eLabNext vs Fishbowl Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

eLabNext

0.0 (0 reviews)

eLabNext provides a comprehensive digital lab management platform that helps life science laboratories digitize research processes through integrated electronic notebooks, inventory tracking, and protocol management.

Starting at $99/mo
Free Trial 30 days
VS

Fishbowl

0.0 (0 reviews)

Fishbowl provides automated inventory management and manufacturing solutions that integrate with QuickBooks to help you track stock, manage production, and streamline your entire warehouse operation.

Starting at $329/mo
Free Trial 14 days

Quick Comparison

Feature eLabNext Fishbowl
Website elabnext.com fishbowlinventory.com
Pricing Model Subscription Subscription
Starting Price $99/month $329/month
FREE Trial ✓ 30 days free trial ✓ 14 days free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud on-premise mobile cloud on-premise mobile desktop
Integrations Microsoft Office 365 Google Drive Dropbox Mendeley Zotero BioRender SnapGene Chemaxon Figshare QuickBooks Xero Shopify Amazon eBay Salesforce ShipStation UPS FedEx Adobe Commerce
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise small-business mid-market
Target Industries healthcare education biotechnology manufacturing wholesale retail
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2010 2001
Headquarters Groningen, Netherlands Orem, USA

Overview

E

eLabNext

eLabNext offers a flexible digital ecosystem designed to centralize your laboratory operations. You can replace paper notebooks with a secure electronic lab notebook (ELN) that tracks experiments, protocols, and data in a compliant environment. The platform integrates sample tracking and inventory management, ensuring you always know exactly where your reagents and specimens are located across different storage units.

You can customize the platform using a unique add-on marketplace, allowing you to connect with external instruments and software tools. Whether you are a small biotech startup or a large academic institution, the software helps you maintain data integrity and meet regulatory standards like GLP and 21 CFR Part 11. It simplifies collaboration by letting you share experiments and inventory data with your team in real-time.

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Fishbowl

Fishbowl is a comprehensive inventory management platform designed to bridge the gap between your warehouse operations and your accounting software. You can track parts and finished goods across multiple locations, manage work orders for manufacturing, and handle complex shipping requirements without leaving a single interface. It specifically solves the problem of manual data entry by syncing your inventory levels directly with QuickBooks or Xero in real-time.

You can use the platform to generate barcodes, manage pick-pack-ship workflows, and oversee bill of materials for assembly processes. Whether you are a small manufacturer or a growing wholesale distributor, it provides the tools to prevent stockouts and overstocking. The software scales with your business by offering both cloud-based and on-premise deployment options to fit your specific IT infrastructure and security needs.

Overview

E

eLabNext Features

  • Electronic Lab Notebook Document your experiments digitally with structured templates and file attachments to ensure your research is always organized and searchable.
  • Inventory & Sample Tracking Manage your lab supplies and track samples across freezers and racks with a visual storage browser and barcode support.
  • Protocol Management Store and share standardized operating procedures with your team to ensure every experiment follows the exact same steps.
  • Marketplace Add-ons Extend your lab's capabilities by installing specialized apps and integrations for data analysis, reporting, and instrument connectivity.
  • Compliance & Security Maintain full audit trails and electronic signatures to meet strict regulatory requirements like 21 CFR Part 11 and GLP.
  • Mobile Lab App Access your inventory and experiment data directly from the bench using your smartphone or tablet for real-time updates.
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Fishbowl Features

  • QuickBooks Integration. Sync your inventory data automatically with QuickBooks to eliminate double data entry and keep your financial records accurate.
  • Manufacturing Management. Create complex work orders and manage multi-level bills of materials to streamline your production and assembly lines.
  • Barcode Scanning. Use mobile devices to scan items during receiving and picking to reduce human error and speed up warehouse tasks.
  • Multi-Location Tracking. Monitor stock levels across several warehouses or retail storefronts from one dashboard to ensure you always have inventory where it is needed.
  • Automated Reordering. Set custom reorder points for every item so you get notified the moment stock runs low, preventing costly stockouts.
  • Shipping Integration. Connect directly with major carriers like UPS and FedEx to generate labels and track shipments without switching applications.

Pricing Comparison

E

eLabNext Pricing

eLabNext Cloud
$99
  • Full ELN functionality
  • Inventory & Sample management
  • Protocol management
  • Mobile app access
  • Standard API access
  • 21 CFR Part 11 compliance
F

Fishbowl Pricing

Fishbowl Drive
$329
  • Cloud-based inventory tracking
  • QuickBooks Online integration
  • Sales and purchase orders
  • Basic reporting tools
  • Mobile app access

Pros & Cons

M

eLabNext

Pros

  • Highly intuitive interface that mimics traditional lab workflows
  • Excellent customer support and onboarding for new labs
  • Flexible add-on system allows for deep customization
  • Robust mobile app simplifies inventory updates at the bench

Cons

  • Initial setup of inventory templates requires significant time
  • Advanced reporting features have a slight learning curve
  • Mobile app functionality is more limited than desktop
A

Fishbowl

Pros

  • Deepest QuickBooks integration available on the market
  • Comprehensive manufacturing features for complex assemblies
  • Mobile scanning significantly improves picking accuracy
  • Excellent tracking for serialized and lot-controlled items

Cons

  • Initial setup and implementation requires significant time
  • Customer support response times can be inconsistent
  • Learning curve is steep for non-technical users
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