Capture.Study vs REDCap: A Modern Alternative for Clinical Research
An honest, detailed comparison for academics, biotech teams, and CROs choosing between Capture.Study and REDCap for their next study.
Who This Comparison Is For
This page is designed for researchers actively evaluating ePRO and EDC platforms. If you're in one of these situations, you're in the right place:
Academic Researchers
- Currently using REDCap through your institution
- Need better mobile participant experience
- Want real-time data without running reports
- Working on pilot studies or smaller cohorts
Biotech and CRO Teams
- Evaluating REDCap for Phase I or Phase II trials
- Need transparent pricing without vendor negotiations
- Managing multi-site studies with distributed coordinators
- Want to test a platform before committing
Quick Comparison Table
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you decide quickly.
| Feature | Capture.Study | REDCap |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile-first participant experience | Requires app | |
| Setup time for new study | Under 1 hour | Days to weeks |
| Real-time data dashboard | Export reports | |
| Multi-site management | DAGs setup | |
| Built-in eConsent | MyCap add-on | |
| Questionnaire versioning | ||
| Skip logic and branching | ||
| Clinical-grade data export | ||
| Public pricing | Free (hidden costs) | |
| Free trial sandbox | Institutional access | |
| API for integrations | Limited | |
| Complex survey branching | Basic |
Mobile Experience and BYOD
This is where Capture.Study shines brightest. Mobile participant experience was our primary design goal from day one.
Capture.Study Mobile Approach
Participants scan a QR code and immediately access the study in their mobile browser. No app installation. No account creation. No friction.
- QR enrollment takes under 10 seconds
- Fully responsive design works on any device size
- Touch-optimized inputs (sliders, date pickers, scales)
- Works on iOS, Android, tablets without platform-specific builds
- No app store approval delays for updates
REDCap Mobile Approach
REDCap offers mobile access through the REDCap Mobile app or web-based surveys with mobile view adjustments. Both require more setup.
- REDCap Mobile app requires installation and login
- Web surveys work but UI is desktop-optimized first
- Mobile configuration often requires technical staff assistance
- Offline mode available but adds complexity
Real-World Impact
Reducing enrollment friction typically improves participant completion rates in BYOD studies. QR-based enrollment with no app installation removes common barriers to participation.
Setup Time and Learning Curve
Capture.Study: Under 1 Hour
You can build a questionnaire, create a study, add sites, generate QR codes, and start enrolling participants in under an hour. Really.
- 1.Sign up and access pre-built questionnaire templates
- 2.Customize questions using visual builder (no syntax)
- 3.Create study and attach questionnaire
- 4.Add sites and generate QR codes
- 5.Launch study and start collecting data
REDCap: Days to Weeks
REDCap is powerful but requires learning data dictionary syntax, understanding DAGs, configuring access rights, and often technical support.
- Request institutional access (can take days)
- Complete REDCap training modules (4-6 hours)
- Learn data dictionary syntax for form building
- Configure user roles and data access groups
- Test thoroughly before participant access
REDCap's complexity is justified for large, complex trials requiring deep customization. But for pilot studies, observational cohorts, or straightforward ePRO, Capture.Study gets you live faster with less training overhead.
Real-Time Data and Analytics
Capture.Study automatically updates your dashboard every 3 seconds as participants submit responses. No manual reports. No exports. Just live data.
What You See in Real Time
- Participant enrollment counts by site
- Completion rates and submission timestamps
- Descriptive statistics (mean, median, SD, IQR, outliers)
- Individual response data in expandable table rows
- Date range and site filters for segmented analysis
REDCap's Reporting Model
REDCap requires you to configure and run reports to see aggregated data. This works fine but adds steps between data collection and insights.
- Build custom reports using report builder
- Export data and analyze in external tools (R, SPSS, Excel)
- Refresh manually to see updated numbers
When This Matters
Real-time visibility is critical for monitoring enrollment progress, catching data quality issues early, and making rapid study adjustments. If you need immediate insights during active data collection, Capture.Study saves you from constant export-analyze cycles.
Multi-Site Management
Managing multiple sites is simpler in Capture.Study. We designed site coordination from scratch rather than bolting it onto an existing system.
