Cabinet No. 40 vs NM Collector: mineral collection software comparison
Cabinet No. 40 (cloud, IMA, public profiles, Excel import) vs NM Collector (offline desktop, geological template, multi-collection inventory). Objective 2026 co
TL;DR (21 July 2026). NM Collector is mature desktop/mobile software, 100% offline, with a geological template (Mohs, crystal system, formula) and receipt/disposition tabs - ideal for collectors who want no cloud. Cabinet No. 40 is a cloud mineral catalog with strict IMA nomenclature, Excel import, virtual cabinets, museum-grade PDF labels, Mindat BYOK integration and optional public collector profiles. Choose NM Collector for offline local privacy; Cabinet No. 40 for modern catalog workflow, sharing and cloud scale.
When NM Collector wins
- You want 100% offline - no cloud account, no server sync
- You also catalog other hobbies (coins, firearms, stamps) in one program
- You need classic desktop inventory with reports and receipt/disposition
- You prefer a one-time license or free tier without specimen caps (limit = disk space)
When Cabinet No. 40 wins
- You need Excel/CSV import with duplicate detection and IMA mapping
- You want virtual cabinets, museum PDF labels with QR and a public collection profile
- Strict IMA nomenclature, paragenesis and Mindat BYOK matter to you
- You work in the field (Field Mode) and sync drafts across devices
- You need a public REST API, webhooks or multilingual UI (PL/EN/ES/IT)
Feature comparison (2026)
| Feature | Cabinet No. 40 | NM Collector |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Cloud (SaaS) | Desktop + mobile, local database file |
| Offline | Field Mode (drafts), rest online | 100% offline |
| IMA nomenclature | Strict, validated species | Geological template, user freedom |
| Excel import | Yes (.xlsx/.csv, duplicates) | Own CSV / NM migration |
| Photos | Unlimited HD in cloud | HD stored locally |
| PDF labels | Museum-grade, template editor, QR | Reports / template print |
| Public profile | Yes (cabinetno40.com/collection) | No |
| Mindat | BYOK, autocomplete, bulk match | No native integration |
| Virtual cabinets | Yes | No |
| Custom fields | Up to 10 per specimen (paid plans) | Templates / custom in template |
| Entry pricing | Free up to 50 specimens | Free version + optional license/subscription |
| Public API | Yes (Curator+ plan) | No |
Verdict
NM Collector is a proven choice for offline-first collectors who value local data control and multi-collection support. Cabinet No. 40 is the modern mineral catalog for a 2026 workflow: Excel import, IMA, labels, sharing and Mindat. Many collectors keep NM Collector as a desktop archive and migrate the active collection to the cloud - Cabinet supports Excel import for exactly that scenario.
Full multi-app comparison: How to choose a mineral collection manager (2026).
FAQ
NM Collector vs Cabinet No. 40 - which to pick in 2026?
Offline and local privacy → NM Collector. Cloud, IMA, PDF labels, public profiles and Mindat → Cabinet No. 40.
Does NM Collector integrate with Mindat?
NM Collector does not offer native Mindat BYOK integration like Cabinet No. 40. NM Collector users typically enter mineralogical data manually in the geological template.
Can I migrate from NM Collector to Cabinet No. 40?
Yes - export to CSV/Excel from NM Collector, unify species names to IMA, then import into the Collector Panel. Cabinet detects duplicates by specimen signature.
NM Collector alternative with a public profile?
Cabinet No. 40 combines a private catalog with an optional public profile at cabinetno40.com/collection - which NM Collector does not offer.