Benchling

What is Benchling

Benchling is a cloud-based life sciences R&D platform designed to help research teams record experiments, design and analyze biological sequences, manage samples and inventory, and integrate laboratory workflows with downstream data systems. It combines an electronic lab notebook (ELN) with modules for registry, inventory, workflow management, and data integrations so teams can move from ad hoc spreadsheets and paper notebooks to a structured, searchable research record.

Benchling is used across academic labs, biotech startups, contract research organizations (CROs), and large pharmaceutical companies because it connects molecular design tools (sequence editors, CRISPR design) with sample tracking, protocol execution, and experiment metadata. The platform emphasizes traceability: who ran an experiment, which samples were used, what sequence versions existed, and how results were analyzed.

Benchling is delivered as a multi-tenant SaaS product with role-based access controls, audit logs, and integration points for LIMS/ELN data exchange. It supports collaborative work across distributed teams, experiment templating, and program-level organization for multi-project R&D groups.

Benchling features

Benchling's feature set spans core ELN capabilities, molecular biology design, sample and inventory management, and integrations for lab automation and analytics. The platform is modular: teams choose the set of modules they need and extend with custom fields, workflows, and integrations.

Key capabilities include:

• Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN): rich-text experiment records, embedded files and images, version history, templating, and structured metadata fields for reproducible experiment capture.
• Molecular Biology Tools: sequence editors for DNA/RNA/protein, cloning and assembly planners, CRISPR guide design, primer design, and visualization of features and annotations.
• Registry and Inventory: centralized registries for plasmids, cell lines, constructs, and reagents; inventory locations, lot tracking, and sample barcoding.
• Workflow and Protocol Management: protocol templates, stepwise protocol execution, task assignment, and status tracking to standardize experimental procedures.
• Assays and Results: structured assay result capture and linkage to samples and experimental conditions for downstream analysis.
• Integrations and Automation: REST APIs, webhooks, laboratory automation connections, and integrations with data analysis tools and LIMS/ERP systems.
• Security and Compliance: role-based access control (RBAC), audit trails, single sign-on (SSO) integrations, and capabilities that support regulated workflows.

What does Benchling do?

Benchling consolidates disparate lab records and tools so life sciences teams can design constructs, execute experiments, and track physical samples in a single platform. Researchers use Benchling to author protocol-driven experiments in the ELN, attach sequence designs and sample metadata, and then report results back into the same record for reproducibility.

Benchling enables traceability across the R&D lifecycle: a plasmid or cell line recorded in the registry can be linked to the experiments that used it, the results generated, and the downstream constructs or assays it produced. This reduces time spent reconciling spreadsheets and rebuilding context when projects scale or teams hand off work.

Benchling also supports program-level organization for multi-project work. Project managers and lab leaders can create program dashboards that surface experiment progress, reagent usage, and bottlenecks in workflows so operational decisions are based on up-to-date experimental metadata.

Benchling pricing

Benchling offers these pricing plans:

• Free Plan: $0/month — limited academic and individual usage with basic ELN and sequence viewer capabilities (access and limits depend on eligibility)
• Starter: $30/month per user — entry-level plan for small teams with ELN, basic registry and inventory features, and standard support
• Professional: $80/month per user — expanded feature set including advanced molecular biology tools, workflow automation, and integration support
• Enterprise: Custom pricing — full platform access, enterprise security, dedicated support, and implementation services

Check Benchling's current pricing plans (https://www.benchling.com/pricing) for the latest rates and enterprise options.

How much is Benchling per month

Benchling starts at $30/month per user when billed monthly for entry-level team access (Starter). Monthly billing options are typically available for small teams or short-term pilots, but many organizations choose annual contracts for better pricing and committed support levels.

In practice, monthly per-user costs increase with advanced modules (advanced registries, automation connectors, dedicated support). Benchling's Professional and Enterprise deployments are often priced higher to reflect additional features and service levels.

Organizations evaluating Benchling should request a quote that includes the modules they need, expected user counts, and any implementation services so monthly costs reflect their specific configuration.

How much is Benchling per year

Benchling costs $360/year per user for the Starter plan based on the stated monthly rate when billed annually. Annual contracts usually reduce per-user cost relative to month-to-month billing and also include service-level and onboarding commitments.

For Professional and Enterprise tiers, annual pricing is typically available by negotiation. Large teams and enterprises often secure multi-year agreements that bundle implementation, integrations, and training.

How much is Benchling in general

Benchling pricing ranges from $0 (free) to custom enterprise pricing that can exceed $1,000+/year per user depending on configuration and services.

The total cost of ownership depends on which modules are enabled (ELN, Registry, Inventory, Automation connectors), the number of named users, required integrations, data retention needs, and any professional services for migration or workflow design. Benchling is commonly positioned as a paid enterprise-grade platform with a free tier for certain academic users.

