Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

Head-to-head · Library Management

Koha vs Evergreen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Koha #1 in Library Management 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Koha
Evergreen #5 in Library Management 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Evergreen

Koha leads on 0 checks, Evergreen on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKoha · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresEvergreen · 2 of 2

Koha scores higher on our rubric for library management: 9.2 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Koha is the better fit for libraries seeking a full-featured open-source system. Evergreen is the better fit for libraries seeking free, self-hosted core functionality.

  • Koha fits best

    Libraries seeking a full-featured open-source system

  • Evergreen fits best

    Libraries seeking free, self-hosted core functionality

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Koha 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Evergreen 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.9
Ranking #1 in Library Management #5 in Library Management
Best for Libraries seeking a full-featured open-source system Libraries seeking free, self-hosted core functionality
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Linux Web
Support Community, Docs, Live chat Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Koha 0/2 · Evergreen 2/2
Circulation management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Acquisition tools Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Cataloging standards Not checked yet MARC, MARCXML; Z39.50 record import
Deployment Not checked yet On-premises
Patron limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported languages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, serials and authorities
  • Offers MARC cataloging, imports and custom reports via wizard or SQL
  • Includes a public catalog and borrower portal, plus offline circulation
  • 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
  • Self-hosting on Linux requires local deployment and operational effort
  • Community project rather than a single-vendor SaaS service
  • Support relies on community, documentation and chat
  • Self-hosted deployment requires libraries to manage hosting
  • Support, migration, and development services may cost extra
  • No AI features are included
Our verdict

Koha is a free, open-source integrated library system for institutions ranging from single branches to large consortia. Its web interfaces support staff management, circulation, self-checkout and a public catalog, with acquisitions,…

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 →
  1. KohaLibrary Management 9.2Free plan
  2. EvergreenLibrary Management 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Koha — where it wins

    • Covers circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, serials and authorities
    • Offers MARC cataloging, imports and custom reports via wizard or SQL
    • Includes a public catalog and borrower portal, plus offline circulation

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosting on Linux requires local deployment and operational effort
    • Community project rather than a single-vendor SaaS service
    • Support relies on community, documentation and chat

  • 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

More comparisons

All library management comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update