# Readerware Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra > With the help of Capterra, learn about Readerware Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Library Automation products and more. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/80142/Readerware --- # Readerware Software Review 2026: Features, Reviews, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on August 24, 2025 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. Independent research methodology Capterra’s researchers use a mix of verified reviews, independent research and objective methodologies to bring you selection and ranking information you can trust. While we may earn a referral fee when you visit a provider through our links or speak to an advisor, this has no influence on our research or methodology. 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[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-we-ensure-transparency/) [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Readerware ## What is Readerware? Windows-based library automation solution that lets organizations manage operations via tools such as barcoding, cataloging, & more. ## What is Readerware used for? [Library Automation](https://www.capterra.com/library-automation-software/) Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 5 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive \- Neutral \- Negative \- Starting price $39.95 Per User, One Time Free trial available Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Readerware?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=http://www.readerware.com&name=Readerware) ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Readerware 4.2 (5) VS. [4.8 (128)](https://www.capterra.com/p/10010536/Surpass/reviews/) Starting Price $39.95 Per User, One Time Starting Price $55 Flat Rate, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.4 (5) Ease Of Use 4.7 (128) Value For Money 4.7 (3) Value For Money 4.8 (87) Customer Service 4.2 (5) Customer Service 4.9 (126) ## Readerware alternatives [4.7 (60)](https://www.capterra.com/p/29128/Mandarin/reviews/) Starting price $500.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 97% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.8 (10)](https://www.capterra.com/p/157700/Lucidea-Integrated-Library-Systems/reviews/) Starting price $2500.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 100% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.5 (36)](https://www.capterra.com/p/40056/ResourceMate/reviews/) Starting price $495.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 89% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.8 (24)](https://www.capterra.com/p/27788/Alexandria/reviews/) Starting price $499.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/80142/Readerware/alternatives/) ## Features Features with the highest number of reviews are displayed first. Those that have no reviews appear next, sorted alphabetically. Acquisition Management 5.0 (1) 0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Manage asset purchase and monitor associated expenditures. Barcoding/RFID 5.0 (1) 0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Identify and track items using barcode tags or RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags Catalog Management 5.0 (1) 0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Create and manage digital catalog of products/services with their details, specifications, and price Circulation Management 5.0 (1) 0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Overseeing distribution of published materials, such as books, newspapers, magazines, etc. Patron Management 5.0 (1) 0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Manage library patron registration and accounts Search/Filter 5.0 (1) 0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Search and filter data across systems to locate required information by entering keywords or certain criteria Readerware 15 features Manage asset purchase and monitor associated expenditures. Identify and track items using barcode tags or RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags Create and manage digital catalog of products/services with their details, specifications, and price Caters to library management needs specific to churches Overseeing distribution of published materials, such as books, newspapers, magazines, etc. Manage digital assets Track and manage inventory levels to maintain proper supply Caters to library management needs specific to law Manage library patron registration and accounts Caters to library management needs specific to private libraries Caters to library management needs specific to public libraries Caters to library management needs specific to school libraries Search and filter data across systems to locate required information by entering keywords or certain criteria Check-in and out via a mobile device or kiosk Manage acquisition and allocation of serials. Features 5.0 (3) 5.0 Based on 3 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.7 (3) Free Trial Basic $39.95 Per User,One Time Value for money 4.7 (3) 4.7 Based on 3 reviews ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.2 (5) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.2 (5) 4.2 Based on 5 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.2 Based on 5 reviews Filter by rating 5(2) 4(2) 3(1) 2(0) 1(0) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent FG Florence G. Realtor Real Estate ### "Readerware review " 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 March 30, 2022 Pros It's a great app, the features are very convenient. Good interface. Cons There are few glitches to the app, sometimes I can't access the book I want. I'd be glad if this issue can be resolved Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AY Arthur Y. Chief Cook and Dish Washer Music ### "This is a REVISED review ... I NOW recommend this software for private MUSIC Collections." 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 3.0 3.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 December 11, 2020 Early on, as reflected in my first review, use of Readerware for Music was FRUSTRATING. The auto-catalog function often downloaded NOTHING except the name of the CD and, sometimes, a picture (as from Amazon). Since I have a large CD collection and had catalogued MOST of it using Readerware for Music, I did NOT want to start with new software, so I stuck with it. Since then, vast improvements have been made to the software including the ability to EASILY download from sites like DISCOGS and ALL MUSIC. The MOST SIGNIFICANT thing I can say about my ongoing experience is the quality and rapid response of their tech report. Martin is nothing short of SPECTACULAR! Pros The software is EASY to use. Searches are EASY - IF THE DATA IS THERE\*. Important information is at your fingertips with just a few keystrokes - IF THE DATA IS THERE\*. Readerware was VASTLY improved by the addition of the ability to fairly easily import data from Discogs, All Music and other sites. Complex searches are also fairly easy once you read the instructions. I shamefully admit to NOT having done this. BUT, this brings me to the