LabKey ELN
LabKey ELN helps scientific teams document experiments and share research in notebooks connected to samples, assay data, and other registered information.
What LabKey ELN is
LabKey ELN helps scientific teams document experiments and share research in notebooks connected to samples, assay data, and other registered information. Entries support templates, rich text, data links, inline attachments, comments, project tags, and notebook status. Teams can request reviews, receive automatic notifications, comment, and sign off notebooks. Sign-off creates an encrypted snapshot of notebook text and linked data to preserve the record's original state. Entries can also connect to bioregistry entities, workflows, and other notebooks. LabKey lists web, API, and self-hosted access, along with PDF export. It offers a free plan and free trial, and recommends requesting a live demo for evaluation. Security features include role-based permissions, single sign-on, two-factor authentication, audit logs, and electronic signatures. LabKey says these features support handling PHI under HIPAA and electronic records under 21 CFR Part 11. For LabKey Cloud, it lists encryption at rest and in transit, monitoring, and managed backups with retention up to seven years. LabKey is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Community Edition users do not receive development or technical support from LabKey.
Good
- Notebooks connect to samples, assays, workflows, and other data
- Supports review requests and notebook sign-off
- Sign-off preserves an encrypted snapshot
- Includes audit logs and electronic signatures
- Free plan and free trial are listed
Watch out
- Community Edition has no LabKey development or technical support
- A standalone ELN can leave results in separate files or systems
Who it suits
LabKey ELN is aimed at scientific R&D organizations and research teams that want experiment records connected to samples and assay data. Its review and sign-off features may suit teams with notebook approval workflows.
Verdict
LabKey ELN combines experiment authoring with linked research data, review workflows, and signed record preservation. Teams evaluating it should distinguish the free Community Edition from the support available to Premium Edition subscribers.
The facts
Each one read from LabKey ELN's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authoring
- Authoring features include templates, a rich text editor, inline attachments, commenting, search, project tags, and notebook status.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Community Edition support
- LabKey states that it does not provide development or technical support for the Community Edition.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- LabKey says its security and compliance features support handling PHI under HIPAA and electronic records under 21 CFR Part 11.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Compliance support
- LabKey describes support for HIPAA PHI handling and 21 CFR Part 11 electronic records, including electronic signatures and audit trails.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Connected research data
- Notebook entries can link to samples, assay data, bioregistry entities, workflows, and other notebooks.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Evaluation
- LabKey recommends requesting a live demo and says its team can set evaluators up with a free cloud-based trial.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Hosting security
- LabKey Cloud security features include encryption at rest, TLS encryption in transit, monitoring, and managed backups with retention up to seven years.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- LabKey says its ELN integrates with Sample Manager, Biologics LIMS, LabKey LIMS, and SDMS.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- LabKey describes its ELN as designed for scientific R&D organizations.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Notebook authoring
- Notebook entries support templates, rich text, data links, inline attachments, comments, project tags, and notebook status.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LabKey ELN helps scientists document experiments and share research in an electronic lab notebook.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Record preservation
- On sign-off, encrypted snapshots of notebook text and linked data preserve the original state.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Review and sign-off
- Teams can co-author, comment on, and review entries, request reviews with notifications, and sign off notebooks.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- LabKey states that it holds a SOC 2 Type II attestation and commissions independent penetration tests.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Signed records
- On sign-off, LabKey takes an encrypted snapshot of notebook text and linked data to preserve the original state.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Standalone limitation
- LabKey says a standalone ELN that is not connected to sample and assay data can leave results in separate files or systems, requiring manual reconciliation.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- LabKey directs Premium Edition subscribers to a private support portal and says Community Edition has no development or technical support from LabKey.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Company history
- LabKey says it has provided scientific data management solutions to research organizations worldwide for over 20 years.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Seattle, Washington, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026
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