Introduction
The classic electronics bench often brings to mind a large, heavy oscilloscope with a dedicated screen and complex front panel. While these instruments remain powerful, a new generation of PC-based (often USB) oscilloscopes is gaining popularity among students, makers, and professional engineers. By using your computer for display and control through specialized software, these devices reduce cost, save space, and enable advanced capabilities like data logging, automation, and in-depth analysis. In this guide, we’ll highlight the best PC-based and USB oscilloscopes for 2025, explain the key features to consider, and share our top recommendations for every type of user.
What Are PC-Based & USB Oscilloscopes?
A PC-based oscilloscope is a piece of data acquisition hardware that connects to a computer, typically via USB. The hardware contains the core analog-to-digital converters (ADC), input amplifiers, and channel circuitry needed to capture signals. The connected computer runs specialized software that acts as the instrument’s brain, providing the user interface for controlling the device and a large, high-resolution display for viewing and analyzing waveforms.
USB oscilloscopes are the most common subset of this category. They are compact devices that draw power directly from the USB port, making them exceptionally portable. Many modern PC-based instruments are also mixed-signal oscilloscopes (MSOs), which means they include both analog input channels for traditional waveform viewing and digital input channels for logic analysis. This combination is incredibly useful for debugging modern embedded systems where analog and digital signals coexist.
Why Choose a PC-Based Oscilloscope?
While a benchtop scope has its place, PC-based oscilloscopes offer several distinct advantages that make them the ideal choice for many applications.
- Cost-effectiveness – By removing the need for an integrated screen, dedicated display processor, and complex front-panel controls, manufacturers can deliver high-performance hardware at a fraction of the cost of a comparable benchtop unit.
- Portability – Most USB oscilloscopes are small enough to fit in a laptop bag, making them perfect for fieldwork, remote debugging, or students moving between class and home.
- Powerful software integration – This is perhaps the biggest advantage. PC software, like Digilent’s WaveForms, provides a rich user experience with features that are often expensive add-ons for benchtop scopes. This includes advanced protocol decoding, spectrum analysis, data logging, and the ability to export data directly to common analysis tools.
- Large, high-resolution display – You are no longer limited to a small, built-in screen. Your computer monitor becomes the oscilloscope display, so you have a massive, detailed view of your waveforms.
- Easy updates and feature expansion – New features, bug fixes, and performance improvements can be delivered through simple software updates, extending the life and capability of your hardware.
Benchtop vs. Handheld vs. PC-Based Oscilloscopes
Choosing the right form factor depends entirely on your needs. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses.
| Feature | Benchtop Oscilloscope | Handheld Oscilloscope | PC-Based Oscilloscope |
| Form factor | Large, stationary unit designed for a lab bench | Rugged, battery-powered, all-in-one device | Compact hardware module connected to a PC |
| Portability | Low; heavy and requires AC power | High; designed for field use | Very high; fits in a laptop bag |
| Price range | Mid to very high ($500 – $100,000+) | Mid to high ($1,000 – $10,000). | Low to mid ($200 – $5,000). |
| Display | Integrated screen, typically 7–12 inches | Small integrated screen, often with lower resolution | Uses your PC’s monitor (large and high-resolution).] |
| Performance | Highest available bandwidth and sample rates | Moderate performance, often with compromises for portability | Ranges from entry-level to professional-grade performance |
| Software | Embedded OS; data export can be clumsy | Embedded OS, often with limited analysis features | Deep integration with powerful PC software for analysis, logging, and automation |
While handheld oscilloscopes offer portability, they are often expensive and less flexible than PC-based options. A PC-based oscilloscope provides a similar level of portability but with the significant advantage of a better display and more powerful software at a more accessible price point.
Buying Criteria for PC-Based Oscilloscopes
When shopping for a PC-based oscilloscope, you need to look beyond the price tag. The right specifications will determine whether the tool is a helpful asset or a source of frustration.
