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Ex Libris Alma vs LibraryThing for Libraries

Ex Libris Alma logo

Ex Libris Alma

Software

Unified library services platform for the modern library

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LibraryThing for Libraries logo

LibraryThing for Libraries

Software

Enrich your OPAC with social discovery features

From
$500/year
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; LibraryThing for Libraries oPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system
  • They diverge on capability: Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ex Libris Alma and LibraryThing for Libraries actually diverge.

Attributes where Ex Libris Alma and LibraryThing for Libraries differ
AttributeEx Libris AlmaLibraryThing for Libraries
Starting priceOn request$500/year
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19862005

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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
  • Electronic resource management
  • Digital asset management
  • Acquisitions and licensing
  • Circulation and fulfillment
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Resource sharing
  • Consortia support

Only in LibraryThing for Libraries

  • Book cover images
  • Similar books recommendations
  • Tag browsing
  • Series information
  • Author biographies
  • User reviews
  • Lexile measures
  • Awards information

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 LibraryThing for Libraries

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancementnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Reader advisorynot Ex Libris Alma
  • Catalog enrichmentnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Discovery improvementnot 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

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system

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

LibraryThing for Libraries

$500/year
  • Small Library$500/year
    • Book covers
    • Similar books
    • Tag browsing
  • Medium Library$1200/year
    • Everything in Small
    • Lexile measures
    • Author information
  • Large Library$2500/year
    • Everything in Medium
    • Stack maps
    • Custom widgets

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 LibraryThing for Libraries if

  • You need book cover images.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want similar books recommendations.
LibraryThing for Libraries review

Questions people ask

Is Ex Libris Alma or LibraryThing for Libraries better?
Neither clearly leads. Ex Libris Alma starts at On request and LibraryThing for Libraries at $500/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ex Libris Alma or LibraryThing for Libraries?
Ex Libris Alma starts at On request and LibraryThing for Libraries at $500/year.
Does Ex Libris Alma or LibraryThing for Libraries run on more platforms?
Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api. LibraryThing for Libraries runs on Web, iOS, Android.
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 LibraryThing for Libraries is typically brought in for.
What can Ex Libris Alma do that LibraryThing for Libraries cannot?
Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Digital asset management, Acquisitions and licensing. LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images, Similar books recommendations, Tag browsing, Series information.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LibraryThing for Libraries: What does LibraryThing for Libraries add to an existing OPAC?

LibraryThing for Libraries enriches OPAC displays with tags, book reviews, ratings, series data, awards information, shelf browsing, similar books recommendations, and QR codes from over 153 million books.

Source
LibraryThing for Libraries: How many tags does LibraryThing provide?

LibraryThing provides access to over 169 million library-vetted tags across 153 million books, enabling browse-based discovery beyond traditional keyword search.

Source
LibraryThing for Libraries: Does LibraryThing offer mobile access?

Yes, Library Anywhere provides mobile web catalog access and native apps for iPhone and Android phones without installation or maintenance required.

Source
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