Free and open first
Best Electronic Lab Notebook Software in 2026
When lab work needs a digital record, compare how each notebook supports documentation, review, and later retrieval. Approval workflows, audit trails, and electronic signatures describe different parts of record handling; search scope and export formats help you assess how records can be found and taken elsewhere. API access and offline access may also matter to your working setup. LabArchives, eLabFTW, and SciNote are among the named options to consider. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing alongside the listed capabilities to see which details fit the way your lab manages its records.
- 23 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
eLabFTW
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3eLabFTW offers broad lab notebook, inventory and collaboration tools, with a free self-hosted version.
- 2
RSpace
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3RSpace combines notebook documentation with inventory, chemistry tools, metadata forms, and a RESTful API.
- 3
SciNote
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2SciNote brings lab records, protocol management, search, and mobile access into one platform. The one-user free tier and the staffing needs of local deployment are important constraints to weigh.
- 4
Benchling Notebook
Free plan APIWebBenchling Notebook combines experiment records, collaboration, and sample-linked results, with features Benchling says support regulated workflows.
- 5
Chemotion ELN
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2Chemotion ELN offers chemistry-focused research records with institutional deployment and sharing options.
- 6
LabArchives
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4LabArchives combines research documentation with inventory and scheduling applications, with browser and mobile-browser access.
- 7
LabCollector ELN
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5LabCollector ELN combines shared notebooks, configurable templates, search, and audit features, with hosting choices for different environments.
- 8
Indigo ELN
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebIndigo ELN offers chemistry-focused record management with templates, search, access controls and export options at no charge.
- 9
Labfolder
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5Labfolder provides experiment documentation, team collaboration, and inventory links through a browser-based notebook.
- 10
LabID
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebLabID combines research inventory, notebook, dataset, and workflow management with export and automation options. Users outside EMBL need to deploy their own instance to use it.
- 11
openBIS
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Choose openBIS if your research group needs an open-source system linking data, experiment notebooks, inventory, and protocols.
- 12
Sapio ELN
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebChoose Sapio ELN if your lab wants a browser-based notebook with AI assistance, molecular biology tools, data search, and collaboration features. Academic users can consider the free Bronze edition.
- 13
LabKey ELN
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebLabKey ELN connects experiment records to research data and supports review and sign-off workflows.
- 14
Phoenix ELN
Free plan WindowsPhoenix ELN combines protocol organization, stoichiometric details, reaction drawing, and local substructure search in an offline-capable Windows notebook.
- 15
CDD Vault Electronic Lab Notebook
Free trial APIWebCDD Vault combines experiment documentation, assay data tools and collaboration features in a web-based research workspace.
- 16
Alchemy Electronic Lab Notebook
Paid APIWebChoose Alchemy ELN if your applied sciences team needs configurable lab records, analysis charts, audit trails, and connected workflows in a browser-based system.
- 17
Dotmatics Electronic Lab Notebook
Paid APISelf-hostedWebChoose Dotmatics Electronic Lab Notebook if your team needs structured scientific records, configurable experiment workflows, and search across experiment data.
- 18
Signals Notebook
Free trial APIMacWeb+1Signals Notebook combines experiment records, chemistry tools and team review in a cloud-based lab notebook.
- 19
IGOR
Paid AndroidiPhoneWebIGOR connects notebook, inventory, and team workflows, with compliance-related controls and mobile capture.
- 20
IDBS E-WorkBook
Paid APILinuxSelf-hosted+2E-WorkBook brings experimental records, lab execution, information management, and compliance features into one offering.
- 21
ELabELN
Paid AndroidiPhoneLinux+3ELabELN combines record controls, cross-platform access, and flexible exports in one paid product. Check that its unspecified workflow scope and unlisted price fit your needs.
5.2 Visit site - 22
LabWare ELN
Paid WebChoose LabWare ELN if your laboratory needs experiment records, instrument capture, and integration with LabWare LIMS or named analytical systems.
- 23
BIOVIA Workbook
Paid WindowsBIOVIA Workbook combines traceability, electronic signatures, approval routing, broad search, and spreadsheet-friendly exports. Buyers must request pricing and verify that Windows is suitable.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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