Software · NI (an Emerson business since 2023)

NI LabVIEW

LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment from NI. Instead of typing lines of code, you place blocks on a diagram and draw wires between them; data flows along the wires and each block runs when its inputs arrive. Every program, called a VI (virtual instrument), also has a front panel with knobs, buttons and graphs that form the program's user interface. LabVIEW controls instruments and data-acquisition hardware from NI and from other makers that supply LabVIEW drivers. A free Community Edition exists for non-commercial use (it is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities). It runs on Windows and Linux; macOS is limited to the Community Edition.

Profile overall:Evidence: InferredLast reviewed 2026-10-19 · audited

Records on BenchRove

Specs live on each model's page, not here.

NI LabVIEW

History & Evolution

1986 Evidence: Documented

NI ships LabVIEW 1.0, for the Apple Macintosh (Motorola 68000), using an interpreter.

A co-creator's ACM HOPL paper gives end of October 1986; that page returned 403 and is not used.
Evidence (2)
- NI states LabVIEW 1.0 shipped in 1986, used an interpreter and targeted only the Motorola 68000. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · NI LabVIEW Compiler: Under the Hood, history section · retrieved 2026-10-19
- NI's corporate timeline lists 1986 as the year LabVIEW launched as a graphical programming environment for Macintosh users. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · The Measurement Revolution timeline (2000 annual report), 1986 entry · retrieved 2026-10-19
Date not documented Evidence: Documented

LabVIEW 2.0 replaces the interpreter with a compiler; LabVIEW 2.5 adds Intel x86 and Sparc back ends.

NI's compiler paper gives the sequence but not dates; dates intentionally omitted.
Evidence (1)
- NI states LabVIEW 2.0 replaced the interpreter with a compiler and LabVIEW 2.5 added Intel x86 and Sparc back ends. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · NI LabVIEW Compiler: Under the Hood, history section · retrieved 2026-10-19
2023 Evidence: Documented

LabVIEW 2023 Q3 is the final release of LabVIEW Professional for macOS; from 2024 releases, Windows and Linux only.
Evidence (1)
- NI states LabVIEW 2023 Q3 is the final release of LabVIEW for macOS and that from 2024 releases LabVIEW is available only on Windows and Linux (archived KB, updated Dec 15, 2023). Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · Archived KB NI Product Compatibility With LabVIEW for Mac OS X, Issue Details note (updated Dec 15, 2023); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
11 October 2023 Evidence: Documented

Emerson completes its acquisition of NI; NI becomes Emerson's Test & Measurement segment.
Evidence (1)
- Emerson announced on 2023-10-11 that it had closed its acquisition of NI, which became the Test & Measurement segment. Evidence: Documented
  
  Emerson · Emerson Completes Acquisition of NI, dateline October 11, 2023 · retrieved 2026-10-19
2025 Evidence: Documented

LabVIEW returns to macOS in the Community Edition only, beginning with LabVIEW 2025 Q3.

Disputed: NI's archived KB (updated Dec 2023) says LabVIEW is "available only on Windows and Linux" from 2024; NI's compatibility page (updated Jul 28, 2026) adds the 2025 Q3 macOS Community Edition. LabJack's LabVIEW page still says macOS support ended. BenchRove follows the newer NI page.
Evidence (1)
- NI states LabVIEW is currently available for macOS only in the Community Edition, beginning with LabVIEW 2025 Q3; the final LabVIEW Professional macOS release was 2023 Q3 (page updated Jul 28, 2026). Per NI's Community Edition page, that edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW and macOS Compatibility (updated Jul 28, 2026), note above the table · retrieved 2026-10-19
Date not documented Evidence: Documented

LINX by Digilent (for LabVIEW 2011-2020) is deprecated; NI's LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit (formerly LINX) is the current option for LabVIEW 2021 and later and is included in Community Edition 2020 and later.

