--- description: Detailed reviews on Mandarin based on features, pricing, usability, and ratings. Get a quick overview advantages and disadvantages. Compare Mandarin with similar products. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/getapp/og_logo-94fd2a03a6c7a0e54fc0c9e21a1c0ce9.png title: Mandarin Reviews, Prices & Ratings | GetApp Canada 2026 --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Library Automation Software](/directory/39/library-automation/software) > [Mandarin](/software/106365/mandarin) # Mandarin Canonical: https://www.getapp.ca/software/106365/mandarin Page: 1 / 4\ Next: [Next page](https://www.getapp.ca/software/106365/mandarin?page=2) > Mandarin is a web-based library management system targeting smaller private \& public facilities with support for cataloguing, circulation \& inventory management > > Verdict: Rated **4.7/5** by 60 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Overview ### Key benefits of Mandarin Mandarin is a provider of automated and highly customizable library management systems for smaller or specialist library sites, allowing these facilities to centralize their book catalog and give patrons access to online search portals. As a cloud-based solution, Mandarin promises rapid setup and installation while liberating librarians from the additional costs and efforts required when maintaining a server. Mandarin can however be installed on-premise if preferred. Cataloging features provide tools for adding, copying, editing and deleting book records alongside an included equipment database. The inventory module then enables full or partial inventory checks to be conducted. Circulation features for processing loans, returns, renewals and bookings, plus the ability to query patron or item status, implement late return fines, issue refunds and send email notifications, reminders or warnings. An integrated report generator includes a Report Tool offering 900+ pre-built report types, while custom reports can be created in a matter of steps before sending PDF exports out to shareholders via email. ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.7/5** | 60 Reviews | | Ease of Use | 4.4/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Customer Support Software | 4.9/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Value for Money | 4.8/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Features | 4.2/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Recommendation percentage | 90% | (9/10 Likelihood to recommend) | ## About the vendor - **Company**: Mandarin Library Automation - **Founded**: 1986 ## Commercial Context - **Starting Price**: US$500.00 - **Pricing model**: Other (Free version available) - **Pricing Details**: Annual subscriptions for Mandarin, cloud-hosted, range from $500-$950 depending on library size and patron numbers. On-premise pricing carries a one-time purchase fee of $1250, then $780 annually for each site to cover services and updates. - **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+ - **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Chromebook (Desktop) - **Supported Languages**: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese - **Available Countries**: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia and 152 more ## Features - Alerts/Notifications - Barcode/Ticket Scanning - Barcoding/RFID - Catalog Management - Church Libraries - Circulation Management - Customizable Branding - Customizable Reports - Customizable Templates - Customization - Data Import/Export - Equipment Tracking - Fee Collection - Full Text Search - Historical Reporting - Inventory Management Software - Multi-Language - OPAC - Online Catalog - Order Management Software ## Support Options - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base Software - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) ## Category - [Library Automation Software](https://www.getapp.ca/directory/39/library-automation/software) ## Related Categories - [Library Automation Software](https://www.getapp.ca/directory/39/library-automation/software) - [Catalog Management Software](https://www.getapp.ca/directory/188/catalog-management/software) ## Alternatives 1. [Surpass](https://www.getapp.ca/software/2044451/surpass) — 4.8/5 (128 reviews) 2. [Simple Little Library System](https://www.getapp.ca/software/2048679/library-management-system-by-bailey) — 4.7/5 (29 reviews) 3. [Follett Destiny Library Manager](https://www.getapp.ca/software/2060011/destiny-library-manager) — 4.5/5 (35 reviews) 4. [Librarika](https://www.getapp.ca/software/2074539/librarika) — 4.0/5 (2 reviews) 5. [MEDAD Library Services Platform](https://www.getapp.ca/software/2064954/medad-library-services-platform) — 4.0/5 (5 reviews) ## Reviews ### "Easy & Affordable" — 4.0/5 > **Sharon** | *March 31, 2022* | Education Management | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: For a small to mid-range school library, this is a great budget-friendly automation program. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it meets our needs adequately. > > **Cons**: It's a bit time-consuming and ponderous to set up at the beginning of each school year. The reserving a book part doesn't seem to work well for me. > > It's fairly straight forward and easy to use. The help staff is amazing\! If you have a problem, can't remember how to do something, or need assistance, they are there to help and take care of things in a timely manner. ----- ### "My experience since 2015-2023" — 5.0/5 > **ana** | *January 24, 2023* | Religious Institutions | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: It's easy and friendly to use. The size of the letters, and the space in the templates. > > **Cons**: Update the manual not only the video tutorials. > > The process of library status, the library transactions and the reports. ----- ### "Mandarin for Libraries" — 4.0/5 > **Cynthia** | *November 17, 2020* | Libraries | Recommendation rating: 7.0/10 > > **Pros**: We were already using Madarain M3 to the switch to M% was seamless. Staff were able to adjust to the new platform quickly. We really like the cataloguing module. Very user friendly and the online OPAC is great as well. > > **Cons**: Patrons are not yet able to transfer books from their reading lists to their reserve list. I would like to see an easier method for patrons to reserve books with one click. > > Mandarin's Tech support is great\!\!\! ----- ### "Great Customer Service" — 5.0/5 > **Kelly** | *August 25, 2022* | Libraries | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: M5 is super easy to use and manage however, if a problem arises, the tech support at Mandarin responds quickly and delivers a solution fast so that we can continue to serve our community. > > **Cons**: The reports are sometimes hard to navigate in order to get the correct info, however, tech support is always helpful in working with me to adjust the reports to what I need. > > Excellent customer service ----- ### "Mandarin is fantastic" — 5.0/5 > **Teresa** | *September 28, 2022* | Education Management | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: The software is easy to personalize for the needs of our Library Learning Commons in a secondary setting. The technical support team is very knowledgeable and quick to respond with questions or things that needs to be fixed. > > **Cons**: There was a bit of a challenge integrating with our old patron records at first, but the technical support staff was quick to resolve it. I would like if we could add other images or background colours to reflect our school more personally. ----- Page: 1 / 4\ Next: [Next page](https://www.getapp.ca/software/106365/mandarin?page=2) ## Links - [View on GetApp](https://www.getapp.ca/software/106365/mandarin) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | de | | | de-AT | | | en | | | en-AE | | | en-AU | | | en-CA | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-NZ | | | en-SG | | | en-ZA | | | es | | | es-CL | | | es-CO | | | es-MX | | | fr | | | fr-BE | | | fr-CA | | | nl | | | nl-BE | | | pt | | | pt-PT | | ----- ## Structured Data