Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FOLIO VS Koha

Compare FOLIO VS Koha and see what are their differences

FOLIO logo FOLIO

Simple version control app for designers based on Git

Koha logo Koha

Koha is the first free and open source software library automation package (ILS).
  • FOLIO Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
  • Koha Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-29

FOLIO features and specs

  • Open Source
    FOLIO is an open-source library services platform, which means it can be freely used and modified, promoting collaboration and innovation among libraries.
  • Flexibility
    The platform is highly modular, allowing libraries to use only the components they need and integrate with other systems seamlessly.
  • Community-Driven
    FOLIO is developed with input from a global community of librarians, ensuring the platform meets the evolving needs of libraries.
  • Scalability
    It is designed to support libraries of various sizes, from small to large, making it a suitable solution for diverse institutions.
  • Cloud-Ready
    FOLIO can be deployed in cloud environments, providing libraries with flexibility in terms of infrastructure management.

Possible disadvantages of FOLIO

  • Implementation Complexity
    Setting up and customizing FOLIO can be complex, potentially requiring significant technical expertise and resources.
  • Newness
    As a relatively new platform, FOLIO may not be as mature as other long-standing library systems, potentially leading to fewer pre-existing features or integrations.
  • Limited Vendor Support
    While there are service providers available, the open-source nature may not offer the same level of vendor support as proprietary solutions.
  • Learning Curve
    Staff may need to undergo training to effectively use and manage FOLIO, which could be time-consuming and require additional resources.
  • Upstream Changes
    Being community-developed, changes driven by the core FOLIO community could affect libraries if those changes do not align with a library's specific needs.

Koha features and specs

  • Open Source
    Koha is an open-source integrated library system, which means it's free to use and you can modify it according to your needs without any licensing fees.
  • Community Support
    The Koha community is active and provides a wealth of resources, including documentation, forums, and user groups for assistance and support.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize Koha to meet their specific requirements, thanks to its open-source nature and extensive configuration options.
  • Web-Based
    Koha is entirely web-based, making it accessible from any location with internet access and simplifying maintenance and updates.
  • Regular Updates
    The system benefits from regular updates and new features contributed by the global community, ensuring it stays current and secure.
  • Comprehensive Features
    Koha offers a wide array of features, including cataloging, circulation, member management, and reporting capabilities, making it suitable for various types of libraries.

Possible disadvantages of Koha

  • Learning Curve
    The system can be complex to set up and configure, requiring a significant time investment to fully understand and utilize all its features.
  • Technical Expertise Required
    Implementing and maintaining Koha may necessitate technical expertise, particularly for server management, customization, and troubleshooting.
  • Limited Vendor Support
    While community support is strong, professional vendor support may be limited compared to proprietary systems, which can be a drawback for libraries needing extensive assistance.
  • Initial Setup
    The initial setup process can be time-consuming and may require significant effort, especially for larger libraries or those transitioning from another system.
  • Performance
    Performance issues can arise, particularly in large installations or if the system is not appropriately optimized and configured.

FOLIO videos

HP Spectre Folio Review: A Near-Perfect PC Covered in Real Leather

More videos:

  • Review - Apple's iPad Pro Smart Keyboard Folio Review: The Best, But Too Many Compromises
  • Review - HP Spectre Folio review: This leather PC means business

Koha videos

KOHA Canned Dog Food & Dehydrated Food Mixes Review and Analysis

More videos:

  • Review - NGÀY XƯA CÓ MỘT CON BÒ (Phần 1: Cốt Truyện) I Koha Review
  • Review - KOHA the first open-source Integrated Library System (ILS): An overview of its functions

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FOLIO and Koha)
CMS
25 25%
75% 75
Books & Reference
100 100%
0% 0
LMS
18 18%
82% 82
Movie Reviews
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using FOLIO and Koha. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Koha seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 10 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FOLIO mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FOLIO yet. Tracking of FOLIO recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Koha mentions (10)

  • Collection tracking?
    Koha library system? https://koha-community.org/. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Need help for setting up a library.
    Koha Library Software is a free & open source library system. Source: over 1 year ago
  • FOSS lending system for $stuff
    We are lending stuff like books, laptops, beer benches (hallo freunde) and other stuff. Currently we are using librebooking, but obviously this is not the intended use case. Stuff like maximum lended objects is relevant to us. I saw koha which looks promising, but as it is intended for a library it has any features we dont need, such as acquistion. Any ideas? Source: almost 2 years ago
  • What would be the easiest way to catalog every prop my school drama department has?
    On the harder side of the world, there are entire open source products like Koha (https://koha-community.org) and Evergreen (https://evergreen-ils.org) that are capable of running large libraries, but require installation and systems maintenance. On the easier, something like Librarycat (https://www.librarycat.org) might work fine for your needs (and if you end up using it, lmk...the developer is a friend) or... Source: about 2 years ago
  • help needed - library Software
    KOHA is open source software: https://koha-community.org/. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing FOLIO and Koha, you can also consider the following products

TinyCat - The online catalog and integrated library system for tiny libraries, powered by LibraryThing.

Alma - Meet Alma, a modern and affordable integrated student information system (SIS) and learning...

DSpace - DSpace open source software enables open sharing of content that spans organizations, continents...

Follett Destiny Library Manager - Follett Destiny Library Manager is a complete library management system that can be accessed from anywhere.

Greenstone Digital Library - Greenstone is a suite of software tools for building and distributing digital library collections...

Sierra ILS - Sierra is designed to make your library effective.