@BactLAB vs Lab.Hacks
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
@BactLAB
Easily count bacterial colonies on food safety test plates using your smartphone. This app leverages AI and cloud technology to promote operational efficiency and improve quality of life for those involved in food health and safety.
- AI-powered colony counting
- Cloud storage for count data
- Count report generation (PDF/email)
- Supports multiple CompactDry™ test types
- Arbitrary adjustment function for counts
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The safety and security of foods are important for humans to live. The examination of bacteria in foods and drinking water can be easily available to everyone. The product supports human life in any place and region. Making it easy bacterial counting, by using a familiar mobile device for everyone around the world, trying to promote operational efficiency using the global cloud and AI, adding value to CompactDry™ to play a role in the improvement of the QOL, keeping these ideas in mind we have developed the application for everyone engaging on health and safety of food. You can easily determine the bacterial (colony) count cultured in CompactDry™ using your smartphone. Targeted Products ( 7 Types ) CompactDry™ TC ( General Bacteria ) CompactDry™ TCR ( General Bacteria ) CompactDry™ EC ( E.coli / Coliforms ) CompactDry™ CF ( Coliforms ) CompactDry™ YM ( Yeast / Fungus ) CompactDry™ YMR ( Yeast / Fungus ) CompactDry™ ECO ( E.coli ) Primary Functions Colony counter - Colony count arbitrary adjustment function equipped - Cloud storage function for count data Count report [ pdf / email ] Uniform management of data by company (*Optional) Remarks - Regarding the colony counting process, the processing with the initial AI model released in August 2018 had implemented counting technology image processing that combines "image processing" and "machine learning (Deep Learning)" for colony position detection. In the AI model released in July 2023, object detection AI network (machine learning model) [YOLOv4] that processes position (area) detection and class classification in one network is used as a backbone and implemented as a hard-tuning AI enabling business use by repeated inference verification tests specializing in colony detection (counting) . - The cloud image recognition technology used in this service employs artificial intelligence (AI) technology for image recognition system jointly developed by Shimadzu Diagnostics Corporation and Hitachi Solutions, Ltd. - Restrictions for input images in Colony Counter No warranty of accuracy is given for the following images. 1. Image resolution of less than 800 pix x 1200 pix. 2. The background color is not white. 3. Colored medium. 4. A viscous sample is added. 5. Food residues are contained. 6. Highly concentrated colonies. Other ・The count result of "0" does not mean a negative result. ・Detection range is between 1–250 cfu/plate. ・There are two types of misreads that can occur when using the @BactLAB™. - @BactLAB™ Application did not detect all of the colonies specific to the CompactDry™ plate. - The counter detected all the colonies but it categorized them incorrectly. - Please note that the specification or performance may be changed without notice. - The cloud image recognition technology utilized in this service employs the artificial intelligence (AI) technology for image recognition system jointly developed by Shimadzu Diagnostics Corporation and Hitachi Solutions, Ltd. - Please see here. https://corp.sdc.shimadzu.co.jp/english/products/global/bactlab/
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 review sentiment: Lab.Hacks at 96% against @BactLAB's 0%. Lab.Hacks also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.7) and ratings volume (136 vs 6). @BactLAB's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. @BactLAB asks for nothing beyond the download.
Lab.Hacks holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lab.Hacks has 136 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of @BactLAB's written reviews are positive against 96% of Lab.Hacks's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | @BactLAB | Lab.Hacks |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.7 (6 ratings) | 4.9 (136 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 96.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 136 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| 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 | 15.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shimadzu Diagnostics Corporation | Lab.hacks GmbH |
Customer experience
@BactLAB
Lab.Hacks
In-app purchases
@BactLAB
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 @BactLAB free?
Is Lab.Hacks free?
Which has better reviews, @BactLAB or Lab.Hacks?
Do @BactLAB or Lab.Hacks have ads?
Which is updated more often, @BactLAB or Lab.Hacks?
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