Top 9 Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) Software Solutions

Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) software offers labs a solution by providing secure, structured, and searchable documentation. The demand for this technology is skyrocketing, with the global ELN market size increasing from $613.5 Million in 2023 to a projected $1,276.3 Million by 2033.

The adoption of electronic lab notebook software solutions is driven by its abilities to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and reduce costly errors. To help your R&D team choose the best solution to support their innovation and compliance needs, let’s explore the top nine ELNs available today.

What Is Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) Software?

‍Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) software is a digital platform used in laboratory environments to capture and manage research data. It allows scientists and researchers to document experiments and organize information in a centralized system that is secure and easy to access.

‍ELNs are widely used in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and advanced materials. They support team collaboration by allowing members to share data and updates in real-time. This reduces duplication of work and ensures that research is accurate and up to date.

‍In R&D labs, ELNs are essential for maintaining data integrity and meeting compliance requirements. They help minimize human error and support efficient data management by integrating with many standard laboratory systems, which accelerates the innovation process.

‍Electronic lab notebook software can also integrate with materials informatics platforms, such as MaterialsZone, to enhance data management and accelerate the innovation process. This integration allows for seamless data flow between experimental documentation and advanced data analytics, supporting efficient materials discovery and development.

Types of Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) Software

Laboratories can choose between cloud-based or on-premises versions of electronic lab notebook software types based on their unique needs. 

Standalone ELNs

Standalone ELNs focus on comprehensive documentation and data management, and function primarily as digital replacements for traditional paper notebooks. They offer features like note-taking, file storage, and search capabilities. They are suitable for teams aiming to digitize record-keeping without overhauling existing workflows.

Integrated ELNs

Integrated ELNs combine traditional ELN functionalities with additional tools such as Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), sample tracking, and workflow automation. They provide a more comprehensive solution that connects various aspects of research management, from data entry to process automation, and enhances overall laboratory efficiency.

Discipline-Specific ELNs

Some electronic lab notebook software is designed for the needs of specific scientific fields, including chemistry, biology, or materials science. They come equipped with specialized tools and templates, such as molecular drawing capabilities for chemists or sequence analysis features for biologists, to record discipline-specific data accurately and efficiently.

Benefits of Electronic Lab Notebook Software

• Improved Data Organization and Accessibility - Centralizes research data with advanced search features for quick retrieval of experiments and results.
• Enhanced Collaboration and Team Productivity - Enables real-time data sharing, improving communication and reducing redundancy across teams.
• Regulatory Compliance and Data Integrity - Ensures compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, ISO, and GLP standards through audit trails, version control, and electronic signatures.
• Workflow Automation and Efficiency - Automates data entry and routine tasks by integrating with lab instruments, reducing errors and increasing productivity.
• Data Security and Intellectual Property Protection - Provides encryption, access controls, and secure backups to safeguard sensitive research data and intellectual property.

Key Features of Electronic Lab Notebook Software

When choosing an ELN for your organization, look for these key features:

• ‍User-Friendly Interface & Ease of Adoption: Simplifies onboarding with an intuitive design to reduce training time and increase user adoption.
• ‍Searchable & Structured Data Storage: Organizes data for quick and accurate searches to improve data retrieval and decision-making.
• ‍Collaboration Tools: Enables real-time editing, sharing, and commenting to enhance productivity and remote teamwork.
• ‍Regulatory Compliance: Supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11, GLP, and ISO standards with electronic signatures and audit trails.
• ‍Integration with Lab Instruments & Software: Connects with LIMS, ERP, and analytics tools to streamline workflows and reduce manual errors.
• ‍Version Control & Audit Trails: Tracks changes with detailed version histories to ensure data integrity and compliance.
• ‍Customizable Workflows & Templates: Adapts to specific research needs with flexible templates and configurable workflows.
• ‍Data Security, Encryption, & Access Controls: Protects sensitive data with encryption and role-based access to secure intellectual property.
• ‍Scalability to Support Growth: Scales with the organization to accommodate growing data volumes and expanding research teams.

Top 9 Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) Software Solutions

Integrated ELNs

1. Labguru

Labguru’s ELN has LIMS capabilities that offer advanced inventory management, workflow automation, and regulatory compliance tracking. It supports real-time collaboration and data visualization while maintaining high security and data integrity. Labguru’s built-in molecular biology and chemistry tools enhance experiment planning and execution, making it a versatile choice for complex research environments.

‍Best for: Life sciences and pharmaceutical R&D teams.

‍Price: By inquiry.

‍Review: “We use LabGuru daily for our ELN and LIMS needs, and the many extra features, such as automation or label printing allow you to go above and beyond.”

2. MaterialsZone

MaterialsZone offers an advanced ELN with integrated LIMS and Materials Informatics capabilities. It supports cloud-based, multi-site operations and real-time collaboration. 

The platform includes comprehensive experiment documentation, data visualization tools, and secure data management with role-based access controls. AI-driven analytics and seamless integration with lab instruments make MaterialsZone ideal for complex materials and formulation research.

‍Best for: VP R&D, Heads of Innovation, and IT leaders in regulated industries needing efficient data management and accelerated materials discovery.

