Free Library Management Software
Koha is free, open-source library software used by 5,000+ libraries in 100+ countries. No licensing fees. No per-user costs. Full-featured cataloging, circulation, and patron management — free forever.
Is Koha Really Free?
Yes. Koha is free and open-source software licensed under the GPL. The software itself costs nothing to download, install, and use — for any library, of any size, forever.
What libraries pay for with Koha:
- Hosting — a server to run Koha on (self-managed Linux VPS, or managed cloud hosting)
- Support — optional professional support contracts for troubleshooting and upgrades
- Implementation — optional help with setup, data migration, and training
What libraries do NOT pay for with Koha:
- Software licensing fees (none)
- Per-user or per-seat fees (none)
- Per-branch fees (none)
- Feature unlock fees — all modules included (cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, serials, reports)
- API access fees (none — open REST API)
What Free Library Software Koha Includes
📚 Cataloging
Full MARC support, Z39.50 copy cataloging from Library of Congress and 160+ servers. No extra charge for cataloging modules.
🔄 Circulation
Check-in, check-out, holds, renewals, fines, offline circulation. SIP2 for self-checkout machines. Included.
🔍 Public Catalog
Mobile-responsive OPAC for patron searching and self-service account management. Customizable. Included.
👥 Patron Management
Unlimited patrons, flexible categories, borrowing privileges, email notifications. Included.
🛒 Acquisitions
Purchase orders, vendor management, fund accounting, EDI. Included — not a paid add-on.
📊 Reports
Built-in SQL report builder, statistics, custom reports. Included. No analytics upcharge.
How to Get Koha Free
Option 1: Self-Install (Free, Requires Linux Skills)
Download Koha from the official community repository and install it on your own Linux server (Ubuntu or Debian).
- Cost model: You provide the server infrastructure and administration time
- Requires: Linux server administration knowledge
- Ongoing: You manage upgrades, backups, and security patches
Installation guide: How to install Koha on Ubuntu →
Option 2: Free Tier on AWS via KohaSupport (No Linux Skills Needed)
KohaSupport's Free tier deploys Koha on your own AWS account — no installation, no Linux expertise, running in 5 minutes.
- Cost model: No KohaSupport software charge for the Free Tier listing; AWS infrastructure charges still apply
- Requires: An AWS account
- Includes: Up to 1,000 bibliographic records, guided setup, unlimited patrons
- Limits: Not intended for full production use (record limit)
Option 3: Community Hosting (Free, Variable Quality)
Some library consortia and community organizations offer free or subsidized Koha hosting for qualifying libraries. Check your regional library consortium or state library agency for availability.
Going Live: Affordable Paid Plans
The Free tier is for evaluation. When you're ready to run Koha live for your library, KohaSupport's paid plans add unlimited records, automated backups, and custom domain support — still dramatically cheaper than commercial ILS licensing.
For most libraries, Koha's total cost of ownership (hosting + support) is substantially lower than commercial alternatives — see the TCO framework →