handsontable vs gridjs vs ag-grid
JavaScript Data Grid Libraries Comparison
1 Year
handsontablegridjsag-gridSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Data Grid Libraries?

JavaScript data grid libraries are essential tools for displaying and manipulating tabular data in web applications. They provide functionalities such as sorting, filtering, pagination, and editing, allowing developers to create interactive and user-friendly interfaces. These libraries are designed to handle large datasets efficiently and often come with features that enhance user experience, such as customizable themes and responsive designs. Choosing the right data grid library can significantly impact the performance and usability of your application, depending on the specific requirements and complexity of the data being handled.

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handsontable48,84120,26320.4 MB41520 days agoSEE LICENSE IN LICENSE.txt
gridjs12,5164,4471.37 MB13010 months agoMIT
ag-grid8,33313,195-836 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: handsontable vs gridjs vs ag-grid

Performance

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable provides good performance for medium-sized datasets and offers features like lazy loading. However, it can become sluggish with very large datasets due to its spreadsheet-like functionalities.

  • gridjs:

    Grid.js is lightweight and fast, making it suitable for smaller datasets. However, it may not perform as well as ag-Grid with very large datasets due to its simpler architecture and lack of advanced optimization features.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid is optimized for performance, capable of handling large datasets efficiently. It supports virtual scrolling and lazy loading, which minimizes the rendering load and enhances user experience, especially with extensive data sets.

Customization

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable allows for significant customization, particularly in terms of cell editing and formatting. It supports custom editors and renderers, making it ideal for applications that require a spreadsheet-like interface.

  • gridjs:

    Grid.js provides basic customization options, including themes and simple cell formatting. However, it lacks the depth of customization found in ag-Grid, making it less suitable for highly specialized use cases.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid offers extensive customization options, allowing developers to create tailored grid experiences. It supports custom cell renderers, editors, and themes, enabling deep integration with existing applications.

Ease of Use

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable is user-friendly, especially for those familiar with spreadsheet applications. Its API is intuitive, and it provides good documentation, making it accessible for developers of varying skill levels.

  • gridjs:

    Grid.js is designed to be simple and easy to use, making it an excellent choice for developers who need to implement a grid quickly without extensive setup or configuration.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and configurations. However, it provides comprehensive documentation and examples to help developers get started.

Features

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable provides rich features akin to a spreadsheet, including cell editing, data validation, and formula support. It is ideal for applications that require a high level of interactivity and user input.

  • gridjs:

    Grid.js offers essential grid functionalities like sorting, filtering, and pagination but lacks advanced features found in more robust libraries. It is suitable for straightforward data display needs.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid is packed with enterprise-level features such as grouping, aggregation, pivoting, and server-side data operations. It is designed for complex applications that require advanced data manipulation capabilities.

Community and Support

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable has a robust community and offers commercial support. It provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and a variety of resources to assist developers in implementing its features.

  • gridjs:

    Grid.js has a smaller community compared to ag-Grid and Handsontable, but it is growing. The documentation is straightforward, and community support is available through forums and GitHub.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid has a strong community and commercial support options, making it a reliable choice for enterprise applications. The active community contributes to a wealth of resources, including tutorials and plugins.

How to Choose: handsontable vs gridjs vs ag-grid
  • handsontable:

    Select Handsontable if you require a spreadsheet-like experience with rich editing capabilities. It is perfect for applications that need Excel-like functionalities, such as cell editing, formulas, and data validation, making it suitable for data entry applications.

  • gridjs:

    Opt for Grid.js if you are looking for a lightweight, simple-to-use library that provides essential grid features without the overhead of more complex libraries. It is ideal for smaller projects or when you need a quick solution for displaying data without extensive customization.

  • ag-grid:

    Choose ag-Grid if you need a feature-rich grid with advanced capabilities such as server-side operations, complex data manipulation, and extensive customization options. It is suitable for enterprise applications where performance and scalability are critical.

README for handsontable


Logo of Handsontable data grid

Handsontable is a JavaScript Data Grid with a spreadsheet-like look and feel.

Use it with JavaScript, TypeScript, or frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue. With its spreadsheet-like editing features, it’s perfect for building data-rich internal apps. It allows users to enter, edit, validate, and process data from various sources. Common use cases include resource planning software (ERP), inventory management systems, digital platforms, and data modeling applications.

Website   —   Documentation   —   Themes   —   API   —   Community


NPM version Total downloads Monthly downloads Contributors
CI status Quality gate status FOSSA status


JavaScript data grid preview

✨ Key Features

  ✅  Built-in themes
  ✅  Flexible API
  ✅  Virtualization
  ✅  IME support
  ✅  Internationalization
  ✅  RTL support
  ✅  Accessibility
  ✅  Keyboard shortcuts
  ✅  Sorting data
  ✅  Filtering data
  ✅  400 built-in formulas
  ✅  Configurable selection
  ✅  Data validation
  ✅  Conditional formatting
  ✅  Merged cells
  ✅  Frozen rows and columns
  ✅  Hiding rows and columns
  ✅  Right-click context menu