NI KB updated Oct 8, 2025; NI gives no deprecation date.
Evidence (1)
- NI states LINX by Digilent (for LabVIEW 2011-2020) is deprecated and that the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit is compatible only with LabVIEW 2021 and newer and is included in Community Edition 2020 and later. (Community Edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions.) Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · KB "Using Raspberry Pi or Arduino with LabVIEW" (updated Oct 8, 2025), Solution: LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit; LINX by Digilent (deprecated) · retrieved 2026-10-19

How it works Evidence: Documented

A LabVIEW program (a VI) has two windows. The front panel is the screen the user sees: controls such as knobs and buttons for input, indicators such as graphs and LEDs for output. The block diagram is the code: you drag functions from a palette and wire them together. Press Run and LabVIEW compiles the VI automatically and runs it. Loops (For, While) and Case structures play the role of loops and if-statements in text languages.

More detail (advanced)

G is a dataflow language: a node executes when all its required inputs have arrived, and the movement of data sets execution order, so independent branches can run in parallel. The compiler turns the diagram into native code for the target; the same code can be recompiled for NI real-time and FPGA hardware. Hardware access goes through drivers installed with NI Package Manager (NI-DAQmx for NI DAQ, NI-VISA for instruments) or through third-party driver VIs such as LabJack's LJM wrapper. Add-ons are managed with VI Package Manager (VIPM).

Evidence (5)

A VI has a front panel (user interface of controls and indicators) and a block diagram (graphical source code); LabVIEW compiles VIs automatically when run. Evidence: Documented

NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
LabVIEW follows a dataflow model: a block diagram node executes when it receives all required inputs. Evidence: Documented

NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
The LabVIEW installer installs NI Package Manager; hardware drivers such as NI-DAQmx install examples into the Example Finder. Evidence: Documented

NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
LabVIEW uses G, a graphical high-level dataflow programming language. Evidence: Documented

From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16
LabVIEW applications can be recompiled from Windows to run on real-time and FPGA hardware. Evidence: Documented

From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16

What can you build or do with it?

Learn graphical programming and build a simple instrument-style UI Evidence: Documented

Its role
Development environment (Community Edition is free for non-commercial use; not for use at degree-granting institutions)

You also need
Windows or Linux PC (macOS for Community Edition only)

Difficulty
Beginner

Maker documentation
Evidence (2)
- A VI has a front panel (user interface of controls and indicators) and a block diagram (graphical source code); LabVIEW compiles VIs automatically when run. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
- NI states the LabVIEW Community Edition is free for non-commercial use, is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs, and includes Professional-edition capabilities, the LINX toolkit (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, Arduino) and G Web Development Software. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19
Acquire and log data from NI DAQ hardware Evidence: Documented

Its role
Application layer on top of the NI-DAQmx driver

You also need
NI DAQ device (e.g. CompactDAQ), NI-DAQmx driver

Difficulty
Intermediate
Evidence (1)
- The LabVIEW installer installs NI Package Manager; hardware drivers such as NI-DAQmx install examples into the Example Finder. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
Automate benchtop instruments (scopes, supplies, meters) Evidence: Documented

Its role
Controls instruments through instrument drivers

You also need
Instrument with a LabVIEW driver; GPIB/USB/Ethernet connection

Difficulty
Intermediate

NI LabVIEW
Evidence (1)
- NI states LabVIEW has more than 7,000 available instrument drivers. Evidence: Documented
  
  From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16
Use a third-party DAQ such as a LabJack T7 Evidence: Documented

Its role
Calls the vendor's LabVIEW VIs (LabJack LJM), not NI-DAQmx

You also need
LabJack device; LabJack LabVIEW_LJM package

Difficulty
Intermediate

LabJack T7
Evidence (1)
- LabJack documents LabVIEW support through its LJM VIs (LabVIEW 7.1 or newer) and states it does not use NI MAX or DAQ Assistant. Evidence: Documented
  