What is Benchling used for

Benchling is used to capture experimental records, design biological constructs, track samples, and coordinate lab workflows across research teams. Its modular design supports multiple use cases across R&D programs:

• Sequence design and molecular workflows: design constructs, plan assemblies, and document cloning strategies directly linked to ELN entries.
• Sample and inventory management: track vials, plates, aliquots, lot numbers, and storage locations with barcode support.
• Standardized procedure execution: publish SOPs and use protocol templates to ensure consistent execution and data capture across technicians and sites.
• Data lineage and reproducibility: link experimental metadata, raw files, and analysis outputs to the originating experiment and sample records.

Benchling is particularly well-suited for use in early-stage discovery, strain engineering, antibody discovery, and cell therapy development, where sequence data, sample provenance, and protocol reproducibility are critical. Teams running high-throughput experiments use Benchling to automate sample labeling and integrate with liquid-handling robots or sequencing pipelines.

Pros and cons of Benchling

Benchling provides a unified platform for molecular biology and sample management, but adoption involves tradeoffs in cost, configuration, and integration effort.

Pros:

• Centralized records improve reproducibility and reduce time lost to manual data reconciliation.
• Native sequence design and biology-specific tools reduce context switching between generic ELNs and separate design software.
• Strong linkages between ELN entries, registries, and inventory enable clear sample provenance and auditability.
• APIs and automation connectors allow integration with lab hardware and downstream analytics.

Cons:

• Pricing is enterprise-oriented and can be costly for small labs if many paid seats and modules are required.
• Implementation can require significant configuration and migration from legacy systems or spreadsheets.
• Some highly specialized laboratory workflows may need custom development or third-party middleware to connect automation tools.
• Offline access and mobile capabilities are more limited compared with cloud-native productivity apps; full functionality typically requires a live connection.

Benchling free trial

Benchling commonly offers a trial or sandbox access for teams to evaluate core features such as the ELN and sequence tools. Trials are useful for testing data models, creating example registries, and verifying integration needs before committing to a paid plan.

During a trial, teams can typically import sequences, create registry entries, and run through a few protocol templates to confirm the platform supports their workflows. Trials are also the appropriate time to evaluate the API surface and webhooks for planned automation.

To start a trial or request a demo, teams should contact Benchling directly and describe their use case so the vendor can provision a sandbox that includes the modules relevant to the evaluation. See Benchling's trial and demo request information (https://www.benchling.com/pricing).

Is Benchling free

Yes, Benchling offers a limited Free Plan intended for eligible academic users and individuals with restricted access to certain features. The free tier typically includes basic ELN and sequence viewing capabilities but limits advanced registries, integrations, and enterprise features.

For commercial or larger lab teams, Benchling's paid Starter, Professional, or Enterprise tiers are usually required to access full registry, inventory, automation, and support features.

Free accounts are useful for initial exploration, but teams that need data retention, integration, or compliance features should evaluate paid tiers.

Benchling API

Benchling exposes a RESTful API and supports programmatic access to core entities such as sequences, registry items, samples, entries, and workflow objects. The API enables automation of common tasks: bulk imports, sample lifecycle updates, linking experimental data, and integrating with analysis pipelines.

Typical API capabilities include:

• CRUD operations for entities (sequences, plasmids, samples, entries)
• Search and bulk export endpoints for reporting and backup
• Webhooks for event-driven workflows (e.g., when a sample status changes)
• Authentication via API keys and integration with SSO for managed credentials
• SDKs and client libraries in common languages to accelerate integration

Benchling's API documentation describes endpoint schemas, rate limits, and example payloads; view Benchling's API documentation (https://docs.benchling.com) for detailed reference and code samples. Teams planning integrations should account for data modeling (how registry items and samples map to internal systems) and expected API throughput for high-volume operations.

10 Benchling alternatives

• LabArchives — ELN focused on academic and research lab notebook management with audit trails and data export capabilities.
• PerkinElmer Signals — R&D informatics suite with laboratory data capture and sample management for enterprise labs.
• Dotmatics — scientific data management and analytics platform for molecular informatics and sample tracking.
• Benchling — (listed as the subject tool for completeness)
• Thermo Fisher SampleManager — LIMS-focused platform for sample lifecycle and operational lab management.
• RSpace — collaborative ELN with integrations for data storage and manuscript preparation.
• Labguru — ELN and inventory management with project planning and lab management features.
• Benchling (Open alternative comparison) — included when comparing overlap with open-source projects
• LabKey — data management platform for integrating assay data, sample metadata, and reporting.
• Biovia (Dassault Systèmes) — comprehensive scientific lifecycle management and informatics tools.

Paid alternatives to Benchling

• LabArchives — cloud ELN with compliance and audit features suited for academic and small commercial labs. Offers team and institutional plans.
• Dotmatics — strong for chemistry and biology data integration, visualization, and electronic lab book use with enterprise deployment options.
• PerkinElmer Signals — enterprise-grade R&D data management and LIMS/ELN integration with support for regulated environments.
• Thermo Fisher SampleManager — full LIMS solution for regulated manufacturing and R&D labs; integrates with instruments and enterprise systems.
• Benchling — as the subject product, Benchling's paid tiers provide integrated molecular tools and sample registry functionality for life sciences teams.

