Our take
Opentrons is the clearest buy in lab automation for teams that want to start small. Its robots fit on half a bench, list prices are published, and the software is open source, so labs can write their own protocols in Python or use no-code tools.3,4,1
Deployment evidence is very strong, with more than 11,000 robots in over 80 countries and systems at 14 of the 15 largest biopharma companies. The trade-offs are throughput and certification: these are benchtop robots that are not GMP or IVD validated, and integration with other lab equipment can take custom code.5,3
Scores by criterion
Each criterion is defined on our methodology page.
Who uses Opentrons and what it's for
Opentrons sells to academic labs, diagnostics labs, biotechs, and pharmaceutical companies. Its robots are at every top-20 US research university and 14 of the top 15 global biopharma companies.5
Common uses include next-generation sequencing library prep, nucleic acid extraction, PCR setup, and proteomics sample prep.1
History
Opentrons was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in New York City, with backers including SoftBank, Khosla Ventures, Sands Capital, Lerer Hippeau, and Y Combinator. Its stated mission is to flip today's ratio of ten scientists for every lab robot.5,2
James Atwood, who led the robotics business from April 2023, became CEO in July 2025, and the board announced the appointment in January 2026. That month NVIDIA named Opentrons an ecosystem partner linking its BioNeMo platform to lab execution.7
Flex and OT-2
The Flex starts at $24,950 and handles 1, 8, and 96-channel pipetting, with a gripper that moves plates around the deck and a touchscreen for running protocols at the bench. It requires paid on-site installation.3
The OT-2 starts at $15,950, takes two swappable pipettes, and fits on half a standard bench. Opentrons says it performs like robots costing ten times more.4
Both run open-source software with a Python API, a drag and drop protocol designer, and tools that turn natural language into protocols.1,3
Funding
On October 29, 2026, Opentrons announced a $40 million Series E led by Avego, with BroadOak Capital Partners joining. The money goes to AI-driven experiment execution, more automation capabilities, and new markets.5,6
Competitive landscape
| Company | Product | Pricing model | Deployment footprint | Where Opentrons wins or loses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opentrons | Open-source benchtop liquid handling robots, Flex and OT-23 | Published list prices: Flex from $24,950, OT-2 from $15,9504 | More than 11,000 robots in over 80 countries5 | Low published prices and open software |
| Tecan | Veya liquid handling automation and lab instruments8 | Not published8 | Research, clinical diagnostics, and OEM customers8 | Tecan wins on high-throughput systems and clinical work. Opentrons wins on price and open software. |
| Beckman Coulter Life Sciences | Biomek i-Series workstations and Echo acoustic liquid handlers9 | Not published9 | Liquid handlers sold since the Biomek 1000 in 19869 | Beckman wins on decades of Biomek installs. Opentrons wins on a low entry price for single labs. |
| Automata | LINQ lab orchestration software and benches for automated workcells10 | Not published10 | Over 800,000 bench configurations for different lab layouts10 | Automata wins on orchestrating whole workcells. Opentrons wins on standalone robots with published prices. |
| INTEGRA Biosciences | ASSIST and ASSIST PLUS benchtop pipetting robots11 | Not published11 | Benchtop units for single labs, from 40 cm wide11 | INTEGRA wins on simple pipette automation. Opentrons wins on full protocols with grippers and modules. |
| Multiply Labs | Robotic clusters that automate cell therapy and biologics manufacturing13 | Not published; owned and operated by the drugmaker12 | Pilots and collaborations such as Kyverna; claims a 74% cut in cost per dose12 | Multiply Labs wins on closed, GMP-ready manufacturing. Opentrons wins on low published prices for research labs. |
Limits
Neither the Flex nor the OT-2 is certified or validated for IVD or GMP use, which rules them out for some regulated clinical and manufacturing work without extra validation.3,4
Integrating third-party instruments is possible through the open API but usually needs custom code, and Opentrons support does not cover those projects.3,4
Revenue is not disclosed. We estimate it at $40 million to $80 million a year, based on more than 11,000 robots sold at list prices from about $16,000 to $25,000 plus pipettes, modules, and consumables. This is an estimate, not a reported figure.5,3,4
What customers say
Where it helps
Opentrons lists case studies including Pfizer's biotherapeutic production pipeline and Carnegie Mellon University researchers using AI to automate experiments.1
Avego managing partner James Flexner said drug developers and AI companies are moving experimental work to automated workflows that generate usable data.5
Where it falls short
Labs that need very high throughput or fully enclosed GMP workcells will find larger systems from established automation vendors a better fit, at a much higher price.3
Leadership
James Atwood
Chief executive officerDr. Atwood led the Opentrons robotics business from April 2023 and became CEO in July 2025.7
Sources
- Opentrons, Homepage, accessed November 2, 2026
- Opentrons, About us, accessed November 2, 2026
- Opentrons, Opentrons Flex robot, accessed November 2, 2026
- Opentrons, OT-2 robot, accessed November 2, 2026
- Opentrons, Opentrons announces $40M Series E round, October 29, 2026, accessed November 2, 2026
- Avego, Opentrons announces $40M Series E round, October 29, 2026, accessed November 2, 2026
- Opentrons, James Atwood named chief executive officer, January 29, 2026, accessed November 2, 2026
- Tecan, Homepage, accessed November 2, 2026
- Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Liquid handlers, accessed November 2, 2026
- Automata, Homepage, accessed November 2, 2026
- INTEGRA Biosciences, Pipetting robots, accessed November 2, 2026
- Multiply Labs, Series B announcement, October 6, 2026, accessed November 2, 2026
- Multiply Labs, Homepage, accessed November 2, 2026
