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Ex Libris Alma vs SirsiDynix Symphony

Ex Libris Alma logo

Ex Libris Alma

Software

Unified library services platform for the modern library

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SirsiDynix Symphony

Software

Enterprise library management for any size library

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; 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: Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, SirsiDynix Symphony covers Circulation management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ex Libris Alma and SirsiDynix Symphony actually diverge.

Attributes where Ex Libris Alma and SirsiDynix Symphony differ
AttributeEx Libris AlmaSirsiDynix Symphony
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Api
Founded19861979

Identical on both: starting price (On request), 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 SirsiDynix Symphony

  • Circulation management
  • MARC cataloging
  • Acquisitions
  • Serials management
  • Patron management
  • OPAC
  • Reports and analytics
  • Self-check integration

Both cover

  • SOC2

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 SirsiDynix Symphony

SirsiDynix Symphony

  • Integrated library system for public and academic librariesnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Cataloguing, circulation and acquisitionsnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Consortium-wide catalogues shared across member librariesnot Ex Libris Alma
  • K-12 and special library collection 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

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

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

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 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 SirsiDynix Symphony if

  • You need circulation management.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want marc cataloging.
SirsiDynix Symphony review

Questions people ask

Is Ex Libris Alma or SirsiDynix Symphony better?
Neither clearly leads. Ex Libris Alma starts at On request and SirsiDynix Symphony 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 SirsiDynix Symphony?
Ex Libris Alma starts at On request and SirsiDynix Symphony at On request.
Does Ex Libris Alma or SirsiDynix Symphony run on more platforms?
Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api. SirsiDynix Symphony runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
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 SirsiDynix Symphony is typically brought in for.
What can Ex Libris Alma do that SirsiDynix Symphony cannot?
Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Digital asset management, Acquisitions and licensing. SirsiDynix Symphony covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Both handle SOC2.
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