STARLIMS vs LabWare
Comprehensive LIMS Comparison for 2026
Both established, capable systems with decades of market presence. But they're not interchangeable.
Trusted by leading diagnostic labs and life sciences companies
STARLIMS (Abbott)
Strong in regulated environments, particularly pharmaceutical and clinical. Modern web architecture. Part of Abbott Informatics portfolio.
LabWare
Highly configurable, extremely flexible. Strong across multiple industries. Independent company focused solely on LIMS.
Company Background
STARLIMS
Abbott Laboratories (since 2014)
- Part of massive healthcare conglomerate
- Substantial R&D resources
- Strategic focus on regulated industries
What this means for you: Financial stability, long-term viability, resources for continued development. But also: corporate decision-making, potential strategic pivots based on Abbott priorities.
LabWare
Independent (founded 1987)
- Independent, privately held
- LIMS is their only business
- 37+ years market presence
What this means for you: Dedicated focus on LIMS, decisions made by LIMS-focused leadership. But also: smaller company resources compared to Abbott's scale.
Architecture Comparison
| Aspect | STARLIMS | LabWare |
|---|---|---|
| Primary interface | Web browser | Windows application (with web access) |
| Database | SQL Server | Oracle or SQL Server |
| Deployment | On-premise or cloud | On-premise, hosted, or LabWare Cloud |
| Configuration approach | Workflow-based, web tools | Deep database-level configuration |
| Mobile support | Native (web-responsive) | Via web module |
Labs wanting modern web access often find STARLIMS' architecture more appealing. Labs needing deep, granular configuration may prefer LabWare's flexibility.
Industry Fit
| Industry | STARLIMS | LabWare |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Biotech | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Clinical | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Environmental | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Food & Beverage | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Oil & Gas | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Research | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
For pharmaceutical and clinical labs, both platforms are proven. For environmental, food, and industrial labs, LabWare often has deeper industry-specific features.
Decision Framework
Choose STARLIMS If:
- Modern web architecture matters
- Healthcare/clinical is your focus
- You prefer guided configuration
- Abbott relationship exists
- Faster time-to-value is priority
Choose LabWare If:
- Maximum flexibility is essential
- Environmental/industrial is your focus
- Oracle database is preferred
- Your team has LabWare expertise
- Independent vendor focus preferred
The Reference Customer Question
Before deciding, talk to reference customers. Ask about implementation experience, ongoing maintenance effort, vendor support responsiveness, and what they'd do differently.
Reference customers tell you what sales presentations can't.