Koha
Enterprise-class ILS with modules for acquisitions, circulation, cataloging, label printing, offline circulation for when Internet access is not available, and much more.
Koha vs RERO ILS
Two self-hosted Document Management - Integrated Library Systems (ILS) apps, compared on the facts we track: GitHub popularity and activity, license, language, Docker images and a rough hosting estimate.
Side by side
| Koha | RERO ILS | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Enterprise-class ILS with modules for acquisitions, circulation, cataloging, label printing, offline circulation for when Internet access is not available, and much more. | Large-scale ILS that can be run as a service with consortial features, intended primarily for library networks. Includes most standard modules (circulation, acquisitions, cataloging,...) and a web-based public and professional interface. |
| GitHub stars | 598 | 86 |
| Forks | – | – |
| Open issues | – | – |
| Commits (12 months) | 3.6k | 204 |
| Last activity | 2026-11-04 | 2026-11-04 |
| Latest release | – | v1.30.1 (2026-10-30) |
| Maintenance health | Active | Active |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language / platform | Perl | Python, Docker |
| Docker Hub image | – | – |
| Docker pulls | – | – |
| Est. server size | ~512 MB, 1 vCPU | ~1 GB, 1 vCPU |
| Est. hosting from | $3.5/mo | $5/mo |
| Categories | Document Management - Integrated Library Systems (ILS) | Document Management - Integrated Library Systems (ILS) |
| Links | Website · Source | Website · Source |
What the numbers say
- Koha is more popular on GitHub: 598 stars vs 86 for RERO ILS.
- Koha had more commits in the last 12 months (3,643 vs 204).
- RERO ILS publishes GitHub releases (latest v1.30.1); no GitHub release was found for Koha.
- Koha is licensed under GPL-3.0, RERO ILS under AGPL-3.0.
- Koha is written in Perl; RERO ILS in Python.
- Deployment options listed upstream: Koha: none listed; RERO ILS: Docker.
- Our rough hardware estimate is lighter for Koha (~512 MB server) than RERO ILS (~1 GB); this is an estimate from the stack and category, not a benchmark.
Summary: Koha leads on GitHub popularity and commit activity. The right choice depends on the features you need — read both project descriptions and docs.
This summary is generated from GitHub, Docker Hub and awesome-selfhosted data as of 2026-11-05. It does not rate features or quality.
Frequently asked questions
Is Koha or RERO ILS more popular?
Koha has more GitHub stars (598 vs 86 for RERO ILS, as of 2026-11-05). Stars measure interest, not quality.
Which is more actively maintained, Koha or RERO ILS?
Koha had more commits over the last 12 months (3,643 vs 204). Both had repository activity on 2026-11-04. Our health labels: Koha is “Active”, RERO ILS is “Active”.
What licenses do Koha and RERO ILS use?
Koha: GPL-3.0. RERO ILS: AGPL-3.0.
Can I run Koha and RERO ILS with Docker?
We did not detect a Docker Hub image for either app. The upstream listing mentions Docker as a deployment option for RERO ILS. Check each project's documentation for install options.
Read more
RERO ILS
Large-scale ILS that can be run as a service with consortial features, intended primarily for library networks. Includes most standard modules (circulation, acquisitions, cataloging,...) and a web-based public and professional interface.
Browse all self-hosted Document Management - Integrated Library Systems (ILS) apps.