About
eLabFTW is a free, open-source electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) released under the AGPLv3 license, designed specifically for experimental researchers and scientific teams. It enables labs to digitize and centralize their experiment records, protocols, and research data in a secure, audited, and accessible platform. Core features include experiment and protocol storage with powerful tagging and search, certified trusted timestamping and cryptographic signatures for intellectual property protection, and a full laboratory inventory management system for tracking resources like plasmids, antibodies, chemical compounds, and cell lines — including PubChem integration and a built-in molecule editor. A built-in booking scheduler lets teams manage shared equipment and resources with granular permission controls. eLabFTW supports multi-team deployments on a single instance, with fine-grained access control through Team Groups. It is fully responsive and accessible from any modern browser on desktops, tablets, and smartphones across Windows, macOS, and Linux. The platform promotes FAIR Data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reproducible) and supports export/import in open formats, preventing data lock-in. Available in 21+ languages and backed by an active global contributor community, eLabFTW can be self-hosted for complete data sovereignty or accessed via a managed PRO Hosting option. It is ideal for academic institutions, biotech companies, and any research organization seeking a transparent, cost-free alternative to proprietary ELN solutions.
Key Features
- Electronic Lab Notebook: Store, organize, and search experiments and protocols with tags, categories, and trusted timestamping for intellectual property protection.
- Laboratory Inventory Management: Track lab resources such as plasmids, chemical compounds, antibodies, and cell lines, including quantities and storage locations via Containers.
- Resource Booking Scheduler: Manage shared equipment and lab resources with a built-in scheduler and precise controls over who can book what and when.
- Advanced Permissions & Multi-Team Support: Host multiple teams on a single instance with Team Groups enabling fine-grained, per-entry visibility and editing controls.
- FAIR Data & Open Formats: Export and import data in open formats including the .eln standard, ensuring research data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible.
Use Cases
- Academic research labs digitizing and centralizing experiment records and protocols to improve reproducibility and collaboration.
- Biotech and pharmaceutical companies managing chemical compound libraries, antibody inventories, and cell line databases in a compliant, auditable system.
- University core facilities using the booking scheduler to manage shared equipment reservations across multiple research groups.
- Research institutions implementing FAIR data practices by exporting datasets in open formats for publication and interoperability.
- Multi-team research organizations self-hosting eLabFTW to maintain full data sovereignty while supporting dozens of concurrent users.
Pros
- 100% Free and Open Source: Released under AGPLv3 with no features locked behind a paywall — everything is available immediately at no cost.
- Full Data Sovereignty: Self-host on your own servers to keep complete control of your research data, avoiding vendor lock-in or sudden service shutdowns.
- Comprehensive Lab Management: Combines experiment tracking, inventory management, and scheduling in one platform, reducing the need for multiple disconnected tools.
- Globally Accessible & Multilingual: Responsive design works on any device and browser, with support for 21+ languages thanks to a worldwide contributor community.
Cons
- Requires Self-Hosting Expertise: Setting up and maintaining a self-hosted instance requires server administration knowledge, which may be a barrier for smaller teams without IT support.
- Not AI-Powered: eLabFTW does not include built-in AI or machine learning features for data analysis or automated insights.
- Managed Hosting Adds Cost: While the software is free, opting for the PRO Hosting service by Deltablot introduces subscription costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is my data stored when using eLabFTW?
If you self-host, your data lives entirely on your own servers. If you use PRO Hosting by Deltablot, data is stored in Paris, France (or a region-appropriate data center for non-European users).
Is eLabFTW truly free with no hidden costs?
Yes. eLabFTW is released under the AGPLv3 open-source license. All features are available at no cost. There is no freemium tier or paywalled functionality — the only paid option is managed hosting.
Can eLabFTW be used for intellectual property (IP) protection?
Yes. eLabFTW supports trusted timestamping, blockchain timestamping, cryptographically verifiable signatures, a full audit log, and multi-factor authentication to help establish proof of invention.
Does eLabFTW support chemical compound management?
Yes. There is a dedicated Compounds database where users can import entries from PubChem with support for CAS numbers, SMILES, and InChI formats, plus a built-in molecular structure editor.
Can multiple teams use the same eLabFTW installation?
Yes. A single eLabFTW instance can host multiple independent teams. Administrators can use Team Groups to control permissions on a per-entry basis across the organization.
