Fluke MET/CAL: Windows + SQL Server, No Cloud
- Where it runs:
- Installed Windows software with a customer-managed SQL Server. Not a cloud SaaS.
- Free plan:
- No free plan. Support is via paid membership programs.
- Pricing:
- Not published. Pricing is quote-based through a Fluke representative; licensing is concurrent (network).
Below: the full facts, what MET/CAL does well, what to weigh — and how CalibraCore compares if you want a cloud tool you can start on for $0, free forever for 20 instruments.
What is MET/CAL?
MET/CAL is automated calibration software from Fluke Calibration (part of Fortive). It creates and runs validated calibration procedures that drive calibrators and instruments automatically, and pairs with MET/TEAM for asset and workflow management. It is installed Windows software backed by a customer-managed SQL Server, built for dedicated calibration labs and enterprise metrology.
Who it is for: Dedicated calibration labs and enterprise metrology teams that automate procedures and run high volumes with Fluke hardware. CalibraCore is a different kind of option — a browser-based calibration system with a plan that is free forever, aimed at small teams that want to start fast and pay nothing until they grow.
In short: MET/CAL and CalibraCore both manage instrument calibration — CalibraCore adds a free, cloud, no-install way to do it.
CalibraCore vs MET/CAL
A fair, side-by-side look. Facts about MET/CAL are from their own website, checked 2026-07-21. Prices can change — always confirm on the maker's site before you buy.
| Capability | MET/CAL | CalibraCore |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Installed Windows software with a customer-managed SQL Server. Not a cloud SaaS. | Cloud — runs in any web browser, nothing to install. |
| Free plan | No free plan. Support is via paid membership programs. | Free forever — up to 20 instruments and 1 team member. |
| Pricing | Not published. Pricing is quote-based through a Fluke representative; licensing is concurrent (network). | Clear plans you can see online, from $10 per month. The free plan stays free. |
| Mobile & devices | A MET/TEAM Mobile module; the core is installed Windows software. | Any device with a browser — Windows, Mac or tablet. |
| ISO 9001 & 17025 records | ISO 9000, ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI Z540.3, with 21 CFR Part 11 electronic records and signatures in MET/TEAM. | Yes — full history and a due-date schedule for every instrument. |
| Best for | High-volume labs automating calibration with Fluke calibrators. | Small teams and startups getting ISO-ready without cost. |
| What it does | Automates calibration by driving instruments through validated procedures. | Tracks instruments, schedules and history (does not drive calibrators). |
| Deployment | Installed Windows plus a customer-managed SQL Server and IIS. | Cloud only — nothing to install or host. |
| Hardware | Deep integration with Fluke calibrators and a library of validated procedures. | Hardware-independent record-keeping. |
Why pick CalibraCore over MET/CAL?
- CalibraCore runs in the browser with nothing to install. MET/CAL is installed Windows software with a SQL Server you host.
- CalibraCore has a plan that is free forever. MET/CAL has no free tier and quote-based licensing.
- MET/CAL automates calibration by driving Fluke hardware through procedures. CalibraCore tracks instruments, schedules and history — it does not drive calibrators.
- CalibraCore suits small teams; MET/CAL suits dedicated labs automating high volumes.
In short: CalibraCore trades a heavy, paid setup for a free, cloud tool small teams can run in minutes.
What does MET/CAL do well?
An honest comparison names the other tool's strengths too. MET/CAL is a strong product for the right team.
- Deep automation and tight Fluke hardware integration, with a large library of validated procedures.
- Mature, audit-ready compliance — uncertainty reporting, traceability and 21 CFR Part 11, backed by Fluke and Fortive.
- Fluke states it is four to eight times faster than manual calibration for high-volume labs.
In short: pick MET/CAL if you need its depth; pick CalibraCore if you want a free, simple, cloud start.
Things to weigh about MET/CAL
These are facts from MET/CAL's own website, not opinions. They may or may not matter for your team.
- It is installed Windows software needing a customer-managed SQL Server — not cloud SaaS.
- There is no free tier; support is through paid membership programs.
- Built to automate lab calibration with Fluke hardware — more than a small team tracking gauges needs.
Who should switch to CalibraCore?
Small teams on a budget
Teams that do not want a paid licence or a sales quote to start. The free plan covers up to 20 instruments at $0.
People who want cloud, not installs
Anyone who would rather open a browser than install and update Windows software on every machine.
Startups going for ISO
New labs or factories that need a clean ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 calibration record from day one, without upfront cost.
How do you move from MET/CAL to CalibraCore?
You do not have to re-type your instruments. Export your list to Excel or CSV, then import it into CalibraCore in one upload — even on the free plan.
- 1
Export from MET/CAL
Get your instrument list out of MET/CAL (or your spreadsheet) as an Excel or CSV file.
- 2
Create a free account
Sign up with your email. No credit card is asked for. Your workspace is ready right away.
- 3
Import your instruments
Upload the file. CalibraCore adds every instrument in one go, with its details.
- 4
Set schedules and go
Give each instrument its interval. CalibraCore builds the due-date calendar and sends alerts.
What you get with CalibraCore
Every core calibration feature is on the free plan — up to 20 instruments and 1 team member, not a stripped-down demo.
