LabVIEW
7.3#3 in electrical design softwareFree planFree planWebLinuxmacOSWindows
VisitLabVIEW vs PSCAD
What both publish
| Fact | LabVIEW | PSCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, United States | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Maker | NI says it began in 1976 and that Emerson acquired NI in 2023. | PSCAD is developed by the software development and engineering department within Manitoba Hydro International Ltd., a subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro. |
| Purpose | LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment for developing automated test and measurement systems. | PSCAD is a graphical interface to the EMTDC electromagnetic transient simulation engine for constructing circuits, running simulations, analyzing results, and managing data. |
| 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. | The PSCAD technical team provides consulting, expert advice, in-depth training, and technical support for electromagnetic transient studies. |
| 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. | A temporary trial license for Professional or Educational can be requested from the sales desk to evaluate the software before purchase. |
LabVIEW plans
- LabVIEW Community EditionFree
- LabVIEW Base subscription—
- LabVIEW Base perpetual—
- LabVIEW Full subscription—
- LabVIEW Professional perpetual—
- LabVIEW Professional subscription—
PSCAD plans
- PSCAD Free EditionFree
- Educational EditionPriced on request
- Professional EditionPriced on request
Pick LabVIEW if…
LabVIEW suits engineers building automated test and measurement applications, especially when they need instrument connectivity, analysis and a control interface. The Community Edition is limited to personal, non-commercial, non-industrial use.
Pick PSCAD if…
It suits electrical engineers and educational users who need to construct circuits and run electromagnetic transient simulations on Windows. The Free Edition may suit smaller projects within its listed limits.