Castor
Castor is a comprehensive clinical trial platform providing electronic data capture and decentralized trial solutions to help researchers streamline data collection and accelerate medical breakthroughs.
MasterControl
MasterControl provides a unified manufacturing and quality management software platform to help life sciences companies deliver safer, more effective products to patients faster and more reliably.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Castor | MasterControl |
|---|---|---|
| Website | castoredc.com | mastercontrol.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2012 | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Salt Lake City, USA |
Overview
Castor
Castor provides a unified platform to help you run faster, more efficient clinical trials. You can manage every stage of your research, from designing your study and capturing patient data to managing consent and integrating wearable device information. The software replaces manual, paper-based processes with secure, cloud-based workflows that ensure your data remains high-quality and compliant with global regulatory standards like GDPR and HIPAA.
You can build your study in hours rather than weeks using a drag-and-drop interface that requires no coding knowledge. Whether you are conducting a small academic study or a large-scale international commercial trial, the platform scales to meet your needs. It focuses on reducing the burden on both researchers and participants through user-friendly interfaces and remote enrollment capabilities.
MasterControl
MasterControl helps you bridge the gap between quality and manufacturing by digitizing your entire product lifecycle. You can eliminate paper-based processes and manual data entry, which reduces the risk of human error and ensures you stay compliant with rigorous FDA and ISO standards. The platform connects your documents, training records, and quality events in a single location so your team always works from the most current information.
You can accelerate your production timelines by using digital production records that catch errors in real-time rather than after a batch is completed. Whether you are a growing biotech startup or a global pharmaceutical leader, the software scales to meet your specific regulatory needs. By integrating quality directly into the manufacturing process, you can focus more on innovation and less on administrative paperwork.
Overview
Castor Features
- Form Builder Build complex electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs) quickly using a visual drag-and-drop editor without writing any code.
- eConsent Enroll participants remotely and securely with digital informed consent forms that they can sign from any device.
- Real-time Validations Set up automated data checks to catch errors at the point of entry and ensure your trial data is clean.
- ePRO & Surveys Collect data directly from your patients through automated email surveys and mobile-friendly questionnaires to improve engagement.
- Randomization Implement complex randomization schedules directly within your study workflow to maintain the scientific integrity of your trial.
- Monitoring Dashboard Track your study progress and site performance in real-time with visual dashboards that highlight missing data or queries.
MasterControl Features
- Document Control. Automate your entire document lifecycle from routing and escalation to approval and archiving in a secure, centralized system.
- Training Management. Automate the assignment and monitoring of training tasks to ensure your personnel are always compliant with current SOPs.
- CAPA Automation. Integrate your corrective and preventive actions with the rest of your quality system to identify and resolve issues faster.
- Audit Management. Streamline your internal and external audit processes with automated scheduling, customizable checklists, and real-time tracking of findings.
- Change Control. Manage changes to processes or products with a structured workflow that ensures all stakeholders review and approve modifications.
- Digital Production Records. Replace paper batch records with digital versions that validate data entry in real-time to prevent production errors.
Pricing Comparison
Castor Pricing
- Available for non-commercial research
- Unlimited data points
- Standard EDC features
- Community support
- Self-service study building
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Commercial trial licensing
- Advanced randomization
- ePRO and survey modules
- Priority technical support
- Enhanced security and compliance
MasterControl Pricing
Pros & Cons
Castor
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface for non-technical users
- Fast study setup compared to traditional EDC systems
- Excellent free tier for academic and non-profit research
- Responsive and helpful customer support team
Cons
- Advanced logic requires some time to master
- Reporting tools can be limited for complex datasets
- Mobile app experience is less polished than desktop
MasterControl
Pros
- Simplifies complex regulatory compliance for FDA and ISO
- Centralizes all quality documents in one searchable location
- Automates repetitive follow-ups for training and tasks
- Strong audit trail capabilities for high-stakes environments
Cons
- Initial configuration requires significant time and effort
- Interface can feel overwhelming for occasional users
- System performance can lag with very large datasets