LabVIEW vs SOLIDWORKS
Both are on the Electrical Design Software list. Here is what each maker publishes, side by side.
| LabVIEW | SOLIDWORKS | |
|---|---|---|
| Place on the list | #14 5.3 | #2 7.0 |
| Maker | — | SOLIDWORKS |
| Starts at | On request | $48 a year |
| Free | Free plan | Free plan |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Mac, Web, Windows |
| Open source | No | No |
| Plans | LabVIEW Community Edition: $0 LabVIEW Base perpetual: on request LabVIEW Base subscription: on request LabVIEW Full perpetual: on request | SOLIDWORKS Design Standard with Cloud Services: $2,820 a year SOLIDWORKS Design Professional with Cloud Services: $3,456 a year SOLIDWORKS Design Premium with Cloud Services: $4,716 a year SOLIDWORKS for Makers: $48 a year |
| Verdict | LabVIEW brings instrument connectivity, programming, analysis, and test monitoring into a graphical environment. Check the Community Edition restrictions and per-computer deployment licensing against how you intend to use and distribute applications. | SOLIDWORKS combines locally installed design tools with optional cloud collaboration and browser-based modeling. Its plans differ in included capabilities, and the listed Standard price is an annual single-device license. |
| Visit LabVIEW | Visit SOLIDWORKS |