We’re seeing an explosion of useful apps for clinical research. These provide necessary functionalities ranging from electronic data capture (EDC) to data management to overall project management. We’ve researched the 9 most useful applications, based on the following criteria.
Criteria For Inclusion
When we explored the landscape of clinical research applications, we used the following 9 criteria to decide whether or not a specific app should be featured in this roundup.
- Ease of use: apps that have a user-friendly interface and intuitive design.
- Functionality: apps with comprehensive features that support different aspects of clinical research.
- Compliance: apps that adhere to regulatory standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, etc.
- Cost-effectiveness: apps that deliver a high level of value for their cost.
- Collaboration: apps that facilitate teamwork and multi-site studies.
- Data security: apps with strong security measures to protect sensitive data.
- Scalability: apps that can handle both small and large-scale studies.
- Support and training: apps backed by robust customer support and training resources.
- Innovation: apps with cutting-edge features and teams that drive continuous improvement.
With these criteria in mind, here are the 9 apps we deem worthy of investigation by anyone engaged in clinical research.
- REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
- Benchling
- SnapGene
- LabArchives
- eLabJournal
- BioRender
- Quartzy
- Labstep
- Probe
Let’s look in detail at how each of these apps makes clinical research faster, easier, safer, more accurate, or more efficient.
RedCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
REDCap is an application for creating and managing web-based databases and surveys.
Functionality
Secure electronic data capture, multi-site study support, data import and export, and survey building.
Compliance
HIPAA compliant, supporting secure and ethical research practices.
Pricing
Free for non-profit institutions that join the “REDCap Consortium,” customized pricing for other organizations based on specific needs.
Platform
REDCap is available as a web-based application. It also has a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices.
Benchling
Benchling is a collaborative platform for biotech R&D. Researchers can design DNA, RNA, and protein sequences, construct plasmids and vectors, analyze sequence data, and manage biomolecular entities within Benchling's unified environment.
Functionality
Data management, analysis, and molecular biology specific tools, including primer design and sequence alignment.
Compliance
Supports compliance with regulatory standards for research data management.
Pricing
Free plan available, paid plans start at $15,000/year with additional features and support. Academic pricing is also offered.
Platform
Benchling is a web-based application. It does not have a mobile (iOS or Android) app.
SnapGene
SnapGene enables the visualization and management of molecular biology data. It has an intuitive click-and-drag interface for plasmid mapping and sequence analysis.
Functionality
Molecular biology data visualization, plasmid mapping, and Sanger sequencing analysis.
Compliance
Supports compliance with data standards for molecular biology research.
Pricing
Licenses start at $445 for academics and $845 for industry, with additional pricing for multi-user and site licenses.
Platform
SnapGene is a web-based app. No mobile app has been developed to date.
LabArchives
LabArchives is a comprehensive electronic lab notebook (ELN) platform designed for researchers. It offers customizable templates and search functionality.
Functionality
Electronic lab notebook, data management, protocol sharing, and class notebook capabilities for teaching.
Compliance
Supports compliance with regulatory standards for research data management.
Pricing
Starts at $35/user/month, with volume and academic discounts available.
Platform
Web-based, iOS, and Android versions available.
eLabJournal
eLabJournal offers a flexible and comprehensive ELN solution for managing research workflows. It offers a customizable workflow builder and templates.
Functionality
Electronic lab notebook, sample tracking, protocol management, and manuscript writing tools.
Compliance
Compliant with regulatory standards for research data management.
Pricing
Starts at €59/user/month, with volume discounts available. Inventory management is an add-on module. Free 30-day trial.
Platform
eLabJournal is available for web, iOS, and Android devices.
Quartzy
Quartzy is a comprehensive lab management platform for managing lab inventory, orders, and requests.
Functionality
Inventory management, order tracking, lab supply marketplace, and resource scheduling.
Compliance
Supports compliance with institutional purchasing policies.
