# Koha ILS Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Is Koha ILS the right Library Automation solution for you? Explore 15 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/229051/Koha-ILS/reviews --- Koha ILS 4.5 (15) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/229051/Koha-ILS/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Reviews of Koha ILS Ease of use 4.5 Customer Service 4.4 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-15 of 15 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Dominic D. Software Developer Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Nice application web application and can use also a biometric tools or rfid" June 18, 2018 5.0 Pros I like this apps because this is a online application then installed in the Linux ubunto easy to maintain Cons for my past experience only the issue have encounter is to on the setup server but more less i handle it Review Source MM Masimba M. Deputy Librarian Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Koha the Choice!" January 30, 2020 5.0 I have had 8 years experience working with Koha from implementation and role-out now. The experience has been phenomenal and my staff have embraced the flexibility of the software Pros Koha has an excellent user interface, Can be customised to suit the peculiar needs of the institutions. You can include patron pictures in patron record creation Provides offline module and back-up of files on daily basis Cons Koha requires IT support for updates and maintenance Alternatives considered [Mandarin](https://www.capterra.com/p/29128/Mandarin/) Reason for choosing Koha ILS Koha is more user friendly and has all the modules and can be customised to our needs Review Source NS NOREST S. LIBRARY ASSISTANT Information Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "KOHA LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE" January 16, 2020 3.0 Organizing and circulation of library materials using Koha. This gives the advantage of saving time for the reader and making sure that every material in the library is used. Pros Koha has the ability to collect all of the meta data that is required; through the cataloguing function, for easy retrieval of all library materials which includes books, audio visual materials, serials as well as electronic resources. This gives an advantage to library users as well as staff members as they are able to easily locate, retrieve and use the library materials. Cons The fact that the software is an open source is the biggest disadvantage, The organization risks losing all of the data to hackers. The software is not user friendly, intensive training is required for one to master all of the functions in the system. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Librarian Non-Profit Organization Management Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "COHA ILS intergrates all library sections." May 4, 2021 5.0 While upgrading to electronic system, KOHA ILS enabled us to retain fundamental features that are farmiliar to members of the community library. They include author-title-subject catalogue, reservations and renewing Pros I helped a community library to upgrade from a physical system to an electronic one. KOJA ILS enabled us to incorporate all facets of the physical system into separate electronic modules that work together as one ILS. KOHA ILS' online public access catalogue (OPAC) serves as a platform in which patrons engage the library. Besides search for information, the community members, on their own, reserve books and suggest new Library materials to be acquired. The acquisition module, on the other hand, enables the technical service department to be efficient in selecting, evaluating, budgeting and ordering resources. COHA ILS alerts staff about arrival of new resources. Catalogue module assists catalogers to publish accurate records in a time-saving manner. KOHA ILS' is MARC compliant, the community library simply imports bibliographic information of new additions from external databases. COHA ILS' circulation module provides collaboration between readers service personnel and patrons in order to achieve an efficient, equitable and effective circulation of library resources among the community library users. Checking-in and checking-out tasks are integrated with the OPAC such that borrowers are able to identify which resources are due for return. In addition, automatic alerts remind patrons about overdue resources. Cons I notice that sometimes staff with appropriate access rights unscrupulously settle patrons' fines. I wish the system is tighten enough to foil such malpractices Reason for choosing Koha ILS KOHA ILS has all features of a typical library Review Source OP Obvious P. Bookkeeper Farming Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Koha ILS : a suitable software program for universities, colleges and schools" January 28, 2020 4.0 As Postgraduate university of Zimbabwe I find it easier to locate my study material through the use of Koha ILS OPAC (online public access catalogue). Koha also makes my research and assignments easier because i quickly get the relevant books, publications and journals. In general, I recommend library staff to use Koha ILS because it is an Integrated Library System (ILS) used to automate library jobs from, searching, inspecting or checking books in and out Pros The main advantages of Koha ILS are :Koha facilitates several functional necessities of a library management system. It offers the following acquisition, cataloguing, OPAC (online public access