Spotxel® Reader vs Lab.Hacks
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Spotxel® Reader
This app allows you to capture images of microplates, detect and measure color signals, and analyze sample concentrations. It supports various assay formats and can save, load, and export data.
- Capture microplate images
- Detect and measure color signals
- Analyze sample concentrations
- Save and load assay setups
- Export assay data to PDF
- Supports row, column, and microarray formats
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Spotxel® Reader is a free, feature-complete app for image-based microplate-reader workflows and colorimetric assay analysis. Use Spotxel® Reader to capture or load a microplate image, align the well grid, select the measured color channel, quantify well signals, define standards and unknowns, calculate a standard curve, derive unknown concentrations, review well data, and export assay results. The guided, page-based workflow includes Camera, Image Analysis, Assay Setup, Standard Curve, Well Data, Assay Report, Purchases, and Settings. Key features: - Capture or load microplate images for analysis - Quantify colorimetric well signals from plate images - Select the measured color channel - Align the well grid manually or with the Align Grid beta feature - Save and load reusable grid profiles - Define standards, unknowns, well names, and notes - Import and export assay setup CSV files - Calculate standard curves and unknown concentrations - Review sortable per-well signal and concentration data - Export well data as CSV - Create PDF assay reports - Organize generated files in the Spotxel Reader workspace under On My iPhone or On My iPad - Select camera and default microplate grid settings - Rotate and flip images and grids - Customize the interface with color profiles and light or dark appearance modes - Access expanded in-app help and documentation All analysis features are available in the free version, which includes a small advertising placement. The optional Perpetual License and auto-renewable 3-Month Subscription remove advertising. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
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
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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 rating: Lab.Hacks at 4.9 against Spotxel® Reader's 2.4. Lab.Hacks also leads on ratings volume (136 vs 7). Spotxel® Reader's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Spotxel® Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Lab.Hacks sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Lab.Hacks holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lab.Hacks has 136 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Spotxel® Reader's written reviews are positive against 96% of Lab.Hacks's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Spotxel® Reader | Lab.Hacks |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.4 (7 ratings) | 4.9 (136 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 96.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 136 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sicasys Software GmbH | Lab.hacks GmbH |
Customer experience
Spotxel® Reader
Lab.Hacks
In-app purchases
Spotxel® Reader
- Time-Unlimited License$8.99
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$$8.99
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- Donate 20$$17.99
- Donate 50$$44.99
- Donate 100$$89.99








