NovoPath is the best laboratory information system for most pathology and specialty labs in 2026, and CrelioHealth is the best budget pick for small labs that want a published price. NovoPath is cloud native, tracks every specimen from accessioning to sign-out, and lets lab staff change workflows and report templates without filing vendor tickets.
Your lab type narrows the field fast. LigoLab suits labs that want testing and lab billing on one platform, Clinisys Harvest fits hospital outreach and regional labs, CGM LABDAQ fits physician office labs, and Epic Beaker makes sense for hospitals already on Epic.
An LIS is a multi-year commitment. Price the full contract, including onboarding, interfaces, and annual support, and ask each vendor how long a lab your size takes to go live.
Our top pick
NovoPath
Cloud-native pathology workflows that lab staff can configure themselves.
Quick picks
Best overall
Best with billing built in
Best for hospital outreach
Best for physician office labs
Best on a budget
How we ranked these tools
We scored each system on five criteria: fit for each lab type, depth of workflow, interface, and reporting features, pricing and value, ease of use, and support. We based the scores on vendor documentation, published pricing, and public user reviews. We did not accept payment for placement. Prices reflect published rates as of October 2026, so confirm the current price with the vendor before you sign.
The 6 best laboratory information systems
1. NovoPath
Best overall, especially for pathology and specialty labs
Our rating4.7 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
NovoPath is a cloud-native LIS for anatomic pathology, molecular, hematopathology, cytology, histology, veterinary, and digital pathology labs. It tracks each specimen from accessioning to sign-out, routes cases to pathologists by subspecialty and workload, and lets lab staff change workflows and report templates without filing vendor tickets. It offers more than 100 prebuilt connections to EHRs, instruments, and other tools, and it holds SOC 2 Type II certification. Pricing is not published, so request a quote.
Pros
- Built specifically for pathology workflows
- Self-service configuration without vendor tickets
- Cloud-native SaaS with SOC 2 Type II
Cons
- No published pricing
- Less focused on high-volume clinical chemistry
Key features
- Specimen tracking
- Auto case distribution
- Turnaround dashboards
- Discrepancy alerts
2. LigoLab
Best for labs that want billing built in
Our rating4.6 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
LigoLab runs anatomic pathology, clinical lab, molecular diagnostics, and lab revenue cycle management on one platform, so results and billing share the same data. It offers cloud or server-based deployment and suits fast-growing, high-volume, and multi-facility labs. LigoLab prices by testing volume and does not publish rates. Its own site says labs with software budgets under $2,000 a month may not be a fit, so very small labs should look elsewhere.
Pros
- LIS and lab billing on one platform
- Covers AP, clinical, and molecular testing
- Cloud or server-based deployment
Cons
- No published pricing
- Not aimed at very small labs
Key features
- Anatomic pathology module
- Molecular diagnostics workflows
- Lab revenue cycle management
- Direct-to-consumer testing
3. Clinisys Harvest
Best for hospital outreach and regional labs
Our rating4.5 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
Clinisys Harvest is the LIS formerly sold as Orchard Harvest. Orchard Software is now part of Clinisys, and the company says Orchard products remain available and supported, alongside Clinisys Orchard Enterprise for larger, multi-site operations. Harvest has been on the market since 2000 and serves hospital, outreach, and regional laboratories that want a configurable clinical LIS. Clinisys does not publish list prices, and certified versions carry an annual support contract fee plus per-interface fees in some cases.
Pros
- Long track record in clinical labs
- Point-of-care and pathology modules available
- Path to Orchard Enterprise for multi-site labs
Cons
- No published pricing
- Per-interface fees can apply
- Brand changes can confuse procurement
Key features
- Clinical lab workflows
- Point-of-care module
- Pathology module
- Orchard Enterprise upgrade path
4. CGM LABDAQ
Best for physician office labs and small reference labs
Our rating4.4 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
CGM LABDAQ, from CompuGroup Medical, is a clinical LIS aimed at physician office laboratories and reference labs. It handles specimen collection rules, sample identification, and CLIA compliance paperwork, and it sends results automatically to EHR, billing, and third-party systems. CompuGroup calls it the leading laboratory information system in the United States. It is a clinical LIS, so anatomic pathology labs use a different CGM product. Pricing is quote-based, so plan for a sales conversation.
