Top 9 JavaScript Charting Libraries for Data Visualization

In today’s world, people are struggling more and more with the problem of scattered attention. So, it is becoming more and more essential to present information in a structured, attractive, and well-designed way, especially if you have a Complex Business Application. Presenting vast chunks of data in a standard spreadsheet to analyze or to study is as inconvenient as it can get. Creating different charts is a big issue that we will consider.

JavaScript charts are an essential part of a web application for presenting data. It means JavaScript charting libraries are inevitable. The human brain itself is programmed to understand visual data much better than anything else. Well visualized data creates much more influence than the presented data, no matter how explained.
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‍9 best charting libraries for JavaScript

1. Highcharts

Highcharts is a modern JavaScript charting library based on SVG technology. It doesn’t require any plugins. The integration with all of the major web frameworks is straightforward.

In all of its simplicity, Highcharts is also very much compatible with old browsers, so you can pick it if you don’t need to represent data using advanced charting styles.

Features:

• Optimized for both responsive design and touch devices;

• Capable of working with Big Data;

• On-hover tooltips rendering is super-quick;

• Ability to annotate graphs;

• Data can be loaded to charts directly from a CSV file.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Free for non-commercial, paid for commercial

• Price: Free to $7060

• Main dependencies: No dependencies

• GitHub stars: 10.2K(github.com)

• 772 companies use Highcharts(stackshare.io)

Companies using Highcharts:

• Facebook

• IBM

• Mastercard

• Stack Overflow

2. Chartist-js

Chartist.js is a very modern, SVG-based library. Its most prominent feature is the SVG animations in the charts produced with this library.

It has a solid technology base and is very easy to implement. Within minutes you can make an incredibly impressive chart that interacts easily with any backend data source. Chartist.js is easy to configure, as well as easy to customize with Sass.

This library has only eight base chart types that can improvise over a few more different types. Each is fully responsive but doesn’t have a tremendous transitional effect as others.

Features:

• Filtering by labels; Click on a legend to show and hide data on the chart

• Non-numeric Y-Axis have labels instead

• Easy customization with interpolation of line charts.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Open-source

• Price: Free

• Main dependencies: No dependencies

• GitHub stars: 12.6K(github.com)

3. C3.Js

C3 is a very efficient D3 based chart visualization library. C3 library is fast to render, has good compatibility across browsers, and is very simple to integrate. If you’re looking for no-frills, C3 is a decent choice.

It also includes good documentation for what is an inherently simple library.

Features:

• Extensive tutorials and documentation;

• Responsive and mobile-ready;

• Stylish tooltips already integrated;

• Filterable data series.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Open-source

• Price: Free

• Main dependencies: D3.js

• 31 companies use C3.Js(stackshare.io)

• GitHub stars: 9.1K(github.com)

Companies using c3.js:

• MAK IT

• Nuxeo

• Antmedia.io

• WakaTime

4. Chart.js

‍Chart.js is an HTML5 based JavaScript library for creating animated, interactive, and customizable charts and graphs. Chart.js is a much lighter product than Highcharts and doesn’t offer quite as much choice.

The Chart.js API is relatively simple and well-documented. Chart.js uses canvas instead of SVG. The library is actively maintained and has a few plugins to extend its functionality.

Chart.js offers eight different chart types for data visualization with out-of-the-box animations. It is compatible with all modern browsers. Also, the responsive chart behavior of the charts can be enabled by some configuration.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Open-source

• Price: Free

• Main dependencies: Moment.js

• 855 companies use Chart.js(stackshare.io)

• GitHub stars: 54.4K(github.com)

Companies using Chart.js:

• GoDaddy

• Deloitte

• Cognizant

• Flutterwave

5. Plotly

Plotly is one of the most common libraries around, a prosperous library, and has outstanding documentation, including a tutorial for each chart type.

It has been open-source since 2015, meaning anyone can use it for free. Plotly.js supports 20 chart types, including SVG maps, 3D charts, and statistical graphs. It is built on top of D3.js and stack.gl.

The charts and graph types available have a professional look and feel. Creating a chart is just a matter of loading your information and customizing the layout, axes, notes, and legend.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Open-source

• Price: Free, paid for enterprise

• Main dependencies: D3.js, Stack.gl

• 33 companies use Plotly(stackshare.io)

• GitHub stars: 13.9K(github.com)

Companies using Plotly:

• Splines

• bethink

• adext.ai

• GraphAI

‍6. NVD3

NVD3 is also on the list of the most popular libraries. Built upon D3.js like the others above, it does have a solid technical base.

The performance is relatively good, and it does have basic animations to inject some visual stimulation in an otherwise reasonably plain interface. Data can be pumped directly from .json files, meaning NVD3 can easily integrate with existing data API solutions.

Compared to other libraries on this list, it looks relatively small, with many charts not available, but most general graph types are present.

This visualization library is completely open-sourced with the Apache 2.0 License.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Open-source

• Price: Free, paid for enterprise

• Main dependencies: D3.js

• 48 companies use NVD3(stackshare.io)

• GitHub stars: 7.1K(github.com)

Companies that use NVD3:

• edX

• NetApp

• IPSY

• Edmodo

7. FusionCharts

FusionCharts probably has the complete collection of charts and maps. With over 90+ chart types and 965 maps, you’ll find everything you need right out of the box.

It supports both JSON and XML data formats, and you can export charts in PNG, JPEG, SVG, or PDF. They have a nice collection of business dashboards and live demos for inspiration.

Their charts and maps work across all devices and platforms, are highly customizable, and have beautiful interactions. But with all of that, it is slightly expensive.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Paid

• Price: From $497

• Main dependencies: No dependencies

• 4 companies use FusionCharts(stackshare.io)

• GitHub stars: 59(github.com)

Companies that use FusionCharts:

• Whatagraph

• GrowStocks

8. D3.Js

D3 is an open-source JavaScript library released under the BSD license. It provides a tremendous amount of charts, graphs, and other methods for data visualization. D3 gives you almost everything that you need to represent your data of any kind visually.

The website provides comprehensive documentation. There are examples provided to help with getting started and using the library.

D3 supports all modern browsers. It has been tested on Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, IE9+, Android, and iOS.

There are two significant concerns with D3.js: it has a steep learning curve, and it is compatible only with modern browsers (IE 9+). Pick it up only if you have enough time to learn and adopt it.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Open-source

• Price: Free for all users

• Main dependencies: No dependencies

• 690 companies use D3(stackshare.io)

• GitHub stars: 3.9K(github.com)

Companies that use D3:

• Accenture

• Coursera

• Coinbase

• Odoo

9. AnyChart

AnyChart is a robust, lightweight, and feature-rich JS chart library with rendering in SVG/VML. It actually gives web developers an excellent opportunity to create different charts that will help them conduct data analysis and make data-driven decisions.

Features:

• More than 80 JS chart types, including basic charts, stock charts, maps, and Gantt and PERT charts.

• There are many ways to set data: XML, JSON, CSV, JS API, Google Sheets, and HTML Table.

• Stock technical analysis indicators and drawing tools (annotations) out-of-the-box.

• It can be integrated with Angular, Qlik, Oracle APEX, React, Elasticsearch, Vue.js, Android, iOS, etc.

Details/statistics/info:

• License: Paid for commercial use

• Price: From $49 to $799 to custom price. Free for non-commercial use

• Main dependencies: –No dependencies

• GitHub Stars: 297(github.com)

Companies that use AnyChart:

• SDG Compass

• Courtsdesk

Kaushik Nath

Content Crafter at RaftLabs