The Top 9 Benchling Alternatives
There’s no denying that Benchling is often a top choice, especially for biotech, life sciences, and genomics labs. Despite that (and a specialized featureset), you’re here looking for an alternative.
Perhaps it’s one that's configurable, without adding a crippling amount of complexity to your workflows (or a corresponding budget crunch when you factor in the custom development work needed).
Whatever it is, if you are seeking a configurable and easy-to-use LIMS, then you are in the right place. We found the top LIMS on the market, read reviews, and dug deep for pricing information to compare each platform side-by-side in this guide.
Read through each section for an overview of our top platforms, and make the right choice for your lab.
Why Look for an Alternative to Benchling?
Benchling is well-rated on G2, but that doesn’t make it the perfect choice for every lab.
While Benchling boasts a robust feature list including custom-coded automations and finely-tuned functionality for biotech and genomics labs, Benchling (like a number of “R&D platforms”) is primarily an ELN first and a LIMS second.
Benchling’s ELN capabilities are excellent, but comparatively, its LIMS may lack robust configurability and flexibility that a broader range of labs need to efficiently manage their data and processes. There’s a serious “complexity tax” added to your contract. While custom-coded workflows may sound like a solution in the near term, changing them can be a costly endeavor that sets your lab back, opens the door for errors, and cuts into your budget.
We’ve heard echoes of this from plenty of former Benchling customers, as well as the following:
- Complex sample tracking features: We’ve heard that the topographical view of sample and workload tracking in Benchling is not quite as user-friendly as it is pitched. The lack of a visual association of the flow of samples can make traceability a challenge.
- Gated automation: Automation in Benchling is positioned more as an add-on than a baked-in feature. This stands in contrast to LIMS platforms like QBench which include workflow automation in all tiers.
- Lack of configuration capabilities: While Benchling does offer some customization capabilities, we’ve heard about limitations that prevent labs from fully configuring it to match their specific workflows.
- Concerns around QC and compliance features: While Benchling offers compliant cloud solutions, users mention difficulty managing files and data in a compliant manner to meet GxP and 21 CFR Part 11 standards.
- Lack of true LIMS features: Benchling is an excellent ELN solution for labs, however users find its LIMS functionality limiting. While Benchling can help a lab digitize its records, its inventory, sample management, and compliance modules are comparatively less fleshed-out than other leading LIMS platforms.
While Benchling pricing is not available, we found an online thread where a user claimed that it is $5,000/month/user. For a lab of 20, that would be a six-figure expense. At that rate, given the limited LIMS and automation capabilities, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from.
ELN vs LIMS: Why the Distinction Matters
We touched on it above, but the distinction between an ELN and LIMS is worth calling out again.
Many labs we speak to group lab software into one big bucket, but doing so misses very important nuances between the different platforms (and their corresponding strengths and weaknesses).
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.
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. Today, many LIMS are hosted in the cloud and offer features for lab sample, data, and inventory management as well as support for compliance, workflow automation, and more.
Why the Distinction Matters
An ELN is a great way to start digitizing your lab, but it is not a replacement for a LIMS. While an ELN is a step forward, it falls flat when it comes to the more serious areas that slow down labs or cause compliance failures. Only a LIMS can:
- Monitor and calibrate instruments to help ensure accurate readings.
- Monitor inventory stock levels and re-order to prevent slowdowns.
- Proactively check for errors and batch re-run tests.
- Integrate lab instruments to streamline data capture.
- Provide compliance support needed to meet FDA guidelines.
Between an ELN and a LIMS, a LIMS is the obvious choice for most labs.
The 9 Best Benchling Alternatives
Which of all the LIMS on the market today will you choose? There are dozens available, so to save you time, here are the top cloud-based LIMS that we’ve found.
We ranked these based on an assessment of:
- Their G2 rankings and reviews
- Their feature set and how well-suited they are to modern labs
- Their flexibility and adaptability
- Their implementation timeframe
So here are the top nine LIMS on the market. We’ll walk you through each one so you can compare them side-by-side.
- QBench
- Thermo Scientific SampleManager
- Labguru
- Genemod
- eLab
- LabWare
- CloudLIMS
- Lockbox LIMS
- LabVantage
1. QBench
QBench is the leading option for labs of all sizes looking to scale operations efficiently.
