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SPECIFICTION
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LabKey ELN

labkey.com

Free trial WebAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.5 #11 of 28 in Life Sciences Software

What it is

LabKey ELN helps scientific R&D organizations document experiments and share research through notebooks connected to samples, assay data and other registered information. Entries support templates, rich text, data links, inline attachments, comments, project tags and notebook status. Teams can request reviews, receive notifications, comment and sign off notebooks. Sign-off creates an encrypted snapshot of notebook text and linked data, preserving the original state. Entries can link to bioregistry entities, samples, assays, workflows and other notebooks. Access is available through web, API and self-hosted deployments, with PDF export. Security features include role-based permissions, single sign-on, two-factor authentication, audit logs and electronic signatures. LabKey describes support for HIPAA PHI handling and 21 CFR Part 11 records. Cloud hosting lists encryption, monitoring and managed backups retained up to seven years. A free plan and free trial are listed.

Spec sheet

Purpose
LabKey ELN helps scientists document experiments and share research in an electronic lab notebook.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Intended users
LabKey describes its ELN as designed for scientific R&D organizations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Integrations
LabKey says its ELN integrates with Sample Manager, Biologics LIMS, LabKey LIMS, and SDMS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Security
LabKey states that it holds a SOC 2 Type II attestation and commissions independent penetration tests.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Compliance
LabKey says its security and compliance features support handling PHI under HIPAA and electronic records under 21 CFR Part 11.Read 3 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Support
LabKey directs Premium Edition subscribers to a private support portal and says Community Edition has no development or technical support from LabKey.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · labkey.com
Authoring
Authoring features include templates, a rich text editor, inline attachments, commenting, search, project tags, and notebook status.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Community Edition support
LabKey states that it does not provide development or technical support for the Community Edition.Read 3 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Company history
LabKey says it has provided scientific data management solutions to research organizations worldwide for over 20 years.Read 3 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Compliance support
LabKey describes support for HIPAA PHI handling and 21 CFR Part 11 electronic records, including electronic signatures and audit trails.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Connected research data
Notebook entries can link to samples, assay data, bioregistry entities, workflows, and other notebooks.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Evaluation
LabKey recommends requesting a live demo and says its team can set evaluators up with a free cloud-based trial.Read 3 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Hosting security
LabKey Cloud security features include encryption at rest, TLS encryption in transit, monitoring, and managed backups with retention up to seven years.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Notebook authoring
Notebook entries support templates, rich text, data links, inline attachments, comments, project tags, and notebook status.Read 3 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Record preservation
On sign-off, encrypted snapshots of notebook text and linked data preserve the original state.Read 3 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Review and sign-off
Teams can co-author, comment on, and review entries, request reviews with notifications, and sign off notebooks.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Signed records
On sign-off, LabKey takes an encrypted snapshot of notebook text and linked data to preserve the original state.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com
Standalone limitation
LabKey says a standalone ELN that is not connected to sample and assay data can leave results in separate files or systems, requiring manual reconciliation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · labkey.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Links notebooks to samples and assay data
  • Supports review and sign-off workflows
  • Preserves signed records with encrypted snapshots
  • Provides audit logs and electronic signatures
  • Available as web, API or self-hosted

Limits

  • Community Edition has no LabKey technical support
  • Standalone ELN can require manual reconciliation
  • Cloud hosting is a separate deployment option
  • Evaluation starts with requesting a demo

Who it suits

LabKey ELN is designed for scientific R&D organizations and research teams that need connected experiment records, review workflows and controlled sign-off.

Verdict

LabKey ELN focuses on connected scientific records, approvals and preserved signatures rather than isolated notebooks. Its free offering and deployment choices merit review alongside Community Edition support limits.

Where Specifiction places it

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