LIMS vs ELN: Which Software Platform is Best for Labs?

With laboratory sample volumes growing at a compound annual rate of 7.5%, modern labs face a fork in the road: implement the right digital solution or risk falling behind competitors (and potentially out of compliance).

So, which type of software will you choose?

If you select a LIMS, you’re in good company. As of 2023, 70% of pharmaceutical companies and 65% of clinical research organizations reported using a LIMS. But many labs use an ELN as well – or sometimes, in place of a LIMS altogether. Are a LIMS and an ELN interchangeable? When should your lab choose either?

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between an ELN and a LIMS to help you make the right choice for your lab.

The Challenges Modern Labs Face Today: Why Software is Necessary

Today's laboratories face unprecedented challenges in data management. 

Labs are overwhelmed by a wave of information while trying to maintain compliance and quality standards, and the pressure is only increasing.

For lab directors, this creates a perfect storm. When sample volumes increase annually but staffing remains flat, how do you maintain data integrity without burning out your team? When auditors arrive unexpectedly, can you trace each sample’s history in minutes rather than days? When regulatory requirements tighten, can your paper systems or outdated digital solutions adapt quickly enough?

The cost of inadequate data management extends beyond compliance risks; it directly impacts your lab's bottom line through inefficiencies, errors, and missed opportunities for process optimization.

As testing methodologies grow more sophisticated and clients demand faster turnaround times, the limitations of traditional documentation systems become increasingly apparent. This is where the crucial decision between an ELN and a LIMS becomes a strategic imperative rather than just another technology investment.

What is a LIMS?

A LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) is a comprehensive and robust software platform sold to labs to manage data, inventory, and automate workflows.

While cloud-based LIMS have become popular in modern labs in the past decade, they are hardly a new concept. The first LIMS hit the market in the 1970s, and they have been an integral part of an efficient and organized lab ever since. 

LIMS have evolved into sophisticated systems that support a wide range of laboratory activities, including:

• Managing samples and tests
• Generating reports
• Providing a portal for customers
• Handling billing and inventory
• Syncing data from lab instruments
• Automating repetitive tasks

But where a LIMS truly excels is in organizing data at scale and streamlining your lab’s operations. 

Here are the most common use cases for a LIMS:

• Sample tracking and management: A good LIMS will be an excellent asset for efficiently managing high volumes of samples from receipt to reporting. 
• Workflow automation: Look for a LIMS with automation features that allow you to streamline and ensure data integrity.
• Data integration and reporting: A LIMS can provide centralized storage and easy access to laboratory data, enabling quick report generation and historical data retrieval.
• Instrument integration: For a lab with many types of instruments, a LIMS can be invaluable when it comes to seamlessly connecting them while automating data capture.
• Compliance and documentation: While not every LIMS can support quality management and compliance, some (like QBench) provide out-of-the-box features to help labs meet regulatory requirements. 

As you can see, a LIMS can be a great asset for a lab looking to scale and better organize its operations. Be sure to check out our free guide on how to choose the best LIMS for your lab.

What is an ELN?

ELN is an acronym for Electronic Lab Notebook, a digital platform designed to replace traditional paper-based lab notebooks. 

Like a physical notebook, an ELN can help with the documentation, storage, retrieval, and sharing of experimental data and processes for a lab. Of course, the key distinction is that an ELN provides a digital copy of this rather than a paper copy. This can be especially useful for labs looking to digitize their records or labs with distributed teams that need to share data.

An ELN can be used for:

• Experiment Documentation: Capture and search detailed experimental procedures, observations, and results.
• Collaboration: Facilitate teamwork by sharing real-time research data and notes with colleagues.
• Data Integration: Seamlessly integrate experimental data from laboratory instruments and databases.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to documentation requirements with audit trails, electronic signatures, and standardized entries.

Beyond digitizing a lab’s documentation, ELNs can offer various advantages, such as improved data security, improved traceability, and scalability for a lab. While both an ELN and LIMS can benefit a lab, there are distinct differences to be aware of that we will explore next.

How is an ELN different from a LIMS?

While an ELN may sound similar to a LIMS, recall that a LIMS can serve a much broader set of use cases, including:

• Managing samples and test data.
• Automating lab workflows.
• Generating reports.
• Integrating lab instruments.
• Providing support for inventory and billing management.

An ELN, on the other hand, serves as a digital version of what a physical lab notebook provides. You can manually input data into an ELN and record notes and observations from tests. However, an ELN will not offer the same type of reporting and automation capabilities as a LIMS.

Many laboratories benefit from using a LIMS alongside an ELN to completely digitize their operations and data. If you need more than a digital record and source of truth, then a LIMS is a better choice for your lab.

