Software · head to head
Koha vs SirsiDynix Symphony
S
SirsiDynix Symphony
Software
Enterprise library management for any size library
- 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; 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: Koha covers MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, SirsiDynix Symphony covers MARC cataloging.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Koha and SirsiDynix Symphony actually diverge.
| Attribute | Koha | SirsiDynix Symphony |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api |
| Founded | 1999 | 1979 |
Identical on both: 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 Koha
- MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging
- OPAC with faceted search
- Reports and statistics
- Z39.50 support
- SIP2 integration
- Z39.50
- OAI-PMH
- EDI
Only in SirsiDynix Symphony
- MARC cataloging
- OPAC
- Reports and analytics
- Self-check integration
- Mobile apps
- BLUEcloud
- Enterprise OPAC
- NCIP
Both cover
- Circulation management
- Acquisitions
- Serials management
- Patron management
- LDAP
- SIP2
- LDAP
- Role-based access
- 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 SirsiDynix Symphony
SirsiDynix Symphony
- Integrated library system for public and academic librariesnot Koha
- Cataloguing, circulation and acquisitionsnot Koha
- Consortium-wide catalogues shared across member librariesnot Koha
- K-12 and special library collection managementnot 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
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
Koha
Free- Self-HostedFree
- Full ILS functionality
- Circulation management
- Cataloging (MARC21/UNIMARC)
- Hosted (via partners)$150/month
- Everything in Self-Hosted
- Managed hosting
- Professional support
SirsiDynix Symphony
On request- Symphony Standard$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 Koha if
- You need marc21/unimarc cataloging.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want opac with faceted search.
Choose SirsiDynix Symphony if
- You need marc cataloging.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- You also want opac.
Questions people ask
- Is Koha or SirsiDynix Symphony better?
- Neither clearly leads. Koha 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, Koha or SirsiDynix Symphony?
- Koha has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Koha and On request for SirsiDynix Symphony.
- Does Koha or SirsiDynix Symphony run on more platforms?
- Koha runs on Web, Api. SirsiDynix Symphony runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- Can I use Koha for free?
- Yes. Koha has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SirsiDynix Symphony 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 SirsiDynix Symphony is typically brought in for.
- What can Koha do that SirsiDynix Symphony cannot?
- Koha covers MARC21/UNIMARC cataloging, OPAC with faceted search, Reports and statistics, Z39.50 support. SirsiDynix Symphony covers MARC cataloging, OPAC, Reports and analytics, Self-check integration. Both handle Circulation management, Acquisitions, Serials management, Patron management.