Labforward

Overview

Labforward is a suite of laboratory software built around Labfolder, its electronic lab notebook, and companion tools for inventory, execution, and data capture. It suits research groups that want experiment records and adjacent lab workflows in one product family. Basic is a practical entry point for a very small group, while Advanced raises the storage and file ceilings and adds digital signatures.

Key features

Labfolder provides a browser-based place to document, organize, and manage experiments with colleagues, and supports protocol management. That combination makes it a plausible core notebook for teams that want protocols alongside experiment records, rather than a notebook alone.

The suite extends beyond documentation: Labregister covers inventory and sample management, Laboperator supports laboratory execution and instrument integration, and Labtwin offers voice-based data capture with API exchange to ELN, LIMS, and other lab informatics systems. This breadth is useful to labs seeking connected tools across operations, but the components should not be mistaken for a single all-inclusive product: Laboperator integration is subject to additional fees.

Labfolder also integrates with FigShare and Dropbox. Advanced includes digital signatures compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, a meaningful addition for teams that need that signature capability. Labforward says it completed a SOC 2 Type 2 examination in 2024 and has been ISO 27001 certified since 2023; its Security Center describes automated scans of applications, databases, and assets for vulnerabilities, including OWASP Top 10 issues and misconfigurations.

Pricing

Basic costs nothing and is billed Free. It allows up to three group members, includes 3 GB of cloud storage, and has a 25 MB per-file limit. The Labfolder Go mobile app is included without Labfolder integration. For an individual researcher or a small team with modest files, that removes the subscription cost; the three-person cap and limited storage make it a poor fit for a growing or data-heavy group.

Advanced costs €204.00 per user per year, equivalent to €17.00 per user/month, billed annually. It includes 300 GB of cloud storage per group member, adjustable group size, a 100 MB per-file limit, and compliant digital signatures. The higher per-user price is most defensible for teams that need the capacity or signatures; the annual billing term matters for anyone who wants a shorter commitment.

Both plans include a standard service-level agreement. Advanced can add dedicated cloud or on-premises deployment, an enterprise SLA, personalized onboarding, and Laboperator integration, all subject to additional fees. Labforward offers a free trial, but no trial length is established here.

Platforms

Labfolder runs in modern browsers on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The platform coverage is a strength for mixed-desktop labs that prefer browser access; the Basic mobile app's lack of Labfolder integration limits its usefulness as a connected mobile notebook.

Who it's for

Labforward presents Labfolder for individual researchers and teams in academia, industry, startups, the public sector, biotech, pharma, and other research fields. Basic is best suited to a small group testing a shared notebook workflow. Advanced is a better match for larger teams, groups with substantial storage needs, or organizations requiring compliant digital signatures or optional dedicated deployment. Labs that only need a notebook and do not need the broader suite may find its range less compelling, particularly if paid integrations or deployment services are necessary.

Pros and cons

Pros: Basic has no subscription charge and supports three group members, making it a low-cost way for a small team to begin collaborative experiment documentation.

Pros: The suite spans notebook, inventory, execution, and voice capture tools, with integrations to FigShare and Dropbox.

Pros: Advanced increases storage to 300 GB per group member and file size to 100 MB, and adds FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant digital signatures.

Cons: Basic's 3 GB total storage and 25 MB file limit can constrain groups handling larger datasets or files.

Cons: The Advanced price is per user and billed annually, so costs rise with group size and require an annual commitment.

Cons: Laboperator integration, dedicated cloud or on-premises deployment, enterprise SLA, and personalized onboarding can add fees.

Alternatives

For a different research software option, see Research Project Management Software.

SciNote is worth considering if its free plan's single-user dedicated workspace is a better match than Labfolder's three-member group plan, or if Android, iOS, API, or self-hosted platform coverage matters more.

Lab Thread may suit an academic team that needs five free seats and 10 GB per seat, or wants its academic Core plan at €30.00 per month per seat, billed annually at €300.

CROMS is an enterprise-oriented alternative for organizations above 100 users that need pricing tailored to user count, integrations, onboarding, migration, and support.

SiteVault CTMS is a candidate for teams whose priority is clinical study management, with a free plan for 20 concurrent active studies.

Sapio Sciences may fit academic users seeking its free Bronze plan, which requires an academic-institution email address.

Trial Interactive CTMS is another paid CTMS option.

eLabNext is an alternative for buyers weighing cloud, private cloud, or on-premises subscriptions, including a stated 20 GB per user for Cloud.

Benchling Notebook may suit academic researchers who want its free Notebook and Molecular Biology plan.

Verdict

Choose Labforward if your lab wants an electronic notebook with protocol management and a path into inventory, execution, or voice-assisted capture, and especially if Advanced's storage or compliant signatures meet a real need. Its free plan is genuinely useful for a tiny group, but the small storage allowance and Basic's lack of notebook integration in the mobile app are real constraints. Look elsewhere if you need generous free storage, a shorter billing commitment, or want to avoid potential fees for integrations and deployment options.