Softwr

Software · head to head

LibraryThing for Libraries vs Ex Libris Alma

LibraryThing for Libraries logo

LibraryThing for Libraries

Software

Enrich your OPAC with social discovery features

From
$500/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ex Libris Alma logo

Ex Libris Alma

Software

Unified library services platform for the modern library

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LibraryThing for Libraries oPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system; Ex Libris Alma pricing is not published for Alma; the site provides no plans or figures and requires contacting a sales representative for a quote
  • They diverge on capability: LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images, Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LibraryThing for Libraries and Ex Libris Alma actually diverge.

Attributes where LibraryThing for Libraries and Ex Libris Alma differ
AttributeLibraryThing for LibrariesEx Libris Alma
Starting price$500/yearOn request
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Api
Founded20051986

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 LibraryThing for Libraries

  • Book cover images
  • Similar books recommendations
  • Tag browsing
  • Series information
  • Author biographies
  • User reviews
  • Lexile measures
  • Awards information

Only in Ex Libris Alma

  • Unified resource management
  • Electronic resource management
  • Digital asset management
  • Acquisitions and licensing
  • Circulation and fulfillment
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Resource sharing
  • Consortia support

What people use each for

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

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancementnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Reader advisorynot Ex Libris Alma
  • Catalog enrichmentnot Ex Libris Alma
  • Discovery improvementnot Ex Libris Alma

Ex Libris Alma

  • Academic libraries managing electronic resources and library services in a single cloud platformnot LibraryThing for Libraries

Where each one falls short

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

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system

Ex Libris Alma

  • Pricing is not published for Alma; the site provides no plans or figures and requires contacting a sales representative for a quote

Pricing, plan by plan

LibraryThing for Libraries

$500/year
  • Small Library$500/year
    • Book covers
    • Similar books
    • Tag browsing
  • Medium Library$1200/year
    • Everything in Small
    • Lexile measures
    • Author information
  • Large Library$2500/year
    • Everything in Medium
    • Stack maps
    • Custom widgets

Ex Libris Alma

On request
  • Alma Essentials$undefined/year
    • Core library services
    • Print resource management
    • Basic acquisitions
  • Alma Premium$undefined/year
    • Everything in Essentials
    • Electronic resource management
    • Digital resource management
  • Alma Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Everything in Premium
    • Multi-institution network
    • Consortia management

Which should you pick?

Choose LibraryThing for Libraries if

  • You need book cover images.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want similar books recommendations.
LibraryThing for Libraries review

Choose Ex Libris Alma if

  • You need unified resource management.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want electronic resource management.
Ex Libris Alma review

Questions people ask

Is LibraryThing for Libraries or Ex Libris Alma better?
Neither clearly leads. LibraryThing for Libraries starts at $500/year and Ex Libris Alma at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LibraryThing for Libraries or Ex Libris Alma?
LibraryThing for Libraries starts at $500/year and Ex Libris Alma at On request.
Does LibraryThing for Libraries or Ex Libris Alma run on more platforms?
LibraryThing for Libraries runs on Web, iOS, Android. Ex Libris Alma runs on Web, Api.
What is LibraryThing for Libraries best used for?
LibraryThing for Libraries is most often used for opac enhancement, reader advisory, catalog enrichment, discovery improvement. Of those, opac enhancement and reader advisory are not what Ex Libris Alma is typically brought in for.
What can LibraryThing for Libraries do that Ex Libris Alma cannot?
LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images, Similar books recommendations, Tag browsing, Series information. Ex Libris Alma covers Unified resource management, Electronic resource management, Digital asset management, Acquisitions and licensing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LibraryThing for Libraries: What does LibraryThing for Libraries add to an existing OPAC?

LibraryThing for Libraries enriches OPAC displays with tags, book reviews, ratings, series data, awards information, shelf browsing, similar books recommendations, and QR codes from over 153 million books.

Source
LibraryThing for Libraries: How many tags does LibraryThing provide?

LibraryThing provides access to over 169 million library-vetted tags across 153 million books, enabling browse-based discovery beyond traditional keyword search.

Source
LibraryThing for Libraries: Does LibraryThing offer mobile access?

Yes, Library Anywhere provides mobile web catalog access and native apps for iPhone and Android phones without installation or maintenance required.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on LibraryThing for Libraries

More on Ex Libris Alma

Keep looking

Other head to heads