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

Head-to-head · Library Automation

Oliver vs NewGenLib

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Oliver #2 in Library Automation 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Oliver
NewGenLib #7 in Library Automation 7.9/10 Free plan · pricing on request Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit NewGenLib

Oliver leads on 0 checks, NewGenLib on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOliver · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly NewGenLib
  • Most featuresNewGenLib · 6 of 6

Oliver scores higher on our rubric for library automation: 8.5 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Oliver is the better fit for schools wanting SIS-connected library workflows. NewGenLib is the better fit for libraries seeking broad open-source workflows and RFID.

  • Oliver fits best

    Schools wanting SIS-connected library workflows

  • NewGenLib fits best

    Libraries seeking broad open-source workflows and RFID

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 Oliver 8.5/10 Visit ↗ NewGenLib 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.9
Ranking #2 in Library Automation #7 in Library Automation
Best for Schools wanting SIS-connected library workflows Libraries seeking broad open-source workflows and RFID
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request Free plan · pricing on request
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web, Windows, Linux, Android
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Phone, Live chat
Integrations 6 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Oliver 0/6 · NewGenLib 6/6
RFID support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Self-check integration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Consortium support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Acquisitions module Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Serials management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Patron mobile app Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment Hybrid Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Handles loans, renewals, bookings, reservations and self-checkout.
  • Supports MARC and CSV cataloguing, with barcode-assisted cataloguing.
  • Connects with student and learning systems, content providers and authentication tools.
  • Covers cataloging, circulation, acquisitions and serials workflows
  • Supports MARC21, MARC-XML and Dublin Core cataloging
  • Offers RFID integration, self-checkout and REST API support
Cons
  • Pricing is quote-based, so costs require a sales enquiry.
  • The product is designed for school libraries, not general-purpose library needs.
  • Deployment choices are cloud hosting or self-hosted installation.
  • Enterprise pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed
  • Optional self-checkout and return module is limited to Enterprise Edition
  • Public release information appears dated, leaving maintenance cadence unclear
Our verdict

Oliver is a school library management system from Softlink Education for primary and secondary schools, as well as education departments. It brings together circulation, acquisitions, cataloguing, reporting and resource discovery for…

Read the review →

NewGenLib is a library management system from Verus Solutions Private Limited for academic institutions and scientific research and development organizations. Its modules cover cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, serials, reporting,…

Read the review →
  1. OliverLibrary Automation 8.5Pricing on request
  2. NewGenLibLibrary Automation 7.9Free plan · pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Oliver — where it wins

    • Handles loans, renewals, bookings, reservations and self-checkout.
    • Supports MARC and CSV cataloguing, with barcode-assisted cataloguing.
    • Connects with student and learning systems, content providers and authentication tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is quote-based, so costs require a sales enquiry.
    • The product is designed for school libraries, not general-purpose library needs.
    • Deployment choices are cloud hosting or self-hosted installation.

  • NewGenLib — where it wins

    • Covers cataloging, circulation, acquisitions and serials workflows
    • Supports MARC21, MARC-XML and Dublin Core cataloging
    • Offers RFID integration, self-checkout and REST API support

    Where it doesn't

    • Enterprise pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed
    • Optional self-checkout and return module is limited to Enterprise Edition
    • Public release information appears dated, leaving maintenance cadence unclear
  • Oliver8.5/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad school-library system with circulation, cataloguing, reporting and SIS integrations.

    Visit OliverFull verdict →
  • NewGenLib7.9/10 · Free plan · pricing on request

    A broad library system for institutions that need open-source workflows and RFID support.

    Visit NewGenLibFull verdict →

More comparisons

All library automation comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update