openBIS
ETH Zurich platform that combines an electronic lab notebook, inventory and research data management
Quick Overview
| Company | ETH Zurich, Scientific IT Services (SIS) |
|---|---|
| Category | LIMS Software |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Switzerland |
| Data Location | Wherever you install it |
| Open Source | Not verified |
| GDPR Compliant | Depends on your own deployment |
| Self-Hosting | Yes, administrator documentation published |
| Main Features | Lab notebook, inventory of materials and samples, data management via web and API, audit trail, access and rights management, Excel import and export, plugins, BigDataLink, Jupyter integration |
| Pricing | Pricing not published; see openBIS site for services |
| Best For | Research groups and institutes that need ELN, inventory and FAIR data in one system |
| Replaces | Spreadsheet sample lists, parts of LabWare ELN and LIMS |
Detailed Review
openBIS is developed and supported by ETH Scientific IT Services in Zurich, and the support desk runs from an ethz.ch address. Its users include Empa and the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin.
It targets research rather than routine testing: the homepage presents a digital notebook, an inventory of materials and samples, and data management that makes datasets FAIR.
Notebook linked to inventory
Experiments are described in the lab notebook and linked to the materials, samples and protocols stored in the inventory, so a result can be traced to the exact material used.
Data handling
Data of any size and format is stored via the web interface or API. A git-like tool, BigDataLink, links large datasets across locations, and Jupyter notebooks can be stored in the system.
Control and extension
Audit trails record changes, user profiles and privileges are managed centrally, and plugins let developers extend the platform. Empa reports using it as its ELN/LIMS since 2020.
Limitations to Consider
openBIS is a research data platform, so routine testing labs will miss report templates, customer quoting and invoicing found in INTEGRIS iLIMS. We could not verify its software licence from the project pages, so check it before adopting. It is self-run, with services offered through ETH and partner programmes rather than a commercial SaaS contract, and Switzerland is outside the EU.
Who Should Use openBIS
University groups, institutes and research consortia that need ELN, sample inventory and FAIR data in one system they run themselves.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ELN, inventory and data management together
- Run by a Swiss university service
- Audit trail and rights management
- API and plugin architecture
- Used at Empa and BAM
Cons
- Aimed at research, not routine testing
- No customer billing features
- Self-run, no SaaS contract
- Licence terms not verified here
Alternatives to openBIS
Other European lims software worth comparing before you decide:
LDB LIMS
Germany · Cloud LIMS with built-in QMS, priced per user per month
INTEGRIS iLIMS
Germany · Modular LIMS from Dresden, cloud or your own servers
Achiever LIMS
United Kingdom · Configurable LIMS with a drag-and-drop workflow designer
Eusoft.Lab
Italy · Italian SaaS LIMS with generative AI built into the platform
See all European lims software or compare them directly against Spreadsheet sample lists on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its users describe it as an ELN/LIMS, and it covers inventory, notebook and data management, but it targets research labs rather than routine testing.
Scientific IT Services (SIS) at ETH Zurich.
Yes. The project publishes user, administrator and developer documentation for openBIS 7 and 20.10.