Comparison

@BactLAB vs FDES Platform

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

FDES Platform

Features
Read full description

FDES (Field Data Entry System) is a cloud-based field data entry system. The FDES app utilizes Excel, which is frequently used in the field or office, Create your own form, and users can create and submit report forms by attaching data and photos. Collaborate with stakeholders in your workflow and share reports. By utilizing the FDES app, real-time status monitoring and quick decision-making will surely increase work productivity. By using the FDES app, you can save time and money, and you can also help the environment by reducing paper and office supplies.

Screenshots

@BactLAB4 screens
FDES Platform3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: @BactLAB at every 2 months against FDES Platform's every 44 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

@BactLAB ships an update every 2 months, FDES Platform every 44 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
@BactLAB versus FDES Platform: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter@BactLABFDES Platform
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 44 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShimadzu Diagnostics Corporationdaehyun kang

In-app purchases

None

@BactLAB

No in-app purchases

None

FDES Platform

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is @BactLAB free?
@BactLAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FDES Platform free?
FDES Platform is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do @BactLAB or FDES Platform have ads?
Neither @BactLAB nor FDES Platform shows ads.
Which is updated more often, @BactLAB or FDES Platform?
@BactLAB ships an update every 2 months, and FDES Platform every 44 months. Most recently, @BactLAB was updated on September 15, 2026 and FDES Platform on September 18, 2026.

Other comparisons