eLabFTW vs openBIS
eLabFTW
elabftw.netopenBIS
openbis.chSide by side
| Figure | eLabFTW | openBIS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €250/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 0 |
| Spec score · Electronic Lab Notebook Software | 9.2 (#1) | 7.4 (#18) |
| Intended users | The site says eLabFTW can be used by any type of lab or company, including chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and deep tech startups. | The openRDM.swiss service based on openBIS is aimed at experimental research groups in Swiss universities or research institutes. |
| Inventory | The resource database manages items such as plasmids, compounds, antibodies and cell lines, and links those resources to experiments. | It tracks lab materials and samples and lets users create experimental procedures to share with lab members. |
| Research data | Users can import and export data in multiple formats, including PDF, ZIP, CSV, JSON, and ELN. | It stores data of any size and format connected to experiments through its web interface or API. |
| Support | PRO Support includes email support, virtual meetings, Level 2 and 3 support, a user training webinar, and assisted upgrades. | SIS describes its email support for openBIS as “best effort.” |
Plans
eLabFTW
- eLabFTW (self-hosted software)Free
- Self-hosted eLabFTWFree
- Training Session€470, paid once
- PRO Support€3,000 a year
- PRO Hosting 32€3,200 a year
- PRO Hosting Plus€4,985 a year
- PRO Hosting Universe€7,900 a year
- PRO Hosting SecNumCloud€8,700 a year
In their own words
eLabFTW
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.
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.