  LabJack · LabVIEW for LJM, requirements · retrieved 2026-10-19
Drive a PicoScope from a LabVIEW test program Evidence: Documented

Its role
Uses PicoSDK drivers with Pico's LabVIEW examples

You also need
PicoScope; PicoSDK

Difficulty
Advanced

PicoScope 2000 Series
Evidence (1)
- Pico publishes NI LabVIEW example code for PicoScope oscilloscopes and PicoLog data loggers (GitHub picosdk-ni-labview-examples); its prerequisites are Windows only, with LabVIEW Base Development System 10 or later (32- or 64-bit). Evidence: Documented
  
  Pico Technology (GitHub picotech) · README, overview and Prerequisites (Microsoft Windows) · retrieved 2026-10-19
Hobby control of an Arduino or Raspberry Pi from LabVIEW Evidence: Documented

Its role
LabVIEW with the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit (formerly LINX; included in Community Edition, non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions)

You also need
Arduino or Raspberry Pi board

Difficulty
Intermediate

Maker documentation
Evidence (2)
- NI states the LabVIEW Community Edition is free for non-commercial use, is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs, and includes Professional-edition capabilities, the LINX toolkit (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, Arduino) and G Web Development Software. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19
- NI states the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit deploys LabVIEW code to Raspberry Pi boards up to the Raspberry Pi 5 and supports Arduino boards, flashed with the Firmware Wizard over a COM port from a Windows host; Raspberry Pi 5 and Bookworm support arrived in Community Edition 2024 Q1. (Community Edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions.) Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · KB "Using Raspberry Pi or Arduino with LabVIEW" (updated Oct 8, 2025), Solution: LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit; LINX by Digilent (deprecated) · retrieved 2026-10-19
Deterministic control or high-speed logic on dedicated hardware Evidence: Documented

Its role
LabVIEW code recompiled for NI real-time and FPGA targets

You also need
NI real-time / FPGA hardware and modules

Difficulty
Advanced

NI LabVIEW
Evidence (1)
- LabVIEW applications can be recompiled from Windows to run on real-time and FPGA hardware. Evidence: Documented
  
  From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16

Strengths & limitations

Strengths

Graphical dataflow model with a built-in front panel UI; parallelism is natural. Evidence: Documented
Evidence (2)
- A VI has a front panel (user interface of controls and indicators) and a block diagram (graphical source code); LabVIEW compiles VIs automatically when run. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
- LabVIEW follows a dataflow model: a block diagram node executes when it receives all required inputs. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
Large instrument-driver catalogue (NI states 7,000+). Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- NI states LabVIEW has more than 7,000 available instrument drivers. Evidence: Documented
  
  From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16
Same code can target desktop, real-time and FPGA hardware. Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- LabVIEW applications can be recompiled from Windows to run on real-time and FPGA hardware. Evidence: Documented
  
  From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16
Free Community Edition for non-commercial personal projects (not for use at degree-granting institutions), with the Hobbyist Toolkit (formerly LINX) for Arduino/Raspberry Pi. Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- NI states the LabVIEW Community Edition is free for non-commercial use, is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs, and includes Professional-edition capabilities, the LINX toolkit (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, Arduino) and G Web Development Software. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19

Limitations

Commercial use needs a paid edition (Community Edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions). Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- NI states the LabVIEW Community Edition is free for non-commercial use, is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs, and includes Professional-edition capabilities, the LINX toolkit (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, Arduino) and G Web Development Software. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19
Proprietary language and environment tied to one vendor; code is not plain text. Evidence: Inferred
Evidence (1)
- LabVIEW code is graphical and tied to NI's environment, so it is less portable than text-based code (inference from the block-diagram model). Evidence: Inferred
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
Platform support has shifted; macOS is now Community Edition only. Evidence: Documented
Evidence (2)
- NI states LabVIEW 2023 Q3 is the final release of LabVIEW for macOS and that from 2024 releases LabVIEW is available only on Windows and Linux (archived KB, updated Dec 15, 2023). Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · Archived KB NI Product Compatibility With LabVIEW for Mac OS X, Issue Details note (updated Dec 15, 2023); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
- NI states LabVIEW is currently available for macOS only in the Community Edition, beginning with LabVIEW 2025 Q3; the final LabVIEW Professional macOS release was 2023 Q3 (page updated Jul 28, 2026). Per NI's Community Edition page, that edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW and macOS Compatibility (updated Jul 28, 2026), note above the table · retrieved 2026-10-19
Third-party hardware works only through that vendor's VIs; NI tools such as DAQ Assistant do not apply to it. Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- LabJack documents LabVIEW support through its LJM VIs (LabVIEW 7.1 or newer) and states it does not use NI MAX or DAQ Assistant. Evidence: Documented
  
