Labforward

Overview

Labforward is a collection of laboratory software for researchers who want experiment records, inventory management, and lab workflows in connected tools. Labfolder is the central electronic notebook; the suite is most compelling for research groups that can make use of its broader set of products and Advanced plan controls.

Labfolder supports protocol management and team collaboration, while companion products cover inventory, laboratory execution, and voice-based data capture. The free Basic plan is a useful way for a small group to start, but its three-member and storage limits make it a constrained choice for larger or data-heavy teams.

Key features

• Experiment records and protocols: Labfolder is a browser-based electronic lab notebook for documenting, organizing, and managing experiments with colleagues. Protocol management adds a fit for teams that want protocols alongside experiment records.
• Inventory and lab operations: Labregister handles inventory and sample management, while Laboperator addresses laboratory execution and instrument integration. This breadth can reduce fragmentation for labs using several kinds of workflow tools, though the Laboperator integration may carry an additional fee.
• Voice-based capture: Labtwin can capture data by voice and exchange it with ELN, LIMS, and other lab informatics systems through an API. That makes it relevant where voice capture is useful, without requiring the notebook alone to handle every data exchange.
• Integrations: Labfolder lists connections to Labregister, FigShare, and Dropbox, as well as Laboperator instrument integration. The latter is subject to additional fees, so groups should factor that into the cost of a connected setup.
• Security and signatures: Labforward completed a SOC 2 Type 2 examination in 2024 and has been ISO 27001 certified since 2023. Its Security Center describes automated vulnerability scans covering applications, databases, and assets, including OWASP Top 10 issues and misconfigurations. Advanced also includes digital signatures compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, a relevant distinction for teams that need that compliance feature.

Pricing

Labforward uses a freemium model and offers a free trial. Basic costs nothing. It includes up to three group members, 3 GB of cloud storage, a 25 MB per-file limit, and the Labfolder Go mobile app without Labfolder integration. That is a practical starting point for a small group evaluating the notebook, but the low storage ceiling and mobile app limitation are meaningful trade-offs.

Advanced is billed at €17 per user/month with an annual upfront payment; the plan display also shows €52. It includes 300 GB of cloud storage per group member, a 100 MB per-file limit, adjustable group size, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant digital signatures. Both plans include a standard service-level agreement. Advanced is the better fit for larger groups, bigger files, or signature requirements, but optional services can add cost.

Both plans use public cloud by default. Advanced offers dedicated cloud and on-premises deployment as paid options, alongside an enterprise SLA and personalized onboarding, also subject to additional fees. Teams that require those deployment or service arrangements should budget for them rather than treating them as part of the base subscription.

Platforms

Labfolder runs in modern browsers on Windows, Mac, and Linux; Labforward also lists web, Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Browser access gives teams across those desktop systems a common route to the notebook.

Who it's for

Labforward presents Labfolder for individual researchers and groups across academia, industry, startups, the public sector, biotech, pharma, and other research fields. Basic suits a small team with modest storage needs. Advanced is a stronger match for groups that need more members, substantially more storage per member, compliant digital signatures, or optional deployment and support arrangements.

Pros and cons

• Pro: The suite spans experiment documentation, protocols, inventory, laboratory execution, and voice-based capture, making it useful to labs seeking more than a standalone notebook.
• Pro: Advanced raises storage to 300 GB per group member and allows group size to be adjusted, giving growing teams room beyond Basic's three-member cap.
• Pro: SOC 2 Type 2 examination, ISO 27001 certification, and described automated vulnerability scans provide concrete security credentials and practices.
• Con: Basic's 3 GB total storage, three-member cap, and 25 MB file limit may quickly constrain active groups or larger data files.
• Con: The Labfolder Go mobile app on Basic lacks Labfolder integration, limiting its value for users expecting it to connect directly to the notebook.
• Con: Laboperator integration, dedicated cloud, on-premises deployment, enterprise SLA, and personalized onboarding can add fees, so the broader setup may cost more than the base plan.

Alternatives

For a broader category comparison, see Research Project Management Software.

Consider SiteVault CTMS instead if clinical-study management is the priority: its free plan supports 20 concurrent active studies and includes free support and onboarding, with Android, iOS, and web access.

Lab Thread is worth comparing for academic teams needing more free storage per seat: its free academic plan offers five seats and 10 GB per seat, while its Core academic plan is €30.00 per month billed per seat/month, or €300 billed annually.

SciNote may suit a solo researcher looking for a free dedicated workspace: its free plan is limited to one user and has no guaranteed support; it also offers Android, iOS, API, self-hosted, and web platforms.

For academic users considering a laboratory information management system, Sapio Sciences offers a free Academic Bronze plan that requires an academic institutional email; non-academic users must request more details.

Benchling Notebook may fit academic researchers seeking a free Notebook and Molecular Biology package; its industry solution is customized to business needs.

CROMS is a paid option with a free trial and enterprise pricing tailored to user count, integrations, onboarding and migration scope, and support for organizations above 100 users.

nodegoat is another research-oriented option to compare if a web-based research environment is the priority.

Paraclyst may appeal to experiment-focused teams that want stated experiment and audit-trail limits: Starter is $49.99 a month, with up to five team members, unlimited experiments, a 90-day audit trail, and CSV/JSON export.

Verdict

Choose Labforward if your lab needs an electronic notebook backed by related inventory and workflow tools, and Advanced's storage, adjustable group size, or compliant signatures fit your requirements. Look elsewhere if you need a more generous free tier or must have integrations and deployment options without additional fees.