openBIS review
A broad, extensible ELN for teams managing experiments, samples, datasets, and audit trails.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
openBIS is an open-source electronic lab notebook and research data management platform from Scientific IT Services at ETH Zurich. It is designed for research teams that need to document experiments, connect records to materials and protocols, manage samples and inventory, and store datasets of any size and format. The web interface supports day-to-day access, while APIs provide programmatic access through JavaScript, Java, and Python interfaces. Its scope suits organizations seeking one system for experimental records, inventory, and research data rather than a narrowly focused notebook.
The platform’s strongest distinction is its breadth around structured research information. Audit trails track database modifications, and full-text and metadata search works across database fields. Teams can export lab notebooks and inventory metadata as PDF and XLSX, with ZIP also listed among the supported export formats. Integrations with Jupyter notebooks, Zenodo, and ETH Research Collection connect openBIS with computational workflows and repository-based data sharing. Plugin-based extensibility adds another route for adapting the platform to institutional processes.
openBIS is distributed as open-source software under the Apache License 2.0 and supports self-hosted deployments. That model can give research organizations control over deployment and extension, but it also means implementation responsibilities may depend on the institution. Teams should choose openBIS when they value open-source research data management, auditability, APIs, inventory, and repository exports in one platform. Organizations seeking a hosted-only ELN with minimal deployment responsibility should consider a different fit.
openBIS pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines ELN documentation, inventory, and research data management
- Supports full-text and metadata search with audit trail tracking
- Offers APIs, plugins, and exports to PDF, XLSX, and repositories
- Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment can place operational responsibility on the institution
- Plugin-based extensibility may require technical resources to maintain
- Repository export integrations focus on Zenodo and ETH Research Collection
openBIS fact sheet, pricing and score →
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