For most readers, NI FlexLogger Lite is the best starting point because it costs $0, needs no programming, and works with NI DAQ hardware, while LabVIEW is the best choice when you need to build a custom test application. Prices in this guide run from $0 for PicoLog 6, FlexLogger Lite and BenchVue Basic to $449 for DASYLab Runtime, $605 per year for LabVIEW Base, and quote only for DewesoftX, LoggerNet and OXYGEN. A useful fact that changes the choice is that DewesoftX is included with Dewesoft hardware with lifetime updates at no extra software cost, while LabVIEW Base is $605 per year as a subscription or $2,116 as a perpetual license.
Pick the software that matches your hardware first, then your channel count and your need for automation. The eight options below cover graphical programming, no-code logging, field stations and bench work.
On this page
Best data acquisition software: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LabVIEW | Custom test and measurement applications | $605 per year | Free trial (7 days) | Visit |
| 2 | NI FlexLogger | No-code logging with NI hardware | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 3 | DewesoftX | High-speed test and measurement with Dewesoft hardware | quote only | Yes | Visit |
| 4 | PicoLog 6 | Low-cost temperature and voltage logging | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 5 | DASYLab | Icon-based acquisition without programming | $449 one-time | Free trial (28 days) | Visit |
| 6 | Keysight PathWave BenchVue | Bench instruments and basic logging | $0 | Yes | Visit |
| 7 | Campbell Scientific LoggerNet | Remote environmental and field stations | quote only | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
| 8 | DEWETRON OXYGEN | Portable high-channel measurement | quote only | Free trial | Visit |
The 8 best best data acquisition software tools, in detail
LabVIEW
Best for: Custom test and measurement applications
LabVIEW is the graphical programming platform from NI for building test, measurement and control applications. The Base edition costs $605 per year as a subscription or $2,116 as a perpetual license, and it covers data capture from NI and third-party hardware, interactive screens for test and monitoring, standard math and statistics, Python and C integration, and saving data to CSV or TDMS files. The limits that push buyers up the range are clear on the NI edition page.
- Full costs $1,801 per year as a subscription and adds advanced analysis, signal processing, signal generation and PID control.
- Professional costs $2,805 per year as a subscription and adds the Application Builder for stand-alone applications, software engineering tools and ext
- One limit: Base does not support deployment to real-time or FPGA hardware, so a team planning that route needs Full as a minimum.
Pros
- Graphical programming for NI and third-party hardware
- Base, Full and Professional editions scale from simple logging to full test systems
Cons
- Base edition does not support deployment to real-time or FPGA hardware
- Professional costs $2,805 per year as a subscription
NI FlexLogger
Best for: No-code logging with NI hardware
FlexLogger is NI software for quick sensor setup and mixed-signal logging with no programming. FlexLogger Lite is free and is included with NI DAQ hardware purchases, and it covers channel setup for analog, digital and counter inputs, logging to CSV and TDMS files, configurable dashboards and visual inspection of logged data. For a bench or a small rig that already uses NI hardware, Lite covers the daily logging job at no software cost.
- The trade-off is that Lite is a manual logging tool.
- Automated testing and control, custom measurements, automotive signals and scaling to multiple chassis sit in FlexLogger Professional, and NI lists Pr
- Choose Lite when your work is manual logging and monitoring, and ask NI for a Professional quote when you need automation, plug-ins or a larger synchr
Pros
- FlexLogger Lite is free with NI DAQ hardware
- sensor setup and logging need no programming
Cons
- Automation, custom measurements and multi-chassis work need FlexLogger Professional, which NI prices on request
DewesoftX
Best for: High-speed test and measurement with Dewesoft hardware
DewesoftX is the data acquisition software that ships with Dewesoft systems, and Dewesoft states that every system is bundled with it and that software updates are free for life with no yearly maintenance fee. That billing detail matters, because it removes the annual renewal that several rivals charge. The software covers recording, signal processing and data display, with support for video, GPS, CAN, Modbus, XCP and OPC UA sources, plus triggered recording and storage to DXD, CSV and IRIG 106 Chapter 10 formats.
- The main limit is the buying model.
- Dewesoft does not publish a standalone software price, so you need a hardware quote to know the total cost.
- Dewesoft gives a broad guide of $200 to $500 per channel for low-end systems, $500 to $1,000 per channel for mid-range systems and $1,000 to $2,000 pe
- Choose DewesoftX when you are buying Dewesoft hardware for vibration, noise, power or vehicle testing.
