NIHardwareAgent and NIHostIntegrationAgent, why?

When login on to my Mac the two applications are starting (as shown under the login items):

• NIHardwareAgent
• NIHostIntegrationAgent

Do I need these (I have no NI hardware)?
If I would delete these agents could I get them back in case I need them?

 

The NIHardwareAgent usually gets installed by default with some NI hardware-related software products. Like for instance with the Controller Editor (for Maschine and Traktor Controllers).

The NIHostIntegrationAgent gets installed with the Komplete Kontrol software (for the NI Komplete S Keyboards), which is, for instance, part of Komplete.

So if you don't have any NI hardware, there should be no harm in trying to disable or remove them.
But they will most likely be enabled or installed again the next time an update of a corresponding software gets installed.

 

I've tried quitting these but they keep coming back. They use quite a bit a ram, around 256mb.

 

Unless you are running 8GB or ram, I wouldn't be concerned. You would have to go to the service level and stop them from loading on an OS load. No idea how to do that on Mac. I'd not bother TBH unless you are that strapped for memory. They do not tie up any CPU if you have nothing that uses them so a few blocks of ram wont make any difference to performance.