Chemotion ELN vs openBIS
Chemotion ELN
chemotion.netopenBIS
openbis.chSide by side
| Figure | Chemotion ELN | openBIS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 0 |
| Spec score · Electronic Lab Notebook Software | 8.4 (#6) | 7.4 (#18) |
| Deployment | For routine use, groups, institutions, or universities can install Chemotion ELN on their own IT facilities using ChemCLI or a manual installation. | The documentation lists standalone and Docker system documentation, and the site says binary releases are available for download. |
| Intended users | The project says the ELN was initially targeted at chemists and has attracted interest from other fields, particularly biochemistry. | The openRDM.swiss service based on openBIS is aimed at experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes. |
| Purpose | Chemotion ELN is an open-source electronic laboratory notebook for research data management, initially aimed at chemists and also used by researchers in fields including biochemistry. | openBIS is presented as a complete solution for managing research data. |
| Support | Users can contact the team through the Helpdesk, and the project offers a live demo and Q&A session every three months plus introductions or group workshops on request. | SIS describes its email support for openBIS as “best effort.” |
In their own words
Chemotion ELN
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.
openBIS
openBIS combines research data management, a digital lab notebook, and sample and protocol management. Researchers can connect data of any size and format to experiments through its web interface or API. The notebook links experiments with materials, samples, and protocols in the inventory, where teams can track lab materials and create experimental procedures to share with lab members.
BigDataLink provides a git-like way to link large datasets across locations while openBIS serves as the metadata repository. The system supports Excel import and export, and lab notebooks and inventory folders can be exported to Excel and PDF. User profiles and access privileges govern access, and database modifications are tracked. Plugins can extend existing functions or add new ones. Jupyter notebooks can be used with openBIS, and its APIs can connect workflow managers for cluster analysis.