Labstep
Electronic lab notebook (ELN) software
Lab inventory management software
LIMS software
Scientific data management systems (SDMS)
Laboratory software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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What is Labstep
Labstep is a cloud-based electronic lab notebook (ELN) platform used to document experiments, standard operating procedures, and research workflows in a structured, searchable format. It also includes connected modules for lab inventory and sample tracking to support day-to-day lab operations. The product is used by research and development teams in academic and industrial laboratories that need centralized documentation and collaboration. Labstep emphasizes templated protocols, audit trails, and integrations to link experimental records with materials and results.
Inventory and sample linkage
The platform connects ELN records to inventory items and samples so users can reference reagents, lots, and materials directly in experimental entries. This supports reproducibility by keeping material context attached to results. It also helps labs maintain a single system for documentation plus basic inventory workflows rather than separate tools.
Structured experiment documentation
Labstep provides templated protocols and structured fields to standardize how experiments are recorded across a team. This helps reduce variability in documentation quality compared with free-form note taking. Search and linking between experiments, protocols, and materials supports traceability during reviews and troubleshooting.
Collaboration and access controls
Labstep supports multi-user collaboration with role-based permissions for teams working across projects. Centralized records make it easier to share protocols and experimental outcomes without emailing files. Audit trails and controlled access can support internal governance requirements in regulated or quality-conscious environments.
LIMS depth may be limited
While Labstep includes sample tracking and operational features, organizations needing advanced LIMS capabilities (e.g., complex accessioning, instrument-driven workflows, multi-site chain-of-custody, and extensive QC/QA rule engines) may require additional systems. Some labs use dedicated LIMS platforms for high-throughput or highly regulated environments. Fit depends on workflow complexity and validation expectations.
Integration effort varies
Connecting ELN records to instruments, data pipelines, or enterprise systems often requires configuration and, in some cases, custom integration work. The level of out-of-the-box connectivity can differ by instrument type and data format. Teams should confirm available APIs/connectors and the effort needed to automate data capture end-to-end.
Change management for adoption
Moving from paper notebooks or unstructured digital documents to a structured ELN typically requires process redesign and user training. Standardizing templates and enforcing consistent metadata can be time-consuming initially. Labs with diverse experimental styles may need governance to avoid inconsistent record structures.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal (Academic / Individual) | Free | Individual account for researchers/students; includes core ELN and modules (Experiments, Protocols, Inventory, Order Management, Instruments & Devices). (Site states "Labstep is free for academia" and offers "Sign up for free"). cite |
| Personal Pro | Not listed on site — sign up / 30-day free trial available | Upgraded individual plan; site notes Pro users can sign up for a 30-day free trial. Specific price not displayed; site prompts to "Sign up" or "Enquire now". cite |
| Team | Not listed on site — contact sales / Enquire now | Multi-user/team edition with collaboration and organisational features; pricing requires enquiry via the site. (Site shows "Enquire now" for team/industry plans). cite |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing (contact sales) | Enterprise-grade features (dedicated account management, premium support, IP whitelisting/private cloud options noted in help docs); pricing is by enquiry. cite |
Seller details
Labstep Ltd.
London, United Kingdom
2017
Private
https://www.labstep.com/
https://x.com/labstep
https://www.linkedin.com/company/labstep
