View all Instrumentation & System Design Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to NI LabVIEW (Professional & Community)
Stop paying Free (Community) - $3,020/yr (Professional). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Instrumentation & System DesignVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Python (PyVISA / PyMeasure)
FREEBest Professional Alternative
Why we like it
100% free; massive library support for almost every instrument (VISA, Serial, GPIB); easy integration with modern AI and data science stacks; text-based logic is easier to track in Git.
Keep in mind
Lacks the native 'Visual GUI' drag-and-drop builder; requires manual threading management for high-speed parallel tasks.
MyOpenLab
FREEBest for Education & Simple Logic
Why we like it
Graphical interface that mimics LabVIEW's look and feel; excellent for Arduino and Raspberry Pi control; Java-based and cross-platform; zero cost.
Keep in mind
Not suitable for low-latency or high-performance FPGA tasks; smaller component library compared to the NI ecosystem.
GNU Radio
FREEBest for Signal Processing & RF
Why we like it
Graphical block-diagram interface similar to LabVIEW; optimized for high-speed signal processing and Software Defined Radio (SDR); world-class community for RF engineering.
Keep in mind
Focused strictly on signal processing; lacks the 'General Purpose' instrumentation drivers (like DMMs or PLCs) found in LabVIEW.
SweepMe!
FREEBest for Rapid Lab Automation
Why we like it
Combines a graphical sequencer with Python flexibility; 'Device Class' system allows for zero-code instrument setup; ideal for materials science and physics labs.
Keep in mind
Proprietary modular pricing (you pay per instrument driver); less flexible for building complex custom UIs compared to LabVIEW.
LabJack (LJLog/LJStream)
FREEBest for Low-Cost DAQ
Why we like it
If you use LabJack hardware, their software is incredibly stable and free; great 'Dashboard' style interfaces; excellent Python and C++ APIs.
Keep in mind
Locked to LabJack hardware; not a general-purpose programming environment.
InstrumentStudio (NI)
FREEBest for 'No-Code' NI Users
Why we like it
Modern, interactive multi-instrument environment; allows you to configure NI hardware without writing a single line of G-code; very high performance.
Keep in mind
Limited to NI hardware; 'Professional' features (like automation) are expensive.
DASYLab
Best for Industrial Data Logging
Why we like it
The 'Easy LabVIEW'; purely graphical with no 'wiring'—you just connect modules; exceptional for high-speed data acquisition and logging.
Keep in mind
Limited mathematical flexibility; proprietary and Windows-only.
Node-RED
FREEBest for IoT & Web Dashboards
Why we like it
Browser-based flow programming; exceptional at connecting hardware to web APIs; perfect for your Best Free Alternatives news/community portal metrics.
Keep in mind
Not designed for high-speed DAQ (>1kHz); lacks specialized scientific analysis toolboxes.
Scilab Xcos
FREEBest for Control Systems
Why we like it
Visual block diagram editor; excellent for simulating physical systems before deployment; completely free.
Keep in mind
Interfacing with real-time hardware is significantly more difficult than in LabVIEW.
Lark Suite (with Lark Base)
FREEBest for Data Management
Why we like it
Can be used as a front-end to log test data via Webhooks; excellent for collaborative lab notes and reporting; handles billions of rows in 2026.
Keep in mind
Not a programming tool; strictly for the 'management' of test data after it's acquired.
Need more options?
Explore our full directory of Instrumentation & System Design software alternatives.
Browse the Instrumentation & System Design Hub