Can an ELN be Used in Place of a LIMS?

As said above, ELNs are designed to replace paper lab notebooks and serve as a digital record – can they replace a LIMS, though?

A LIMS is so much more than a digital system of record for your lab; it offers powerful features for sample management, inventory management, workflow automation, reporting, and more.

That said, an ELN might replace a LIMS in these scenarios:

• Your lab is very small: Small labs with limited sample tracking needs might find that a modern ELN with basic sample management features is sufficient.
• Your lab prioritizes documentation over other features: Research labs where detailed experimental documentation is more critical than high-volume sample processing might make an ELN a better option.
• Hybrid ELN solutions: Some ELNs integrate with or support LIMS features. However, these platforms are often an ELN first and a LIMS second, meaning they may not scale well for advanced use cases.

Between an LIMS and an ELN, which is right for your lab? We’ll explore that next.

LIMS vs. ELN: Which One is Right for Your Lab?

Between these two options, it can be hard to determine the right choice for your lab. 

When choosing software, it’s important to review how well it supports your lab through the challenges you face as you try to scale. Here is a breakdown of common lab use cases and how a LIMS and ELN stack up by lab function:

• Sample and test management
• Data capture and reporting
• Instrument integration
• Workflow automation

We’ll walk through each one in more depth.

LIMS vs. ELN: Sample and Test Management

Sample and test management are the most common use cases for a lab making the jump from pen and paper to software.

Both an ELN and a LIMS can support sample and test management to a degree. Where a LIMS and ELN differ is that an ELN is designed more for data entry and documentation, whereas a LIMS provides more robust features on top of its support for sample management.

Verdict: A LIMS wins here thanks to robust sample management and logging features.

LIMS vs. ELN: Data Capture and Reporting

Labs need to capture and report on data, especially labs that run tests at scale. 

An ELN can support you in documenting test results as well as sharing experiment and sample data, but a LIMS will provide a much more robust solution for capturing and reporting data on the fly. This is where a LIMS can be especially useful, as many will provide support for:

• Sample management
• Support for handling test requests (including a customer-facing portal)
• Flexible reports and dashboards

Verdict: A LIMS edges out a win here thanks to more robust support for reporting on data.

LIMS vs ELN: Instrument Calibration and Monitoring

Whatever your use case, your instruments must be calibrated and working properly. 

This is again an area where a fully featured LIMS (like QBench) stands out from an ELN. A good LIMS will provide you with everything you need to monitor instruments and calibrate them to ensure your lab maintains quality data integrity. A LIMS can provide additional support by alerting lab techs when out-of-calibration instruments should not be used.

Verdict: A LIMS wins here by a mile, many LIMS offer integrations with popular software and lab instruments, and some, like QBench, offer a RESTful API for custom integrations.

LIMS vs ELN: Workflow automation

As your lab scales, automating key workflows and processes will help you stay efficient and get more done. This is where the right LIMS truly outperforms an ELN. 

While an ELN can help here, a LIMS is much more specialized for a lab’s needs. For instance, here’s a sample of the things a LIMS can automate for a lab:

• Trigger processes for your lab.
• Easily update a workflow or roll out a new one.
• Save time by automating inventory consumption.
• Run calculations, generate reports, and notify customers when results are ready.
• Set up workflows between tools such as a customer portal, billing systems (such as QuickBooks), inventory management, and quality management systems.

Verdict: A LIMS wins here by a mile; nothing compares to the automation capabilities of a LIMS.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two platforms for a high-level overview.

Choose an ELN if:

• Your lab is primarily research-focused, with detailed experiment documentation needs.
• You have a small team with limited sample throughput.
• Your compliance requirements focus on experiment documentation rather than sample tracking.
• Budget constraints make a full LIMS implementation challenging.

Choose a LIMS if:

• Your lab processes a high volume of samples.
• You need comprehensive workflow automation.
• Regulatory compliance drives your operations.
• You're scaling operations without proportionally increasing staff.
• You need advanced reporting capabilities.

Ready to Choose a LIMS Over an ELN? Make Sure You Select the Right One

If you’re sold on a LIMS over an ELN to power your lab, now it’s just a matter of choosing the right one.

Out of dozens of vendors, which will you choose? The most established? The newest? The cheapest? While many LIMS offer a similar set of features, no two are exactly the same. It’s important to know how to evaluate a LIMS against your lab’s needs and budget; to help you, we created the free LIMS Buyer’s Guide. 

This guide will walk you through the features to look for in a LIMS, how to evaluate vendors, and more. Click the button below to get your free guide.

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