A comprehensive feature-by-feature comparison to help clinical teams select the best platform for their trial.
Clario combines eCOA/endpoint software with full-service endpoint capabilities, including cardiac safety monitoring and imaging core labs. Castor EDC is a unified eClinical software platform focused on EDC, eCOA, eConsent, and RTSM. The right choice depends on whether you need integrated endpoint services or a self-service unified software platform.
| Feature | Castor | Clario |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Academic, IIT, emerging biopharma, EDC + eCOA in one platform | Late-phase studies with cardiac safety, imaging, or specialty endpoints |
| Platform type | Unified eClinical software SaaS | eClinical software + endpoint services |
| EDC included (native) | Yes | Yes, but secondary to eCOA |
| eCOA / ePRO | Yes, no-code builder | Yes, extensive validated library |
| Cardiac safety / ECG monitoring | No (specialist needed) | Yes, in-house Holter, ECG monitoring |
| Imaging endpoints | No (specialist needed) | Yes, core lab included |
| eConsent | Yes (native) | Available but not primary |
| RTSM | Yes (native) | Limited / via integration |
| EU MDR / PMCF | Strong compliance | Standard EU compliance |
| Implementation | No-code, rapid (weeks) | Service-led, standard timeline (months) |
| Pricing | Transparent per-study | Enterprise contract, service-bundled |
| Feature | Castor | Clario | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud-native SaaS | Yes, hosted globally | Yes, enterprise cloud | Comparable |
| No-code eCRF / eCOA builder | Full no-code capabilities | Limited, more configuration-based | Castor |
| Unified EDC + eCOA (native) | All in one system, no integration | Both available, may require integration | Castor |
| ePRO instrument library | Growing library, flexible custom design | Extensive, clinically validated library | Clario |
| Cardiac safety / ECG monitoring | No (external specialist required) | In-house capability, Holter, ECG services | Clario |
| Imaging endpoint services | No (external core lab required) | In-house core lab and review | Clario |
| eConsent (native) | Native, no-code | Available, often via workflow | Castor |
| RTSM (native) | Native module | Limited or via integration | Castor |
| EU MDR / PMCF support | Strong, built-in support | Standard compliance | Castor |
| BYOD support | Full BYOD and provisioned support | BYOD supported, less emphasized | Castor |
| Implementation speed | Rapid no-code (weeks typical) | Standard timeline (months) | Castor |
| Pricing transparency | Clear per-study pricing | Custom enterprise contracts | Castor |
Castor EDC is a cloud-native, unified eClinical platform developed in Amsterdam and deployed across 90+ countries. Its core strength is bringing EDC, eCOA (ePRO, eClinRO, eObsRO), eConsent, RTSM, and RWE capabilities into a single integrated system. No integrations or third-party connectors required.
Castor is not a full-service endpoint CRO. Studies requiring integrated cardiac safety monitoring, ECG interpretation, Holter services, or central imaging core labs will need to engage specialist vendors for those services. Castor handles the EDC and eCOA infrastructure; endpoint expertise remains external.
Clario (formed from the merger of ERT, BioClinica, and related acquisitions) is a global eClinical services company and technology provider. Clario is unique in that it combines eCOA/endpoint software capabilities with full-service endpoint operations, offering in-house cardiac safety services, central imaging core labs, and specialized endpoint expertise.
Many organizations use a hybrid approach: Castor for unified EDC/eCOA/eConsent infrastructure and Clario (or another specialist) for specialized endpoint services like cardiac safety or imaging. This gives you the efficiency of a single unified platform for core trial operations while preserving best-in-class endpoint expertise where it matters most.
Yes, for many studies. Castor offers a no-code eCOA platform with native EDC integration. However, if you need specialty ePRO/eCOA instruments that are clinically validated by Clario’s team (for rare diseases or specialized assessment scales), you may prefer Clario. For most standard eCOA use cases, Castor is competitive and faster to implement.
Yes, Clario has EDC capabilities, but EDC is not their primary focus. Clario was formed from multiple acquisitions (ERT, BioClinica) and is primarily known for endpoint services (eCOA, cardiac safety, imaging). If EDC is a core requirement alongside eCOA, Castor’s unified approach may be more efficient.
Both offer eCOA/ePRO capabilities. Clario has a larger library of pre-validated instruments and deep clinical expertise in specialty areas. Castor offers a more flexible, no-code builder and faster deployment. For standard studies, Castor’s eCOA is fully capable. For specialty or rare-disease indications requiring deeply validated instruments, Clario’s library may be advantageous.
Castor has a stronger emphasis on BYOD (bring-your-own-device) and provisioned device support. Both platforms support BYOD, but Castor’s design is more mobile-first and BYOD-centric, making it ideal for decentralized or in-home studies.
Castor can capture cardiac safety data via eCOA/ePRO. However, Castor does not provide in-house cardiac safety services like ECG interpretation, Holter monitoring, or central monitoring. Studies requiring these services would need Clario or a separate cardiac safety vendor alongside Castor EDC/eCOA.