@BactLAB vs Cell Counter & Calculator
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/
Cell Counter & Calculator
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A simple yet powerful cell counter for the lab bench. Cell Count is the intuitive tool designed for researchers, lab technicians, and students who need to count cells quickly and accurately. Streamline your workflow at the bench with one-handed operation and a clean, modern design. 【Key Features】 ■ Adaptive count grid: 1, 2, or 4 areas (compatible with hemocytometer chambers) ■ Large "+/-" buttons for fast counting, with automatic area switching ■ Auto-calculates concentration (cells/mL) and total cell count ■ Adjustable dilution rate, sample volume, and counter volume ■ Save metadata: file name, user, cell line, experiment, passage number, comment ■ Built-in calculator for dilutions, concentrations, and aliquot volumes ■ Export records as CSV (individual or batch) ■ Tactile haptic feedback for responsive operation ■ Light & Dark mode support ■ Accessibility ready (VoiceOver, Dynamic Type) 【Who It's For】 - Researchers using hemocytometers for cell counting - Tissue culture / cell biology labs - Students learning cell counting techniques - Anyone wanting to keep clean digital records of cell counts 【Pricing】 All core features are free to use. Save up to 3 entries on the free plan; unlock unlimited storage with a one-time in-app purchase. 【Languages】 English / 日本語 / 简体中文 / 한국어 / Deutsch Feedback and feature requests are always welcome.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: @BactLAB at none against Cell Counter & Calculator's 1. @BactLAB also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, 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. Cell Counter & Calculator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. @BactLAB asks for nothing beyond the download.
@BactLAB ships an update every 2 months, Cell Counter & Calculator every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | @BactLAB | Cell Counter & Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.1 (7 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shimadzu Diagnostics Corporation | Yutaka Yasui |
In-app purchases
@BactLAB
No in-app purchases
Cell Counter & Calculator
- Unlock Storage Limit$2.99
Questions
Is @BactLAB free?
Is Cell Counter & Calculator free?
Do @BactLAB or Cell Counter & Calculator have ads?
Which is updated more often, @BactLAB or Cell Counter & Calculator?
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