Comparison

@BactLAB vs Plasmids X

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

Head to head
About

@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.

Highlights
  • AI-powered colony counting
  • Cloud storage for count data
  • Count report generation (PDF/email)
  • Supports multiple CompactDry™ test types
  • Arbitrary adjustment function for counts
Features
Read full description

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/

About

Plasmids X

Design, create, and analyze custom DNA plasmids with this intuitive molecular genetics tool. Supports importing, editing, and sharing plasmids, with powerful in silico analysis features for researchers and students.

Highlights
  • Create plasmids from sequences
  • Import from .dna and Genbank files
  • Edit plasmids by adding features
  • In silico analysis (sequence alignment, PCR, digestion)
  • Share and collaborate on plasmids
Features
Read full description

Plasmids X: Your ultimate plasmid editor! A plasmid is a small circular DNA molecule commonly found in bacteria and some other microorganisms. It exists independently of the organism's chromosomal DNA and can replicate itself within the cell. Scientists frequently use plasmids in genetic engineering and biotechnology, as they are easily manipulated and serve as vehicles for introducing new genes into cells for various purposes including research and the production of useful proteins. Whether you're an expert researcher or just starting in the world of molecular genetics, Plasmids X allows you to design, create, and analyze plasmids effortlessly. Key Features: Create Plasmids: Create plasmids from scratch! Just provide a sequence, in FASTA format or raw sequence, and the app will create a new plasmid and automatically add common DNA features. Alternatively, you can create a new plasmid from smaller DNA fragments from the library embedded in the app (this is a paid feature). Import Plasmids: Import plasmid sequence and features from .dna and Genbank formatted files. Edit Plasmids: Editing plasmids could not be easier! This function of the Plasmids X app allows you to add custom DNA features to an existing plasmid. Powerful Analysis Tools: the Plasmids X app not only allows you to visualize your plasmids, it also enables you to perform critical in silico analysis such as sequence alignment, primer Tm estimation, PCR, and restriction enzyme digestion analysis on your plasmid in seconds! (Some of these are paid features.) Share and Collaborate: Collaborate with your peers by sharing your plasmids with a tap! Whether you're conducting research in molecular biology and genetics or learning the very principles of genetics, the Plasmids X app is here to assist you. Important information: To use enhanced iPad support a monthly or annual subscription is required. Try Enhanced iPad Support free for 3 days. Terms of service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://aminmahpour.com/privacy_plasmids.html

Screenshots

@BactLAB4 screens
Plasmids X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Plasmids X at 3.4 against @BactLAB's 1.7. Plasmids X also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 0%). @BactLAB's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Plasmids X sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. @BactLAB asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Plasmids X holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of @BactLAB's written reviews are positive against 33% of Plasmids X's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

@BactLAB ships an update every 2 months, Plasmids X monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
@BactLAB versus Plasmids X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter@BactLABPlasmids X
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (6 ratings)3.4 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings67 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShimadzu Diagnostics CorporationAmin Mahpour

Customer experience

@BactLAB

All ratings6 ratings
Positive16.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative83.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Plasmids X

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

@BactLAB

No in-app purchases

14 purchases

Plasmids X

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time12
  • A cup of coffee!$1.99
  • Split View Support$1.99
  • Manual Cloning$3.99
Show 9 more
  • In-silico PCR Support$3.99
  • NCBI Entrez Support$3.99
  • Local Alignment Support$3.99
  • A box of joe!$4.99
  • BLAST Support$4.99
  • ApE File Support$4.99
  • Genbank Support$4.99
  • dna File Support$5.99
  • All Features$24.99

Questions

Is @BactLAB free?
@BactLAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plasmids X free?
Plasmids X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, @BactLAB or Plasmids X?
Plasmids X is rated higher. @BactLAB averages 1.7 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Plasmids X averages 3.4 from 7 ratings.
Do @BactLAB or Plasmids X have ads?
Neither @BactLAB nor Plasmids X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, @BactLAB or Plasmids X?
@BactLAB ships an update every 2 months, and Plasmids X monthly. Most recently, @BactLAB was updated on September 15, 2026 and Plasmids X on June 1, 2026.

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