catalogue), circulation, and serial control. With rapid technological changes, Koha Integrated library management systems minimizes expenditure or costs and improve the efficiency of library facilities and functions. Koha implies computerization of the library which helps to reduce workload library staff and results in quick serving of clients and library users through the use of machine-readable cataloging. Koha ILS facilitates easy and quick access to books, journals and other publications and automation helps the library to be more flexible even when there is an increase in demand Cons The cons of Koha ILS are training costs because library workers must be trained to know how to use the software. Another disadvantage is that there is no offline access thus there is need for internet to access it. Review Source FM Frank M. Library Assistant Education Management Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Skills and Knowledge" January 16, 2020 2.0 Its slow in open and saving files. It has an option to forgive fines that i feel is a weakness of a software. After some few minutes of loging in , it shuts user of and requires loging in again of which thats an advantage Pros Can easily be orientated, user friendly therefore it needs training and practise Cons Consistancey you can not reliay on Koha records for i have realised some users coming to complain on notices sent to them but they do not really reflect from their accounts. A customer's account indicates that he or she has an overdue items but do not charge fines Switched from [Millenium](https://www.capterra.com/p/36629/Millenium/) Not sure why but it seemed costly for the organisation Review Source JM Jonathan M. Assistant Librarian Libraries Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Happy Koha User" January 28, 2020 4.0 I find Koha to be a more user friendly software which is user-driven.The system can be customized or expanded to suit the patrons' needs or institution’s requirements. Pros I found Koha to be very flexible and suitable for all types of libraries in all parts of the world. As an open source Integrated Library Management System, Koha can be downloaded and installed by libraries on their own. Cons In terms of technical support, Local ICT expertise is required to provide Koha support. In the absence of in-house expertise, an organisation may need to outsource help from a support company or consultancy. However, help is also freely available from the online community of Koha users. Review Source CM Caston M. Librarian Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "KOHA ILS" November 8, 2018 5.0 The overall experience is wonderful, no regrets at all Pros Its user friendliness and the fact that it uses cloud computing for storage, hence eliminating all storage costs. This is a fantastic feature for library management system especially in the digital era. Cons There is a lot of fields duplication, which to some extend not necessary. Review Source DM Dickson M. accounting assistant Education Management Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "koha library software" January 10, 2020 5.0 makes access to library books, eresources and ebooks easy to find within the university library and has ability to decongest the library because of the easy to use and quick access. Pros you can customise it to your library specifications and needs and make adjustments to systems that do not meet your customer needs. the fact that its an open source makes it cheap for the organisation to use. Cons you require IT staff in the library to do updates and trouble shooting or you may need to consult outside if library has no IT staff, meaning extra costs. Review Source PM PRINCE M. Accounting Assistant Education Management Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Research made easy by the use of koha " January 17, 2020 5.0 koha is an excellent software and i would recommend it to any library that is serious about helping its students Pros I use this software when i was doing my masters at the university of Zimbabwe. One thing about the software is that you can access it from anywhere over the internet. Most importantly is its detailed documentation that help users to learn how it works. Cons So for i think this is the best library software i have used but however i think it being an open source software it might be prone to hackers. Review Source FM Francois M. Used the software for: ### "Wrong link" February 20, 2015 5.0 The Liblime product is a proprietary fork of the Koha ILS project. If you're looking for the Open Source and up-to-date version of Koha, head over to http://koha-community.org Review Source HJ Hakiman J. Librarian Used the software for: ### "How To Download Koha ILS" February 21, 2015 5.0 I'm really impressive with Koha. This system very good and interesting. I think i want to use this system in the resource centre in my office. So,how i can get it this software? Review Source OO Olugbenga O. Library Coordinator Used the software for: ### "Rating Koha ILS" May 2, 2014 5.0 So far so good I have used the Koha ILS for over 3 years and it has served me well. I reccomend it to any progressive organisation Review Source US Umrav S. Librarian Used the software for: ### "Koha ILS Best software in the library management " January 15, 2016 5.0 Compare to other library software Kha ILS is best software for other available software in market. Review Source aJ amit J. Sr. Software developer Used the software for: ### "Koha ILS" September 19, 2014 4.0 i want know about this software Review Source Similar Products Featured