Pros
- Included with Dewesoft hardware with lifetime updates at no extra software cost
- supports video, GPS, CAN, XCP and OPC UA sources
Cons
- No published software price, so the total cost depends on the hardware quote
- it is built around Dewesoft hardware
PicoLog 6
Best for: Low-cost temperature and voltage logging
PicoLog 6 is a complete data logging package from Pico Technology for PicoLog data loggers and PicoScope oscilloscopes. Anyone can download and install it at no cost, and saved files can be shared with colleagues for offline analysis. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi OS, and it supports multiple PicoLog loggers and PicoScope oscilloscopes on the same PC.
- The limit is hardware lock-in.
- PicoLog 6 is free, but it is useful only with Pico hardware, and the logger itself is a separate purchase.
- Choose PicoLog 6 for temperature, voltage and slow logging work where a low-cost Pico logger is enough.
Pros
- Free to download for Windows, macOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi OS
- supports multiple PicoLog loggers and PicoScope devices on one PC
Cons
- It only works with Pico hardware, so it cannot replace a general DAQ package for other vendors
- the logger hardware is a separate purchase
DASYLab
Best for: Icon-based acquisition without programming
DASYLab from Measurement Computing is icon-based data acquisition software that lets you build an application by joining functional icons, with no programming. The entry prices are $449 for a Runtime license, which runs an existing worksheet on an extra computer, and $499 for Lite, which includes all drivers but has no analysis, a limited module count and one Layout Window. Basic costs $1,299 and adds all standard modules except Signal Analysis and Actions, with one Layout Window.
- Full costs $1,799 and adds all standard modules, 200 Layout Windows and the Control Sequencer.
- Pro costs $2,499 and adds all add-on modules except third-party modules to the Full package.
- DASYLab works with Measurement Computing, Data Translation and IOtech hardware and with hardware from other suppliers, which gives it wider hardware r
- Choose it when you want a visual worksheet and a one-time license.
Pros
- Icon-based worksheets need no programming
- works with MCC, Data Translation and IOtech hardware plus other vendors
Cons
- Lite has one Layout Window and no analysis, while Full costs $1,799
- Pro costs $2,499
Keysight PathWave BenchVue
Best for: Bench instruments and basic logging
Keysight PathWave BenchVue is PC software for controlling Keysight instruments, capturing data and logging results. BenchVue Basic is free to download, and it covers configuration, control, acquisition, export and display of measurement data from many Keysight instruments, with no programming and no added instrument drivers. That breadth makes it a useful daily tool on a bench that already uses Keysight gear.
- The limit is that Basic is not the latest release.
- Keysight says Basic apps give unlimited access to the features in the version just before the latest version, and Basic comes with no technical suppor
- Licensed apps add the latest features and support, and older Pro upgrade licenses ranged from $150 for a power supply app to $750 for a function gener
- Choose Basic for free bench control and logging, and budget for a licensed app when you need the latest release or support.
Pros
- BenchVue Basic is free to download
- controls Keysight instruments from a PC with no programming
Cons
- Basic gives access to the version before the latest release and has no technical support
- licensed apps are a separate purchase
Campbell Scientific LoggerNet
Best for: Remote environmental and field stations
LoggerNet is Campbell Scientific software for programming, communicating with and collecting data from Campbell Scientific dataloggers. It is built on a client and server design, so data can be served to multiple LoggerNet clients, and it supports links by serial port, phone modem, RF device and Ethernet hardware. The product family includes LoggerNet, LoggerNet Admin and LoggerNet Remote, with a separate Linux server option.
- The buying limit is price visibility.
- Campbell Scientific notes on its product page that pricing is shown after sign-in, and the public page does not list a starting figure, so this guide
- A 30-day trial version is available for download.
- One license covers one server and one computer, so a laptop and a desktop office PC need two copies.
Pros
- Built for Campbell Scientific dataloggers and remote stations
- supports serial, phone modem, RF and Ethernet links
Cons
- No public price on the product page, so you need a quote or an account sign-in
- one license covers one server and one computer
DEWETRON OXYGEN
Best for: Portable high-channel measurement
OXYGEN is DEWETRON measurement software for recording signals from analog, digital, video, GPS and other sources, with real-time analysis, reports and export. You can install the latest OXYGEN version for free and use it for post-processing and data analysis, or as a demo to test its features, and you can open and compare data files from other DAQ systems in OXYGEN. The limit is that a full measurement setup is tied to DEWETRON hardware and a system quote, because DEWETRON does not publish a standalone price on the OXYGEN page.
- The DEWE3-A4 portable system, for example, supports storing rates up to 400 MB per second, and OXYGEN 8.0 raised the XCP data transfer rate from 10 kS
- Choose OXYGEN when you need a portable high-channel system for automotive, energy or aerospace testing and you want free post-processing on any PC.
