Compare the Top Free Library Management Systems as of June 2025

What are Free Library Management Systems?

A library management system is software designed to assist in the organization and maintenance of a library's collections and services. It typically includes features for cataloging, circulation, and patron management. These systems are used by libraries of all sizes, from small school libraries to large public libraries. They can help with tasks such as tracking loaned items, managing fines and fees, and generating reports on library usage. Library management systems aim to streamline processes and provide librarians with efficient tools for managing their resources. Compare and read user reviews of the best Free Library Management systems currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    KnowAll Matrix

    KnowAll Matrix

    Bailey Solutions Limited

    Bailey Solutions offers cost-effective Library Management Systems (LMS) that can be hosted in the cloud or on your own servers. Our KnowAll Matrix Library System is designed by a library consultant in consultation with clients. 99% customer retention. Our core system includes: Catalogue: create metadata for print and digital resources. AutoCat tool: downloads bibliographic metadata, images and description for published books. You can catalogue any media. Standard and custom fields. Control panel: rename fields to your own terminology and hide, rename & move menu items across the system. Choose how you want your system to work. System comes with set-up defaults for your sector. Reports - easy to run for analytics. OPAC for library users to browse and search the catalogue. User or patron management: fully compliant with personal data protection USA & European laws Optional modules: - Circulation with self-help check-in / check-out - Acquisitions - Serials
    Starting Price: $46 per month
  • 2
    Handy Library Manager
    Run your library in seconds. Easy-to-use and straightforward for everyone. Download and try it now! Manage your library items, borrower information, and circulation transactions. You will find all the features necessary to perform all your library management tasks. Handy Library Manager is fully featured, affordably priced library management software for small to medium libraries. A simple user interface helps you quickly catalog your library items, enter your library patrons, process circulation transactions. You don't have to be a computer wizard to learn how to use the software. Casual librarians or volunteers will find this application easy-to-learn.
    Starting Price: $345 one-time payment
  • 3
    Bibliovation
    One simple to use, powerful search tool that reaches your library’s full universe of physical and digital assets to retrieve relevant search results. The user experience transforms from the frustration of multiple database searches with search rules and different search results lists, to the satisfaction of a single search that combines relevant results from unified indexes, independent databases, library catalogs, and local digital collections. The Bibliovation Library Services Platform (LSP) is a highly flexible, unified software system offered as a SaaS solution. The entire platform is 100% web-based, providing mobile access from all devices. Bibliovation uses relational databases storing all data types, including bibliographic, patron, transaction, acquisitions, and digital objects. By design, Bibliovation is highly customizable to support a variety of different library workflows.
  • 4
    TinyCat

    TinyCat

    LibraryThing

    TinyCat is a simple, fast, and clean way to manage your small library. Book recommendations and faceted results not seen in comparable library management systems. Your catalog can be enhanced with Dewey Decimal Classification™ numbers, series, genres, professional and reader reviews, and more. Circulation, patrons, and accounts. Import and export MARC records. Make your library catalog shine with full series coverage, awards, published reviews, and over two million reader reviews. Holds, renewals, overdue, reminder emails, circulation exports, and automated reports. Optional patron accounts, with patron sign-in and borrowing history. Includes an even simpler circulation system for high-trust environments, like classroom libraries.
    Starting Price: $3 per month
  • 5
    EBSCO

    EBSCO

    EBSCO

    EBSCO offers high-quality information resources and technology solutions to help libraries build and manage their collections, meet consumers' information needs, promote lifelong learning and transform lives. It has never been more important for libraries to provide patrons with vetted information from trusted resources. Support the information needs and interests of everyone in your community with digital magazines, e-journals and e-packages. Our collection development and readers’ advisory tools help you select materials and plan programming that engages, informs and inspires. Keep your community's small businesses up-to-date with business news and information and help job seekers find meaningful work with career development resources. Our efficient technology solutions ensure that your library’s valuable materials are easy to find, whether members are in the library or remotely. Unique videos and book summaries help individuals develop skills critical for success in work and life.
  • 6
    Mandarin

    Mandarin

    Mandarin Library Automation

    A flagship product of Mandarin Library Automation, Mandarin M5 is a modern and fully web-based library management system (LMS) that is purpose-built for librarians, User-friendly and customizable, Mandarin M5 enables users to access resources from any workstation, remotely or at the library. The solution helps single libraries, as well as libraries with multiple sites and school districts, cut costs while saving time with its one-point installation, maintenance, and updates. Mandarin M5 provides modules for cataloging, circulation, inventory, and report generation.
  • 7
    OPALS

    OPALS

    OPALS

    OPALS Open-source Automated Library System is a powerful cooperatively developed, Web-based, open source program. This alternative technology provides Internet access to information databases, library collections and digital archives. Many school, college, research, business, religious and library union catalogs (that provide ILL services) use OPALS. There is no need to install software or purchase expensive computer hardware or software licenses to implement this powerful, turnkey Internet accessible system. The “total cost of ownership” of this standards-based, Web-based, feature rich software is demonstrably and undeniably sustainable. We can host and maintain OPALS on our servers or we can work with your IT colleagues to install and support it at your site. Experienced programmers and technical support staff update and maintain the program, giving this open source initiative a responsive, dependable support framework that is essential for institutions that serve the public.
  • 8
    Koha Library Software

    Koha Library Software

    Koha Library Software

    The world's first free and open source library system. Koha is a fully featured, scalable library management system. Development is sponsored by libraries of varying types and sizes, volunteers, and support companies worldwide. Koha is the first free software library automation package. In use worldwide, its development is steered by a growing community of users collaborating to achieve their technology goals. Koha’s feature set continues to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its user base. Full-featured ILS. In use worldwide in libraries of all sizes, Koha is a true enterprise-class ILS with comprehensive functionality including basic and advanced options. Koha includes modules for acquisitions, circulation, cataloging, serials management, authorities, flexible reporting, label printing, multi-format notices, offline circulation for when Internet access is not available, and much more. Koha will work for consortia of all sizes, multi-branch, and single-branch libraries.
    Starting Price: Free
  • 9
    Librarika
    Librarika is a SaaS based Integrated Library System (ILS) platform built on the cloud. It is super easy to use, you need no technical skill to manage or use your library in Librarika.
  • 10
    Biblio 8.26
    Biblio 8.26 is a free library management system for any Windows system.
    Starting Price: Free
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