- 20 Instruments
- 1 Team Member
- Import instruments in bulk via Excel or CSV file
- Calibration Plan Calendar
- Calibration History Record
- Store's Instrument Movement Activities
- Central Instrument Registry
- Dual Email & Desktop Alerts
- Multi-Sheet Excel Reports
- QMS Header Customization
- Retired Assets Management
- Advanced Analytics Dashboard
- Instrument Price & Asset Value Tracking
What instruments can you track?
Any measuring instrument that needs regular calibration. You add each one, set its interval, and CalibraCore tracks the rest.
Dimensional gauges
Ring, plug, snap and thread gauges, calipers, micrometers, height and bore gauges.
Pressure & temperature
Pressure gauges, transmitters, thermometers, thermocouples and temperature baths.
Electrical & electronic
Multimeters, clamp meters, oscilloscopes, insulation testers and power sources.
Weighing & mass
Balances, weighing scales and reference weights used across the shop floor.
Torque & force
Torque wrenches, force gauges and load cells that drift with heavy use.
Any custom instrument
Add any instrument with your own name, ID and calibration frequency.
Is CalibraCore enough for ISO 9001 & ISO 17025?
Yes. Like MET/CAL, CalibraCore keeps the two things every quality standard asks for: a calibration schedule and a full history for every instrument.
ISO 9001
Clause 7.1.5 asks you to identify, calibrate and keep records for monitoring and measuring resources. A live register with due dates and history covers exactly that.
ISO/IEC 17025
Calibration labs must show their reference equipment is itself calibrated and traceable. Track intervals, results and certificates for every instrument in one place.
IATF 16949 (automotive)
Automotive audits check that every gauge has a schedule, a calibration record and a way to recall it if found out of tolerance. CalibraCore keeps all of it per instrument.
In short: CalibraCore gives you the due-date control and audit trail that ISO 9001, ISO 17025 and IATF 16949 all expect.
What are calibration best practices?
Set the right calibration interval
Start with the maker's advice or once a year, then adjust from real history. An instrument used every shift needs checking more often than one used monthly. CalibraCore lets you set a different interval for every instrument.
Keep every certificate and result
Record the date, pass or fail result and certificate number for each calibration. A complete history turns an audit from a scramble into a two-minute lookup.
Act on overdue instruments fast
An overdue instrument should be pulled from use until calibrated. Automatic alerts and a red overdue view mean you catch these before a bad measurement reaches a product.
Have a recall plan for out-of-tolerance tools
If an instrument fails calibration, you may need to review what it measured. Keeping each instrument's usage and history in one system makes that review far quicker.
Frequently asked questions
Is CalibraCore a good MET/CAL alternative?
Yes. CalibraCore is cloud calibration management software with a plan that is free forever for up to 20 instruments and 1 team member. It runs in your web browser, keeps ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 records, and needs no install — a simple, low-cost way to move off MET/CAL or a spreadsheet.
What is the difference between CalibraCore and MET/CAL?
CalibraCore runs in the browser with nothing to install. MET/CAL is installed Windows software with a SQL Server you host. CalibraCore has a plan that is free forever. MET/CAL has no free tier and quote-based licensing. Both track instruments, schedules and calibration history, so the choice comes down to cost, hosting and how big your team is.
Is there a free MET/CAL alternative?
Yes. CalibraCore has a plan that is free forever — not a trial — for up to 20 instruments and 1 team member, at $0. You get the calibration calendar, full history and Excel or CSV import with no credit card and no expiry date.
Does CalibraCore support ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 like MET/CAL?
Yes. CalibraCore keeps a full calibration history and a clear due-date schedule for every instrument. That record is exactly what an ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 auditor asks to see. You get the same audit-ready trail on the free plan as on paid plans.
Can I move my data from MET/CAL to CalibraCore?
Yes. Export your instrument list from MET/CAL or your spreadsheet to Excel or CSV, then import it into CalibraCore in one upload — even on the free plan. You keep your existing data and skip re-typing every instrument by hand.
Is MET/CAL cloud software?
No. MET/CAL and MET/TEAM are installed on-premise on Windows with a customer-managed Microsoft SQL Server; the browser access is an internal, self-hosted web front end, not vendor-hosted cloud. CalibraCore is cloud only — it runs in any browser with nothing to install.
Is there a MET/CAL alternative with a free plan?
Yes. CalibraCore is a cloud calibration tool with a plan that is free forever for 20 instruments, while MET/CAL has no free tier and is quote-based. Note that MET/CAL automates calibration with Fluke hardware, whereas CalibraCore focuses on tracking, scheduling and history.
Does MET/CAL support ISO 17025 and 21 CFR Part 11?
Yes. Fluke states support for ISO 9000, ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI Z540.3, and MET/TEAM supports 21 CFR Part 11 electronic records and signatures with an audit trail. CalibraCore keeps ISO 9001 and 17025 ready records too, for small teams, on a free cloud plan.
Compare other calibration tools
Facts about MET/CAL are taken from their official website, checked on 2026-07-21: Fluke MET/CAL, MET/TEAM asset management. Product names and trademarks belong to their owners. Prices and features can change — confirm on the maker's site.
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