As labs modernize, choosing the right digital platform becomes crucial to operational success. Labguru has gained recognition for its robust electronic lab notebook (ELN), inventory management, and data tracking capabilities.
But it’s not the only option out there. Depending on your lab’s needs, there are several alternatives to consider. More importantly, there’s a growing recognition that one tool alone often isn’t enough.
In this article, we show you the 3 best alternatives to this tool and an extra one that will bring a lot of value to any type of laboratory.
Leading alternatives to Labguru
1. Benchling
Benchling has become a favorite for life sciences companies thanks to its modern design and tailored tools for sequence editing, plasmid mapping, and assay registration.
It excels in collaborative environments where scientists need to design, document, and review experiments together in real-time.
- Strengths: User-friendly interface, strong molecular biology tools, popular in biotech.
- Focus: Cloud-based ELN and LIMS features with collaboration and version tracking.
- Ideal for: R&D teams doing DNA design, CRISPR workflows, and protein engineering.
2. LabArchives
LabArchives offers an easy entry point for institutions looking to move away from paper notebooks.
With its intuitive structure and sharing capabilities, it supports reproducibility and regulatory alignment without requiring heavy customization or IT support.
- Strengths: Affordable, simple ELN focused on academic labs.
- Focus: Documentation, sharing, and compliance.
- Ideal for: Universities and research institutions.
3. newLab®, the only lab platform built for AI-Ready labs
“newLab® is not a replacement for ELNs or LIMS, it’s a companion that connects and streamlines the tools your lab already uses.”
The ultimate digital platform for managing lab resources, equipment, and scientific workflows in connected labs.
Whether you’re booking equipment, managing service requests, or tracking asset usage, newLab® brings these processes into a cohesive and intuitive environment, reducing admin and freeing up more time for science.
- Strengths: Enhances operational coordination across ELNs, LIMS, and inventory tools.
- Focus: Scheduling, workflow automation, and unified lab visibility.
- Ideal for: Labs already using Labguru, Benchling, or similar platforms that need additional layers of operational efficiency.
4. Quartzy
Quartzy simplifies the complex logistics of lab inventory and purchasing. With features for requesting, approving, and tracking orders, it helps labs ensure critical supplies are always available, reducing downtime and procurement errors.
- Strengths: Inventory and order management with built-in vendor connections.
- Focus: Streamlining procurement and inventory workflows.
- Ideal for: Labs with a focus on purchasing and supply chain efficiency.
Choosing the right tool
Each platform brings something valuable. Some labs need deep scientific data handling (Benchling), others prioritize inventory and procurement (Quartzy), while others want simple ELNs (LabArchives). But these tools often address specific layers of the lab experience, not the full ecosystem.
That’s where a solution like newLab® becomes essential.
newLab®: The software every lab needs
Unlike traditional ELNs or inventory platforms, newLab® is designed to enhance lab operations across platforms, working across your digital stack to unify workflows, improve visibility, and reduce administrative burden. Think of it as the connective tissue of your lab.
What newLab® brings to the table:
- Cross-platform integration: Works alongside Labguru, Benchling, Quartzy, and others.
- Resource scheduling: Centralizes bookings, minimizes downtime, and avoids conflicts.
- Automated workflows: From service requests to maintenance tracking.
- Scientist-friendly interfaces: Real-time visibility without the clutter.
- ServiceNow native: Seamlessly fits into enterprise IT infrastructure.
- AI-Ready data pipelines: Prepares your lab for next-gen analytics without disrupting current systems.
Choosing an ELN or lab management tool is important, but it’s only part of the puzzle. Real efficiency comes from how well your systems work together. Whether you’re using Labguru, Benchling, or another platform, newLab® enhances your setup by bringing structure, intelligence, and flow across the lab landscape.
The future of lab management isn’t a single solution. It’s an ecosystem, interconnected, intelligent, and centered on science.
