Best LIMS for Small Labs
CloudLIMS vs Labguru vs Others
Realistic options for labs with 3-25 people, budgets of $5K-$50K annually, and limited IT resources.
Trusted by leading diagnostic labs and life sciences companies
What "Small Lab" Means Here
- Team size: 3-25 people
- Budget: $5K-$50K annually
- IT resources: Limited or none
- Timeline: Weeks, not months
The Contenders
CloudLIMS
Purpose-built for small to mid-sized labs
Strengths
- • Actually affordable
- • Quick implementation (4-8 weeks)
- • Regulatory support (CAP, CLIA, ISO 17025)
- • No IT overhead
- • Good support
Weaknesses
- • Limited customization
- • Simpler workflows
- • Fewer integrations
- • Growth ceiling
Best For
- • Clinical reference labs
- • Environmental testing labs
- • Food testing laboratories
- • Labs needing compliance without complexity
Pricing (10 users)
First Year: $30K-$75KPer User: ~$200-400/user/month
Labguru
Lab management with LIMS capabilities
Strengths
- • Modern interface
- • ELN included
- • Inventory management
- • Affordable
- • Quick setup
Weaknesses
- • Not a traditional LIMS
- • Limited regulatory depth
- • Less comprehensive sample-to-result tracking
- • Basic reporting
Best For
- • Research labs (academic and biotech)
- • Startups needing inventory + basic sample tracking
- • Labs where ELN is as important as LIMS
Pricing (10 users)
First Year: $15K-$25K
Quartzy
Free lab management platform
Strengths
- • Free tier available
- • Excellent inventory strength
- • Ordering integration
- • Zero implementation
- • Supplier network
Weaknesses
- • Not really a LIMS
- • No regulatory compliance
- • Basic reporting
- • Feature ceiling
Best For
- • Research labs needing inventory management
- • Startup labs with zero budget
- • Academic labs managing supplies
Pricing (10 users)
First Year: $0-$15KFree tier: Yes, actually free
Benchling (Academic)
R&D cloud platform with academic pricing
Strengths
- • Excellent ELN
- • Modern platform
- • Sequence tools
- • Academic pricing
- • Scientist-friendly
Weaknesses
- • Not a traditional LIMS
- • Academic only for discount
- • Commercial pricing high
- • Regulatory gaps
Best For
- • Academic research labs
- • Molecular biology and biotech research
- • Labs prioritizing ELN over traditional LIMS
Pricing (10 users)
First Year: $35K-$60K
Freezerworks
Sample management and biobanking
Strengths
- • Sample tracking excellence
- • Freezer mapping
- • Aliquot handling
- • Established product
- • Various deployment options
Weaknesses
- • Limited workflow
- • No ELN
- • Dated interface
- • Narrow scope
Best For
- • Labs with extensive sample storage needs
- • Biorepositories needing freezer management
- • Clinical trial sample management
Pricing (10 users)
First Year: $15K-$35K
Feature Comparison Matrix
| Feature | CloudLIMS | Labguru | Quartzy | Benchling | Freezerworks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core LIMS | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ |
| Sample Tracking | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ |
| ELN Included | — | ✓✓✓ | — | ✓✓✓ | — |
| Regulatory Compliance | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | — | ✓✓ | ✓✓ |
| Ease of Use | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ |
| Small Lab Fit | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ |
Our Recommendations by Lab Type
Clinical Testing Lab (Regulated)
First choice: CloudLIMS
Built for regulated testing environments; compliance features; reasonable price
Research/Academic Lab
First choice: Labguru or Benchling
ELN capabilities matter for research; modern UX; good pricing
Biorepository/Sample Bank
First choice: Freezerworks or OpenSpecimen
Purpose-built for sample storage management; deep functionality
Startup with Zero Budget
First choice: Quartzy
Actually free; get started immediately; upgrade later if needed
The Honest Truth About "Affordable" LIMS
The cheapest LIMS is often NOT the best value. We've seen labs pick free or ultra-cheap options, struggle with limitations for 18 months, then implement something else—spending more total than if they'd picked the right tool initially.
The sweet spot is purpose-built solutions for your size and needs. CloudLIMS for regulated testing, Labguru for research—these exist specifically because enterprise LIMS don't serve small labs well.