‍Price: A free demo is available, with pricing by request.

‍Review: “MaterialsZone has transformed our research process by organizing data and facilitating collaboration both internally and with external partners.”

3. LabWare ELN

Integrating seamlessly with LabWare LIMS, LabWare ELN connects with a wide range of lab instruments and supports compliance with GMP and other regulatory standards. Its key features include experiment automation, procedure control, and guided laboratory execution. To enhance productivity and data accuracy, LabWare ELN also incorporates workflow automation and advanced integration modules.

Best for: Research and quality control labs in pharma, chemical, and other regulated industries.

Price: By request.

Review: “The ELN (electronic lab notebook)...has the ability to replace nearly all outside spreadsheets that may be floating around the lab.”

4. eLabNext

A flexible electronic lab notebook with LIMS integration, eLabNext is designed to organize experiment workflows and inventory management. It enhances team collaboration through live updates and version tracking while ensuring data security with customizable access permissions. The platform supports regulatory compliance and is built to scale with growing research needs.

Best for: Biotechnology and life sciences research organizations.

Price: By inquiry.

Review: “It can be complicated for someone who has no experience processing samples and its derivatives such as blood, serum, treated serum, etc.”

Standalone ELNs

5. LabArchives ELN for Research

LabArchives is a cloud-based ELN designed to organize, search, and share research data securely. Key features include customizable templates, real-time collaboration, and integrations with popular scientific tools like SnapGene and GraphPad Prism. The platform also includes automated file uploads and advanced search capabilities.

Best for: Commercial labs needing a secure collaboration tool.

Price: 4 plans - Free, Professional ($330-575/mo.), ELN + Inventory ($360-675/mo.), and Enterprise (custom)

Review: “LabArchives is a notebook that adapts to your needs. It’s minimal or as powerful as you need it to be.”

6. Labfolder

Labfolder’s electronic lab notebook software centralizes research data with structured data entry, customizable tags, and advanced search features. The platform supports compliance with current FDA and ISO standards. Uniquely, it has multiple hosting options that include cloud, private cloud, and on-premises deployment.

Best for: Academic institutions and biotech companies that need flexible deployment for secure and compliant research collaboration.

Price: Industry pricing in 2 tiers - Basic (free) and Advanced ($56/mo.); and Academia pricing in 2 tiers - Basic (free) and Advanced ($18/mo.).

Review: “Labfolder allowed me to organize my entire research in projects, and upload all my data to the system.”

7. SciNote

As an open-source ELN, SciNote is a unicorn in the marketplace. The software boasts project management features, protocol management, and team collaboration tools. SciNote integrates with laboratory inventory and workflow management tools to support efficient data tracking and research documentation. In terms of compliance, it meets the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and GLP standards and provides secure data storage.

Best for: Academic institutions and small research teams with limited budgets.

Price: By request for industry and academia, with a free ELN notebook plan for academia.

Review: “SciNote is easy to use, and so much more efficient than a lab notebook, making it easier to be comprehensive in the data/processes that need to be documented.”

Discipline-Specific ELNs

8. Benchling

Benchling is a specialized ELN designed for biotech and life sciences that features molecular biology tools, protocol management, and real-time collaboration. It includes built-in DNA and protein sequence design, CRISPR guide design, and plasmid mapping to support advanced biological research. Benchling also provides seamless data integration and reproducibility for complex R&D projects.

Best for: Biotech and life sciences organizations that require advanced molecular biology tools for complex research.

Price: By inquiry.

Review: “As a molecular biologist, I use Benchling constantly and it has made me a better scientist.”

9. RSpace

Built for academic and research institutions, RSpace supports scientific documentation with specialized tools for chemical structure sketching, protocol management, and collaborative editing. It integrates with popular research databases like PubMed and Zotero to provide seamless reference management. The platform also supports reproducibility with detailed version control, audit trails, and compliance features.

Best for: Academic researchers needing integrated reference management and structured data capture for scientific documentation and publishing.

Price: 3 tiers - Team at $4,550/yr. for Academia,  $9,100/yr. for Commercial; Enterprise at $19,500/yr.; and custom pricing for Infrastructure (enterprise-level).

Review: “When it became clear that the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and users were very happy with the ease of access and quality of support, it was decided that RSpace was the right ELN for CVS.”

Accelerate Innovation with ELN Software & MaterialsZone

Choosing the right electronic lab notebook software is essential for research teams who need to improve productivity and maintain compliance. The best ELNs offer secure data storage, real-time collaboration, and seamless integration with laboratory systems. With the right solution, labs can streamline R&D workflows and accelerate innovation.

‍MaterialsZone offers an all-in-one solution that goes beyond traditional ELN features. Its comprehensive materials informatics and LIMS & ELN platform support cloud-based, multi-site operations, which makes it ideal for global enterprise organizations. MaterialsZone boosts organizational collaboration with a centralized materials and formulations knowledge center while delivering advanced data analytics to support data-driven decision-making.

Schedule a demo today to discover MaterialsZone integrated ELN can help your team bring new products to market faster.