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LabKey ELN
Seattle, Washington, USA
What it is
LabKey ELN is an electronic laboratory notebook for scientific R&D organizations and research teams. Its notebooks connect experiment records with samples, assay data, bioregistry entities, workflows, and other registered information. Entries can use templates, rich text, data links, inline attachments, comments, search, project tags, and status tracking. Teams can request reviews, receive automatic notifications, comment on entries, and sign off notebooks. Sign-off creates an encrypted snapshot of notebook text and linked data to preserve the recorded state. LabKey offers web, API, and self-hosted access, with PDF listed as an export format. Security features include role-based permissions, single sign-on, two-factor authentication, audit logs, and electronic signatures. LabKey says these capabilities support HIPAA PHI handling and 21 CFR Part 11 electronic records. Cloud security includes encryption at rest and in transit, monitoring, and managed backups retained up to seven years. A free plan and free cloud trial are listed; Community Edition lacks LabKey development or technical support.
For and against
For
- Links notebooks to samples and assay data
- Supports reviews, approvals, and sign-off
- Includes audit logs and electronic signatures
- Offers web, API, and self-hosted access
- Free plan and free trial available
Against
- Community Edition lacks LabKey technical support
- Standalone notebooks can require manual reconciliation
- Cloud backup retention is described, not guaranteed universally
The verdict
LabKey ELN combines experiment authoring with connected research data and controlled sign-off. Its free access options help evaluation, while support differences between editions deserve attention.
Who it suits
LabKey ELN suits scientific research teams that need notebooks tied to samples, assays, and related records. It fits organizations requiring review, sign-off, audit, and compliance-oriented controls.
On the record
- Authoring
- Authoring features include templates, a rich text editor, inline attachments, commenting, search, project tags, and notebook status.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Community Edition support
- LabKey states that it does not provide development or technical support for the Community Edition.labkey.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Company history
- LabKey says it has provided scientific data management solutions to research organizations worldwide for over 20 years.labkey.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- LabKey says its security and compliance features support handling PHI under HIPAA and electronic records under 21 CFR Part 11.labkey.com · read 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.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Connected research data
- Notebook entries can link to samples, assay data, bioregistry entities, workflows, and other notebooks.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Evaluation
- LabKey recommends requesting a live demo and says its team can set evaluators up with a free cloud-based trial.labkey.com · read 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.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- LabKey says its ELN integrates with Sample Manager, Biologics LIMS, LabKey LIMS, and SDMS.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- LabKey describes its ELN as designed for scientific R&D organizations.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Notebook authoring
- Notebook entries support templates, rich text, data links, inline attachments, comments, project tags, and notebook status.labkey.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LabKey ELN helps scientists document experiments and share research in an electronic lab notebook.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Record preservation
- On sign-off, encrypted snapshots of notebook text and linked data preserve the original state.labkey.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Review and sign-off
- Teams can co-author, comment on, and review entries, request reviews with notifications, and sign off notebooks.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- LabKey states that it holds a SOC 2 Type II attestation and commissions independent penetration tests.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Signed records
- On sign-off, LabKey takes an encrypted snapshot of notebook text and linked data to preserve the original state.labkey.com · read 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.labkey.com · read 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.labkey.com · read 4 Oct 2026
