Researchers evaluating biosignal acquisition hardware need specifications, not marketing copy. This page provides a direct, numbers-based comparison between ProtoCentral’s open source platforms and the commercial systems most commonly used in research labs.
We’ve done our best to be accurate and fair. Where ProtoCentral hardware falls short of a commercial alternative, we say so. Where we have an advantage, we let the specs speak. All commercial system specifications are sourced from publicly available datasheets and manufacturer documentation.
ECG Acquisition: HealthyPi vs. Biopac vs. ADInstruments
ECG is the most common biosignal acquired in research. Here’s how the platforms compare for single-lead and multi-lead electrocardiography.
| Specification | HealthyPi 5 | HealthyPi 6 | Biopac MP160 + ECG100C | ADInstruments PowerLab + BioAmp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECG channels | 1 (Lead I or II) | 3 (configurable leads) | 1 per module (stack up to 16) | 1 per module (stack up to 16) |
| ADC resolution | 24-bit (ADS1292R) | 24-bit (ADS1294R) | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| Sampling rate | Up to 500 SPS | Up to 2000 SPS | Up to 200 kSPS (system) | Up to 100 kSPS (system) |
| CMRR | >105 dB | >115 dB | >110 dB | >100 dB |
| Input noise | <8 µVpp | <4 µVpp | Not published | Not published |
| Bandwidth | 0.5–150 Hz | 0.05–150 Hz | 0.05–35 Hz (default) | 0.3–1000 Hz (configurable) |
| Respiration | Yes (impedance pneumography, built-in) | Yes (impedance pneumography, built-in) | Separate module required (RSP100C) | Separate module required |
| SpO2 | Yes (MAX30102, built-in) | Yes (MAX30102, built-in) | Separate module (OXY200) | Separate module |
| Data format | CSV, EDF+, raw binary | CSV, EDF+, raw binary | Biopac .acq (proprietary) + export | LabChart .adicht (proprietary) + export |
| Open source | Yes (CERN-OHL-P v2 + MIT) | Yes (CERN-OHL-P v2 + MIT) | No | No |
| Arduino compatible | Yes (arduino-pico) | Yes | No | No |
| Python support | Direct (serial + BLE) | Direct (serial + BLE + Wi-Fi) | Via AcqKnowledge API | Via LabChart Lightning API |
| Unit price | $275 | $599 | ~$8,000–15,000 (system) | ~$5,000–12,000 (system) |
Where ProtoCentral Wins
ProtoCentral’s 24-bit ADC resolution (via the ADS1292R) exceeds the 16-bit resolution of both Biopac and ADInstruments for ECG acquisition. The integrated multi-signal approach (ECG + SpO2 + respiration + temperature on one board) eliminates the need for separate modules that add thousands of dollars to commercial systems. Full open source access means complete methodological transparency in publications.
Where Commercial Systems Win
Biopac and ADInstruments have mature, polished software ecosystems (AcqKnowledge and LabChart) that have been refined over decades. They support far more module types (EEG, EMG, EOG, EGG, blood pressure, force, and dozens more). They have extensive validation literature — Biopac’s MP160 platform alone appears in over 49,800 published papers. They also offer formal calibration certificates, comprehensive technical support, and established relationships with university procurement departments.
The Honest Assessment
If your lab already has budget for a Biopac or ADInstruments system and needs the breadth of their module ecosystem, those are excellent choices. If you need ECG, SpO2, and respiration for a fraction of the cost — especially for multi-station teaching labs or field research where you need 5–20 units — ProtoCentral offers comparable or superior signal quality at 1/20th to 1/50th the price, with the added benefit of complete design transparency.