Pros
- Free installer for post-processing and analysis on any PC with no license
- four releases each year
Cons
- No published price for a full measurement license, so the cost depends on the system quote
- full capture needs DEWETRON hardware
How we chose
We included software that is a real data acquisition product with an official vendor page, a named set of supported hardware, and a published price or a clear quote-only buying route. Prices and plan limits in this guide come from official vendor pricing and product pages opened on 12 November 2026. We did not test any tool hands-on. We ranked nothing by customer counts, awards or review scores, and we used no hands-on claims. Where a vendor hid the price behind sign-in or a quote request, we wrote quote only rather than estimating a figure. The unique fact in this guide is that DewesoftX is included with Dewesoft hardware with lifetime updates at no extra software cost, while LabVIEW Base costs $605 per year as a subscription or $2,116 as a perpetual license, so the same job can carry a yearly renewal or a one-time software cost depending on the vendor.
Which option fits your budget and setup
| Situation | Pick | Cost to start |
|---|---|---|
| You own NI hardware and need simple logging | NI FlexLogger Lite | $0 |
| You own Pico hardware and need slow logging | PicoLog 6 | $0 |
| You own Keysight bench gear | Keysight PathWave BenchVue Basic | $0 |
| You want icon-based setup and a one-time license | DASYLab | $449 |
| You need to build a custom test application | LabVIEW Base | $605 per year |
| You are buying Dewesoft hardware | DewesoftX | quote only |
| You run remote Campbell Scientific stations | LoggerNet | quote only |
| You need portable high-channel capture | DEWETRON OXYGEN | quote only |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best data acquisition software for most people?
For most readers with NI hardware, NI FlexLogger Lite is the best starting point because it costs $0, needs no programming, and covers sensor setup, logging to CSV and TDMS files, and dashboards. If you need a custom application, LabVIEW Base at $605 per year is the better pick. If you already own Pico, Keysight or Campbell Scientific hardware, use the software that vendor supplies first.
How much does data acquisition software cost?
Costs in this guide run from $0 for PicoLog 6, FlexLogger Lite and BenchVue Basic to $449 for DASYLab Runtime, $605 per year for LabVIEW Base, and quote only for DewesoftX, LoggerNet and OXYGEN. The full range is wider, because LabVIEW Professional is $2,805 per year and DASYLab Pro is $2,499 one-time. Hardware is often the larger cost, so ask for a full quote before you commit.
Which is best for field stations and remote sites?
LoggerNet is the best fit in this guide for remote field stations, because it is built for Campbell Scientific dataloggers and supports serial, phone modem, RF and Ethernet links. It uses a client and server design, so data can be served to several clients, and a Linux server option is available. Pricing is quote only, and one license covers one server and one computer.
Is there free data acquisition software?
Yes. PicoLog 6 is free to download, FlexLogger Lite is free with NI DAQ hardware, BenchVue Basic is free to download, and DewesoftX is included with Dewesoft hardware with lifetime updates at no extra software cost. OXYGEN can also be installed for free for post-processing and analysis on any PC. Free editions still have limits, such as no automation in FlexLogger Lite and no support in BenchVue Basic.
Do I need LabVIEW to use NI DAQ hardware?
No. FlexLogger Lite covers manual logging and monitoring with NI DAQ hardware at no cost and with no programming. LabVIEW is needed when you want to build a custom application, add advanced analysis, or deploy to real-time or FPGA hardware. LabVIEW Full costs $1,801 per year, and Professional costs $2,805 per year, so start with FlexLogger Lite and move up only when a limit blocks your work.
What should I check about sample rates and channels?
Check the maximum sample rate, the channel count, and the storage rate for your test, because a slow logger cannot capture a fast signal and a small layout limit can block a large rig. In this guide, the DEWE3-A4 with OXYGEN supports storing rates up to 400 MB per second, and FlexLogger is built for projects with more than 2,000 channels.
Sources
- https://www.ni.com/en/shop/labview/select-edition.html
- https://www.ni.com/en/shop/data-acquisition-and-control/flexlogger/select-edition.html
- https://dewesoft.com/products/daq-software/dewesoft-x
- https://www.picotech.com/library/knowledge-bases/data-loggers/picolog-6-data-logging-software
- https://digilent.com/reference/_media/software/dasylab/dasylab_version-comparison.pdf
- https://www.keysight.com/blogs/en/tech/bench/2023/10/31/a-comprehensive-guide-to-installing-benchvue-basic
- https://www.campbellsci.com/products/loggernet
- https://www.dewetron.com/products/software/oxygen-software/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.