Capture.Study Approach
- Add sites to study with name and site number
- Generate unique QR code per site automatically
- Participant IDs follow site-sequence format (001-0042)
- Filter dashboard by site with one click
- Assign site coordinators with role-based access
REDCap Approach
- Configure Data Access Groups (DAGs)
- Assign users to DAGs manually
- Requires understanding of user rights matrix
- Site-specific reporting requires custom setup
REDCap's DAG system is powerful and handles complex scenarios well. But for straightforward multi-site studies without intricate permissions hierarchies, Capture.Study's simpler model gets you operational faster.
eConsent Capabilities
Informed consent is required for most academic and clinical research. Both platforms handle this, but with different approaches.
Capture.Study eConsent
Built-in consent builder with digital signatures, versioning, and audit trails. Part of the core platform, not a separate add-on.
- Visual consent form builder with section templates
- Digital signature capture via HTML5 canvas
- Versioning with re-consent triggers for amendments
- Audit trail captures IP, timestamp, user agent
- PDF export of signed consent documents
REDCap eConsent (MyCap)
REDCap offers eConsent through the MyCap mobile app framework. Powerful but requires additional setup and mobile app deployment.
- Requires MyCap module activation
- Participants download REDCap Mobile app
- E-signature supported with audit log
- Integrates with main REDCap project data
Ethics Board Compliance
Both platforms meet typical IRB requirements for electronic consent. Capture.Study's web-based approach often requires less technical documentation for IRB approval compared to app-based eConsent systems.
Questionnaire Features
Question Types Supported
Both platforms support standard question types required for clinical research.
Capture.Study
- Text (short and long)
- Number (with min/max validation)
- Single choice (radio)
- Multiple choice (checkbox)
- Scale (1-10 rating)
- Date and time
- Slider (visual analog scale)
REDCap
- All standard types above
- File upload
- Calculated fields
- Descriptive text
- SQL field types
Skip Logic and Branching
Capture.Study
Basic conditional display rules. Show/hide questions based on previous answers using visual rule builder.
Supports: equals, not equals, greater than, less than, contains. Handles cascading conditions.
REDCap
Advanced branching logic with complex expressions. Supports nested conditions, calculations, and multi-field dependencies.
More powerful for surveys with intricate skip patterns and calculated scoring.
Questionnaire Versioning
Both platforms support versioning, which is critical for maintaining data integrity when questionnaires change mid-study.
Capture.Study
Immutable snapshot versioning. When you edit a locked questionnaire, system creates new version automatically. Responses always capture which version was used.
REDCap
Production mode locks forms to prevent changes after data collection begins. Design changes require moving project back to development.
Data Export and Analysis
Getting your data out in analysis-ready format is essential. Both platforms export to CSV but with different structures and metadata.
Capture.Study Export
Clinical-grade CSV exports designed for immediate analysis without transformation steps.
- Wide format (one row per submission, questions as columns)
- Data dictionary included with variable names and labels
- Export metadata header (study info, date, filters applied)
- Raw and decoded data options
- Site-level exports and enrollment summaries
- Audit log for each export action
REDCap Export
Highly flexible export system supporting multiple formats and custom configurations.
- CSV, SPSS, SAS, Stata, R, and Excel formats
- Raw or labeled data exports
- API access for automated exports
- Data dictionary download
- Customizable export filters and date ranges
CDISC Compliance
Neither platform exports directly to CDISC SDTM format out of the box. Both require manual transformation or custom scripts for FDA submissions. This is expected at this price point.
Pricing Transparency
One of Capture.Study's biggest differentiators is public, transparent pricing. No sales calls. No negotiation. No hidden costs.
Capture.Study Pricing
- Build unlimited studies
- Test all features
- No credit card required
- No time limit
- Real participant enrollment
- Unlimited questionnaires
- Multi-site management
- Data exports
Example: A 6-month study with 100 participants costs $5,994 total. A 3-month pilot with 20 participants costs $599.40 total. Simple math.
REDCap Pricing
REDCap is "free" software but comes with hidden costs that vary dramatically by institution.
