Chemotion ELN vs eLabFTW

Chemotion ELN is a web-based electronic laboratory notebook for research data, with a focus on chemistry. It organizes projects into collections and supports records for samples, reactions, wellplates, research plans, QR codes, barcodes, and analytical data through ChemSpectra. Sample records can hold molecular structures, amounts, and properties such as purity, while reaction records capture conditions and products. Instrument data can be added by email, networked storage, or manual transfer, with documented examples including NMR, GC, and LC. Accounts belong to individual users, while shared and synchronized collections allow sharing elements and assigning roles. The system can transfer selected information to Chemotion Repository for sharing and archiving, and supports OpenStats and a TLC Image Annotation Tool. Groups, institutions, and universities can install it on their own IT facilities using the documented Docker-based approach. Free academic use is a project principle. A test version is available for demonstration and time-limited evaluation, but data may be lost and some functions are unavailable. Chemotion requires a network connection, has no standalone version, and recommends Chrome because some functions are limited in Firefox and Edge.

eLabFTW is an electronic lab notebook for storing experiments and protocols, organizing records, and supporting collaboration. Users can tag and categorize entries, search them, manage lab resources and quantities, link resources to experiments, and book shared equipment with its Scheduler. One instance can host several teams, with entry-level visibility and editing controls plus Team Groups permissions. Research data can be imported and exported in formats including PDF, ZIP, CSV, JSON, and ELN. Its REST API lets external programs read and write data, and documentation links to a Python library. Listed integrations include PubChem, the Bloxberg blockchain, and Keeex timestamping workflows; authentication options include LDAP, SAML2, and two-factor authentication. The self-hosted software costs nothing under AGPLv3, with no features behind a paywall. It must be installed on a server and configured and maintained by a systems administrator; the site recommends managed hosting for people unfamiliar with server administration. Paid options include PRO Support at €3,000 a year and PRO Hosting plans from €3,200 a year to €8,700 a year.