Looking for a Benchling Alternative?

Consider LabKey for a More Customizable, Data-Connected Approach

When it comes to selecting digital tools for modern biotech R&D, Benchling is often one of the first names that comes up. Its paid platform offers an all-in-one workspace with ELN, inventory, registry, and workflow management. But Benchling isn’t the only option for biologics R&D management. For life science teams seeking more control, customization, and data flexibility, LabKey Biologics LIMS is a great Benchling alternative.

In this post, we compare the full Benchling platform to LabKey Biologics LIMS to help you choose the best fit for your team.

 

Benchling vs. LabKey Biologics LIMS: A Head-to-Head Comparison

	Benchling Platform	LabKey Biologics LIMS
Overview	All-in-one cloud platform combining ELN, molecular biology tools, inventory, registry, and workflow tracking.	Includes integrated ELN, bioregistry, sample/inventory management, workflows, plate-based tools, and assay integration in a centralized UI.
Best For	Teams focused on molecular biology and sequence design that prioritize a plug-and-play experience.	Small to medium, growing biologics R&D operations needing flexible scale, structured and unstructured data, built-in analysis, and broad workflow coverage that prioritize long-term utilization.
Key Strengths	• Unified interface for biology R&D • Built-in CRISPR, plasmid, and primer design tools • Real-time collaboration • Strong audit trail	• Centralized data management for biologics R&D • Bioregistry with rich, versioned entities • Integrated ELN with sample, assay, and registry linking • Plate and screening workflow support • Assay integration with structured results • Cloud or on-prem deployment • Real-time collaboration • Strong audit trail • Includes high-level support and training
Considerations	• Less flexible data model • Performance can lag with large datasets • Limited custom UI/workflows • High cost at scale	• Learning curve for advanced configuration • No embedded sequence design tools • Per-user pricing
Data Integration	• Limited integrations with external systems • More focused on internal data flow	• Strong integration across modules and external instruments • File import pipelines and scripting support • Highly configurable custom fields and extensions
Customization	• Vendor-managed setup • Constraints on custom fields or workflow logic	• Configurable by admin users or included vendor support • Supports custom data structures, scripting, and extensibility
Deployment Options	Cloud-only	Cloud or on-premise
Bottom Line	Unified UI and molecular tools make Benchling good for sequence-heavy teams.	Ideal for biologics teams needing a scientist-first UI, strong data links and lineage, structured data ready for AI/ML, adaptable flexibility and traceability, and broader workflow coverage.

 

Why Biotech Teams Choose LabKey

Benchling is familiar and well-suited for sequence-driven R&D, especially for teams that want out-of-the-box tools for molecular biology. But for organizations with broader scientific workflows or regulatory needs, Benchling can feel rigid or limited.

LabKey Biologics LIMS offers:

• A data-connected ELN that links seamlessly to samples, assays, and registry entities
• A bioregistry purpose-built for biologics research, with full versioning
• Flexible deployment options, including on-premise for security-conscious teams
• A configurable system that adapts to your lab’s science, not the other way around
• Included support from a team that understands life science workflows and partners closely with you through onboarding, training, and beyond
  

Take a tour to see how it could help your lab.