Library & Archives · head to head
Koha vs ArchivesSpace
Koha
Library & Archives
The world's first free and open source library system
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
ArchivesSpace
Library & Archives
Open source archives information management application
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Koha no official vendor exists; hosting, support and development come only from third-party providers in a community directory that explicitly carries no official status; ArchivesSpace requires Java 17 or 21 (or Java 11/17 for older versions), adding infrastructure complexity
- They diverge on capability: Koha covers Circulation management, ArchivesSpace covers Accession management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Koha and ArchivesSpace actually diverge.
| Attribute | Koha | ArchivesSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Api | Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Founded | 1999 | 2013 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), 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 Koha
- Circulation management
- MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging
- Acquisitions
- Serials management
- Patron management
- OPAC with faceted search
- Reports and statistics
- Z39.50 support
Only in ArchivesSpace
- Accession management
- Resource description
- Digital object management
- Agent and subject authorities
- Location management
- Assessment module
- Public user interface
- EAD/MARCXML export
Both cover
- LDAP
- LDAP
- Role-based access
- Self-hosted deployment
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Koha
- Libraries self-hosting an open source integrated library system for cataloging and circulation without vendor licensing feesnot ArchivesSpace
ArchivesSpace
- Archives and manuscripts repositories providing web access to collectionsnot Koha
- Institutions managing digital objects alongside traditional archival materialsnot Koha
- Community-supported archival organisations seeking open-source solutionsnot Koha
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Koha
- No official vendor exists; hosting, support and development come only from third-party providers in a community directory that explicitly carries no official status
ArchivesSpace
- Requires Java 17 or 21 (or Java 11/17 for older versions), adding infrastructure complexity
- Mandatory Solr 9 (or 8 for older versions) for all production deployments since v3.2.0
- Production deployments must use external MySQL 5.x or 8.x; embedded database only for testing
- Minimum 1 GB RAM required, 2 GB recommended; Docker installation recommended as of v4.0.0 due to complexity
Pricing, plan by plan
Koha
Free- Self-HostedFree
- Full ILS functionality
- Circulation management
- Cataloging (MARC21/UNIMARC)
- Hosted (via partners)$150/month
- Everything in Self-Hosted
- Managed hosting
- Professional support
ArchivesSpace
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the ArchivesSpace review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Koha if
- You need circulation management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want marc21/unimarc cataloging.
Choose ArchivesSpace if
- You need accession management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows.
- You also want resource description.
Questions people ask
- Is Koha or ArchivesSpace better?
- Neither clearly leads. Koha starts at Free and ArchivesSpace at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Koha or ArchivesSpace?
- Koha starts at Free and ArchivesSpace at Free.
- Does Koha or ArchivesSpace run on more platforms?
- Koha runs on Web, Api. ArchivesSpace runs on Ubuntu Linux, macOS, Windows.
- Can I use Koha for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Koha best used for?
- Koha is most often used for libraries self-hosting an open source integrated library system for cataloging and circulation without vendor licensing fees. Of those, libraries self-hosting an open source integrated library system for cataloging and circulation without vendor licensing fees is not what ArchivesSpace is typically brought in for.
- What can Koha do that ArchivesSpace cannot?
- Koha covers Circulation management, MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. ArchivesSpace covers Accession management, Resource description, Digital object management, Agent and subject authorities. Both handle LDAP, LDAP, Role-based access, Self-hosted deployment.