🪄 Installation

Below, you'll find the installation guide for the JavaScript component. If you're using a specific framework, refer to its dedicated wrapper for installation instructions:


Install with npm

You can also use Yarn, NuGet or load the package from CDN.

npm install handsontable

Provide an HTML container

<!-- Set the container's ID and apply the desired theme -->
<div id="handsontable-example" class="ht-theme-main-dark-auto"></div>

Setup

import Handsontable from 'handsontable';
// Base CSS rules
import 'handsontable/styles/handsontable.min.css';
// Main theme variables
import 'handsontable/styles/ht-theme-main.min.css';

const element = document.getElementById('handsontable-grid');

new Handsontable(element, {
  data: [
    { company: 'Tagcat', country: 'United Kingdom', rating: 4.4 },
    { company: 'Zoomzone', country: 'Japan', rating: 4.5 },
    { company: 'Meeveo', country: 'United States', rating: 4.6 },
  ],
  columns: [
    { data: 'company', title: 'Company', width: 100 },
    { data: 'country', title: 'Country', width: 170, type: 'dropdown', source: ['United Kingdom', 'Japan', 'United States'] },
    { data: 'rating', title: 'Rating', width: 100, type: 'numeric' },
  ],
  rowHeaders: true,
  navigableHeaders: true,
  tabNavigation: true,
  multiColumnSorting: true,
  headerClassName: 'htLeft',
  licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation',
});

Static Badge

CDN-based setup

  Show/Hide code
If your environment does not support imports, you can use the code below to quickly set up and run a data grid with basic configuration options.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
  <head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
    <title>Handsontable - JavaScript Data Grid Example</title>
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable/styles/handsontable.min.css"
    />
    <link
      rel="stylesheet"
      href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable/styles/ht-theme-main.min.css"
    />
  </head>
  <body>
    <div id="handsontable-grid" class="ht-theme-main"></div>
    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/handsontable/handsontable/dist/handsontable.full.min.js"></script>
    <script>
      const element = document.getElementById("handsontable-grid");

      new Handsontable(element, {
        data: [
          { company: "Tagcat", country: "United Kingdom", rating: 4.4 },
          { company: "Zoomzone", country: "Japan", rating: 4.5 },
          { company: "Meeveo", country: "United States", rating: 4.6 },
        ],
        columns: [
          { data: "company", title: "Company", width: 100 },
          { data: "country", title: "Country", width: 170, type: "dropdown", source: ["United Kingdom", "Japan", "United States"] },
          { data: "rating", title: "Rating", width: 100, type: "numeric" },
        ],
        rowHeaders: true,
        navigableHeaders: true,
        tabNavigation: true,
        multiColumnSorting: true,
        headerClassName: "htLeft",
        licenseKey: "non-commercial-and-evaluation",
      });
    </script>
  </body>
</html>

🚀 Resources


🤔 Is Handsontable a Data Grid or a Spreadsheet?

Handsontable is a data grid component written in JavaScript, not a spreadsheet. However, it brings in many features typically found in spreadsheet software. We designed it this way because spreadsheet-like patterns are often the most user-friendly when it comes to data entry and management.

Spreadsheet-like features in Handsontable:

  • Keyboard shortcuts compliant with either Google Sheets or Excel
  • 400 spreadsheet formulas via native integration with HyperFormula
  • Keyboard navigation across headers that can be disabled, making only cells navigable
  • TAB navigation across cells that can be disabled
  • Built-in undo-redo functionality
  • Powerful clipboard capabilities for copy-paste operations
  • Ability to scroll the grid within the container (div) or window
  • Data binding in the form of an array of objects or arrays of arrays
  • Built-in cell editors like a date picker or dropdown list

At first glance, it might seem that a data table, spreadsheet, and data grid are just different names for the same thing - an interactive table displaying data. In reality, these tools serve different purposes and offer distinct functionalities, designed to meet specific needs. Handsontable sits comfortably in the data grid category while incorporating many of the best aspects of spreadsheet software.


🛟 Support

We're here to help!

If you're using Handsontable with a free, non-commercial license, you can:

If you have a commercial license, feel free to contact us directly at support@handsontable.com or use our contact form.


📖 Licenses

Handsontable is available under two licensing options, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs. Each license comes with its own terms and conditions, as outlined below:

① Free license for non-commercial use, and evaluation purposes

This license is available for non-commercial purposes such as teaching, academic research, or evaluation. It allows you to use Handsontable free of charge under the terms specified in the non-commercial license agreement.
Learn more here.

② Commercial license

For commercial use, a paid license is required. This license includes support and maintenance to ensure you get the most out of Handsontable. The commercial license can be purchased directly from Handsoncode or through an authorized reseller. See the pricing page for details.


🔑 License Key

For projects covered by the free non-commercial license, simply use the phrase 'non-commercial-and-evaluation' as your license key.

If you're using Handsontable in a project that supports commercial activities, you'll need to purchase a license key at handsontable.com/pricing. You can find more details in our documentation.


🙌 Contributing

Contributions are welcome, but before you make them, please read the Contributing Guide and accept the Contributor License Agreement.



Created and maintained by the Handsontable Team 👋


© 2012 - 2024 Handsoncode