EMG Acquisition: ProtoCentral ADS1293 vs. Delsys vs. MyoWare
Electromyography (EMG) for sports science, rehabilitation, and prosthetics research.
| Specification | ProtoCentral ADS1293 Breakout | Delsys Trigno Avanti | MyoWare 2.0 | BITalino (EMG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channels | 3 per board (expandable) | Up to 16 wireless | 1 | 1 (expandable) |
| ADC resolution | 24-bit | 16-bit | Analog output | 10-bit |
| Sampling rate | Up to 2000 SPS | Up to 4370 SPS | ~1000 Hz (analog) | Up to 1000 SPS |
| CMRR | >110 dB | >80 dB | ~80 dB (estimated) | ~86 dB |
| Input noise | <1 µVRMS | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Bandwidth | 10–500 Hz (configurable) | 20–450 Hz | 25–500 Hz | 10–400 Hz |
| Wireless | Via ESP32 (BLE/Wi-Fi) | Proprietary RF | BLE (with add-on) | Bluetooth 2.0 |
| Sync output | Via SPI (shared clock) | Yes (proprietary) | No | No |
| Impedance check | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Open source | Yes (CERN-OHL-P v2) | No | Partial (Arduino library) | Yes (hardware + software) |
| Research-publishable | Yes (meets ISEK standards) | Yes (gold standard) | No (insufficient resolution) | Marginal |
| Unit price (per channel) | ~$20 (breakout board) | ~$2,000+ | ~$120 | ~$50–100 |
Where ProtoCentral Wins
At the component level, the ADS1293’s specifications (24-bit, >110 dB CMRR) actually exceed the Delsys Trigno on paper for ADC resolution and common-mode rejection. The per-channel cost difference is enormous: approximately $20 versus $2,000+. For labs in developing countries or underfunded university programs, this is the difference between having EMG capability and not having it.
Where Delsys Wins
Delsys Trigno is the gold standard for a reason. Their wireless sensor pods are individually calibrated, the software (EMGworks) handles everything from acquisition to analysis, the RF link is rock-solid in motion capture labs with dozens of cameras, and the system is supported by hundreds of published validation studies. The form factor — small wireless pods that attach directly to the skin — is far more practical for gait analysis and sports biomechanics than a wired breakout board.
Where MyoWare and BITalino Fit
MyoWare is a maker/hobby product — fine for Arduino projects, but its analog output and ~80 dB CMRR make it unsuitable for research that needs to meet ISEK reporting standards. BITalino is a capable educational platform but its 10-bit resolution limits signal quality for serious EMG research.
Multi-Signal Research Platforms: HealthyPi vs. OpenBCI vs. BITalino
For researchers who need multiple signal types from a single platform.
| Specification | HealthyPi 5 | HealthyPi 6 | OpenBCI Cyton + Daisy | BITalino (r)evolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECG | Yes (24-bit, ADS1292R) | Yes (24-bit, 3-channel) | Limited (repurposed EEG channel) | Yes (10-bit) |
| EEG | No (expansion planned) | Via expansion | Yes (8/16 ch, ADS1299, 24-bit) | Yes (10-bit, basic) |
| EMG | Via ADS1293 breakout | Via ADS1293 breakout | Limited (repurposed EEG channel) | Yes (10-bit) |
| SpO2 | Yes (MAX30102) | Yes (MAX30102) | No | No |
| Respiration | Yes (impedance pneumography) | Yes (impedance pneumography) | No | Yes (10-bit, PZT) |
| Temperature | Yes (MAX30205, ±0.1°C) | Yes (MAX30205, ±0.1°C) | No | Yes (NTC, ~±1°C) |
| IMU | Available via Qwiic | Yes (9-axis, built-in) | Yes (3-axis accel) | Yes (3-axis accel) |
| SD card logging | Yes (CSV + EDF+) | Yes (CSV + EDF+) | Yes (OpenBCI format) | No |
| Battery life | USB-powered | 48+ hours | 8–12 hours | ~8 hours |
| Display | No | 4″ touchscreen | No | No |
| Wireless | BLE + Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 + BLE | Wi-Fi (Cyton WiFi Shield) | Bluetooth 2.0 |
| Open source HW | Yes (CERN-OHL-P v2) | Yes (CERN-OHL-P v2) | Partial (board files available, custom licence) | Yes |
| Open source SW | Yes (MIT) | Yes (MIT) | Yes (MIT) | Yes (GPL) |
| Price | $275 | $599 | $500–999 (Cyton + Daisy) | $200–400 |
Where ProtoCentral Wins
ProtoCentral is the only platform that integrates clinical-grade ECG (24-bit), SpO2 (via the MAX30102), respiration, and temperature (via the MAX30205) on a single board. OpenBCI is primarily an EEG platform — its ECG capability is a repurposed EEG channel, not a dedicated ECG front-end with right-leg drive and lead-off detection. BITalino’s 10-bit resolution limits it to educational and demonstration use.