  LabJack · LabVIEW for LJM, requirements · retrieved 2026-10-19

Alternatives & comparisons

PicoScope 7 or Kipling (vendor apps)

instrument application software · different category

Not a like-for-like swap: A vendor app operates one instrument family interactively; it is not a general programming environment.

Integrations

Grouped by how well each one is supported. Each label shows the weakest evidence behind the entry.

Documented integrations (11)

NI Package Manager (installer) Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- The LabVIEW installer installs NI Package Manager; hardware drivers such as NI-DAQmx install examples into the Example Finder. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI-DAQmx driver and examples Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- The LabVIEW installer installs NI Package Manager; hardware drivers such as NI-DAQmx install examples into the Example Finder. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
Instrument drivers (NI states 7,000+) Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- NI states LabVIEW has more than 7,000 available instrument drivers. Evidence: Documented
  
  From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16
LINX toolkit for Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard and Arduino (Community Edition; now the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit) Evidence: Documented

Community Edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions.
Evidence (1)
- NI states the LabVIEW Community Edition is free for non-commercial use, is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs, and includes Professional-edition capabilities, the LINX toolkit (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, Arduino) and G Web Development Software. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19
Arduino via the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit Evidence: Documented

Protocols
USB serial (COM port)

Versions
Toolkit for LabVIEW 2021 and later; included in Community Edition 2020 and later

OS
Windows (development host)

NI does not list supported Arduino models on the pages read. LINX by Digilent is deprecated.
Evidence (1)
- NI states the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit deploys LabVIEW code to Raspberry Pi boards up to the Raspberry Pi 5 and supports Arduino boards, flashed with the Firmware Wizard over a COM port from a Windows host; Raspberry Pi 5 and Bookworm support arrived in Community Edition 2024 Q1. (Community Edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions.) Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · KB "Using Raspberry Pi or Arduino with LabVIEW" (updated Oct 8, 2025), Solution: LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit; LINX by Digilent (deprecated) · retrieved 2026-10-19
Raspberry Pi via the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit Evidence: Documented

Versions
Raspberry Pi boards up to Raspberry Pi 5; Bookworm and Pi 5 support from Community Edition 2024 Q1

OS
Windows (development host)

LINX by Digilent is deprecated (headless deploy only up to Raspberry Pi 3).
Evidence (1)
- NI states the LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit deploys LabVIEW code to Raspberry Pi boards up to the Raspberry Pi 5 and supports Arduino boards, flashed with the Firmware Wizard over a COM port from a Windows host; Raspberry Pi 5 and Bookworm support arrived in Community Edition 2024 Q1. (Community Edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions.) Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · KB "Using Raspberry Pi or Arduino with LabVIEW" (updated Oct 8, 2025), Solution: LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit; LINX by Digilent (deprecated) · retrieved 2026-10-19
G Web Development Software (Community Edition) Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- NI states the LabVIEW Community Edition is free for non-commercial use, is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs, and includes Professional-edition capabilities, the LINX toolkit (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, Arduino) and G Web Development Software. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19
LabJack T-series via LJM VIs Evidence: Documented

Versions
LabVIEW 7.1 or newer (per LabJack)

