chart.js vs highcharts vs plotly.js vs c3
JavaScript Charting Libraries
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JavaScript Charting Libraries

JavaScript charting libraries are essential tools for visualizing data in web applications. They provide developers with the ability to create interactive and visually appealing charts, graphs, and plots that can enhance user experience and facilitate data analysis. These libraries vary in terms of features, ease of use, and customization options, allowing developers to choose the best fit for their specific project requirements. By leveraging these libraries, developers can effectively communicate complex data insights through intuitive visual representations, making it easier for users to understand trends, patterns, and relationships within the data.

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chart.js6,225,17966,8736.18 MB5052 months agoMIT
highcharts1,744,26423561.6 MB43 months agohttps://www.highcharts.com/license
plotly.js371,30317,986106 MB781a month agoMIT
c3110,5579,357-7805 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: chart.js vs highcharts vs plotly.js vs c3

Ease of Use

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js is known for its straightforward setup and intuitive API. Developers can quickly create charts with just a few lines of code, making it an excellent choice for beginners or projects with tight deadlines.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts offers a comprehensive API that can be complex for beginners but provides extensive documentation and examples. Once mastered, it allows for highly customizable and interactive charts, making it suitable for advanced users.

  • plotly.js:

    Plotly.js has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and capabilities. However, it provides a rich set of functionalities for creating complex visualizations, making it ideal for users who need advanced charting options.

  • c3:

    C3 is designed to be user-friendly, providing a simple API that allows developers to create charts with minimal configuration. It abstracts much of the complexity of D3.js, making it accessible for those who may not be familiar with D3's intricacies.

Chart Types

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js provides a solid selection of basic chart types such as line, bar, radar, doughnut, and polar area charts. It is ideal for projects that need standard visualizations without extensive customization.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts excels in offering a wide range of chart types, including advanced options like heat maps, treemaps, and 3D charts. This makes it a versatile choice for applications that require diverse data representation.

  • plotly.js:

    Plotly.js supports a vast array of chart types, including 3D charts, contour plots, and statistical charts. It is particularly strong in scientific and analytical applications where complex data visualization is necessary.

  • c3:

    C3 supports a variety of chart types, including line, bar, pie, and scatter charts. However, its offerings are limited compared to other libraries, making it less suitable for projects requiring diverse visualization options.

Customization

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js offers a good degree of customization, allowing developers to tweak colors, sizes, and labels easily. However, for highly specialized visualizations, it may fall short compared to more robust libraries.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts is highly customizable, offering extensive options for styling and interactivity. Developers can create unique visualizations tailored to their specific needs, making it a powerful tool for complex projects.

  • plotly.js:

    Plotly.js provides advanced customization capabilities, allowing users to manipulate almost every aspect of the chart, including annotations, colors, and interactivity. This makes it suitable for applications requiring detailed and specific visual representations.

  • c3:

    C3 allows for some level of customization through its configuration options, but it is not as flexible as D3.js. Developers can modify styles and behaviors, but advanced customizations may require additional work.

Licensing

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js is also open-source and free for both personal and commercial use, which allows developers to integrate it into projects without worrying about licensing fees.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts requires a commercial license for use in commercial projects, which can be a consideration for developers working on profit-driven applications. However, it is free for non-commercial use, making it accessible for personal projects and educational purposes.

  • plotly.js:

    Plotly.js is open-source, but some advanced features may require a commercial license. Developers should review the licensing terms to ensure compliance, especially for commercial applications.

  • c3:

    C3 is open-source and free to use, making it an attractive option for developers looking for a cost-effective solution for data visualization without licensing concerns.

Performance

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js is optimized for performance with lightweight charts, making it suitable for applications where speed is crucial. However, performance may degrade with a high number of data points.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts is designed for performance and can handle large datasets efficiently. Its rendering engine is optimized for speed, making it a good choice for applications requiring real-time data updates.

  • plotly.js:

    Plotly.js can handle complex visualizations and large datasets, but performance may be impacted when rendering highly interactive charts. Developers should consider performance testing for data-heavy applications.

