Various analytical systems with a testing time of less than 60 min and a capacity of several samples per hour have been reviewed. Usefulness of different approaches is discussed under headings of equipment capability (e. g. speed, capacity, adaptability, versatility, interference factors), equipment economy (cost of investment, chemicals and labour) and equipment reliability (officiality, sensitivity, accuracy and precision). None of the systems for rapid protein determination has been found at the same time to be rapid, universally applicable, cheap or accurate. Different instruments may be relevant at different occasions.