Open Library vs Paperless-ngx
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted e-books & media library options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Open Library
Open, editable catalog and library platform for books
VS
Paperless-ngx
Document management for scanning, indexing and archiving
| Feature | Open Library | Paperless-ngx |
|---|---|---|
| Category | E-books & Media Library | E-books & Media Library |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 4,096 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 6,597 | ★ 44,077 |
| First released | 2007 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Goodreads | Evernote, DEVONthink |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is Open Library or Paperless-ngx better?
Paperless-ngx is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Open Library if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Open Library and Paperless-ngx free and open-source?
Yes. Open Library is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Paperless-ngx under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Open Library and Paperless-ngx with Docker?
Open Library: yes. Paperless-ngx: yes.