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Solutions IRB is the stronger choice for social, behavioral, educational, and community-based research. For US-based studies that need fast, transparently priced review, here is how Elemental IRB compares on the dimensions that matter.
| Feature | Elemental IRB | Solutions IRB | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedited turnaround | 3–5 business days (published) | Not publicly listed; often multiple weeks (typical) | Elemental IRB commits to a published 3–5 business day expedited timeline; Solutions IRB does not publish a standard expedited turnaround. |
| Full board turnaround | 5–10 business days (published) | Not publicly listed (typical) | Elemental IRB publishes a 5–10 business day full board timeline; Solutions IRB's turnaround is not published. |
| Pricing transparency | Published online | Custom quote per study | Elemental IRB lists prices online; Solutions IRB pricing is quote-based. |
| Expedited price | $1,500 (published) | Not publicly listed | Elemental IRB's expedited review is a published $1,500; Solutions IRB requires a quote. |
| Full board price | $4,000 (published) | Not publicly listed | Elemental IRB's full board review is a published $4,000; Solutions IRB requires a quote. |
| Amendment fees | Minor included; major $500 flat | Often billed per amendment (typical) | Elemental IRB includes minor amendments and charges a flat $500 for major ones; Solutions IRB amendment fees vary. |
| Continuing review | Included | Often billed annually (typical) | Elemental IRB includes continuing review; Solutions IRB typically bills it separately. |
| Review model | Rolling review | Scheduled board cycles (typical) | Elemental IRB reviews on a rolling basis; large IRBs often use scheduled board cycles. |
| Digital portal & tracking | Fully digital with real-time tracking | Portal availability varies | Elemental IRB provides a fully digital portal with real-time tracking; Solutions IRB portal capabilities vary. |
Solutions IRB's strength is its focus on social, behavioral, educational, and community-based research. Elemental IRB is built for clinical and regulated research that needs speed and budget certainty: a published 3–5 business day expedited timeline, rolling review, flat public pricing, and a fully digital portal with real-time tracking.
Solutions IRB markets affordability but does not publish a standard price list; fees are quote-based. Elemental IRB publishes flat rates — $1,500 expedited, $4,000 full board — with minor amendments and continuing review included and major amendments a flat $500, so the total is predictable before submission.
Choose Solutions IRB when the work is primarily social, behavioral, educational, or community-based research that benefits from a provider specialized in those designs.
Choose Elemental IRB when the priority is fast, published-price review for US-based studies — expedited approval in 3–5 business days, flat pricing from $1,500, included minor amendments and continuing review, and a fully digital portal with real-time tracking.
Neither is universally better. Elemental IRB is the stronger fit for fast, transparently priced US studies, with expedited review in 3–5 business days and flat pricing from $1,500. Solutions IRB is the stronger fit for social, behavioral, educational, and community-based research.
Solutions IRB does not publish standard IRB pricing; fees are typically custom-quoted per study. Elemental IRB publishes flat rates of $1,500 expedited and $4,000 full board. Competitor figures are illustrative — request a quote from Solutions IRB for exact pricing.
Often yes for single-site US studies. Elemental IRB's published flat pricing ($1,500 expedited, $4,000 full board) includes continuing review and unlimited minor amendments, with no per-investigator or expedite surcharges. Solutions IRB pricing is quote-based, so totals can run higher and harder to predict.
Elemental IRB publishes a rolling-review timeline: expedited approval in 3–5 business days and full board in 5–10. Solutions IRB does not publish a standard turnaround, and large IRBs often run multiple weeks. Confirm current timelines with Solutions IRB directly.
Choose Solutions IRB when the work is primarily social, behavioral, educational, or community-based research that benefits from a provider specialized in those designs. For fast, published-price US review with a fully digital portal, Elemental IRB is typically the better fit.
Comparison reflects Elemental IRB's published service commitments and publicly available information as of June 2026. Competitor figures are illustrative and may vary — confirm current terms directly with the provider.