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LabVIEW
Austin, Texas, United States
What it is
LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment for developing automated test and measurement applications. Its G language uses dataflow programming, supports parallel execution, and includes interactive debugging. The environment can connect to instruments from any vendor, with more than 7,000 instrument drivers, and includes engineering analysis functions and a native interface for monitoring and controlling tests. LabVIEW editions can integrate code written in Python, C/C++, .NET, and MathWorks MATLAB software. The Professional edition includes Application Builder, NI Nigel AI, software engineering tools, and Report Generation, Database Connectivity, and Advanced Signal Processing Toolkits. A free Community Edition is limited to personal, non-commercial, non-industrial use and cannot be used for teaching or research at a degree-granting institution. Professional trials provide seven days of access; the downloadable trial can connect to physical hardware, while the web-based trial uses simulated hardware only. LabVIEW editions support Windows and Linux; from LabVIEW 2025 Q3, the Community Edition is the only macOS edition. Each target computer running a developed application requires a perpetual deployment license.
For and against
For
- Dataflow programming supports parallel execution
- Includes more than 7,000 instrument drivers
- Can integrate Python, C/C++, .NET, and MATLAB code
- Free Community Edition is available with restrictions
Against
- Community Edition excludes commercial and industrial use
- Web trial uses simulated hardware only
- Each target computer requires a perpetual deployment license
The verdict
LabVIEW combines graphical programming, instrument connectivity, and test monitoring tools. Check the Community Edition restrictions and deployment licensing requirements against your intended use.
Who it suits
LabVIEW is aimed at engineers developing test and measurement applications. The Community Edition may suit personal, non-commercial, non-industrial projects, while its stated use limits exclude certain institutional teaching and research.
Plans and prices
LabVIEW Community Edition
Personal, non-commercial, non-industrial use only · not for teaching or research at degree-granting institutions
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ni.com
LabVIEW Base subscription
Development license · subscription ends unless renewed
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ni.com
LabVIEW Base perpetual
Development license · purchased version continues to work
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ni.com
LabVIEW Full subscription
Development license · subscription ends unless renewed
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ni.com
LabVIEW Professional perpetual
Development license · includes Nigel AI and Application Builder
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ni.com
LabVIEW Professional subscription
Development license · includes Nigel AI and Application Builder
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ni.com
LabVIEW Full perpetual
Development license · purchased version continues to work
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ni.com
On the record
- Analysis and interfaces
- LabVIEW includes engineering analysis functions and native user interfaces for monitoring and controlling tests.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Code integration
- LabVIEW can integrate text-based source code including C/C++ and Python, and call code from .NET and MATLAB.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Code integrations
- LabVIEW editions support integrating code written in Python, C/C++, .NET, and MathWorks MATLAB software.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- A deployment license is required for each target computer running an application developed with LabVIEW, and deployment licenses are perpetual.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment licensing
- Distributing LabVIEW applications requires a perpetual deployment license for each target computer.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Free edition limit
- The Community Edition is free for personal, non-commercial, non-industrial use and cannot be used for teaching or research at a degree-granting institution.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Hardware connectivity
- NI says LabVIEW can connect to instruments regardless of vendor and cites more than 7,000 available instrument drivers.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Maker
- NI says it began in 1976 and that Emerson acquired NI in 2023.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Maker history
- NI says three engineers started the company in 1976 and that Emerson acquired NI in 2023.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- NI lists Windows and Linux support for LabVIEW editions, and says the Community Edition is the only macOS edition available starting with LabVIEW 2025 Q3.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Professional edition
- The Professional edition includes the Application Builder, NI Nigel AI, software engineering tools, and Report Generation, Database Connectivity, and Advanced Signal Processing Toolkits.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Programming
- It uses G, a graphical high-level language with dataflow programming, inherent parallelism, and interactive debugging.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment for developing automated test and measurement systems.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- NI says LabVIEW is memory-safe and that it generates software bills of materials for LabVIEW as part of its Secure Development Lifecycle.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- A single-seat purchase includes an NI software service agreement with technical support, version downloads, and LabVIEW Core 1 on-demand, with perpetual-license benefits included for the first year.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- NI lists minimum requirements of 4 GB RAM, 12 GB disk space, and 1024 × 768 screen resolution.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The downloadable trial lasts seven days and may be extended for up to 45 days after first opening; the web-based sandbox provides seven days of access.ni.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Trial hardware access
- The downloadable trial can connect to physical hardware, while the web-based trial uses simulated hardware only.ni.com · read 7 Oct 2026