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Libraries · head to head

Koha vs Preact

Koha logo

Koha

Libraries

The world's first free and open source library system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Preact logo

Preact

Web Development

3kB alternative to React with the same modern API

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Koha no pricing published; Koha is free and open source with no commercial licensing fee; Preact compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose
  • They diverge on capability: Koha covers Circulation management, Preact covers 3kB runtime.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Koha and Preact actually diverge.

Attributes where Koha and Preact differ
AttributeKohaPreact
Pricing modelopen-sourceOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb
CategoryLibrariesWeb Development
Founded1999Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Preact

  • 3kB runtime
  • preact/compat
  • Same modern API
  • Fast rendering

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 Preact

Preact

  • Embedded widgets that load inside someone else’s page and must stay smallnot Koha
  • Marketing and content sites where JavaScript payload affects Core Web Vitalsnot Koha
  • Applications targeting low-bandwidth or low-powered devicesnot Koha

Where each one falls short

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

Koha

  • No pricing published; Koha is free and open source with no commercial licensing fee

Preact

  • Compatibility through preact/compat is good but not total, and some React libraries break in ways that are hard to diagnose
  • Behavioural differences from React exist in edge cases, particularly around event handling
  • A much smaller community, so unusual problems have fewer existing answers than React

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

Preact

Free
  • PreactFree
    • Full library
    • Commercial use permitted
    • No usage limits

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.
Koha review

Choose Preact if

  • You need 3kb runtime.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want preact/compat.
Preact review

Questions people ask

Is Koha or Preact better?
Neither clearly leads. Koha starts at Free and Preact at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Koha or Preact?
Koha starts at Free and Preact at Free.
Does Koha or Preact run on more platforms?
Koha runs on Web, Api. Preact runs on Web.
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 Preact is typically brought in for.
What can Koha do that Preact cannot?
Koha covers Circulation management, MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials management. Preact covers 3kB runtime, preact/compat, Same modern API, Fast rendering.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Koha: How much does Koha cost?

Koha is free and open source. There is no software licensing fee. Development is sponsored by libraries, volunteers, and support companies worldwide.

Source
Preact: Is Preact free?

Yes, open source under the MIT licence.

Koha: Are there paid support options available?

While no specific pricing is detailed on the main site, Koha mentions paid support options available from support companies, but exact costs require contacting providers directly.

Source
Preact: Can I use React libraries with Preact?

Most, through the preact/compat layer. Compatibility is good but not complete, so libraries relying on React internals can break.

Preact: Why choose Preact over React?

Bundle size, almost always. If payload is not a binding constraint, React’s ecosystem is usually the better trade.

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