Open source alternatives to Benchling

• OpenLabNotes — an open-source ELN project that provides basic experiment recording and collaboration features suitable for small labs that prefer self-hosting.
• eLabFTW — open-source ELN with experiment tracking, inventory, and compliance features; community-maintained and self-hosted.
• LabKey Server — open-source platform for integrating assay data, sample metadata, and customizable data models for research projects.

Frequently asked questions about Benchling

What is Benchling used for?

Benchling is used for laboratory record keeping, molecular design, and sample management. Researchers use it to author electronic lab notebook entries, design and version biological sequences, and track sample provenance across experiments. It bridges molecular design and physical sample lifecycle to improve reproducibility and collaboration.

Does Benchling integrate with laboratory automation?

Yes, Benchling supports integrations with laboratory automation and robotic platforms. Through its APIs, webhooks, and partner connectors, Benchling can receive updates from liquid handlers and automated workflows and can push sample location or status changes to external systems for downstream processing.

How much does Benchling cost per user per month?

Benchling starts at $30/month per user for the Starter tier when billed monthly. Pricing scales with feature modules and enterprise services; teams with advanced needs typically pay more under Professional or Enterprise agreements.

Is there a free version of Benchling?

Yes, Benchling offers a Free Plan that provides limited ELN and sequence viewing capabilities primarily for eligible academic users and individuals. The Free Plan restricts advanced registry, automation, and enterprise features.

Can Benchling be used for regulated (GLP/GMP) workflows?

Yes, Benchling can support regulated workflows with appropriate configuration. Benchling provides audit trails, role-based access control, and compliance-oriented features; regulated use typically requires Enterprise plans and validated deployment practices including SOPs and standard validations.

Does Benchling provide an API for programmatic access?

Yes, Benchling provides a RESTful API and developer documentation. The API exposes entities like sequences, registry items, samples, and ELN entries and supports webhooks for event-driven automation; developers should consult Benchling's API documentation (https://docs.benchling.com) for full endpoint details.

Can I import existing data from Excel or legacy LIMS into Benchling?

Yes, Benchling supports bulk import workflows for sequences, samples, and registry records. Benchling provides templates and import tools to map spreadsheet columns to platform fields; larger migrations often use a combination of the API and professional services to preserve relationships and metadata.

How secure is Benchling for storing sensitive research data?

Benchling uses enterprise-grade security controls and access management. The platform supports SSO, RBAC, encryption in transit and at rest, and audit logging; enterprise customers can request details on certifications and compliance posture as part of the procurement process.

Does Benchling offer training and onboarding support?

Yes, Benchling provides onboarding, training, and support packages. Paid plans often include access to implementation specialists, training sessions for users and administrators, and documentation to help teams model their workflows and migrate data.

Can Benchling replace both ELN and LIMS for my lab?

Possibly — Benchling can replace ELN and cover many LIMS-like functions depending on requirements. For basic to advanced R&D workflows, Benchling's registry and inventory features can serve LIMS needs; highly regulated manufacturing or specialized lab operations may still require a dedicated LIMS or integration between Benchling and existing LIMS solutions.

Benchling careers

Benchling hires across product, engineering, customer success, and scientific roles to support platform development and customer implementations. Roles typically include software engineers focused on cloud services, data engineers working on scientific data models, product managers with life sciences domain knowledge, and field scientists who assist with onboarding and workflow design.

Career pages list required qualifications, remote or hybrid work options, and extensive benefits information. Candidates with backgrounds in molecular biology plus software or laboratory automation experience are often strong fits for customer-facing and product roles.

Benchling also offers roles in sales and enterprise customer success to help organizations design rollout plans, integrate Benchling with lab hardware, and meet compliance requirements. Applicants should review job listings on Benchling's official careers site (https://www.benchling.com/company/careers) for current openings and application instructions.

Benchling affiliate

Benchling operates direct sales and partner channels rather than a public affiliate program for general users. Organizations interested in partnership, resale, or systems-integration partnerships should contact Benchling's partner team to discuss channel opportunities and technical partnerships.

Academic or community advocates sometimes receive referral or ambassador support through institutional agreements; commercial reseller and systems integration partners are typically formalized through Benchling's business development team.

Where to find Benchling reviews

Independent user reviews and case studies can be found on technology review platforms and industry publications where lab informatics tools are compared. Look for Benchling assessments on specialist sites that cover laboratory software, as well as customer case studies and conference presentations from biotech companies that describe implementations.

For vendor-provided case studies and customer stories, consult Benchling's customer pages and resources where teams often describe implementation outcomes, time-to-value, and integration approaches. To validate third-party perspectives, check analyst reports and peer-reviewed comparisons that evaluate ELN and LIMS vendors.