Comparison

Instrument Connect vs Lab.Hacks

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Dilution, molarity, and unit conversion calculators
  • Smart lab timers
  • Quick reference tables
  • Step-by-step protocols and guides
  • Offline access
  • Minimalist design
Features
Read 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

Instrument Connect4 screens
Lab.Hacks4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Instrument Connect versus Lab.Hacks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstrument ConnectLab.Hacks
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (10 ratings)4.9 (136 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews96.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10136 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThermo Fisher ScientificLab.hacks GmbH

Customer experience

Instrument Connect

All ratings10 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

Lab.Hacks

All ratings136 ratings
Positive98.5%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.7%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive96.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Instrument Connect

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Lab.Hacks

Subscriptions2
  • Lab.hacks Ad-free monthly$2.991 Month
  • Lab.hacks Ad-free annual$28.991 Year
One-time6
  • Donate 1$$0.99
  • Donate 5$$3.99
  • Donate 10$$8.99
Show 3 more
  • Donate 20$$17.99
  • Donate 50$$44.99
  • Donate 100$$89.99

Questions

Is Instrument Connect free?
Instrument Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lab.Hacks free?
Lab.Hacks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Instrument Connect or Lab.Hacks?
Lab.Hacks is rated higher. Instrument Connect averages 3.1 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Lab.Hacks averages 4.9 from 136 ratings.
Do Instrument Connect or Lab.Hacks have ads?
Lab.Hacks shows ads; Instrument Connect does not.
Which is updated more often, Instrument Connect or Lab.Hacks?
Instrument Connect ships an update every 3 months, and Lab.Hacks every 2 months. Most recently, Instrument Connect was updated on September 21, 2026 and Lab.Hacks on August 31, 2026.

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