Franklin (Genoox) alternative · for practicing pathologists handling somatic oncology reports from multiple vendors
Franklin alternative for pathologists handling somatic oncology reports from multiple vendors
UNMIRI · See the pathologist tool
Franklin by Genoox is the established free-tier variant interpretation platform. 4,000+ organizations in 95+ countries use it. The free tier is excellent: paste an HGVS or upload a VCF, get an ACMG/AMP auto-classification with prediction-tool scores (SIFT, REVEL, SpliceAI, PolyPhen-2, GERP, and more), a community layer with shared lab interpretations, and a path to upgrade to Franklin Premium for validated workflows + CNV calling.
Franklin's center of gravity is germline classification starting from a machine-readable input (VCF or BAM). UNMIRI's pathologist tool is somatic-oncology-first and starts one step earlier — from the multi-vendor PDF or XML report you actually receive when a lab sends a result back. Different starting point, different output, different fit.
At a glance
| Dimension | Franklin (Genoox) | UNMIRI |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty fit | Germline-tilted (rare disease, hereditary cancer, genetic counseling) | Somatic-oncology-tilted (NGS report interpretation for treating clinicians) |
| Starting point | VCF or BAM (machine-readable, post-sequencing) | Vendor PDF or XML report from Foundation Medicine, Tempus, Caris, Guardant, etc. |
| Primary output | ACMG/AMP classification card per variant with annotation depth | Normalized cross-vendor report view + AMP/ASCO/CAP tier flags + companion diagnostic + trial pointers |
| Free tier | Germline lookup + community-shared interpretations, ad-supported in some contexts | Free for individual clinical use, pathologist beta (institutional email required) |
| Paid tier | Franklin Premium: 500+ validated workflows, ML CNV caller (Rainbow), API access | Pathologist tool stays free for individual clinical use. Year 2-3 monetization via clearly-disclosed pharma educational sponsorship. |
| Audience | Variant scientists, genetic counselors, clinical-lab analysts, rare disease researchers | Practicing pathologists, oncology fellows, treating oncologists who interpret NGS reports daily |
| Knowledge sources | ACMG/AMP + 100+ databases including OncoKB, COSMIC (licensed sources used under Genoox's commercial license) | Open sources only: CIViC (CC0), ClinVar, ClinicalTrials.gov, openFDA, CPIC, AMP/ASCO/CAP. License-clean for downstream sharing. |
Different verb, different starting point
The clearest way to frame this: Franklin is for the workflow that starts at "here's a VCF, classify this variant per ACMG/AMP." UNMIRI's pathologist tool is for the workflow that starts at "here are three NGS reports for the same patient from three different labs, unify them into one normalized view."
Both can be in your toolkit. If you do germline rare disease, you'll stay on Franklin and never need UNMIRI. If you're a pathologist getting Foundation, Tempus, and Guardant reports on the same patient, you'll find Franklin frustrating because that's not the verb it does — and UNMIRI's cross-vendor unification is the verb that fits.
When Franklin (Genoox) is the right pick
- You're a genetic counselor or rare-disease researcher classifying germline variants. Franklin is the established free standard.
- Your workflow starts from a VCF or BAM and you want ACMG/AMP classification depth with broad annotation tooling.
- You're at a clinical lab needing Franklin Premium's validated workflows or the Rainbow CNV caller.
- You value the community layer where labs share interpretations across the network — that's a Franklin moat.
When UNMIRI is the right pick
- You're a pathologist or oncology fellow handling NGS reports from 3+ vendors and you live the cross-vendor unification pain (different layouts, different terminology, different evidence formats per vendor).
- Your starting point is a vendor's finished PDF, not a VCF. Foundation, Tempus, Caris, Guardant, NeoGenomics — that's the input.
- Your specialty is somatic oncology. Germline pipelines are not your primary workflow.
- You want license-clean output that cites only open sources your institution can share without secondary licensing concerns.
- You're skeptical of freemium tools monetized via pharma advertising and prefer a tool that monetizes via clearly-disclosed educational sponsorship deals (Year 2-3 roadmap).
Frequently asked questions
- Does UNMIRI do ACMG/AMP germline classification like Franklin?
- No, not as the primary verb. UNMIRI uses AMP/ASCO/CAP 2017 tier classifications for somatic variants (the public-taxonomy oncology framework). For germline ACMG/AMP classification depth, Franklin is the established tool.
- Is the pathologist tool really free?
- Yes, for individual clinical use. Pathologist beta requires institutional email. Monetization plan is Year 2-3 educational sponsorship deals with pharma, clearly disclosed when active. UNMIRI does not sell user data and does not share uploaded reports with sponsors.
- What about OncoKB and COSMIC?
- UNMIRI's public artifacts use open sources only (CIViC, ClinVar, openFDA, AMP/ASCO/CAP, CPIC). The schema's evidence.externalLevels field is a documented extension hook for institutions with their own commercial OncoKB or COSMIC licenses to plug them in under their own licensing — but they're never embedded in UNMIRI's public output. Franklin uses OncoKB and COSMIC under Genoox's commercial license.
- Can I use both?
- Yes. Many pathologists use Franklin for individual germline classification and UNMIRI for cross-vendor somatic report unification. Different verb, different workflow.
Join the pathologist beta
Free for individual clinical use. Institutional email required for beta access — no credit card, no procurement step.