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Head-to-head · Electronic Lab Notebook Software

Benchling Notebook vs Labfolder

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Benchling Notebook #1 in Electronic Lab Notebook Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Benchling
Labfolder #8 in Electronic Lab Notebook Software 8.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Labfolder

Benchling Notebook leads on 0 checks, Labfolder on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBenchling Notebook · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Labfolder

Benchling Notebook scores higher on our rubric for electronic lab notebook software: 9.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Benchling Notebook is the better fit for collaborative teams needing a mature ELN. Labfolder is the better fit for small teams seeking an affordable collaborative ELN.

  • Benchling Notebook fits best

    Collaborative teams needing a mature ELN

  • Labfolder fits best

    Small teams seeking an affordable collaborative ELN

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Benchling Notebook 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Labfolder 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.3
Ranking #1 in Electronic Lab Notebook Software #8 in Electronic Lab Notebook Software
Best for Collaborative teams needing a mature ELN Small teams seeking an affordable collaborative ELN
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs, Community Email, Docs, Tickets
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR ISO 27001, GDPR, 2FA
Integrations 10 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Benchling Notebook 4/5 · Labfolder 4/5
Audit trail ✓ ✓
Electronic signatures ✓ ✓
Approval workflows ✓ ✓
Offline access Not checked yet —
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Search scope Not checked yet Full_text
Export formats PDF, HTML, GenBank, CSV PDF, XHTML
Our review
Pros
  • Templates, schemas, and search support structured scientific data capture.
  • Permissions, signatures, audits, reviews, and approvals support regulated workflows.
  • REST API, SDK, events, and integrations connect lab data across platforms.
  • Free plan with unlimited research documentation
  • Full-text search, audit trails, signatures, and approval workflows
  • Web, iOS, Android, and REST API access
Cons
  • Paid solutions use customized pricing and require contact with sales.
  • Its broad workflow and data features may exceed simple notebook needs.
  • Collaboration and integrations are centered on the web and API platforms.
  • No offline access
  • Basic plan supports up to 3 group members
  • Narrower integrations than some larger ELN platforms
Our verdict

Benchling Notebook is a cloud-based electronic lab notebook for biotechnology and life-sciences research teams. It supports both structured and unstructured experiment records, including protocols, tables, images, files, metadata, samples,…

Read the review →

Labfolder is a browser-based electronic lab notebook for individual researchers, academic groups, and industry laboratories. It supports experiment records with text, tables, sketches, images, files, and chemical structures, plus reusable…

Read the review →
  1. Benchling NotebookElectronic Lab Notebook Software 9.4Free plan
  2. LabfolderElectronic Lab Notebook Software 8.3Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Benchling Notebook — where it wins

    • Templates, schemas, and search support structured scientific data capture.
    • Permissions, signatures, audits, reviews, and approvals support regulated workflows.
    • REST API, SDK, events, and integrations connect lab data across platforms.

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid solutions use customized pricing and require contact with sales.
    • Its broad workflow and data features may exceed simple notebook needs.
    • Collaboration and integrations are centered on the web and API platforms.

  • Labfolder — where it wins

    • Free plan with unlimited research documentation
    • Full-text search, audit trails, signatures, and approval workflows
    • Web, iOS, Android, and REST API access

    Where it doesn't

    • No offline access
    • Basic plan supports up to 3 group members
    • Narrower integrations than some larger ELN platforms
  • Benchling Notebook9.4/10 · Free plan

    A mature, collaborative ELN with structured records, compliance controls, and broad API support.

    Visit BenchlingFull verdict →
  • Labfolder8.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    An affordable collaborative ELN with strong documentation, workflows, and audit controls.

    Visit LabfolderFull verdict →

More comparisons

All electronic lab notebook software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update