BEST PRO for this software: User SUPPORT. I place GREAT value and IMPORTANCE on technical support for ANYTHING that I buy. I DESPISE companies like Apple that CHARGE for answers! Readerware is AWESOME in this regard. Martin has GUIDED me through various functions and made the software ever more useful to me. He COULD simply have given me the URL for the instructions that answer each of my questions, but he has gone far beyond. To me, this is PRICELESS! Cons Windows Media Player and other music cataloging software use a system that READS a CD in your computer and finds the appropriate information from GRACENOTE with very few errors. Readerware does NOT do this and the company advises they have NO plans to incorporate this feature. This results in searches based on UPC (or the European equivalent code), or Artist or CD Title. MANY older CDs do NOT have UPC codes and finding all too many CDs by title when multiple artists are presented can be an IMPOSSIBLE task OR the search results in only a CD title and image and NO track information. SADLY NO source accessible by Readerware is complete. I still have CDs in my collection for which I CANNOT download track listings. I HAVE manually entered a dozen or so into the DISCOGS database, but it is painfully time consuming (even though I am retired) AND DISCOGS has complex and arcane data entry rules and requirements. One example: I purchased a wonderful 10CD collection of Horn Concertos. I WANT to enter it into my data base, but each CD has multiple concertos by differing composers and performers. I would FAR prefer to download the data! Reasons for choosing Readerware Early on, it was one of the only products available for the purpose of creating a useful data base for my large CD collection. I tried CollectorZ but found it cumbersome, not user friendly, and difficult to use. HOWEVER, it does catalog via access to Gracenote - the one feature I wish Readerware has! Readerware is MUCH more user friendly and easy to use. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. KG Kathy G. Bookstore employee Retail ### "Excellent program for a home library" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 May 10, 2019 I have been using Readerware for many years, maybe as long as 10. It works well for both small and large collections of books. I currently have over 5,000 in the system. When you get a new book, you can scan the ISBN number( or input by hand) and it will search whatever locations you have set up such as Amazon, Library of Congress, Powell's bookstore etc. It will pull up the book info and when you have finished adding one or more books and it had input info you can add your own notes such as price paid, where purchased, condition etc. I love it. Pros It is very easy to use. It also has a handheld version I have on my phone so I always have my inventory with me. Cons Reports are a bit difficult to create. Support is very good and fast though. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. FE Faith E. Coordinator ### "Good program BUT..." 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 0.0 0.0 Customer Service 1.0 1.0 Likelihood to Recommend 0/10 December 26, 2015 I tried the program and was hooked. It is very easy to use. I am not good with computers yet I found it easy to use. I enjoyed the tutorials. I BOUGHT the program after reading that the bundle package that I bought offered the lending program WITH what I purchased. After filling in 1 name, I get this message that I have to upgrade and BUY another $50 product key to use it! I can't find any place online to contact these people to ask what's up with this? I am frustrated that I have been lead on and let down. I've spent good money and more than I had wanted to just to find out they don't give you all they say they will. I also put in the ISBN #s to 2 popular books just to have them not be found. It worked great while I was trying it out. Now that I've bought it... I fear I've made a costly mistake. Good luck finding a program that meets your needs. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. SB Steven B. Facilities Director ### "Great for home and specialty libraries, great support included" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 0.0 0.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 0/10 May 22, 2015 This is a great, well thought out program, and a terrific value, with quick support. It's available for Mac or PC, and we used the Mac version that has server ability. That is, you can have it running on one computer, and access it from up to 5 other computers or tablets or phones at the same time. You can also access it away from home, on a smartphone, though we couldn't get that to work at our office, because our comcast cable modem's firewall. We used it for our school's small library of 1000 volumes. You can use a bar code scanner to scan in the codes that most books of the last twenty five years have and it will automatically find the basic info on the book, including Dewey and Library of congress numbers. You can print spine labels, though this took us a while to figure out, it worked better after we got a dymo label turbo printer, though we've had trouble with that too, although that seems to be a problem with the Dymo. Printing became a lot easier after an upgrade. Updates are frequent and include both fixes and new features, and there's no charge for them. The support level for such an inexpensive program is very impressive. When we had a question we had an email response in an hour or two. Eventually, as we've moved to needing to use this more as a school library than as a private collection, we've decided to go up a level to another program, as we can't do subject searches without entereing the info for each book manually first. Other more expensive programs can pull this MARC data in automatically. but we still may continue using this program for video DVDS etc. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. Independent research methodology Capterra's researchers use a mix of verified reviews, independent research and objective methodologies to bring you selection and ranking information you can trust. While we may earn a referral fee when you visit a provider through our links or speak to an advisor, this has no influence on our research or methodology. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/) How Capterra verifies reviews Capterra carefully verified over 2.5 million+ reviews to bring you authentic software experiences from real users. Our human moderators verify that reviewers are real people and that reviews are authentic. They use leading tech to analyze text quality and to detect plagiarism and generative AI. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-we-verify-reviews/) How Capterra ensures transparency Capterra lists all providers across its website—not just those that pay us—so that users can make informed purchase decisions. Capterra is free for users. Software providers pay us for sponsored profiles to receive web traffic and sales opportunities. Sponsored profiles include a link-out icon that takes users to the provider's website. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-we-ensure-transparency/)