Best colony counter app for labs, iPhone, and Android
Lab Laps is a colony counter app for iPhone and Android that keeps colony counting connected to protocol steps, timers, notes, and repeatable lab workflows.
For bacterial colony counting, CFU workflows, and plate-counting handoffs, a counter is only one step in the wider experiment. If counting is disconnected from your protocol and timing flow, data quality may still drift between operators.
See colony counting in action with lab laps
Comparison table
This table compares colony-counting alternatives by workflow fit, not just counting in isolation.
Score | Tool | Cost / access | Usability | Protocol tracking | Phone app | Lab tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | Purpose-built protocol runner: named steps, multiple timers, sync across steps, offline use, and one-link sharing. | 4/5 | 5/5 | |||
| 4/5 |  ELN and inventory platform—you can run structured, timed workflows in the web app on desktop; no bench-focused mobile protocol runner. | 2/5 | 3/5 | |||
| 3.5/5 | Flexible docs and databases for lists; you can outline steps but there is no lab-specific timing layer. | 5/5 | 4/5 | |||
| 3/5 |  Digital lab notebook for compliance and archiving—timed notebook workflows on desktop; not a native phone app for live bench protocol timing. | 3/5 | 2.5/5 | |||
| 2/5 |  Excel & Google SheetsPlan durations in a grid and share files—no native running timers or step workflow while you work. | 5/5 | 3.5/5 | |||
| 1.5/5 |  Timer appsPhone or kitchen timers—cheap and immediate, but no named steps, sync across phases, or shareable protocols. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Strong Mixed Weak
What to check before choosing a colony counter app
- Can the app count bacterial colonies or support CFU-style plate-counting workflows?
- Can you move from preparation to counting without context switching?
- Is counting traceable inside a repeatable protocol sequence?
- Can new team members follow the same counting workflow quickly?
- Does the app support nearby tasks (timing, notes, dilution) in one place?
Where Lab Laps fits best
- Scientists searching for a colony counter app on iPhone or Android
- Labs that treat colony counting as part of a full protocol, not a standalone action
- Teams that need consistent execution across multiple people and shifts
- Workflows where timer coordination and counting outcomes are closely linked
Colony counter website vs mobile app
Use the free online colony counter for a quick browser count: upload a plate image, run AI detection, edit boxes, and export an annotated PNG. Use the Lab Laps mobile app when colony counting should live next to protocol steps, timers, notes, and saved plate projects on iOS or Android.
When a standalone counter may be enough
- You only need occasional counting and no protocol-level coordination
- You already have robust process control elsewhere and only need a single-purpose tool
Bottom line
Lab Laps is a strong choice when you want colony counting to stay connected to protocol tracking and timing, so results are easier to reproduce across operators and experiment days.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lab Laps a colony counter app?Yes. Lab Laps includes a Colony Counter tool and is designed for labs that want colony counting connected to protocol steps, timers, notes, and repeatable workflows.
Yes. Lab Laps includes a Colony Counter tool and is designed for labs that want colony counting connected to protocol steps, timers, notes, and repeatable workflows.
Does Lab Laps work for bacterial colony counting and CFU workflows?Lab Laps is built for practical colony-counting workflows, including bacterial colony counting and CFU-oriented lab work where counting should stay connected to the wider protocol.
Lab Laps is built for practical colony-counting workflows, including bacterial colony counting and CFU-oriented lab work where counting should stay connected to the wider protocol.
Does Lab Laps work on iPhone and Android?Yes. Lab Laps is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, with download links from the Lab Laps website, the App Store, and Google Play.
Yes. Lab Laps is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, with download links from the Lab Laps website, the App Store, and Google Play.
What should a colony counter app include for real lab use?Beyond counting itself, it should fit into protocol timing and team workflow so counting results remain consistent across runs and operators.
Beyond counting itself, it should fit into protocol timing and team workflow so counting results remain consistent across runs and operators.
When is a standalone colony counter enough?Standalone tools can be enough for occasional counting tasks that do not require protocol-level coordination or shared timing context.
Standalone tools can be enough for occasional counting tasks that do not require protocol-level coordination or shared timing context.
Why combine colony counting with protocol tracking?Linking counting to the broader workflow reduces context switching and improves repeatability when multiple people run similar experiments.
Linking counting to the broader workflow reduces context switching and improves repeatability when multiple people run similar experiments.
Is Lab Laps a colony counter website?Yes. Lab Laps offers a free online colony counter on the website for quick image-based counts, plus a Colony Counter tool in the iOS and Android app for counting inside saved protocol workflows.
Yes. Lab Laps offers a free online colony counter on the website for quick image-based counts, plus a Colony Counter tool in the iOS and Android app for counting inside saved protocol workflows.