What sets QBench apart is its highly configurable, flexible approach that puts customization power directly in your hands — no coding required. With software updates released every three weeks, QBench demonstrates a commitment to continuous innovation and user-centricity that adapts to your lab's evolving needs.
That’s not just us saying so.
QBench has earned impressive recognition in 2025, ranking #1 on G2's Highest-Rated LIMS list, Easiest to Use LIMS list, and Highest-Rated LIMS in North America list. As a G2 Momentum Leader, QBench has shown an exceptional growth trajectory based on user satisfaction scores, employee growth, and digital presence, outperforming competitors across the Customer Satisfaction dimension.
What is a Momentum Leader?
G2 states, "Our Momentum Grid shows the growth trajectory that products have had in their respective spaces over the last year. The Momentum Grid identifies products that are on a high-growth trajectory based on user satisfaction scores, employee growth, and digital presence."
Second-time LIMS buyers consistently choose QBench after experiencing the limitations of legacy systems. In fact, one client picked QBench as their top choice among 15 vendors!
What sets QBench apart for them? Unlike vendor-created, code-driven customizations that lead to slow, costly updates, QBench offers deep workflow configurability and flexible, user-friendly tools for quick workflow adjustments, report modifications, and automation enhancements.
That plus a tightly-integrated QMS means your data, SOPs, documents, and tests are all under one roof and perfectly synced.
QBench is privately owned by a group of families and software investors with over 30 years of lab experience and a long-term time horizon, meaning that they prioritize building the best culture, continuous innovation, and a business that drives value for customers for many years to come. Unlike other LIMS platforms, which are owned by private equity firms that focus on cutting costs and maximizing profits, QBench is committed to generating value for the customer.
QBench's employees are distributed globally to serve customers around the world, but the majority of critical-role employees (88%) are located in North America.
QBench offers multiple tiers, though their base tier packs a punch. QBench’s Starter tier includes access to workflow tools, reporting tools, no-code configurations, custom fields, user permissions, and more. With all this power, you won’t have to sacrifice ease of use, though.
It’s no surprise that QBench leads several categories on G2, has 125 reviews (as of July 2025), and has earned 4.5/5 stars.
Price: Starts at $249/user/month with a discount for 20+ users
Notable features:
- Configurable automations
- Reports and data visualizations
- Inventory management
- Sample management
- Robust API support
- Billing and invoicing support
- WYSIWYG report template editor
- Integrated QMS
- BI integrations
- Support for ISO 17025, FDA CFR 21 Part 11, and HIPAA
Industries served:
- Materials & Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Biotech & Life Sciences
- Diagnostic
- Agriculture
- Environmental
2. Thermo Scientific SampleManager
Thermo Scientific is a well-known name in lab equipment, so it’s no surprise that their LIMS would appear on any “best of” list. The Thermo Scientific SampleManager LIMS includes many of the features you’d see in any other LIMS, such as automations, sample management, workflows, instrument integration, and reporting. Their LIMS is primarily ranked the 9th easiest to use by users on G2.
Thermo Scientific is a large public company with over 65,000 employees. It is unclear how many of them work on the SampleManager product or where that employee group is located. Thermo Scientific has 111 reviews on G2 (as of January 2025) and 4.3/5 stars. SampleManager LIMS is a truly global product with 37 reviews from customers in North America, 35 from customers in Asia, 12 from customers in Australia, 10 from customers in Europe, and more.
Price: No public pricing available, but it is very likely the product is priced for large enterprises (e.g., $100,000 per year or more).
Notable features:
- Sample management
- Lab automation and workflows
- Instrument management
- Inventory management
- Collaboration
- Dashboards and data visualizations
- Compliance features
Industries served:
- Contract testing
- Chemical and petrochemical
- Clinical testing
- Clean energy
- Environmental
- Food and beverage
- Forensics
- Manufacturing
- Metals and mining
- Oil and gas
- Pharma and biopharma
3. Labguru
Labguru is a great option for small labs looking to streamline and scale their operations with a focus on simplicity, ease of use, and user-friendliness. Like Benchling, Labguru is what we'd categorize as more ELN-forward (learn more about the difference between a LIMS and ELN) and focused on inventory management, but they do offer a LIMS alongside their ELN at present. They updated their G2 profile to “Labguru ELN LIMS” in 2024, listing ELN first.
