Instrument Connect vs Lab.Hacks
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Instrument Connect
Monitor your cloud-enabled laboratory instruments remotely in real-time. Track run progress, view amplification plots, and ensure peace of mind by catching issues as they happen.
- Real-time instrument availability check
- Monitor PCR run progress
- View real-time amplification plots
- Filter plots by sample or target
- Remote access to cloud-enabled devices
Read full descriptionHide full description
Instrument Connect: Remote monitoring of instruments in real-time. Stay connected to cloud-enabled instruments and benchtop devices anytime, anywhere, using the Instrument Connect mobile app. With the Instrument Connect remote monitoring app powered by Thermo Fisher Cloud, you can stay connected to any Thermo Fisher Cloud-enabled instruments, including the Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ 3 and 5 real-time PCR instruments, and the ProFlex™ and SimpliAmp™ end-point PCR devices. Key features include: · Check the availability of your Thermo Fisher Cloud-enabled, network-connected device · Monitor run progress of a basic PCR run · View amplification plots in real time (available for QuantStudio 3 & 5 instruments) · View plots and filter by sample or target in real time (available for QuantStudio 3 & 5 instruments) Best of all, remote monitoring delivers peace of mind in knowing that you can monitor your runs and catch issues while they are in progress.
Lab.Hacks
This app serves as a laboratory assistant, offering a collection of essential tools, calculators, and guides for students, researchers, and technicians. It simplifies everyday lab tasks with features like dilution calculators, timers, and protocols, all accessible offline.
- Dilution, molarity, and unit conversion calculators
- Smart lab timers
- Quick reference tables
- Step-by-step protocols and guides
- Offline access
- Minimalist design
Read full descriptionHide full description
Lab.hacks is your ultimate companion for everyday work in the laboratory. Whether you're a student, researcher, or lab technician, Lab.hacks provides you with a growing collection of essential tools, calculators, and practical hacks designed to make your lab life easier. Features: • Handy calculators for dilutions, molarity, unit conversions & more • Smart lab timers and quick reference tables • Step-by-step protocols and how-to guides • Offline access – always available when you need it • Minimalist design for maximum focus • No login required – just open and start using From pipetting shortcuts to buffer recipes – Lab.hacks brings efficiency to your fingertips. Stop wasting time searching for formulas and start working smarter in the lab! Get Lab.hacks now and discover how small tools can make a big difference. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lab.Hacks at 96% against Instrument Connect's 25%. Lab.Hacks also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (136 vs 10). Instrument Connect's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Lab.Hacks sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Instrument Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.
Lab.Hacks holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lab.Hacks has 136 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Instrument Connect's written reviews are positive against 96% of Lab.Hacks's.
Instrument Connect ships an update every 3 months, Lab.Hacks every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Instrument Connect | Lab.Hacks |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (10 ratings) | 4.9 (136 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 96.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 10 | 136 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 72 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Thermo Fisher Scientific | Lab.hacks GmbH |
Customer experience
Instrument Connect
Lab.Hacks
In-app purchases
Instrument Connect
No in-app purchases
Lab.Hacks
- Lab.hacks Ad-free monthly$2.991 Month
- Lab.hacks Ad-free annual$28.991 Year
- Donate 1$$0.99
- Donate 5$$3.99
- Donate 10$$8.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Donate 20$$17.99
- Donate 50$$44.99
- Donate 100$$89.99
Questions
Is Instrument Connect free?
Is Lab.Hacks free?
Which has better reviews, Instrument Connect or Lab.Hacks?
Do Instrument Connect or Lab.Hacks have ads?
Which is updated more often, Instrument Connect or Lab.Hacks?
Other comparisons















