Head-to-head · Electronic Lab Notebook Software
SciNote vs Labfolder
SciNote 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 scoreSciNote · 8.4/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialboth
SciNote scores higher on our rubric for electronic lab notebook software: 8.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.
On search scope, SciNote gives you Full_text_and_metadata where Labfolder offers Full_text.
SciNote is the better fit for teams wanting a flexible free-start ELN. Labfolder is the better fit for small teams seeking an affordable collaborative ELN.
- SciNote fits best
Teams wanting a flexible free-start ELN
- Labfolder fits best
Small teams seeking an affordable collaborative ELN
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Side by side
| Feature | SciNote 8.4/10 Visit ↗ | Labfolder 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #7 in Electronic Lab Notebook Software | #8 in Electronic Lab Notebook Software |
| Best for | Teams wanting a flexible free-start ELN | Small teams seeking an affordable collaborative ELN |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan · 14-day trial | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Free trial length | 14 days | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs, Community | Email, Docs, Tickets |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, 2FA | ISO 27001, GDPR, 2FA |
| Integrations | 9 integrations | 5 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features SciNote 4/5 · Labfolder 4/5 | ||
| Audit trail | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic signatures | ✓ | ✓ |
| Approval workflows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline access | Not checked yet | — |
| API access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Search scope | Full_text_and_metadata | Full_text |
| Export formats | spreadsheet; human-readable export with attachments | PDF, XHTML |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | SciNote is a cloud-based electronic laboratory notebook for individual researchers, academic and industry laboratories, regulated R&D teams, and organizations managing electronic records. It organizes work around projects, experiments, and… 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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
SciNote — where it wins
- Free plan plus a 14-day trial for evaluating core workflows
- Search, protocols, workflows, inventory, signatures, and audit trails
- RESTful API, self-hosted options, and laboratory system integrations
Where it doesn't
- Premium pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed
- 21 CFR Part 11 features are tied to an add-on
- The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple note-taking
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
- SciNote8.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
A broad ELN with a free starting point, structured workflows, and laboratory integrations.
Visit SciNoteFull verdict → - Labfolder8.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
An affordable collaborative ELN with strong documentation, workflows, and audit controls.
Visit LabfolderFull verdict →
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All electronic lab notebook software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update