Pricing
Free for basic features, paid plans with advanced features start at $1000 per year.
Platform
Quartzy is available as a mobile application for both iOS and Android, as well as a web browser version.
Labstep
Labstep is a flexible research data management platform with built-in collaboration tools. It offers an interface for documenting experiments, protocols, and results.
Functionality
Electronic lab notebook, protocol repository, project management, and team collaboration features.
Compliance
Supports compliance with data management and research integrity standards.
Pricing
Free plan available, paid plans start at £10/user/month with additional features and support. Volume and academic discounts offered.
Platform
Labstep is a browser-based application. Currently, it does not offer a mobile (iOS/Android) app.
Probe
Probe is a research management platform brought to you by Infiuss Health. It enables patient recruitment, data management, compliance, and more.
Functionality
Probe gives access to Infiuss Health’s patient community for participant recruitment opportunities. Researchers can post opportunities, interact with patients, and access curated datasets. The platform also enables protocol development, EDC, compliance, monitoring, reporting, data management and analysis, and much more.
Compliance
Probe complies with all HIPAA, GDPA, and relevant data management requirements.
Pricing
$29.99 per user per month for individual researchers. Enterprise accounts get customized pricing.
Platform
Probe is a browser-based application.
Research Apps FAQ
Is there an app for clinical research?
There are many apps to help with various aspects of clinical research. Probe, a clinical research management system from Infiuss Health, streamlines every aspect of clinical research, from protocol development to analysis and reporting.
What is the largest clinical trials database?
ClinicalTrials.gov is the largest and most comprehensive clinical trials database in the world. It is a web-based platform maintained by the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Here’s some more information about ClinicalTrials.gov:
- It was launched in 2000 in response to the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997, which required the NIH to establish a registry for both federally and privately funded clinical trials.
- The database includes information on clinical studies conducted in all 50 states of the United States and in over 200 countries worldwide.
- As of 2023, ClinicalTrials.gov contains over 440,000 registered studies, with more being added regularly.
- The database provides a wealth of information about each study, including its purpose, recruitment status, eligibility criteria, locations, and contact information.
- Registration on ClinicalTrials.gov is mandatory for certain types of studies, such as those evaluating drugs, biologics, or devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The platform is freely accessible to the public, allowing patients, healthcare providers, and researchers to search for and learn about ongoing and completed clinical trials.
- ClinicalTrials.gov does not include private-sector clinical research, only government-sponsored trials.
What is GCP in clinical research?
GCP stands for Good Clinical Practice. It is an internationally recognized set of ethical and scientific quality standards that govern the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials involving human participants.
- Ethical conduct: GCP ensures that the rights, safety, and well-being of trial participants are protected and that the clinical trial data are credible.
- Protocol adherence: Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with a well-designed protocol that outlines the study objectives, methodology, and procedures.
- Informed consent: Participants must be fully informed about the study and provide voluntary consent before enrollment.
- Investigator responsibilities: investigators must be qualified and trained to conduct the trial and must follow the protocol and GCP guidelines.
- Data integrity: all clinical trial data must be accurately recorded, handled, and stored to ensure its integrity and confidentiality.
- Quality assurance: systems must be in place to ensure the quality of every aspect of the trial, including data collection, management, and analysis.
- Regulatory compliance: clinical trials must comply with all applicable national and international regulations and guidelines.
GCP guidelines are issued by the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). Adherence to GCP is mandatory for clinical trials intended to support regulatory submissions for new drugs, biologics, or medical devices in most countries worldwide.
Probe supports GCP compliance for clinical researchers.
What is Patient Connect?
Patient Connect is a patient community facilitated and managed by Infiuss Health. It allows people with specific health conditions to find others with the same condition so they can support one another and support research. In addition to promoting community support, Patient Connect allows researchers and patients to find one another. Researchers can advertise clinical trials to relevant patients, and patients can opt in to support research they care about.