Hidden Costs to Consider
- Institutional server hosting and maintenance
- IT staff time for setup, updates, and troubleshooting
- Technical support from REDCap admins
- Training courses and documentation time
- Security audits and compliance validation
- Module licenses (MyCap, etc.) may have separate fees
For academics with institutional access, REDCap's software cost is zero. But total cost of ownership includes all the above. For independent researchers, small biotech, or CROs without institutional REDCap access, you'd need to host your own instance (thousands per year) or pay for REDCap Cloud hosting.
When Free Makes Sense
If you already have institutional REDCap access with strong IT support, that's tough to beat economically. But if you're starting from scratch or lack institutional resources, Capture.Study's transparent per-participant pricing often ends up cheaper and faster.
Security and Compliance
Both platforms take security seriously. Here's where each stands on common compliance requirements.
Capture.Study
- HIPAA ReadyBAA available for Enterprise tier
- GDPR CompliantEU data residency available
- ⏳21 CFR Part 11Validation package in progress
- ⏳SOC 2 Type IIAudit in progress (Q1 2026)
REDCap
- HIPAA CompliantWhen hosted properly by institution
- GDPR CompliantData residency controlled by host
- 21 CFR Part 11Widely used in FDA-regulated trials
- FISMA ModerateFederal government approved
Honest Assessment
REDCap has a longer compliance track record and is widely accepted by regulatory bodies and ethics committees. It's been used in thousands of FDA-approved trials.
Capture.Study is newer and still building its compliance portfolio. We're suitable for Phase I academic studies and observational research today. For Phase II/III pharma trials requiring full 21 CFR Part 11 validation, wait for our Enterprise compliance package (Q1 2026) or stick with REDCap for now.
When REDCap Might Still Be Better
We're confident in Capture.Study, but we're also honest about where REDCap currently has advantages. Here are scenarios where REDCap remains the better choice:
You already have strong institutional REDCap support
If your institution provides REDCap hosting, training, and dedicated support staff, switching platforms adds complexity without clear benefit. Use what's working.
You need extremely complex branching logic
REDCap's branching logic syntax supports nested conditions, calculated fields, and multi-variable expressions. If your survey has intricate skip patterns with 10+ dependencies, REDCap handles this better today.
You require API integrations with external systems
REDCap's mature API ecosystem allows automated data import/export and integration with lab systems, EHRs, and custom tools. Our API is limited currently.
Your study requires full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance today
For FDA-regulated Phase II/III trials needing validated systems with electronic signatures and field-level audit trails, REDCap's proven track record is safer until our Enterprise compliance package launches (Q1 2026).
You need longitudinal data collection over multiple years
REDCap's event scheduling and repeating instruments handle complex longitudinal protocols better. Our scheduling features are simpler and designed for shorter-term studies currently.
You want to avoid any per-participant costs
If you have institutional REDCap access at no direct cost to your project, that's hard to beat financially. Just remember to factor in hidden costs (IT support, training time, etc.).
When Capture.Study Is the Better Choice
These are the scenarios where Capture.Study provides clear advantages over REDCap:
Mobile participant experience is critical to your study
If you need BYOD (bring your own device) enrollment with zero friction, Capture.Study's QR-to-web flow beats REDCap's app-based approach. Higher completion rates, faster enrollment, better UX.
You need to launch quickly without training overhead
Build a study in under an hour vs days/weeks of REDCap learning curve. Perfect for pilot studies, rapid response research, or teams without dedicated technical staff.
You want real-time data visibility during active collection
Live dashboard updates every 3 seconds. No running reports. No exports. Monitor enrollment, spot data quality issues, and track completion in real time.
You're running multi-site studies with distributed coordinators
Simpler site management than REDCap's DAGs. Add sites, generate QR codes, assign coordinators, filter by site. Takes minutes, not hours of configuration.
You need transparent pricing without vendor negotiations
$19 per participant per month. Public pricing. No sales calls. Budget your study costs upfront without surprises. Perfect for grant applications and cost planning.
You want to test before committing
Free sandbox with no time limit or credit card. Build your entire study, test participant flow, generate QR codes. Only pay when you launch with real participants.
