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Archivematica

archivematica.org

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Spec score 8.6 #1 of 26 in Archiving Software

What it is

Archivematica is an open-source application for preserving digital content and maintaining long-term access to it. It supports processing from ingest through access in line with the ISO-OAIS functional model, using standards including METS, PREMIS, Dublin Core, and BagIt. Archivists can configure ingest choices and control steps such as format identification, privacy checks, package extraction, transcription, and normalization. Its editable Format Policy Registry provides policies for these processes and integrates with PRONOM. The dashboard supports searching archival storage and downloading Archival Information Packages as packages, individual objects, or collections. Deletion through the Storage Service requires justification and approval. Documented integrations include AtoM, ArchivesSpace, Avalon Media System, DuraCloud, Swift, Islandora, Arkivum, Handle.Net, and Dataverse; API references cover Archivematica and the Storage Service. The software is free to download, install, and use. Artefactual offers hosted service starting at $11,440 a year and Enterprise Subscriptions starting at $28,600 a year.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Archivematica is an open-source application for preserving long-term access to trustworthy, authentic, and reliable digital content.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Intended users
The project aims to give archivists and librarians with limited technical and financial capacity tools and methods to begin preserving digital information.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
API
The documentation includes API references for Archivematica and the Storage Service.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Integrations
Documented integrations include AtoM, ArchivesSpace, Avalon Media System, DuraCloud, Swift, Islandora, Arkivum, Handle.Net, and Dataverse.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Support
The project community is supported through a discussion list, user group meetings, training and workshops, and installation and service agreements from Artefactual Systems.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Headquarters
Surrey, British Columbia, CanadaRead 28 Sep 2026 · archivematica.org
Founded
2009Read 28 Sep 2026 · archivematica.org
Format policies
Its Format Policy Registry provides editable policies for format identification, package extraction, transcription, and normalization, and is integrated with PRONOM.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Hosted option
Artefactual says partnerships allow it to provide Archivematica as a hosted service.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Maker history
Artefactual says it was incorporated in 2000 and began work on Archivematica in 2009.Read 7 Oct 2026 · artefactual.com
Security configuration
Administrators are advised to change default passwords, restrict Elasticsearch access with firewall rules, and can enable password validation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Security defaults
Archivematica 1.18.0 and Storage Service 0.24.0 ship with stricter Secure, HttpOnly, and SameSite cookie defaults suited to HTTPS deployments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Standards
It processes digital objects from ingest to access in compliance with the ISO-OAIS functional model and uses standards including METS, PREMIS, Dublin Core, and BagIt.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Storage management
The dashboard supports searching archival storage and downloading AIPs as packages, individual objects, or collections; the Storage Service includes a two-step deletion process requiring justification and approval.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org
Workflow controls
Users can control format identification, privacy checks, package extraction, transcription, and other processing choices, and can preconfigure many options for ingest.Read 7 Oct 2026 · archivematica.org

Plans and prices

Archivematica software Free Free to download, install, and use Open-source software Read 7 Oct 2026 · artefactual.com
Archivematica Hosting $11,440 a year Starting at $11,440 USD/year Hosted Archivematica service; starting price Read 7 Oct 2026 · artefactual.com
Enterprise Subscriptions $28,600 a year Starting at $28,600 USD/year Custom environment; digital access and/or preservation system Read 7 Oct 2026 · artefactual.com

Every Archivematica plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Processes content from ingest through access.
  • Uses established preservation standards.
  • Format policies are editable and integrated with PRONOM.
  • Storage searches and AIP downloads are supported.
  • The software is free to use.

Limits

  • Hosted service starts at $11,440 a year.
  • Enterprise Subscriptions start at $28,600 a year.
  • Administrators are advised to change default passwords.

Who it suits

Archivematica is intended for archivists and librarians seeking tools and methods to begin preserving digital information, including those with limited technical and financial capacity.

Verdict

Archivematica offers configurable preservation workflows, standards support, and archival storage tools. Its free software and separately priced hosted and enterprise options serve different deployment needs.

Where Specifiction places it

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