UK-hosted
Application and database run in the UK (London region), so patient data stays in the United Kingdom.
Cloud LIMS
A cloud LIMS for UK diagnostic labs: no servers, no upgrade projects, no waiting.
FreshLIMS runs in the browser, hosted in the UK, with hosting, backups, security patching and upgrades included in the subscription. Audit-grade QC and a connected clinic portal come as standard. From £495/month, first month free.
What it means
What "cloud LIMS" actually means.
A cloud LIMS is laboratory information management software that you use through a web browser, run and maintained by the vendor on hosted infrastructure, and paid for as a subscription.
In practice that means there's no server in your lab or cupboard, no database to patch, no backup job to babysit and no "upgrade weekend". Your team signs in from the bench, the office or home. Your referring clinics sign in to the same platform to order tests and read results. The vendor, not your IT lead, is responsible for keeping it running.
For a small or independent lab, that changes the economics: the work of running the system is no longer a hidden cost that lands on the quality manager or the one person who "does the IT".
Cloud vs on-premise
How the two compare in a small lab.
| Cloud LIMS | On-premise LIMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Days, often the same day | Weeks to months: hardware, install, configuration |
| Upfront cost | Low: subscription from the first month | Licence, servers and an implementation project |
| Who runs it | The vendor | You: servers, database, patching, backups |
| Upgrades | Included and applied for you | Scheduled projects, often with their own fee |
| Backups & recovery | Provided by the vendor | Your responsibility to build and test |
| Access | Any browser; clinics can connect directly | Usually on the lab network; remote access needs setup |
| Control over data | Good, if you can export everything (ask) | Direct, but you carry the risk of loss |
On-premise still makes sense for some organisations, for example where a policy rules out any external hosting. For most independent labs, the cloud trade is a good one, provided the vendor can answer the security and data questions below.
Hosting & security
What you should expect from a cloud LIMS, and what we do.
A lab's data is patient data. This is how FreshLIMS handles it.
Encrypted
Traffic is encrypted in transit with TLS, including between the application and the database, and data is encrypted at rest.
Backed up and restore-tested
Daily backups, with an independent off-site copy and restore drills, so recovery is something we've practised rather than assumed.
Role-based access
Individual logins and role-based permissions, so people can only do what their role allows.
Append-only audit trail
Who did what, and when, recorded in a trail that can't be edited, which is the evidence an assessor will ask to see.
You own your data
Full data export is built in at no extra cost. There is no lock-in and no premium export tier.
Our compliance and validation pack sets out the architecture, controls and known limitations in detail, including the gaps, so you can judge them against your own requirements.
Before you choose
Ask any cloud LIMS vendor these.
- Where is the data hosted? Region matters for UK patient data. Ask for it in writing.
- How is it backed up, and when did you last restore one? A backup that's never been restored is a hope.
- What is encrypted, and where? In transit and at rest, including between the app and the database.
- Who can see my data on your side? And is that access logged?
- What happens to upgrades? Included, scheduled, and communicated, or surprise changes in the middle of a run?
- What is your availability commitment? Ask for the number, the definition and the remedy, and what is not covered.
- Can I get all my data out, and what does it cost? Do this before you sign, not after.
- Can I try it on my own work first? A free trial you can run in parallel is the best test.
For a fuller treatment of cost, see our LIMS pricing guide; for moving from an existing system, see switching your LIMS without downtime.
What is a cloud LIMS?
A laboratory information management system you use through a web browser, hosted and maintained by the vendor and paid for as a subscription, with no servers for the lab to run.
Is a cloud LIMS secure enough for patient data?
It can be, if the vendor can show you where the data is hosted, how it's encrypted and backed up, how access is controlled and logged, and how you get your data out. FreshLIMS is UK-hosted, encrypted in transit and at rest, backed up daily with restore drills, and has role-based access and an append-only audit trail.
Is a cloud LIMS acceptable for ISO 15189 / UKAS?
UKAS accredits the laboratory, not the software. A cloud LIMS can support your accreditation if you can evidence validation, data integrity, access control and backup arrangements. Our validation pack is written for that, and our readiness guide covers what assessors look for.
How much does a cloud LIMS cost?
FreshLIMS starts at £495/month on the Founding tier (price locked for 24 months), with the first month free and no card required. All tiers are on the pricing page.
How long does it take to get started?
Same day. You sign up in a few fields and can work on real samples immediately, with no hardware to procure or install.