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Instead of SLiMS

SLiMS alternatives

SLiMS is a free library management system for libraries and librarians. Its OPAC offers cover thumbnails and simple or advanced search, while bibliographic records can include documents, video, and audio. Circulation covers loans, returns, reservations, configurable loan rules, and membership management; stocktaking, reports, statistics, and borrower access round out the work. It also provides MODS XML and JSON-LD record details, RSS and OAI-PMH feeds, and integrations for union catalogs and federated search. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, or as a self-hosted web system, with Apache, a supported database, PHP, and required PHP extensions.

1. 1 L

   Librarika

   Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

   Libraries wanting hosted service, branches, and mobile apps — Librarika adds hosted cloud service, multi-branch management, mobile apps, and SIP2 and SAML integrations.

   7.3 Free plan · paid from $139/yr Visit site
2. 2 A

   ABCD

   Free plan LinuxWebWindows

   Libraries, archives, and museums with varied catalog models — ABCD adds support for archives and museums, acquisitions, MARC, ISAD-G, Dublin Core, and custom database models.

   Free plan Visit site
3. 3 P

   Pinakes

   Free plan AndroidAPISelf-hosted+1

   Self-hosted collections needing ebook and audiobook access — Pinakes adds ISBN/EAN imports, automatic covers, a digital library plugin, REST APIs, and SRU exports.

   Open source Visit site
4. 4 K

   Koha

   Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

   Libraries needing broad workflows and standards support — Koha adds acquisitions, serials, authorities, label printing, offline circulation, and standards including MARC 21 and SIP/NCIP.

   7.3 Free plan Visit site
5. 5 O

   OpenLibry

   Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

   School libraries prioritizing local data hosting — OpenLibry focuses on school libraries, class and student management, barcode scanning, and local hosting without external servers.

   Free plan Visit site
6. 6 L

   LibraryWorld

   Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

   Libraries wanting web-based automation and serials tracking — LibraryWorld adds serials tracking, a self-service circulation portal, mobile access, and a Kids Catalog interface.

   From $540/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
7. 7 O

   Orell Library Management Software

   Paid AndroidiPhoneWeb

   Educational institutions integrating RFID and digital resources — Orell adds RFID and smart card integrations, procurement tools, remote digital-resource access, and SMS and email notifications.

   Pricing on request Visit site
8. 8 A

   Avidemux

   Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1
   9.2 Free plan Visit site
9. 9 N

   NewGenLib

   Free plan AndroidLinuxWeb+1
   6.2 Free plan · pricing on request Visit site
10. 10 E

    Evergreen

    Free plan Web
    6.0 Free plan Visit site
11. 11 R

    ResourceMate

    Free trial LinuxMacWeb+1
    6.0 From $495 Visit site
12. 12 F

    FOLIO

    Free plan Web
    5.9 Free plan Visit site
13. 13

    Surpass

    Free trial WebWindows
    5.6 From $55/mo (annual) Visit site
14. 14 M

    Mandarin M5

    Paid Self-hostedWebWindows
    5.5 From $500/yr Visit site
15. 15 O

    Oliver

    Paid APIWeb
    5.3 Pricing on request Visit site
16. 16 A

    Alexandria

    by COMPanion Corporation

    Paid Web
    4.8 Pricing on request Visit site
17. 17 A

    Alma

    Paid Web
    4.5 Pricing on request Visit site
18. 18 A

    Axiell Quria

    Paid Web
    4.4 Pricing on request Visit site
19. 19 D

    Destiny Library Manager

    Paid Web
    4.4 Pricing on request Visit site
20. 20 A

    Amlib

    Paid
    4.3 Pricing on request Visit site
21. 21 I

    Insignia Library System

    Paid Web
    4.2 Pricing on request Visit site
22. 22 O

    OPALS

    Paid Web
    4.0 Pricing on request Visit site
23. 23 S

    Symphony

    Paid WebWindows
    4.0 Pricing on request Visit site
24. 24 T

    TIND ILS

    Paid Web
    4.0 Pricing on request Visit site
25. 25 V

    Virtua

    Paid Web
    3.8 Pricing on request Visit site

Readers may look elsewhere for a hosted service, mobile apps, broader institutional workflows, or tools tailored to schools. SLiMS is free, but its published minimum requirements and self-hosting options mean it is not the same fit as a cloud system. Compare deployment, catalog standards, branch support, circulation, and digital collections before switching. Some alternatives emphasize acquisitions, archives, serials, RFID, or school-specific member management; others add ebook access, mobile apps, or built-in hosting. The better choice depends on which of those needs outweigh SLiMS's free access, configurable circulation, and library-focused catalog and reporting features.

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