  • c3:

    C3 performs well for standard charting needs but may face limitations with large datasets or complex visualizations due to its reliance on D3.js under the hood.

How to Choose: chart.js vs highcharts vs plotly.js vs c3
  • chart.js:

    Select Chart.js for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for projects requiring basic chart types like line, bar, and pie charts. It is a good choice for developers who prioritize a lightweight solution with a straightforward API.

  • highcharts:

    Opt for Highcharts if you require a feature-rich library with extensive chart types and advanced features like exporting and accessibility. It is suitable for commercial applications where licensing is not an issue and where high customization and interactivity are needed.

  • plotly.js:

    Choose Plotly.js for its powerful capabilities in creating complex visualizations, including 3D charts and scientific graphs. It is best for data-heavy applications where advanced analytics and interactivity are essential.

  • c3:

    Choose C3 if you need a simple and easy-to-use library that is built on top of D3.js. It is ideal for developers who want to quickly create charts without diving deep into D3's complexity, while still retaining some level of customization.

Similar Npm Packages to chart.js

chart.js is a popular open-source JavaScript library for creating interactive and visually appealing charts in web applications. It provides a simple and flexible API for developers to create various types of charts, including line, bar, radar, doughnut, and more. With its responsive design and extensive customization options, chart.js is widely used in data visualization projects across different industries. However, there are several alternatives available that also offer robust charting capabilities. Here are a few notable ones:

  • apexcharts is a modern charting library that provides a wide range of chart types and features. It is designed to be easy to use and highly customizable, making it suitable for both simple and complex data visualization needs. ApexCharts supports dynamic updates, responsive layouts, and interactive features such as tooltips and zooming. If you are looking for a library that combines ease of use with powerful features, ApexCharts is an excellent choice.

  • echarts is a comprehensive charting library developed by Baidu. It is known for its rich features and ability to handle large datasets efficiently. ECharts supports a variety of chart types and offers advanced features such as data visualization, animations, and interactive capabilities. It is particularly well-suited for applications that require complex visualizations and real-time data updates. If your project demands high performance and extensive customization options, ECharts is worth considering.

  • recharts is a composable charting library built on React components. It is designed to be simple and easy to use, making it a great choice for React developers who want to integrate charts into their applications seamlessly. Recharts provides a variety of chart types and allows for easy customization through props. If you are working within the React ecosystem and prefer a library that leverages React's component-based architecture, Recharts is a solid option.

To explore how chart.js compares with apexcharts, echarts, and recharts, check out the comparison: Comparing apexcharts vs chart.js vs echarts vs recharts.

Similar Npm Packages to highcharts

highcharts is a popular JavaScript charting library that allows developers to create interactive and visually appealing charts for web applications. It supports a wide variety of chart types, including line, bar, pie, and more, making it a versatile choice for data visualization. Highcharts is known for its ease of use, extensive documentation, and robust features, which enable developers to create complex visualizations with minimal effort. However, there are several alternatives available that cater to different needs and preferences. Here are a few notable options:

  • chart.js is a simple yet flexible JavaScript charting library that provides a wide range of chart types. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it an excellent choice for developers who need to create basic charts quickly. Chart.js leverages the HTML5 canvas element for rendering, which allows for smooth animations and responsive designs. If you’re looking for a straightforward solution for simple data visualizations, Chart.js is a great option.

  • d3 (Data-Driven Documents) is a powerful JavaScript library for producing dynamic, interactive data visualizations in web browsers. Unlike Highcharts and Chart.js, D3 is more of a low-level library that provides a comprehensive set of tools for manipulating documents based on data. It allows for greater customization and flexibility, enabling developers to create complex visualizations tailored to specific needs. However, this flexibility comes with a steeper learning curve. If you require highly customized and intricate visualizations, D3 is an excellent choice.

  • plotly.js is a high-level charting library that is built on top of D3.js and stack.gl. It provides a wide range of chart types and is particularly well-suited for scientific and analytical applications. Plotly.js offers interactive features such as zooming, panning, and hover effects, making it ideal for data exploration. If your project requires advanced visualizations with interactivity and a focus on data analysis, Plotly.js is a strong contender.