Previously, Labguru was owned by Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a European publishing house. As of 2025, Labguru is now owned by Titian Software, a UK-based Sample Management business, which is itself owned by the private equity division of Battery Ventures. Roughly 43% of its staff are located in Europe and the Middle East, 30% in North America, and 28% in Asia.
Like QBench, Labguru is well-reviewed on G2 with a 4.6/5 stars overall. 34% of their reviews are from customers in Europe, 32% from the Middle East, and 32% from North America (according to LinkedIn).
Price: Not available
Notable features:
- ELN first and foremost
- Inventory management
- Reports and visualizations in premium tiers
- Automation in premium tiers
- API support in premium tiers
Industries served:
- Biotech
- Pharma
- Food and Beverage
- Molecular farming
- CRO/Service labs
- QC Labs
4. Genemod
Genemod is a newer LIMS + ELN platform focused more on inventory management, freezer management, and electronic lab notebooks. They are a relatively small venture-backed team based in Seattle, Washington, with a few global team members.
Genemod offers a cloud-based solution and aims to be one of the simpler and more user-friendly options in the market. It appears their most powerful features are gated behind their highest tiers, while their lowest tier is a better option for labs looking to start digitizing their inventory as opposed to hitting the ground running with a LIMS. While they serve a number of industries, most of their marketing messaging is aimed at R&D and Biotech labs.
Price: Not available, but their plans are listed on their website.
Notable features:
- Inventory management
- ELN
- Alerts
- Security
- Numerous integrations
- Reporting and visualizations
- AI-powered text generation for lab notebooks
Industries served:
- Biopharmaceutical
- Biotech
- Clinical research
- Gene therapy
- Genetics labs
- Academic Institutions
5. SciSure (formerly eLab/eLabNext)
SciSure (formerly eLab/eLabNext) is, like Benchling (and others on this list), an ELN + LIMS solution rather than a pure LIMS.
Their ELN product is well-featured with support for documentation, collaboration, and version controls, while their LIMS is a bit more limited to sample management, inventory management, and equipment management. SciSure offers simple workflow automation features, with the ability to create templates to standardize procedures in your lab. One unique aspect of eLabNext is its marketplace with add-ons to customize your platform based on your unique needs.
SciSure is the resulting merger between SciShield and eLabNext. eLabNext has been around for a bit (2010) while mainly being based in the United States. This merger seems to be a step toward a global audience and significant expansion for the company.
Price: Not available, you need to speak to their sales team for plans and pricing.
Notable features:
- ELN
- Sample management
- Inventory management
- Equipment management
- Workflow automation
- Marketplace with addons to customize your platform
Industries served:
- Life sciences
- Biotech
- Academic Institutions
6. LabWare
LabWare has been around since its founding in 1987 and boasts very high customer satisfaction. They excel at on-premises deployments and serve many large pharmaceutical companies. The product is a solid option for larger companies looking to digitize their operations thanks to its built-in ELN and LIMS automation features. LabWare boasts a number of automation capabilities along with QA/QC features and instrument integrations. LabWare is customizable and even has its own programming language called LIMS Basic. The latest version of LabWare, LabWare 8, was released on June 12, 2020.
Price: No public pricing available, but it is very likely the product is priced for large enterprises (e.g. $100,000 per year or more). The pricing that can be found is part of the GSA Advantage program, which is typically the lowest price available and exclusive to government contracts. These prices are unlikely to be available to businesses, but they can help a lab building a vendor short list understand the price range they might encounter. GSA Advantage pricing schedule: Perpetual license GSA Advantage price from 2021 of $7,043.22/user + 14% maintenance fee of $986.05/user/year for continued patches and product enhancements after year 1 + additional costs for access to technical support + additional costs for hardware and IT staff if you choose on-premises deployment.
