Koha vs FOLIO

KKoha9.2Visit FOLIO7.9Visit

Higher score K Koha #1 in Library Management 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Koha

vs

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

• Koha fits best

  Libraries seeking a full-featured open-source system

• FOLIO fits best

  Academic and larger libraries seeking an open platform

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Side by side

Feature	KKoha 9.2/10 Visit ↗	FOLIO 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.9
Ranking	#1 in Library Management	#3 in Library Management
Best for	Libraries seeking a full-featured open-source system	Academic and larger libraries seeking an open platform
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Linux	Web
Support	Community, Docs, Live chat	Docs
Integrations	5 integrations	16 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Koha 0/2 · FOLIO 2/2
Circulation management	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Acquisition tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Cataloging standards	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Deployment	Not checked yet	Both
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	Covers inventory, cataloging, acquisitions, e-resources and circulation Modular applications use an API-driven architecture Integrates with systems including OCLC WorldCat, VuFind and Shibboleth
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	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
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 →	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 →

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

• 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

• KKoha9.2/10 · Free plan

  A broad, self-hosted library system with core workflows and public catalog tools.

  Visit KohaFull verdict →
• FOLIO7.9/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit FOLIOFull verdict →