Librarika suits schools, universities, public, corporate and community libraries, as well as people managing personal collections.
Free plan From $139 a year AndroidiPhone & iPadWebWindowsMacLinux+1
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Best Library Automation 2026
Facts read 24 Sep 2026 – 7 Oct 2026
Library automation products may provide RFID and self-check connections, consortium capabilities, plus acquisitions and serials functions. Library teams can use this list to weigh those capabilities against deployment choices including web, Windows, Linux, macOS, self-hosted and API access.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Librarika | Librarika suits schools, universities, public, corporate and community libraries, as well as people managing personal collections. | 6.2 | $139 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 4 Oct 2026 |
| 02 Avidemux | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 7 Oct 2026 | |
| 03 ResourceMate | It suits schools, churches, museums, nonprofits, hospitals, corporations, collectors and other organizations managing libraries. | 5.4 | $220 a year | Free trial | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 7 Oct 2026 |
| 04 SLiMS | SLiMS suits libraries and librarians looking for catalog, circulation, and inventory tools. | 5.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 5 Oct 2026 |
| 05 Koha | Koha suits libraries seeking software for acquisitions, circulation, cataloging, and related workflows, whether they operate one branch, several branches, or a… | 4.4 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Linux, API, Self-hosted | 4 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Surpass | 4.4 | $960 a year | Free trial | Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 | |
| 07 Mandarin M5 | 3.6 | — | — | Web, Windows, Self-hosted | 7 Oct 2026 | |
| 08 NewGenLib | 3.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, Web, Windows, Linux | 24 Sep 2026 | |
| 09 Oliver | Oliver is intended for school libraries, including primary and secondary schools, and education departments. | 3.5 | — | — | Web, API | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 10 Evergreen | 2.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Web | 24 Sep 2026 |
The list is rebuilt nightly and ordered by release date, with the newest releases first. It uses figures published by makers and does not score products.
02
Avidemux
WebWindowsMac+1 Record5.5 Visit
03
ResourceMate
It suits schools, churches, museums, nonprofits, hospitals, corporations, collectors and other organizations managing libraries.
WebWindowsMac+1 Record5.4 Visit
04
SLiMS
SLiMS suits libraries and librarians looking for catalog, circulation, and inventory tools.
WebWindowsMac+2 Record5.0 Visit
05
Koha
Koha suits libraries seeking software for acquisitions, circulation, cataloging, and related workflows, whether they operate one branch, several branches, or a…
WebLinuxAPI+1 Record4.4 Visit
Before you choose
Match deployment to your setup
Check whether a tool runs on the web, Windows, Linux or macOS. Libraries managing their own infrastructure or integrating other systems may also need self-hosted or API access.
Compare free and paid terms
Look for a free plan or a free trial if you want to assess a tool before committing. Paid plans may show a starting price or require a quote, so compare the pricing basis directly.
Check core library workflows
Review each product's RFID, self-check, consortium, acquisitions and serials capabilities. These fields show how a tool may fit your library's operating needs.
Review patron access
A patron mobile app can change how readers reach library services. Check whether that option appears alongside the other capabilities you need.
Read the code and licence terms
Open-source code can support local review or modification. If that matters to your library, check the licence and deployment requirements before choosing a tool.
Questions
Do library automation tools offer free plans?
The list includes items that offer free plans, along with paid and freemium pricing models.
Which platforms can these tools run on?
The listed products cover web, Windows, Linux, macOS, self-hosted deployments and API access.
Can I try a tool before paying?
Free-trial options are available from items on this list. Check the individual product terms for trial conditions.
What library features should I compare?
Assess RFID, self-check, consortium, acquisitions, serials and patron mobile-app capabilities.
Are open-source options available?
Open-source code is available from items on this list. Review the licence and deployment model before adopting one.
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