Notable features:
- Automation capabilities
- QA/QC features
- Instrument integrations
- Sample management
- Reporting tools and data visualizations
Industries served:
- Biopharmaceutical
- Biotech
- Agriculture
7. Lockbox LIMS
Lockbox LIMS (by Thirdwave Analytics) is a well-regarded player in the LIMS space. Lockbox LIMS boasts a series of features that help labs digitize and automate their operations. Lockbox LIMS is built as a Salesforce app and is available on the Salesforce AppExchange. Lockbox LIMS is privately owned. Roughly 95% of its employees are located in North America and 5% in Europe (according to LinkedIn). Lockbox LIMS is well-rated on G2 with 4.9/5 stars.
Price: No public pricing available.
Notable features:
- Sample management
- Inventory management
- Integrations
- Instrument management
- Freezer management
- Customer portal
Industries served:
- Biobanking
- Biotech
- NGS Labs
- QC Labs
8. CloudLIMS
Like many on this list, CloudLIMS is a SaaS cloud-based LIMS that offers a wide variety of solutions to labs. CloudLIMS offers a variety of features for biobanks and medical labs, including a client portal, a patient and physician portal, and the ability to manage packages and shipments, along with other standard LIMS features like sample management, inventory management, and automation support.
Notably, CloudLIMS offers free onboarding and complimentary support in its plans.
Price: CloudLIMS offers a range of plans starting at $38/user/month up to $270/user/month based on needs and usage. They have separate tiers, though, for other industries, such as biobanks and Cannabis Labs. In all, CloudLIMS offers 17 pricing options.
Notable features:
- Inventory management
- Sample management
- Automations
- Patient/Physician portal
- Billing and invoicing support
- AI-powered text generation for lab notebooks
Industries served:
- Biobanking
- Cannabis
- Clinical diagnostics
- Clinical research
- Environmental
- Food and beverage
- Materials
- Oil and gas
- Psychedelics
- Veterinary
9. LabVantage
LabVantage is a solid option for labs looking to get started with automation and streamlining their operations. LabVantage offers a cloud-based LIMS and ELN solution with sample management, inventory management, and reporting features among its broader feature set. Similar to LabWare, they excel at large, on-premises deployments and serving pharmaceutical companies. The latest version of LabVantage, LabVantage 8.8, was released on December 7, 2022.
LabVantage was originally founded in 1981 as Laboratory MicroSystems. It was sold in 1990 to Instron, which later sold the company to The Chatterjee Group in 1997. It is now believed to be owned by a combination of The Chatterjee Group, the private equity firm Bregal Sagemount, and the private equity firm Apollo Investment Corporation.
Roughly 62% of its staff are located in Asia, 19% in North America, and 18% in Europe (according to LinkedIn). LabVantage has 19 reviews and 3.8/5 stars on G2 (as of January 2025). That said, they haven't had a new review on G2 since October 2022, which is why they rank a bit lower on our list.
Price: No public pricing available, but it is very likely the product is priced for large enterprises (e.g., $100,000 per year or more). The pricing that can be found is part of the GSA Advantage program, which is typically the lowest price available and exclusive to government contracts. These prices are unlikely to be available to businesses, but they can help a lab building a vendor short list understand the price range they might encounter. Perpetual license GSA Advantage price from 2020 of $4239.29/user + 15% support & maintenance fee of $635.89/user/year for patches and updates, and upgrades after the first 90 days + additional costs for hardware and IT staff if you choose on-premises deployment
Notable features:
- Integrated ELN
- Reporting features
- Sample management
- Data management
- Data privacy and security
Industries served:
- Biobanking
- Cancer Research
- Contract Testing
- Diagnostics
- Food and Beverage
- Forensics
- Oil and Gas
- Pharma
- Public Health
A Side-by-Side Look at these LabWare Alternatives
We’ve covered a lot of ground so far, so a side-by-side comparison of these LabWare alternatives may be beneficial as you make a decision on which LIMS is right for your lab.
One note on the pricing data: many LIMS providers gate pricing behind a demo, so there’s always a chance that the data we were able to retrieve is outdated or does not reflect the pricing you hear directly from the company should you agree to a demo with them. We did our best to scour the internet, so (aside from the figures for QBench), please refer to these as a benchmark rather than exact figures.