Pros
- Built for physician office and reference labs
- Automatic results to EHR and billing systems
- CLIA compliance support
Cons
- No published pricing
- Anatomic pathology needs a separate product
Key features
- Specimen collection rules
- CLIA compliance tools
- EHR and billing interfaces
- Analyzer connectivity
5. CrelioHealth
Best for small labs that want published pricing
Our rating4.2 / 5
Starting price$300 / month
Free planNo
CrelioHealth is a cloud LIS that publishes its prices, which is rare in this category. Its Pure POL plan for low-volume physician office labs costs $300 per month plus $2,500 onboarding, and its core Smart plan starts at $600 per month for one user and two analyzers. Rates are per lab, billed annually on an annual contract, and monthly billing adds 15%. Higher tiers add client portals, inventory, and multi-site processing. Support on the entry plan runs by email and chat during business hours.
Pros
- Transparent published pricing
- Fast self-service setup on the Smart plan
- Clear upgrade path to multi-site tiers
Cons
- Annual contract required
- Onboarding fees on most plans
- Entry plan support is email and chat only
Key features
- Order management and barcoding
- Analyzer integration
- Client and patient portals
- TAT analytics dashboard
6. Epic Beaker
Best for hospitals already on Epic
Our rating4.1 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
Epic Beaker is the laboratory module inside Epic’s EHR. It covers clinical pathology, from orders and specimen collection to tracking samples through the lab and reporting results, and anatomic pathology, where pathologists work in the same patient record as physicians and nurses. For a health system already on Epic, that shared record removes a layer of interfaces. Beaker is not a standalone purchase for independent labs, and pricing is part of an Epic contract.
Pros
- Lab and clinical teams share one patient record
- Covers clinical and anatomic pathology
- No separate LIS-to-EHR interface to maintain
Cons
- Only practical for Epic customers
- Pricing tied to an Epic contract
Key features
- Lab order management
- Specimen tracking
- Anatomic pathology workflows
- Results in the Epic chart
Compare the top laboratory information systems
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NovoPath | Pathology and specialty labs | Custom pricing | No | 4.7 |
| LigoLab | Labs that want billing built in | Custom pricing | No | 4.6 |
| Clinisys Harvest | Hospital outreach and regional labs | Custom pricing | No | 4.5 |
| CGM LABDAQ | Physician office labs and small reference labs | Custom pricing | No | 4.4 |
| CrelioHealth | Small labs that want published pricing | $300 / month | No | 4.2 |
| Epic Beaker | Hospitals already on Epic | Custom pricing | No | 4.1 |
How to choose a laboratory information system
Match the system to your testing mix
Clinical chemistry and hematology labs need strong analyzer interfaces and autoverification. Pathology labs need case routing, gross and microscopic workflows, and synoptic reporting. Molecular labs need batch and reflex handling. Shortlist only systems built for your main volume.
Count every interface
List each analyzer, EHR, billing system, and reference lab you connect to. Interfaces drive much of an LIS project’s cost and timeline, and some vendors, including Clinisys, can charge per interface. Get a written quote for each one.
Plan the go-live before you sign
Ask for the implementation plan, the staff hours your lab must supply, and how validation will run. CrelioHealth, for example, quotes two weeks for self-service Smart setup and eight weeks for its assisted Optimized plan. Larger systems take longer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a laboratory information system?
A laboratory information system, or LIS, manages a lab’s testing work from order to result. It receives orders, tracks specimens, connects to analyzers, routes results for review, and sends final reports to the ordering provider’s EHR. Many also support billing and compliance reporting.
What is the difference between an LIS and a LIMS?
An LIS is built for clinical and pathology labs that test patient specimens, so it centers on patients, orders, and results reporting. A LIMS is built for research, environmental, and manufacturing labs that track samples and batches. Clinical labs almost always need an LIS.
How much does a laboratory information system cost?
Most vendors quote prices based on test volume, users, and interfaces. CrelioHealth is an exception, with plans from $300 a month for physician office labs and $600 a month for its core Smart plan, billed annually. Enterprise systems from LigoLab or Clinisys typically involve larger multi-year contracts.
Can you run an LIS in the cloud?
Yes. NovoPath and CrelioHealth are cloud-based, and LigoLab offers cloud or server-based deployment. Cloud systems reduce the hardware and IT work your lab carries, but confirm uptime commitments, security certifications, and exactly what happens to your data if you leave the vendor.
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