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LibStack vs OpenLibry

Both stand on school library management software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

LibStack

Free trial AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose LibStack if your institution needs cloud library operations, QR-based lending, reminders, and reporting across one or more branches. The School plan is constrained to one branch and 5,000 books, so libraries needing broader capacity should consider the College or University plan instead.

Visit LibStack

OpenLibry

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

Choose OpenLibry if a school library needs free, open-source circulation and member management on its own equipment. Its combination of barcode loans, class records, and reports is suited to school collections. Libraries seeking a cloud-hosted service should look elsewhere, since OpenLibry is described as locally installed without a cloud service.

Visit OpenLibry

The facts

LibStackOpenLibry
Free planA free trialYes
Open sourceNot publishedNot published
Runs onAndroid, iPhone, WebAPI, Linux, Self-hosted, Web
Lowest paid planFree or on requestFree or on request
Plans published31
MakerNot publishedNot published
Websitelibstack.inopenlibry.de
On school library management software#9 of 22#5 of 22

LibStack: what it does well

  • Add books by ISBN lookup or bulk CSV and Excel import.
  • QR-coded member identities connect loans, history, and fines.
  • Issue and return books by phone or tablet QR/barcode scans.
  • Send due-date reminders through WhatsApp and SMS.
  • Export reports as PDF or Excel.

What to know first

  • The School plan is limited to 5,000 books.
  • The School plan supports only one branch.

OpenLibry: what it does well

  • One-click book check-in and checkout with barcode scanner support.
  • ISBN lookup fills catalog metadata automatically.
  • Excel imports and class advancement support member management.
  • Reports cover loans, reminders, and statistics with CSV export.
  • Can run locally on a school server or Raspberry Pi.

What to know first

  • Requires a school-managed Linux server, desktop, or Raspberry Pi for local installation.
  • The Docker guide requires at least 2 GB RAM and 2 GB free storage.
  • ISBN metadata lookup relies on OpenLibrary and the German National Library.

Alternatives to LibStack Alternatives to OpenLibry The whole list