FOLIO vs Evergreen

FOLIO7.9Visit EEvergreen7.9Visit

FOLIO #3 in Library Management 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit FOLIO

vs

E Evergreen #5 in Library Management 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Evergreen

• FOLIO fits best

  Academic and larger libraries seeking an open platform

• Evergreen fits best

  Libraries seeking free, self-hosted core functionality

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Side by side

Feature	FOLIO 7.9/10 Visit ↗	EEvergreen 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Library Management	#5 in Library Management
Best for	Academic and larger libraries seeking an open platform	Libraries seeking free, self-hosted core functionality
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features FOLIO 2/2 · Evergreen 2/2
Circulation management	✓	✓
Acquisition tools	✓	✓
Specs
Cataloging standards	Not checked yet	MARC, MARCXML; Z39.50 record import
Deployment	Both	On-premises
Patron limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported languages	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Covers inventory, cataloging, acquisitions, e-resources and circulation Modular applications use an API-driven architecture Integrates with systems including OCLC WorldCat, VuFind and Shibboleth	Supports circulation, check-in, and hold management Catalogs MARC records and imports MARC, MARCXML, and Z39.50 records Includes acquisitions ordering, budget, and invoice tracking
Cons	Requires libraries to choose and operate applications or arrange hosting Commercial hosting and support may be separate from the free software Support channel listed is documentation	Self-hosted deployment requires libraries to manage hosting Support, migration, and development services may cost extra No AI features are included
Our verdict	FOLIO is an open-source library services platform from the Open Library Foundation, built for libraries managing print and electronic resources. Its applications cover inventory and bibliographic management, acquisitions, electronic… Read the review →	Evergreen is an open-source library automation system for small institutions through large consortia. Its staff interface covers circulation, check-in, holds, and cataloging, while a public access catalog lets patrons discover materials.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• FOLIO — where it wins

  • Covers inventory, cataloging, acquisitions, e-resources and circulation
  • Modular applications use an API-driven architecture
  • Integrates with systems including OCLC WorldCat, VuFind and Shibboleth

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires libraries to choose and operate applications or arrange hosting
  • Commercial hosting and support may be separate from the free software
  • Support channel listed is documentation

• Evergreen — where it wins

  • Supports circulation, check-in, and hold management
  • Catalogs MARC records and imports MARC, MARCXML, and Z39.50 records
  • Includes acquisitions ordering, budget, and invoice tracking

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted deployment requires libraries to manage hosting
  • Support, migration, and development services may cost extra
  • No AI features are included

• FOLIO7.9/10 · Free plan

  A modular library platform spanning cataloging, acquisitions, e-resources and circulation.

  Visit FOLIOFull verdict →
• EEvergreen7.9/10 · Free plan

  Free, self-hosted library automation with circulation, cataloging, and acquisitions.

  Visit EvergreenFull verdict →