The Complexity Tax: The Hidden Cost of Most LIMS
Comparing one LIMS to another isn’t so simple as scanning a table, though, and reviewing the price.
That’s because there’s a hidden cost to most LIMS – and it’s one that QBench actively eliminates for our customers. That cost is complexity.
When we mention “legacy LIMS” in contrast to QBench, we’re talking about the established players on the market. These LIMS have been around for a while, and as a result, they tend to lock users into outdated and overbuilt solutions that require:
- Expensive on-prem hosting
- Regular maintenance and updates
- Expensive custom development to make even the simplest changes
Labs have told us that many of the above platforms have confidently told them that they can build the custom workflows and functionality needed to make the LIMS work… but fail to mention the thousands of extra dollars that will be spent on services to make that happen. Not to mention thousands more spent on future changes (and you will need future changes). A LIMS should save your lab time (and money, thanks to all that saved time for your staff), but many legacy LIMS run the risk of being ROI-negative when all is said and done.
That’s where QBench stands out. We understand that lab workflows can be complex, but you don’t need to make it complicated to make a basic change. Whether you want to automate batch test re-runs, send alerts for low stock levels, generate reports with one click, or re-order supplies, you can do it all with QBench in minutes and not hours (or worse, weeks if you’re waiting on development teams).
Why Labs Look to QBench as the Best Benchling Alternative
There are several reasons why QBench is a consistent leader across categories on G2, but they all boil down to a singular point: Labs can get more done with QBench LIMS.
That said, we’ve compiled a list of the top reasons why labs of all sizes love QBench LIMS.
Configurable automations
As you can see from the list above, automation is key for any scaling lab. With QBench, you can:
- Trigger processes for your lab.
- Easily update a process or roll out new processes.
- Save time by automating inventory stock.
- Run calculations, generate reports, and notify customers when results are ready.
- Set up workflows between tools such as a client portal, billing, QuickBooks, inventory management, and quality management systems.
What’s more, QBench is configurable, meaning that you can easily adjust automations on the fly. There is no need for complex development work or custom code — if you can dream it, you can build it.
Robust API support
The more connected your lab software and instruments are, the smoother things will go as you scale. That’s why QBench offers a RESTful API that allows you to:
- Connect laboratory instruments with the LIMS for automatic integration and a comprehensive view of your data.
- Import or export data from external systems or to other systems. You can even use AI to make better decisions about your data.
- Generate custom reports from LIMS data by integrating with external reporting systems.
- Integrate LIMS data with a dashboard or visualization tool. This enables real-time monitoring of laboratory processes and provides insights into lab performance.
QBench’s API support adds to the flexibility of its LIMS, helping you get more done and achieve your laboratory objectives.
Ease of use
All of these powerful features are great, but if your LIMS isn’t easy to implement and use, they are all for naught. Fortunately, QBench consistently earns high marks for ease of use thanks to its:
- Modern, fast, user-friendly interface.
- Configurable and flexible workflows — whether you need to build automated checkpoints, status alerts, transcribe data, or re-run failed tests, if you can dream it, then you can build it with QBench’s no-code workflows.
- More importantly, you can easily modify your workflows and processes over time yourself. That means no expensive development contracts or extra service packages.
- Simple and automated data entry. If you can edit an Excel spreadsheet, you can manage data in QBench – without the shortcomings and headaches that come with Excel!
QBench consistently earns high marks for its responsive and helpful support on top of its powerful software platform.
Looking for the Best Benchling Alternative? Modern Labs Choose QBench
The LIMS market is growing, but don’t get overwhelmed by the options when looking for the best LIMS of 2025.
If you are looking for a LIMS that provides:
- Robust integrations and API access
- Automation
- Reporting
- No-code configuration
- Ease of use
- Excellent support
- Customer-centricity
- Robust quality checking
- Competitive pricing
Then look no further than QBench.
A LIMS should help your lab work smarter and with unparalleled flexibility to drive whatever the future brings. It’s one of the reasons we’re so proud that this commitment is continually recognized by G2 and why QBench ranks among the best LIMS of 2025.
Click the button below to schedule a demo and see for yourself.
