Spotxel® Reader vs IKA HABITAT
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/
IKA HABITAT
This app enables remote monitoring and control of bioprocess experiments using a smart laboratory bioreactor. It offers ergonomic working conditions and can function as a fermenter or photobioreactor with additional components.
- Remote monitoring of bioprocess experiments
- Control of bioreactor functions
- Ergonomic laboratory working
- Lid stand for tidy workspace
- Fermenter and photobioreactor compatibility
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HABITAT research is the new smart laboratory bioreactor from IKA. As the first bioreactor with a lid stand, it ensures ergonomic working and a tidy laboratory. In combination with a circulator, it is also your fermenter. And if you connect light panels, your new photobioreactor. The app allows the user to easy monitoring and control bioprocess experiments with IKA HABITAT research. For more information about IKA Habitat please visit: https://www.ika.com/en/Products-Lab-Eq/Bioreactors-csp-233/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: IKA HABITAT at 5.0 against Spotxel® Reader's 2.4. IKA HABITAT also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). Spotxel® Reader's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Spotxel® Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. IKA HABITAT asks for nothing beyond the download.
IKA HABITAT holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spotxel® Reader has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Spotxel® Reader ships an update every 2 months, IKA HABITAT every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Spotxel® Reader | IKA HABITAT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.4 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Sicasys Software GmbH | IKA-Werke GmbH & Co. KG |
In-app purchases
Spotxel® Reader
- Time-Unlimited License$8.99
IKA HABITAT
No in-app purchases