You're an independent researcher or small biotech without institutional REDCap
No institutional access required. No server setup. No IT department. Just sign up and start building. Capture.Study is designed for researchers who don't have enterprise infrastructure.
Migrating from REDCap to Capture.Study
Switching platforms mid-study is risky. But if you're starting a new study or want to test Capture.Study for future projects, here's how migration typically works:
Questionnaire Migration
- 1.Export your REDCap data dictionary
Download the CSV data dictionary from your REDCap project.
- 2.Rebuild questions in Capture.Study builder
Manually recreate questions using our visual editor. Most question types map directly.
- 3.Configure conditional logic if needed
Replicate simple skip logic rules. Complex branching may need simplification.
- 4.Test with preview mode
Walk through the participant flow to ensure questions display correctly.
Historical Data Migration
If you have existing data in REDCap that you want to analyze alongside new Capture.Study data:
- Export REDCap data to CSV
- Transform column names to match Capture.Study export format
- Combine datasets in your analysis tool (R, SPSS, Excel)
Note: We don't currently support direct data import from REDCap format. Analysis-side merging is the recommended approach.
Migration Timeline
Most questionnaire migrations take 1-3 hours depending on complexity. For simple surveys (under 20 questions, basic branching), plan for 1 hour. For complex instruments with 50+ questions and intricate logic, budget 2-3 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Capture.Study better than REDCap?
Neither platform is universally "better." Capture.Study excels at mobile participant experience, setup speed, real-time analytics, and transparent pricing. REDCap excels at complex branching, API integrations, and regulatory track record. The best choice depends on your study's specific needs and constraints.
Can I migrate from REDCap to Capture.Study mid-study?
Not recommended. Switching platforms mid-study risks data integrity and requires re-consent from participants. Use Capture.Study for new studies instead. Historical REDCap data can be merged with new Capture.Study data during analysis.
How much does Capture.Study cost compared to REDCap?
Capture.Study charges $19 per participant per month for live studies. REDCap software is free but requires institutional hosting, IT support, and technical staff time. Total cost depends on your situation. For researchers with strong institutional REDCap support, REDCap may be cheaper. For independent researchers or those without institutional access, Capture.Study often costs less overall.
Does Capture.Study work on mobile devices like REDCap?
Yes, and mobile is our core strength. Participants scan QR codes and access studies in mobile browsers with no app installation required. REDCap offers mobile access through the REDCap Mobile app or responsive web surveys. Capture.Study's web-based approach typically produces higher completion rates due to lower enrollment friction.
Is Capture.Study HIPAA compliant?
Yes, Capture.Study is HIPAA-ready with encrypted data storage and secure transmission. We offer BAA (Business Associate Agreements) on our Enterprise tier. For academic observational studies not covered by HIPAA, our standard tier provides strong data protection without requiring BAA.
Can I use Capture.Study for FDA-regulated clinical trials?
Not yet. Our 21 CFR Part 11 validation package is in progress (targeted Q1 2026). For Phase II/III pharma trials requiring full FDA compliance today, REDCap is the safer choice. For Phase I academic studies and observational research, Capture.Study is appropriate now.
Does Capture.Study support offline data collection?
No. Capture.Study requires internet connectivity for data submission. REDCap Mobile app supports offline mode with later sync. If you're conducting field research in areas without reliable internet, REDCap's offline capability is an advantage.
Can I try Capture.Study before paying?
Absolutely. Free sandbox with unlimited access, no time limit, and no credit card required. Build your entire study, test participant flow, and verify functionality. You only pay when you launch with real participants.
Does REDCap have better support than Capture.Study?
REDCap support varies by institution. Some universities have dedicated REDCap support teams; others offer limited assistance. Capture.Study provides direct email support with 24-hour response time (Enterprise tier gets priority support with dedicated CSM). REDCap also has extensive community forums and documentation built over 15+ years.
Which platform is better for longitudinal studies?
REDCap currently has stronger longitudinal features with event scheduling, repeating instruments, and visit windows. Capture.Study's scheduling is simpler and designed for shorter-term studies. If you're running a multi-year cohort study with complex visit schedules, REDCap is better today.