Where OpenBCI Wins
For EEG research, OpenBCI’s ADS1299-based platform is the clear leader in the open source space. 8 or 16 channels of 24-bit EEG with proper biopotential amplification, a large community, and compatibility with tools like MNE-Python and BCI2000. If your primary need is EEG, OpenBCI is the better choice today. (ProtoCentral is developing an ADS1299-based EEG expansion module for HealthyPi — coming later in 2026.)
Where BITalino Fits
BITalino is an excellent educational platform with a broad sensor ecosystem and good documentation. Its 10-bit resolution and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity are dated compared to newer platforms, but for undergraduate teaching where signal quality isn’t critical, it’s a proven choice at a moderate price point.
The Price Reality
Let’s put the cost comparison in context with a real scenario: equipping a 20-station university biomedical instrumentation lab.
| System | Per-Station Cost | 20-Station Lab Cost | Signals Per Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biopac MP160 (ECG + SpO2 + Resp) | ~$12,000 | ~$240,000 | ECG, SpO2, Respiration |
| ADInstruments PowerLab (ECG + SpO2) | ~$8,000 | ~$160,000 | ECG, SpO2 |
| OpenBCI Cyton | ~$500 | ~$10,000 | EEG (8ch), basic ECG |
| BITalino | ~$300 | ~$6,000 | ECG, EMG, EEG (all 10-bit) |
| ProtoCentral HealthyPi 5 | $275 | $5,500 | ECG (24-bit), SpO2, Respiration, Temp |
At $5,500 for 20 stations with diagnostic-quality biosignals, the cost barrier to equipping a teaching lab drops significantly. The same $240,000 budget that buys 20 Biopac stations could buy 20 ProtoCentral stations ($5,500) plus 870 re-orders of consumable electrode packs — enough for decades of continuous teaching.
What We Don’t Do (Yet)
Transparency means acknowledging gaps. Here’s what ProtoCentral currently does not offer:
Non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP): Oscillometric cuff-based BP measurement requires complex calibration algorithms and is tightly regulated. No open source platform handles this well today.
High-density EEG (32+ channels): Our ADS1299 EEG module is in development but not yet available. For high-density EEG research, OpenBCI or commercial systems like g.tec or ANT Neuro are the current options.
Polished desktop software: Our software tools (OpenView2 app, HealthyPi Studio, Arduino/Python libraries) are functional and actively maintained, but they lack the decades of refinement that Biopac’s AcqKnowledge or ADInstruments’ LabChart offer. If your workflow depends heavily on point-and-click analysis with built-in statistical tests, commercial software is still ahead.
Formal validation literature: ProtoCentral hardware has been used in published research, but we don’t yet have the thousands of citations that established platforms have accumulated over 30+ years. We’re actively working on validation papers and encouraging researchers to cite our hardware in their publications.
FDA/CE medical device clearance: ProtoCentral products are for research and education only. They are not medical devices and should not be used for clinical diagnosis.
Making Your Decision
Choose ProtoCentral if: You need affordable, transparent, open source biosignal hardware for research, education, or development. You value being able to inspect and modify the design. You’re equipping a multi-station lab on a budget. You’re building a product and need a reference platform you can learn from.
Choose Biopac/ADInstruments if: You need the broadest possible module ecosystem, mature desktop software, and extensive published validation. You have the budget and need a platform that university procurement departments already recognise.
Choose OpenBCI if: Your primary focus is EEG/BCI research and you need 8–16 channels of 24-bit EEG acquisition.
Choose Delsys if: You need wireless, research-grade EMG for biomechanics and sports science, and your budget supports it.
You can also browse our GitHub repositories to see how other researchers and developers have used and extended the hardware — community-contributed firmware, analysis scripts, and integration examples are all available alongside our own code.
If you’d like to evaluate ProtoCentral hardware for your lab, we offer institutional pricing for volume orders (10+ units) and can provide formal quotes for purchase order processing. Contact us at research-support@protocentral.com.
All specifications sourced from publicly available manufacturer datasheets as of February 2026. ProtoCentral products are for research and education use only. Biopac, ADInstruments, Delsys, OpenBCI, BITalino, and MyoWare are trademarks of their respective companies.