Library & Archives · head to head
Koha vs OCLC WorldShare Management Services
Koha
Library & Archives
The world's first free and open source library system
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
OCLC WorldShare Management Services
Library & Archives
Cloud-based library management built on WorldCat
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Koha has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- 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; OCLC WorldShare Management Services pricing is not published for WorldShare Management Services; the site routes buyers to a Library Services Consultant rather than listing figures
- They diverge on capability: Koha covers MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, OCLC WorldShare Management Services covers WorldCat cataloging.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Koha and OCLC WorldShare Management Services actually diverge.
| Attribute | Koha | OCLC WorldShare Management Services |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Mobile, Api |
| Founded | 1999 | 1967 |
Identical on both: 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
- MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging
- Acquisitions
- Serials management
- Patron management
- OPAC with faceted search
- Reports and statistics
- Z39.50 support
- SIP2 integration
Only in OCLC WorldShare Management Services
- WorldCat cataloging
- Acquisitions and invoicing
- License management
- Analytics and reporting
- Interlibrary loan
- WorldCat Discovery
- Mobile circulation
- Request management
Both cover
- Circulation management
- 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 OCLC WorldShare Management Services
OCLC WorldShare Management Services
- Libraries relying on the shared WorldCat catalog for cataloging and resource sharingnot 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
OCLC WorldShare Management Services
- Pricing is not published for WorldShare Management Services; the site routes buyers to a Library Services Consultant rather than listing figures
Pricing, plan by plan
Koha
Free- Self-HostedFree
- Full ILS functionality
- Circulation management
- Cataloging (MARC21/UNIMARC)
- Hosted (via partners)$150/month
- Everything in Self-Hosted
- Managed hosting
- Professional support
OCLC WorldShare Management Services
On request- WMS Standard$undefined/year
- WorldCat cataloging
- Circulation management
- Acquisitions
- WMS Premium$undefined/year
- Everything in Standard
- License Manager
- Advanced analytics
Which should you pick?
Choose Koha if
- You need marc21/unimarc cataloging.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want acquisitions.
Choose OCLC WorldShare Management Services if
- You need worldcat cataloging.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
- You also want acquisitions and invoicing.
Questions people ask
- Is Koha or OCLC WorldShare Management Services better?
- Neither clearly leads. Koha starts at Free and OCLC WorldShare Management Services at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Koha or OCLC WorldShare Management Services?
- Koha has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Koha and On request for OCLC WorldShare Management Services.
- Does Koha or OCLC WorldShare Management Services run on more platforms?
- Koha runs on Web, Api. OCLC WorldShare Management Services runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
- Can I use Koha for free?
- Yes. Koha has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OCLC WorldShare Management Services starts at On request.
- 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 OCLC WorldShare Management Services is typically brought in for.
- What can Koha do that OCLC WorldShare Management Services cannot?
- Koha covers MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management, Patron management. OCLC WorldShare Management Services covers WorldCat cataloging, Acquisitions and invoicing, License management, Analytics and reporting. Both handle Circulation management, Cloud deployment.