OS
Windows
Evidence (1)
- LabJack documents LabVIEW support through its LJM VIs (LabVIEW 7.1 or newer) and states it does not use NI MAX or DAQ Assistant. Evidence: Documented
  
  LabJack · LabVIEW for LJM, requirements · retrieved 2026-10-19
PicoScope via PicoSDK LabVIEW examples Evidence: Documented

Versions
LabVIEW Base Development System 10 or later (32- or 64-bit), per Pico's GitHub README

OS
Windows

Pico publishes the examples (class 1); that LabVIEW works with PicoScope is not stated by Pico or NI (class 2).
Evidence (1)
- Pico publishes NI LabVIEW example code for PicoScope oscilloscopes and PicoLog data loggers (GitHub picosdk-ni-labview-examples); its prerequisites are Windows only, with LabVIEW Base Development System 10 or later (32- or 64-bit). Evidence: Documented
  
  Pico Technology (GitHub picotech) · README, overview and Prerequisites (Microsoft Windows) · retrieved 2026-10-19
Operating systems - Windows and Linux (all editions); macOS (Community Edition from 2025 Q3) Evidence: Documented

OS
Windows, Linux, macOS (CE only)
Evidence (2)
- NI states LabVIEW 2023 Q3 is the final release of LabVIEW for macOS and that from 2024 releases LabVIEW is available only on Windows and Linux (archived KB, updated Dec 15, 2023). Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · Archived KB NI Product Compatibility With LabVIEW for Mac OS X, Issue Details note (updated Dec 15, 2023); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
- NI states LabVIEW is currently available for macOS only in the Community Edition, beginning with LabVIEW 2025 Q3; the final LabVIEW Professional macOS release was 2023 Q3 (page updated Jul 28, 2026). Per NI's Community Edition page, that edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW and macOS Compatibility (updated Jul 28, 2026), note above the table · retrieved 2026-10-19
Real-time and FPGA targets Evidence: Documented
Evidence (2)
- LabVIEW applications can be recompiled from Windows to run on real-time and FPGA hardware. Evidence: Documented
  
  From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16
- NI describes LabVIEW as targeting multiple OSs, chipsets, embedded devices and FPGAs. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · NI LabVIEW Compiler: Under the Hood, history section · retrieved 2026-10-19

Plausible (not documented by the maker) (1)

Any instrument regardless of vendor Evidence: Inferred

NI marketing statement, kept class 2 in tech-labview.
Evidence (1)
- NI states LabVIEW can connect to any instrument regardless of vendor. Evidence: Inferred
  
  From NI LabVIEW · NI · What is NI LabVIEW; LabVIEW Features & Benefits; System Requirements · retrieved 2026-10-16

Alternatives to an integration (1)

Python scripts calling the same vendor drivers Evidence: Inferred
Evidence (1)
- LabVIEW code is graphical and tied to NI's environment, so it is less portable than text-based code (inference from the block-diagram model). Evidence: Inferred
  
  NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19

Known incompatibilities (2)

LabVIEW Professional on macOS after 2023 Q3 Evidence: Documented
Evidence (2)
- NI states LabVIEW 2023 Q3 is the final release of LabVIEW for macOS and that from 2024 releases LabVIEW is available only on Windows and Linux (archived KB, updated Dec 15, 2023). Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · Archived KB NI Product Compatibility With LabVIEW for Mac OS X, Issue Details note (updated Dec 15, 2023); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
- NI states LabVIEW is currently available for macOS only in the Community Edition, beginning with LabVIEW 2025 Q3; the final LabVIEW Professional macOS release was 2023 Q3 (page updated Jul 28, 2026). Per NI's Community Edition page, that edition is non-commercial only and not for use at degree-granting institutions. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW and macOS Compatibility (updated Jul 28, 2026), note above the table · retrieved 2026-10-19
Commercial use of the Community Edition, or use at degree-granting institutions Evidence: Documented
Evidence (1)
- NI states the LabVIEW Community Edition is free for non-commercial use, is not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs, and includes Professional-edition capabilities, the LINX toolkit (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard, Arduino) and G Web Development Software. Evidence: Documented
  
  NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19

Tutorials & learning resources

Official material first, then beginner to advanced.

