Comparison of Membrane Filter and MPN Techniques -
| Membrane Filter | MPN technique |
| Comparatively smaller quantities of media required. | Larger quantities of culture media and glasswares are required. Sterilization may need a larger autoclave. |
| Membrane filter is expensive. | Uses comparatively less expensive materials. |
| More accurate procedure especially at low levels. | Statistically based method and there is a possibility of errors especially at low levels. |
| Not suitable for turbid waters as they may clog the membrane. | Useful in analyzing turbid water samples. |
| More convenient procedure and less manipulation is required. | Less convenient as large quantities of mateirals are required. |
| Incubation requires 24 hours. | Incubation requires 48-72 hours. |
| Suitable for field tests | Not suitable for field tests. |