsiDynix Symphony
Library & Archives
Enterprise library management for any size library
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
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; SirsiDynix Symphony the full desktop functionality lives in the local WorkFlows client, with SymphonyWeb as the browser alternative rather than the default
- They diverge on capability: Evergreen ILS covers OPAC with faceted search, SirsiDynix Symphony covers OPAC.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Evergreen ILS and SirsiDynix Symphony actually diverge.
| Attribute | Evergreen ILS | SirsiDynix Symphony |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Api | Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api |
| Category | Library & Archives | Unknown |
| Founded | 2006 | 1979 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
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
- OPAC with faceted search
- Offline circulation
- Consortia support
- SIP2/NCIP support
- Z39.50
- EDI
- Shibboleth
- Shibboleth
Only in SirsiDynix Symphony
- OPAC
- Reports and analytics
- Self-check integration
- Mobile apps
- BLUEcloud
- Enterprise OPAC
- RFID systems
- Payment gateways
Both cover
- Circulation management
- MARC cataloging
- Acquisitions
- Serials management
- Patron management
- SIP2
- NCIP
- LDAP
- LDAP
- Role-based access
- 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 SirsiDynix Symphony
- Self-hosting an open source integrated library system across multiple branchesnot SirsiDynix Symphony
SirsiDynix Symphony
- Integrated library system for public and academic librariesnot Evergreen ILS
- Cataloguing, circulation and acquisitionsnot Evergreen ILS
- Consortium-wide catalogues shared across member librariesnot Evergreen ILS
- K-12 and special library collection 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
SirsiDynix Symphony
- The full desktop functionality lives in the local WorkFlows client, with SymphonyWeb as the browser alternative rather than the default
- Pricing is not published
Pricing, plan by plan
Evergreen ILS
Free- Self-HostedFree
- Full ILS functionality
- Circulation system
- OPAC
- Hosted (via partners)$200/month
- Everything in Self-Hosted
- Managed hosting
- Professional support
SirsiDynix Symphony
On request- Symphony Standard$undefined/year
- Circulation management
- Cataloging
- OPAC
- Symphony Professional$undefined/year
- Everything in Standard
- Acquisitions
- Serials management
- Symphony Enterprise$undefined/year
- Everything in Professional
- BLUEcloud integration
- Analytics
Which should you pick?
Choose Evergreen ILS if
- You need opac with faceted search.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Api.
- You also want offline circulation.
Choose SirsiDynix Symphony if
- You need opac.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- You also want reports and analytics.
Questions people ask
- Is Evergreen ILS or SirsiDynix Symphony better?
- Neither clearly leads. Evergreen ILS starts at Free and SirsiDynix Symphony at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Evergreen ILS or SirsiDynix Symphony?
- Evergreen ILS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Evergreen ILS and On request for SirsiDynix Symphony.
- Does Evergreen ILS or SirsiDynix Symphony run on more platforms?
- Evergreen ILS runs on Web, Desktop, Api. SirsiDynix Symphony runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- Can I use Evergreen ILS for free?
- Yes. Evergreen ILS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SirsiDynix Symphony 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 SirsiDynix Symphony is typically brought in for.
- What can Evergreen ILS do that SirsiDynix Symphony cannot?
- Evergreen ILS covers OPAC with faceted search, Offline circulation, Consortia support, SIP2/NCIP support. SirsiDynix Symphony covers OPAC, Reports and analytics, Self-check integration, Mobile apps. Both handle Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management.