Software · head to head
Ex Libris Alma vs FOLIO
Ex Libris Alma
Software
Unified library services platform for the modern library
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only FOLIO has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- 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; FOLIO fOLIO is open source with no vendor-run SaaS from the FOLIO project itself; adopters must self-host or contract a third-party hosting partner separately.
- They diverge on capability: Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, FOLIO covers Modular app architecture.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ex Libris Alma and FOLIO actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ex Libris Alma | FOLIO |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 1986 | 2016 |
Identical on both: platforms (Web, Api), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- Digital asset management
- Acquisitions and licensing
- Circulation and fulfillment
- Analytics and reporting
- Resource sharing
- Consortia support
- API ecosystem
Only in FOLIO
- Modular app architecture
- Circulation and check-out
- Inventory and cataloging
- Acquisitions and invoicing
- User management
- Agreements and licenses
- Course reserves
- Custom app development
Both cover
- Electronic resource management
- OCLC
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 FOLIO
FOLIO
- Academic library managementnot Ex Libris Alma
- Custom library applicationsnot Ex Libris Alma
- Consortial systemsnot Ex Libris Alma
- Electronic resource managementnot 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
FOLIO
- FOLIO is open source with no vendor-run SaaS from the FOLIO project itself; adopters must self-host or contract a third-party hosting partner separately.
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$undefined/year
- Everything in Premium
- Multi-institution network
- Consortia management
FOLIO
Free- Community EditionFree
- Modular app ecosystem
- Circulation management
- Cataloging
- Hosted (via EBSCO/Index Data)$undefined/year
- Everything in Community
- Managed hosting
- Professional support
Which should you pick?
Choose Ex Libris Alma if
- You need unified resource management.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want digital asset management.
Choose FOLIO if
- You need modular app architecture.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want circulation and check-out.
Questions people ask
- Is Ex Libris Alma or FOLIO better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ex Libris Alma starts at On request and FOLIO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Ex Libris Alma or FOLIO?
- FOLIO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Ex Libris Alma and Free for FOLIO.
- Does Ex Libris Alma or FOLIO run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use FOLIO for free?
- Yes. FOLIO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ex Libris Alma starts at On request.
- 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 FOLIO is typically brought in for.
- What can Ex Libris Alma do that FOLIO cannot?
- Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Digital asset management, Acquisitions and licensing, Circulation and fulfillment. FOLIO covers Modular app architecture, Circulation and check-out, Inventory and cataloging, Acquisitions and invoicing. Both handle Electronic resource management, OCLC.