Bandwidth & Sampling Rate
- Bandwidth – This is the most important specification. It defines the maximum frequency the oscilloscope can measure accurately. As a rule of thumb (the “5x rule”), your oscilloscope’s bandwidth should be at least five times the highest frequency you plan to measure. For general-purpose audio and microcontroller work, 30-50 MHz may be sufficient. For higher-speed digital signals or RF work, you will need 100 MHz or more.
- Sampling rate – Measured in mega- or giga-samples per second (MS/s or GS/s), this is how many times per second the oscilloscope’s ADC captures the input voltage. A higher sample rate provides a more detailed and accurate representation of the waveform. The sampling rate should be at least 2.5 to 5 times the bandwidth to ensure signal fidelity and avoid aliasing.
Channel Count & Mixed-Signal Capability
- Channel count – A standard oscilloscope has two or four analog channels. Two channels are enough for many basic tasks, like viewing an input and output signal simultaneously. Four channels are better for analyzing more complex systems, such as SPI or I2C buses with multiple data lines.
- Mixed-signal capability – If you work with microcontrollers or FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), a mixed-signal oscilloscope is a game-changer. The additional 8, 16, or more digital channels let you see your analog signals in sync with your digital logic, making it much easier to debug embedded systems.
Memory Depth & Update Rate
- Memory depth – This is the number of sample points the oscilloscope can store in a single acquisition. Memory depth directly determines the maximum capture time for any given sampling rate. A deep memory allows you to capture a long time window of a signal while maintaining a high sampling rate. This is essential for finding rare glitches or analyzing complex digital packets.
- Update rate – Measured in waveforms per second (wfms/s), this determines how quickly the oscilloscope can process and display a captured waveform. A high update rate increases the probability of catching intermittent events like glitches or runt pulses.
Software Ecosystem
For a PC-based oscilloscope, the software is half the product. A poor software experience can make even the best hardware frustrating to use. Look for a software ecosystem, like Digilent’s WaveForms, that is powerful, intuitive, and well-supported. Key software features to look for include:
- Protocol decoding (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, etc.)
- FFT for spectrum analysis
- Data logging and export options
- Scripting and automation capabilities (e.g., via Python)
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Best PC-Based & USB Oscilloscopes (2025) – Our Picks
Best Overall: Analog Discovery 3
The Analog Discovery 3 hits the sweet spot of performance, portability, and power, making it the best all-around USB oscilloscope for a huge range of users. It builds on the legacy of its predecessor by offering a complete portable test and measurement bench in one device. It’s powerful enough for professional debugging tasks but intuitive enough for students and hobbyists just getting started.
Why it’s our top pick: It offers an unparalleled balance of features for its price. You don’t just get an oscilloscope; you get a logic analyzer, waveform generator, power supplies, and more, all controlled by the industry-leading WaveForms software. Its 14-bit resolution provides higher precision than the 8-bit resolution standard found on most comparable scopes.
Key Specs:
- 2 differential analog input channels (14-bit, up to 125 MS/s simultaneous sampling rate)
- 30+ MHz analog bandwidth (requires BNC Adapter accessory)
- ±25V input voltage range
- 16 digital channels
- 2-channel arbitrary waveform generator
- Powered by WaveForms software on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Best for Students / Hobbyists: Analog Discovery 3
For students and hobbyists, the Analog Discovery 3 is an unbeatable value. It provides a complete, lab-quality electronics bench at a price that is accessible for academic and personal budgets. Its compact size means you can take your lab with you anywhere, from the classroom to a coffee shop. The WaveForms software is easy for beginners to learn, and there is a vast library of tutorials and community-supported projects available.
Why it’s best for learners: It eliminates the need to buy multiple, separate pieces of equipment. The combination of an oscilloscope, logic analyzer, waveform generator, and power supplies in one device covers nearly every experiment in a typical electronics curriculum. The academic pricing makes it even more attractive for students.
Key Specs:
- All-in-one instrument: oscilloscope, logic analyzer, waveform generator, power supplies, and more.
