eLabFTW vs RSpace
eLabFTW
elabftw.netRSpace
researchspace.comSide by side
| Figure | eLabFTW | RSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €250/mo | $500/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 6 |
| Spec score · Electronic Lab Notebook Software | 9.2 (#1) | 8.7 (#4) |
| API | The REST API lets external programs read and write eLabFTW data, and the documentation links to a Python library. | RSpace exposes REST APIs for programmatic search, retrieval, document creation, file upload, sharing and data export. |
| Integrations | Documented external integrations include PubChem, Bloxberg blockchain certification and Keeex timestamp processing. | The site advertises more than 20 integrations spanning storage, repositories, data-management-plan tools, chemistry, biology, instruments and collaboration software. |
| 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 company describes its work as serving researchers, research data managers, librarians, stewards, research computing specialists, and policymakers. |
| Inventory | The resource database manages items such as plasmids, compounds, antibodies and cell lines, and links those resources to experiments. | Its integrated inventory system manages samples alongside experimental documentation. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.4 out of 5 from 4 reviews. | 0.0 out of 5 from 0 reviews. |
| Recent release | The public GitHub release history lists eLabFTW 6.0.6 and a 6.0.0 major release with breaking changes in September 2026. | The public GitHub releases page lists RSpace 2.22.0 released in May 2026. |
| Security | The project describes static code analysis, dependency vulnerability scanning, container vulnerability scanning, and security practices to prevent SQL injection and XSS. | RSpace states that user data is encrypted at rest and over a network and that it supports 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and GLP. |
| Self-hosting | Self-hosting requires installation on a server and administration of Docker, Podman or Kubernetes and GNU/Linux infrastructure. | Self-hosted deployment is supported through a WAR package and Docker Compose configuration. |
| Support | PRO Support includes email support, virtual meetings, Level 2 and 3 support, a user training webinar, and assisted upgrades. | The contact page offers a support team and knowledge base, while Enterprise includes live chat and premium email support. |
| System requirements | The documentation describes eLabFTW as server software requiring an internet connection and says Internet Explorer is unsupported. | The Docker guidance suggests at least 4 GB RAM for a dedicated machine, 8 GB for better experience, and server guidance from 8 GB RAM for under 50 users to 32 GB for 250–5000 users. |
| What it does | eLabFTW is a browser-based electronic laboratory notebook and laboratory inventory system for recording experiments, protocols, resources and collaboration. | RSpace is a collaborative electronic laboratory notebook and broader research data-management platform for documenting, organizing, sharing and connecting research data. |
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
RSpace
- RSpace Open SourceFree
- Team (Academia)$6,000 a year
- Team (Commercial)$12,000 a year
- Enterprise (Academia)$34,000 a year
- Enterprise (Commercial)$34,000 a year
- InfrastructurePriced on request
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.
RSpace
RSpace is an open-source electronic research notebook and research data management platform for research workflows. Its web application supports real-time collaboration, granular sharing controls, comments and annotations, with full-text and metadata search. Chemistry teams can draw compounds and calculate stoichiometry for reaction planning, while RSpace Inventory tracks samples alongside notebook documentation. Forms provide structured fields and ontology integration for FAIR metadata. Records can be exported as HTML, XML, PDF, DOC, JSON and RO-Crate. A RESTful API supports custom integrations. RSpace states that data is encrypted at rest and over networks and supports 21 CFR Part 11 and GLP. Research Space identifies ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification. Deployment can be self-installed, managed in a private AWS instance, or run on premises for Enterprise. Plans include a free open-source option, Team plans at $6,000 a year and $12,000 a year, and Enterprise at $34,000 a year.