Software Comparison
Moustra vs SoftMouse vs mLIMS
Side-by-side feature and pricing comparison for the three most common mouse colony management platforms.
Try Moustra Free — No Credit Card RequiredAt a glance
- ✓ Free plan, $4.99/mo paid
- ✓ iOS + Android app
- ✓ AI assistant (Cheese AI)
- ✓ Barcode scanning
- ✓ No IT setup needed
- ✗ No mobile app
- ✗ No AI features
- ✗ Pricing not public
- ✓ Colony & cage tracking
- ✓ No IT setup needed
- ✗ No mobile app
- ✗ No AI features
- ✗ Requires IT setup
- ✗ Multi-year contracts
- ✓ Colony & cage tracking
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
A direct comparison across the features that matter most to lab managers, PIs, and vivarium staff. means the information is not publicly available or unclear.
| Feature | Moustramoustra.com | SoftMousesoftmouse.net | mLIMSmlims.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | |||
| Transparent public pricing | |||
| Starting price | $0 / free forever | Quote required | Quote required |
| Native iOS app | |||
| Native Android app | |||
| Barcode scanning | |||
| AI assistant (natural language queries) | |||
| AI breeding recommendations | |||
| AI-powered data migration | |||
| Automated weekly PI reports | |||
| Excel-like data interface | |||
| Colony & cage tracking | |||
| Genotype & strain management | |||
| Breeding pair tracking | |||
| Health & treatment logging | |||
| Cost & billing analytics | |||
| No IT infrastructure required | |||
| Modern UI (post-2020 design) | |||
| HIPAA-aligned security | |||
| No long-term contract required |
Data based on publicly available information as of April 2026. Contact each vendor to verify current pricing and features.
Where Moustra is different
Mobile app (iOS & Android)
Scan cage barcodes, update records, and check your colony from the vivarium floor. SoftMouse and mLIMS are web-only — no mobile app at all.
Ask your colony questions in plain English
Cheese AI reads your data and answers directly.
You: Which pairs should I retire?
Cheese AI: Pairs B12, C04, A07 — under 2 pups/litter for 3 cycles. Reallocating to D01–D06 could increase output ~35%.
Switch from SoftMouse in a day
Export your SoftMouse CSV, drop it into Moustra's migration tool, and it maps everything automatically. Free for all new accounts.
Pricing you can see before you call anyone
SoftMouse and mLIMS require a sales call to get a number. Moustra's pricing is on the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SoftMouse have a mobile app?
No. Neither SoftMouse nor mLIMS have a mobile app. Moustra is the only option with native iOS and Android apps.
Can I import my SoftMouse data into Moustra?
Yes — export a CSV from SoftMouse and Moustra's migration tool maps it automatically. Free for all new accounts.
How much does SoftMouse cost?
SoftMouse doesn't publish pricing. You need to contact them for a quote. Moustra is free to start and $4.99/user/month for paid features.
Does mLIMS require IT setup?
Yes. mLIMS typically requires on-premise or managed IT infrastructure. Moustra is cloud-based with no IT setup.
Is Moustra free?
Yes. The Starter plan is free forever for one user. No credit card required.
Try Moustra free
No credit card. Import your existing data in minutes.