Softwr

Software · head to head

OCLC WorldShare Management Services vs FOLIO

OCLC WorldShare Management Services logo

OCLC WorldShare Management Services

Software

Cloud-based library management built on WorldCat

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FOLIO logo

FOLIO

Software

The open source library services platform reimagined

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only FOLIO has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; FOLIO fOLIO is open source with no vendor-run SaaS from the FOLIO project itself; adopters must self-host or contract a third-party hosting partner separately.
  • They diverge on capability: OCLC WorldShare Management Services covers WorldCat cataloging, FOLIO covers Modular app architecture.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OCLC WorldShare Management Services and FOLIO actually diverge.

Attributes where OCLC WorldShare Management Services and FOLIO differ
AttributeOCLC WorldShare Management ServicesFOLIO
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, ApiWeb, Api
Founded19672016

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 OCLC WorldShare Management Services

  • WorldCat cataloging
  • Circulation management
  • License management
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Interlibrary loan
  • WorldCat Discovery
  • Mobile circulation
  • Request management

Only in FOLIO

  • Modular app architecture
  • Circulation and check-out
  • Inventory and cataloging
  • Electronic resource management
  • User management
  • Agreements and licenses
  • Course reserves
  • Custom app development

Both cover

  • Acquisitions and invoicing
  • SSO

What people use each for

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

OCLC WorldShare Management Services

  • Libraries relying on the shared WorldCat catalog for cataloging and resource sharingnot FOLIO

FOLIO

  • Academic library managementnot OCLC WorldShare Management Services
  • Custom library applicationsnot OCLC WorldShare Management Services
  • Consortial systemsnot OCLC WorldShare Management Services
  • Electronic resource managementnot OCLC WorldShare Management Services

Where each one falls short

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

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

FOLIO

  • FOLIO is open source with no vendor-run SaaS from the FOLIO project itself; adopters must self-host or contract a third-party hosting partner separately.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

FOLIO

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Modular app ecosystem
    • Circulation management
    • Cataloging
  • Hosted (via EBSCO/Index Data)$undefined/year
    • Everything in Community
    • Managed hosting
    • Professional support

Which should you pick?

Choose OCLC WorldShare Management Services if

  • You need worldcat cataloging.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want circulation management.
OCLC WorldShare Management Services review

Choose FOLIO if

  • You need modular app architecture.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want circulation and check-out.
FOLIO review

Questions people ask

Is OCLC WorldShare Management Services or FOLIO better?
Neither clearly leads. OCLC WorldShare Management Services starts at On request and FOLIO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OCLC WorldShare Management Services or FOLIO?
FOLIO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for OCLC WorldShare Management Services and Free for FOLIO.
Does OCLC WorldShare Management Services or FOLIO run on more platforms?
OCLC WorldShare Management Services runs on Web, Mobile, Api. FOLIO runs on Web, Api.
Can I use FOLIO for free?
Yes. FOLIO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OCLC WorldShare Management Services starts at On request.
What is OCLC WorldShare Management Services best used for?
OCLC WorldShare Management Services is most often used for libraries relying on the shared worldcat catalog for cataloging and resource sharing. Of those, libraries relying on the shared worldcat catalog for cataloging and resource sharing is not what FOLIO is typically brought in for.
What can OCLC WorldShare Management Services do that FOLIO cannot?
OCLC WorldShare Management Services covers WorldCat cataloging, Circulation management, License management, Analytics and reporting. FOLIO covers Modular app architecture, Circulation and check-out, Inventory and cataloging, Electronic resource management. Both handle Acquisitions and invoicing, SSO.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on OCLC WorldShare Management Services

More on FOLIO

Keep looking

Other head to heads