Vendor comparisonUpdated September 28, 2026

The best EDC for a small biotech is the one sized for one study, not fifty

Most "best EDC" lists rank enterprise platforms built for large, multi-study sponsors. A small biotech running one or two trials needs something different: fast implementation, pricing that fits a limited budget, and eConsent and ePRO already built in. Here is what to actually compare, and where Capture fits.

  • Free sandbox, no sales call
  • EDC, eConsent, ePRO in one platform
  • 21 CFR Part 11-compliant controls

Free sandbox · No credit card · 21 CFR Part 11 compliant

  • ISO 27001 certified
  • 21 CFR Part 11 compliant
  • GDPR compliant
  • EU and US data hosting
  • HIPAA compliant
  • ICH GCP E6(R3) compliant
app.capture.study · Dashboard
Capture study dashboard with enrolment, compliance, safety overview and site risk monitor

0

sales calls required to start building

4

products in one platform: EDC, eConsent, ePRO, randomization

1

audit trail across all of it

Free

sandbox with sample data

Evaluation criteria

What actually matters for a small biotech, not a large enterprise program

Use this list against any vendor you shortlist, not just the ones on this page.

Time to first patient

How long does implementation actually take, from signup to a live study?

Pricing model

Does it scale with a single small study, or assume a multi-study enterprise contract?

Integrated eConsent and ePRO

Are they built into the same platform and audit trail, or a separate module and contract?

21 CFR Part 11-compliant controls

Field-level audit trail, e-signatures and role-based access, available without a dedicated validation team.

Who builds and amends the CRFs

Your own team with AI assistance, or a vendor change-control ticket for every edit?

Where Capture fits

Built for the biotech running one study, not fifty

Small biotech teams run lean and move fast. Capture is a single platform for EDC, eConsent, ePRO, randomization and safety, with rapid build, flexible amendments and documentation to support validation when you need it, sized and priced for one study at a time.

  • AI drafts your visit schedule and forms from a protocol; most teams have a working build the same day.
  • Amend forms and visits yourself as the protocol evolves, without a vendor change-control cycle.
  • Free sandbox with nearly every feature and sample data, no credit card.

Demographics

SDTM DM

Vital signs

SDTM VS

ECG

SDTM EG

Physical examination

SDTM PE

Laboratory

SDTM LB

Medical history

SDTM MH

Adverse events

SDTM AE

Concomitant medications

SDTM CM

What changes

An enterprise-sized EDC vs Capture for a small biotech

Implementation
Weeks to months, a dedicated project team
AI drafts a first build from your protocol; test the same day
ePRO and eConsent
Separate modules or vendors, separate contracts
Built into the same platform and audit trail
Pricing
Sized for multi-study, multi-year programs
Scales with a single study’s size
Form changes
A change-control ticket to the vendor
Edit it yourself, logged in the audit trail

Before you switch

What small biotech teams ask before they commit

Cost

Pricing scales with study size; the free sandbox needs no credit card.

Compliance

21 CFR Part 11-compliant controls throughout; documentation available on Enterprise to support your own validation.

Setup time

AI drafts your first build from a protocol; most teams test it the same day.

Migration

Bring an existing study’s forms across as a starting template.

Support

Email support, typically under 24 hours, plus documentation for your own assessment on Enterprise.

Compare Capture against your shortlist

Free sandbox with nearly every feature. No credit card, no sales call.

Compare options free

FAQ

Questions teams ask before they switch

Something not covered here? Ask us directly.

Who is this page for?

Small biotech sponsors actively comparing EDC vendors or looking for the best fit for early-phase studies: speed, flexibility, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant controls without enterprise implementation overhead.

What should I compare when evaluating EDC for small biotech?

Time to first patient, whether pricing fits a single small study, whether eConsent and ePRO are integrated, 21 CFR Part 11-compliant controls, and who actually builds and amends your CRFs.

Is Capture built for small biotech?

Yes. Capture is designed for early-stage and small sponsors. You get one platform with 21 CFR Part 11-compliant controls and documentation to support validation. Many small biotech teams use Capture for Phase 1 to Phase 2.

How fast can a small biotech actually get a study live?

AI drafts your visit schedule and forms from an uploaded protocol or a description. Most teams have a working draft to review the same day, then test it in the free sandbox before going live.

Do we need a validation team to use Capture compliantly?

No. The audit trail, e-signatures and role-based access run automatically without extra configuration. Enterprise plans include documentation to support your own validation if your sponsor requires it.

What does it cost to try?

Nothing to start. The free sandbox needs no credit card.

Compare Capture against your shortlist

Free sandbox with nearly every feature. No credit card, no sales call.

Compare options free