LabVIEW Tutorial: Getting Started with LabVIEW Programming Basics (NI Learning Center)

writtenBeginnerOfficial
How to download and install LabVIEW for use with NI mioDAQ devices and other NI DAQ hardware

videoBeginnerOfficial

NI Apps · published 2024-09-17

BenchRove read the description and transcript; not watched. Content not verified.

Shows 2024 Q3; newer versions exist. Covers including NI-DAQmx in the install.
Writing Your First NI LabVIEW Program

videoBeginnerOfficial

NI Apps · published 2010-07-30

BenchRove read the description and transcript; not watched. Content not verified.

Concepts valid; UI is 16 years old.
Basics of LabVIEW Programming Environment Tutorial

videoIntermediate

LabVIEW Exercises · published 2021-10-22

BenchRove read the description and transcript; not watched. Content not verified.

Independent educator; credentials and LabVIEW version shown not checked.
NI LabVIEW Compiler - Under the Hood (NI white paper)

referenceAdvancedOfficial

Where to buy

Links go to the maker or the maker's own list of official sellers. BenchRove shows no prices or stock and earns nothing from these links.

Choosing a model

Personal, non-commercial learning or hobby work - Community Edition (includes Professional capabilities and LINX, per NI; not for use at degree-granting institutions such as universities, vocational schools and certification programs).
Commercial or work use - a paid edition from ni.com; compare editions there (BenchRove does not list prices).
Using a Mac - only the Community Edition (non-commercial; not for use at degree-granting institutions) is current on macOS (from 2025 Q3); otherwise use Windows or Linux.
Using non-NI hardware - check that the hardware vendor supplies LabVIEW VIs (LabJack and Pico do).

NI LabVIEW product page (editions) · Manufacturer
LabVIEW Community Edition (free, non-commercial; not for use at degree-granting institutions) · Manufacturer

Related on BenchRove

LabJack T7

Sources & last review

Last reviewed 2026-10-19. Audited by BenchRove. Labels: Documented (from a primary source), Inferred (reasoned from sources), Unverified (not confirmed). How we verify

NI · NI LabVIEW Compiler: Under the Hood, history section · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI · The Measurement Revolution timeline (2000 annual report), 1986 entry · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI · Archived KB NI Product Compatibility With LabVIEW for Mac OS X, Issue Details note (updated Dec 15, 2023); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
Emerson · Emerson Completes Acquisition of NI, dateline October 11, 2023 · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI · LabVIEW and macOS Compatibility (updated Jul 28, 2026), note above the table · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI · KB "Using Raspberry Pi or Arduino with LabVIEW" (updated Oct 8, 2025), Solution: LabVIEW Hobbyist Toolkit; LINX by Digilent (deprecated) · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI Learning Center · LabVIEW Tutorial, Steps 1-4 (Set Up Software; Overview of the Environment; Data Flow Programming; NI Example Finder); WebFetch · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI · LabVIEW Community Edition page, header and includes list · retrieved 2026-10-19
LabJack · LabVIEW for LJM, requirements · retrieved 2026-10-19
Pico Technology (GitHub picotech) · README, overview and Prerequisites (Microsoft Windows) · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI · LabVIEW product page (navigation includes Editions) · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI Apps (YouTube) · YouTube metadata + transcript, per exemplar_videos.md V1 · retrieved 2026-10-19
NI Apps (YouTube) · YouTube metadata + transcript, per exemplar_videos.md V2 · retrieved 2026-10-19
LabVIEW Exercises (YouTube) · YouTube metadata + transcript (skimmed), per exemplar_videos.md V3 · retrieved 2026-10-19