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REDCap
REDCap · Nashville, Tennessee, United States · founded 1873
What it is
REDCap is a secure web application for building and managing surveys and databases for research studies and operations. Teams can create projects online or upload a data dictionary made in Microsoft Excel. Research tools include multi-site access, project permissions, audit trails, calendars, scheduling, reporting, branching logic, file uploads, and calculated fields. Data can be exported to Excel, PDF, SPSS, SAS, Stata, and R. Its CDIS feature can retrieve selected structured information from EHRs such as Epic and Cerner through FHIR and OAuth2 when an administrator enables it. The companion mobile app collects data offline on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, with an account at a REDCap partner institution. An organization’s IT staff installs and maintains the server software. Requirements include PHP 8.0 or higher, a MySQL-compatible database, and an SMTP email server; Microsoft SQL Server is incompatible. Eligible nonprofits can join the consortium at no charge. A demonstration account is free for three days and cannot be extended.
For and against
For
- Exports to Excel, PDF, SPSS, SAS, Stata, and R
- Supports branching logic, audit trails, and scheduling
- Mobile app supports offline data collection
- CDIS can retrieve selected EHR information
Against
- Requires PHP 8.0 or higher and a MySQL-compatible database
- Microsoft SQL Server is not compatible
- Mobile app requires a partner institution account
- For-profit organizations cannot hold consortium licenses
The verdict
REDCap brings survey and database management together with research workflows and export options. Its institutional hosting requirements and nonprofit licensing eligibility are key considerations.
Who it suits
REDCap suits research teams and organizations that need to manage surveys, databases, and study data. It requires an eligible nonprofit institution for consortium licensing and internal IT staff to install and support the system.
Plans and prices
REDCap Consortium license
Non-profit organizations · institutional license agreement required · organization self-hosts and provides internal IT support
Read 12 Oct 2026 · projectredcap.org
REDCap demonstration account
One-time · 3 days · cannot be extended
Read 12 Oct 2026 · projectredcap.org
On the record
- Response analytics
- Yesprojectredcap.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- API access
- Yesprojectredcap.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Data export
- REDCap can export data to Excel, PDF, and common statistical packages including SPSS, SAS, Stata, and R.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Deployment requirements
- The listed requirements include PHP 8.0 or higher, a MySQL-compatible database, and an SMTP email server; Microsoft SQL Server is not compatible.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- EHR interoperability
- Its CDIS feature can pull selected structured information from EHRs such as Epic and Cerner using FHIR and OAuth2, and must be enabled by an administrator.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Eligibility limit
- For-profit organizations cannot hold a REDCap license or self-host under the consortium licensing option, and individual personal use is not offered.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Hosting
- REDCap is server software installed and maintained by an organization’s internal IT staff, and users access it through a web browser.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- License and source
- REDCap is not open-source software; obtaining the codebase requires an end-user license agreement between Vanderbilt University and an eligible non-profit organization.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Logic branching
- Yesprojectredcap.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Mobile collection
- The companion REDCap Mobile App supports offline data collection on iPhone, iPad, and Android phones or tablets, and requires an account at a REDCap partner institution.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Origin
- REDCap was created at Vanderbilt University in 2004.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Project design
- Users can design projects online or upload a data dictionary prepared offline in Microsoft Excel.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- REDCap is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases, geared toward research studies and operations.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Research features
- Features include multi-site access, user-managed project access, audit trails, a project calendar, scheduling, reporting, branching logic, file uploads, and calculated fields.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- REDCap can be deployed in environments designed for standards such as HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, and FISMA, while each institution controls its own installation and compliance environment.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Each partner site independently installs, maintains, and supports its own REDCap system, while consortium administrators have access to Community resources and webinars.projectredcap.org · read 12 Oct 2026
