Softwr

Libraries · head to head

Hoopla vs SirsiDynix Symphony

Hoopla logo

Hoopla

Libraries

Free library streaming app with instant borrowing, capped by a monthly checkout limit set by your library

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SirsiDynix Symphony logo

SirsiDynix Symphony

Libraries

Enterprise library management for any size library

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Hoopla has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hoopla the monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.; SirsiDynix Symphony no pricing published on the vendor site
  • They diverge on capability: Hoopla covers Instant borrowing, SirsiDynix Symphony covers Circulation management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hoopla and SirsiDynix Symphony actually diverge.

Attributes where Hoopla and SirsiDynix Symphony differ
AttributeHooplaSirsiDynix Symphony
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelFree with a participating library card, capped by monthly borrow limitsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TVWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Api
FoundedUnknown1979

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Libraries).

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 Hoopla

  • Instant borrowing
  • Video and music
  • Monthly borrow cap
  • Comics and graphic novels
  • Kids mode
  • Offline downloads

Only in SirsiDynix Symphony

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

What people use each for

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

Hoopla

  • A patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queuenot SirsiDynix Symphony
  • A family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card appnot SirsiDynix Symphony
  • A light-to-moderate reader whose habits fit comfortably inside a monthly borrow capnot SirsiDynix Symphony
  • Someone using a Roku or Fire TV who wants library video content on the living room screennot SirsiDynix Symphony

SirsiDynix Symphony

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

Where each one falls short

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

Hoopla

  • The monthly borrow limit is a hard cap, so a heavy user runs out of checkouts partway through the month and simply cannot borrow more, unlike a queue they can wait out.
  • Borrow limits and even Hoopla availability itself vary by library and can be reduced if a library needs to control its licensing costs, sometimes with little notice to patrons.
  • Because libraries pay per checkout, a library under budget pressure may cut its Hoopla limit or drop the service entirely, which is a risk outside the app.
  • The video and music catalogue is decent but noticeably smaller than Netflix or Spotify, so it is a supplement, not a replacement, for those services.
  • Audio and video quality and metadata are sometimes inconsistent, particularly for older or niche titles licensed from smaller distributors.

SirsiDynix Symphony

  • No pricing published on the vendor site
  • Requires contacting vendor for custom quotes
  • Deployment flexibility adds complexity to pricing model

Pricing, plan by plan

Hoopla

Free
  • HooplaFree
    • Free with an eligible library card
    • Monthly borrow limit set by your library, commonly 5 to 15 items
    • No holds queues, instant availability

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 Hoopla if

  • You need instant borrowing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV.
  • You also want video and music.
Hoopla 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 Hoopla or SirsiDynix Symphony better?
Neither clearly leads. Hoopla 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, Hoopla or SirsiDynix Symphony?
Hoopla has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Hoopla and On request for SirsiDynix Symphony.
Does Hoopla or SirsiDynix Symphony run on more platforms?
Hoopla runs on iOS, Android, Web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV. SirsiDynix Symphony runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
Can I use Hoopla for free?
Yes. Hoopla has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SirsiDynix Symphony starts at On request.
What is Hoopla best used for?
Hoopla is most often used for a patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queue, a family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card app, a light-to-moderate reader whose habits fit comfortably inside a monthly borrow cap, someone using a roku or fire tv who wants library video content on the living room screen. Of those, a patron who wants to watch a specific movie or listen to an album tonight without waiting in a queue and a family wanting streaming video and music alongside books in one library-card app are not what SirsiDynix Symphony is typically brought in for.
What can Hoopla do that SirsiDynix Symphony cannot?
Hoopla covers Instant borrowing, Video and music, Monthly borrow cap, Comics and graphic novels. SirsiDynix Symphony covers Circulation management, MARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hoopla: Does Hoopla have holds queues like Libby?

No, everything is available instantly, but your library sets a monthly limit on how many items you can borrow.

SirsiDynix Symphony: How much does SirsiDynix Symphony cost?

SirsiDynix Symphony does not publish pricing information on its website. Interested organizations must contact SirsiDynix directly through the Request Demo or Contact Us links to receive a custom quote for the integrated library system.

Source
Hoopla: What happens when I hit my monthly limit?

You cannot borrow anything further until the limit resets, usually on the first of the next month.

SirsiDynix Symphony: What pricing model does SirsiDynix Symphony use?

SirsiDynix Symphony is an enterprise-grade integrated library system with flexible deployment options and 99.95% uptime reliability. Pricing is customized based on organizational needs and the specific modules selected, including acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, and other specialized features.

Source
Hoopla: Does Hoopla include movies and music, not just books?

Yes, that is one of its main differences from Libby, which only offers ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

Share

Related pages

More on Hoopla

More on SirsiDynix Symphony

Keep looking

Other head to heads