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Library & Archives · head to head

Ex Libris Alma vs Axiell Collections

Ex Libris Alma logo

Ex Libris Alma

Library & Archives

Unified library services platform for the modern library

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Axiell Collections logo

Axiell Collections

Library & Archives

Comprehensive museum and archive collections management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Ex Libris Alma pricing is not published for Alma; the site provides no plans or figures and requires contacting a sales representative for a quote; Axiell Collections not user-friendly for non-cataloger roles; researchers find the interface database-like rather than web-like
  • They diverge on capability: Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ex Libris Alma and Axiell Collections actually diverge.

Attributes where Ex Libris Alma and Axiell Collections differ
AttributeEx Libris AlmaAxiell Collections
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb
Founded19861985

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Library & Archives).

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 Ex Libris Alma

  • Unified resource management
  • Electronic resource management
  • Acquisitions and licensing
  • Circulation and fulfillment
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Resource sharing
  • Consortia support
  • API ecosystem

Only in Axiell Collections

  • Object cataloging
  • Loans and exhibitions
  • Conservation management
  • Location and movement
  • Acquisition and disposal
  • Rights management
  • Public portal
  • Advanced search

Both cover

  • Digital asset management
  • SOC2
  • ISO27001
  • GDPR

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Ex Libris Alma

  • Academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platformnot Axiell Collections

Axiell Collections

  • Museum collection managementnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Archive managementnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Exhibition planningnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Conservation trackingnot Ex Libris Alma

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Ex Libris Alma

  • Pricing is not published for Alma; the site provides no plans or figures and requires contacting a sales representative for a quote

Axiell Collections

  • Not user-friendly for non-cataloger roles; researchers find the interface database-like rather than web-like
  • Limited visibility for user reviews and feedback, making it difficult to assess real-world experiences
  • Complex data requirements such as strict formatting for image titles, including accent mark sensitivity
  • Custom pricing with quotation-based model lacks transparency for budgeting
  • May present complexity challenges for institutions with very small or simple collections

Pricing, plan by plan

Ex Libris Alma

On request
  • Alma Essentials$undefined/year
    • Core library services
    • Print resource management
    • Basic acquisitions
  • Alma Premium$undefined/year
    • Everything in Essentials
    • Electronic resource management
    • Digital resource management
  • Alma Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Everything in Premium
    • Multi-institution network
    • Consortia management

Axiell Collections

On request
  • Standard$undefined/year
    • Object cataloging
    • Digital asset management
    • Location tracking
  • Professional$undefined/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • Loans and exhibitions
    • Conservation management
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Everything in Professional
    • Multi-site support
    • Custom workflows

Which should you pick?

Choose Ex Libris Alma if

  • You need unified resource management.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want electronic resource management.
Ex Libris Alma review

Choose Axiell Collections if

  • You need object cataloging.
  • You also want loans and exhibitions.
Axiell Collections review

Questions people ask

Is Ex Libris Alma or Axiell Collections better?
Neither clearly leads. Ex Libris Alma starts at On request and Axiell Collections at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ex Libris Alma or Axiell Collections?
Ex Libris Alma starts at On request and Axiell Collections at On request.
Does Ex Libris Alma or Axiell Collections run on more platforms?
Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api. Axiell Collections runs on Web.
What is Ex Libris Alma best used for?
Ex Libris Alma is most often used for academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platform. Of those, academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platform is not what Axiell Collections is typically brought in for.
What can Ex Libris Alma do that Axiell Collections cannot?
Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Acquisitions and licensing, Circulation and fulfillment. Axiell Collections covers Object cataloging, Loans and exhibitions, Conservation management, Location and movement. Both handle Digital asset management, SOC2, ISO27001, GDPR.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Axiell Collections: Does Axiell Collections offer a free trial?

Axiell Collections pricing is quotation-based with no publicly disclosed pricing or free trial information available. Interested organizations must contact Axiell directly for pricing quotes tailored to their institution's needs.

Source
Axiell Collections: What deployment options does Axiell Collections support?

Axiell Collections supports both managed hosting through Axiell's data centers in the USA, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden, as well as on-premises deployment for institutions with specific requirements.

Source
Axiell Collections: What standards does Axiell Collections comply with?

Axiell Collections complies with archival standards including ISAD(G), ISAAR(CPF), EAD, DACS, and EAC-CPF, and museum standards including SPECTRUM, LIDO, and EN 15907. For libraries, it supports AACR2, ISBD, RDA, ISSN, and ISBN.

Source
Axiell Collections: Does Axiell Collections provide an API for integration?

Yes, Axiell Collections includes an open REST Web API that allows third-party applications and discovery layers to access the collections database. The API can be configured for any part of the system and supports multiple integration methods including URL requests, data windows, and jQuery plugins.

Source
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