To compare these libraries further, check out the following link: Comparing chart.js vs d3 vs highcharts vs plotly.js.

Similar Npm Packages to plotly.js

plotly.js is a powerful JavaScript library for creating interactive and visually appealing charts and graphs. It is built on top of D3.js and stack.gl, allowing users to create a wide variety of visualizations, including 2D and 3D plots, statistical charts, and geographic maps. Plotly.js is particularly well-suited for data analysis and scientific visualization, offering extensive customization options and support for large datasets. Its interactivity features, such as zooming, panning, and hover effects, make it a popular choice among data scientists and analysts.

While Plotly.js is a robust option for data visualization, there are several alternatives available that cater to different needs and preferences. Here are a couple of notable alternatives:

  • chart.js is a simple yet flexible JavaScript charting library that provides a wide range of chart types, including bar, line, pie, and radar charts. It is known for its ease of use and lightweight nature, making it an excellent choice for developers looking to quickly implement charts without a steep learning curve. Chart.js is particularly suitable for projects that require basic charting capabilities and straightforward integration into web applications. Its responsive design ensures that charts look great on various devices, and its customization options allow for a degree of flexibility in styling.

  • highcharts is another popular charting library that offers a comprehensive suite of chart types and features. It is known for its high-quality visualizations and extensive documentation, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced developers. Highcharts provides advanced features such as real-time data updates, exporting options, and accessibility support. It is particularly well-suited for enterprise applications that require sophisticated data visualization capabilities and robust performance. However, it is important to note that Highcharts is free for non-commercial use, but a license is required for commercial applications.

To see how Plotly.js compares with Chart.js and Highcharts, check out the comparison: Comparing chart.js vs highcharts vs plotly.js.

Similar Npm Packages to c3

c3 is a D3-based chart library that provides a simple and flexible way to create interactive and customizable charts in web applications. It offers a variety of chart types, including line, bar, pie, and scatter plots, while abstracting away the complexities of D3.js. With its easy-to-use API and built-in features like tooltips, legends, and animations, c3 allows developers to quickly integrate charts into their applications without needing extensive knowledge of D3.

While c3 is a powerful option for data visualization, there are several alternatives that also cater to charting needs in web applications:

  • chart.js is a popular open-source library that allows developers to create responsive and interactive charts using HTML5 canvas. It supports a wide range of chart types, including line, bar, radar, doughnut, and polar area charts. Chart.js is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a great choice for developers who want to quickly implement charts without extensive configuration. Its lightweight nature and good performance make it suitable for many applications, especially those that require basic charting capabilities.

  • highcharts is a feature-rich charting library that provides a wide array of chart types and extensive customization options. It is particularly well-suited for enterprise applications due to its robustness and comprehensive documentation. Highcharts offers advanced features such as zooming, panning, and exporting charts, making it a powerful tool for data visualization. However, it is important to note that Highcharts is free for personal use but requires a license for commercial applications.

  • plotly.js is an open-source graphing library that enables the creation of interactive and publication-quality graphs. It supports a wide variety of chart types, including 3D charts, statistical charts, and geographic maps. Plotly.js is particularly popular in data science and analytics applications due to its ability to handle large datasets and complex visualizations. Its integration with Jupyter notebooks and support for various programming languages make it a versatile choice for developers working with data.

To see how c3 compares with chart.js, highcharts, and plotly.js, check out the comparison: Comparing c3 vs chart.js vs highcharts vs plotly.js.

README for chart.js

https://www.chartjs.org/
 Simple yet flexible JavaScript charting for designers & developers

Downloads GitHub Workflow Status Coverage Awesome Discord

Documentation

All the links point to the new version 4 of the lib.

In case you are looking for an older version of the docs, you will have to specify the specific version in the url like this: https://www.chartjs.org/docs/2.9.4/

Contributing

Instructions on building and testing Chart.js can be found in the documentation. Before submitting an issue or a pull request, please take a moment to look over the contributing guidelines first. For support, please post questions on Stack Overflow with the chart.js tag.

License

Chart.js is available under the MIT license.

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