- 2 high-resolution 14-bit analog channels
- 16 digital channels for mixed-signal analysis
- Intuitive WaveForms software with a gentle learning curve
- Cross-platform compatibility ensures it works on any student’s computer
Get the student-friendly Analog Discovery 3
Best for Professionals / Labs: Analog Discovery Pro (ADP3450)
For engineers in a professional lab setting who need higher performance and more channels without sacrificing portability, the Analog Discovery Pro ADP3450 is the top choice. It’s a portable 4-channel mixed signal oscilloscope with standard BNC connectors and higher bandwidth and sample rates. The device is suitable for more demanding applications in embedded systems development, validation, and automated testing.
Why it’s best for pros: The ADP3450 combines the flexibility of a PC-based instrument with the performance expected in a professional environment. Its four channels are essential for observing complex signal interactions, and its deep integration with WaveForms allows for advanced analysis and test automation scripting, streamlining lab workflows.
Key Specs:
- 4 single-ended analog channels (14-bit, up to 0.5 GS/seffective sample rate using oversampling)
- ≥55 MHz analog bandwidth
- 16 dedicated digital channels
- Advanced instrument suite via WaveForms, including a spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, and impedance analyzer
- Linux Mode allows automated tests and custom applications to run directly on the device
Explore the Analog Discovery Pro ADP3450
Best for Logic & Digital Analysis: Analog Discovery Studio Max
For educators, students, and lab coordinators who need an all-in-one teaching and testing solution, the Analog Discovery Studio Max is a complete “lab-in-a-box.” It integrates a 4-channel, 14-bit, 50 MHz oscilloscope (up to 100 MS/s) with an arbitrary waveform generator, logic analyzer, power supplies, and more. Designed for classrooms and structured lab courses, it enables hands-on circuit design, testing, and analysis in one compact setup.
Why it’s best for logic and digital analysis: The Studio Max combines multiple instruments into a single, portable workstation, making it perfect for teaching mixed-signal concepts and debugging digital systems. Its seamless integration with WaveForms ensures a consistent, software-driven experience for learning and experimentation across platforms.
Key Specs:
- 14-bit resolution, up to 100 MS/s, 50 MHz bandwidth
- 2-channel function generator, 14-bit, up to 100 MS/s, ±10 V output range
- Digital I/O: 16 channels + 8 Canvas Max connector inputs
- Programmable and static power supplies for flexible circuit testing
- Integrated breadboard interface for quick prototyping
- Compatible with WaveForms, LabVIEW, C, and Python
FAQs
Are USB oscilloscopes as accurate as benchtop scopes?
For a given specification level, yes. The accuracy of a measurement is determined by the quality of the hardware’s ADCs, amplifiers, and timebase, not its form factor. A high-quality PC-based oscilloscope with 12- or 14-bit resolution can be more accurate than an entry-level 8-bit benchtop scope.
Can I use a USB scope for automotive signals?
Yes, but with caution. Automotive signals often involve higher voltages and require specific protocols like CAN or LIN. You need a USB oscilloscope with a sufficient voltage input range and software that can decode these protocols. For safety, it’s also critical to use properly rated and isolated probes.
Do I need special software or drivers?
Yes, all PC-based oscilloscopes require software to function. Reputable brands like Digilent provide robust, cross-platform software (like WaveForms) and all necessary drivers as a free download. This software is what unlocks the hardware’s full potential.
How do USB scopes compare for bandwidth and latency?
High-performance USB oscilloscopes use USB 3.0 or higher to stream data continuously to the host PC, minimizing latency and enabling deep memory captures. While the highest-end benchtop scopes still lead in raw bandwidth (50+ GHz), professional PC-based scopes offer more than enough bandwidth (up to 1 GHz) for the vast majority of digital and analog design work.
Conclusion
The decision to choose a PC-based oscilloscope is a move toward a more flexible, powerful, and affordable testing workflow. By leveraging the computer you already have, these instruments provide a large-screen experience, deep software integration, and unmatched portability. Whether you are a student learning electronics, a hobbyist building your next project, or an engineer debugging a complex embedded system, there is a USB oscilloscope that fits your needs and budget.
When you’re ready to find the right tool for your bench, remember to consider the entire ecosystem—from bandwidth and channel count to the power and usability of the software.
Explore Digilent’s full collection of mixed-signal oscilloscopes.
