free visual data representation software

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Data Visualization 8 Best Free Data Visualization Tools for Non-Analysts [2022]

8 Best Free Data Visualization Tools for Non-Analysts [2022]

Written by: Tessa Reid Oct 26, 2022

Ever had a staring contest with an Excel spreadsheet full of data? 

Unless you’re a business intelligence (BI) analyst, making sense of the profusion of data available in this modern age poses its challenges.

Though easy to use, spreadsheets have their limitations — they don’t uncover insights or tell a story. On the other end of the spectrum, advanced BI tools are complicated to use without extensive training and coding knowledge. 

But there is a middle ground…

If you’re a non-analyst who wants to visualize data and get insights quickly, check out this list of the  best free data visualization tools in 2022 . Perfect for getting your feet wet (without drowning!), these tools are simple to use, regardless of background or expertise.

Click to jump ahead:

8 best free data visualization tools, faq about free data visualization tools.

To appreciate the following list of data visualization tools, it’s helpful to first get aligned on the term “data visualization.” 

If you’re picturing a complex SQL model, that’s not the kind of data visualization we’re covering here. In simplest terms, a data visualization is a graphical representation of a data set. So really, this term can apply to anything from a basic bar chart to a complex SQL model. 

For our purposes, we’ll be looking at the best free tools for beginners. That means, no SQL! And the data visualizations you can create with these tools are on the simple side, like charts, graphs and scatter plots.

To determine the best tools in this category, we’ll consider three factors: simplicity, functionality and freeness. Let’s get to it. 

1. Vizdium by Venngage

Vizdium  by Venngage is a simple data exploration and visualization tool designed to de-complicate the analysis process. Think of it as a smart data analyst assistant! Instead of sifting through a dense spreadsheet or wrestling with pivot tables, you can upload a CSV file to Vizdium and extract insights (almost) instantaneously. 

Once you’ve uploaded a spreadsheet, Vizdium analyzes the contents and suggests data visualization options. Alternatively, you can create a custom chart by choosing which columns to visualize. For a full guide, check out this how-to article . 

This is where the magic happens. Once you’ve chosen a visualization option, Vizdium guides you through customizing your chart by asking a few simple questions and you can see exactly what a data set reveals. 

For example, if you were analyzing sales data, you could generate a bar graph showing how many units each sales representative sold. You could further emphasize these insights by highlighting who made the most profit and organizing your chart in ascending order. 

Once you’re happy with your data visualization, you can download it in PNG or SVG. And you can accomplish all this in just a few clicks — no need to figure out complicated spreadsheet features or spend days training on advanced BI tools. 

Whether you’re an executive, a marketer, an HR professional or any other business professional for that matter, Vizdium can help you visualize data and get insights quickly. 

How simple is it? 

Very simple. Beginners at data visualization could use this tool with ease.

How functional is it? 

Not only does Vizdium analyze your data, it guides you through the process of choosing and customizing a chart. In other words, it offers the perfect balance of simplicity and functionality for beginners.

How free is it? 

Vizdium is 100% free. You don’t need to sign up or share any information to use it and you can download your data visualizations for free, too. 

Data visualization example: 

2. RAWGraphs

RAWGraphs  is an open source tool for data visualization. That means, anyone can access the original source code and the community can contribute to it, too. As a result, RAWGraphs offers over 30 different types of data visualizations, including more advanced maps and diagrams.

It’s similar to Vizdium in that you start by uploading a data set. The next step is where things differ. Instead of providing suggestions for what type of data visualization to use, RAWGraphs simply prompts you to choose a chart type next. Then, you have to select which data points you’d like to feature in your chart. 

Once you’ve figured this out, you can customize your chart further by adjusting elements, like size, color and spacing. And of course, the last step is to download your data visualization in the file format of your choice. 

RAWGraphs is a great choice for those who have slightly more advanced data visualization skills. It provides a lot of different visualization and customization options. But if you’re just getting started, there will be a learning curve, as you figure out which type of visualization to use for what and how to properly map variables to a chart.

Not the simplest option, but much simpler than BI tools. The trickiest part is figuring out which data visualizations to use and how to map variables to chart dimensions.

Very functional. RAWGraphs offers a wide range of customization and chart options — ideal for those who have slightly more advanced data visualization skills.

Totally free. You can use this tool without signing up and download your data visualizations to go. 

3. WTFcsv by DataBasic

WTFcsv  by DataBasic is a neat tool that generates data visualizations for you based on (you guessed it!) a CSV file. It might be more appropriate to call this one a data exploration tool, as you can’t choose what types of visualizations to generate. 

WTFcsv chooses for you based on the dataset you upload. You can also use a sample dataset to play around with the tool. Note, you can do this with Vizdium and RAWGraphs too.

It’s quite simple: you don’t have to make any decisions whatsoever. You just upload your CSV, hit analyze and the tool generates a bunch of graphs based on your data. For more information, you can click the “I” button on each graph to see takeaways about the data represented, like the smallest and biggest numbers, the average and the total. 

There’s no option to customize the graphs or download them to go. You could technically take a screenshot, but you’d be restricted to the tools styling and chart choices. (See screenshot below.) 

All this to say, WTFcsv is a good option if you just want to extract some quick insights from a dataset. But for usable custom data visualizations, you’ll likely want to go elsewhere! 

Extremely simple. If you can download a CSV file, you can use this tool. 

WTFcsv offers limited functionality. You can’t choose what charts to create, customize them or download them. You can only generate charts based on a dataset.

Free as can be. You can use this tool without any information exchange as well.

4. Datawrapper

Datawrapper  is an interesting tool geared towards journalists and publications who want to supplement their articles with professional data visualizations. But technically, anyone could use this tool. It offers interactive charts, maps and tables to help you tell a story with data. 

To get started, you have a few options: simply paste in your data, upload an Excel or CSV file, connect with Google Sheets or link to an external dataset. Once you click proceed, you’ll be able to review your dataset before moving to the next step, visualization.

In this step, you can choose what type of chart to use and customize it in many different ways. Though Datawrapper doesn’t suggest what type of chart to use, it does choose your data points for you.

Notably, Datawrapper offers accessibility features, like a field for an alternative description (ALT) and a color checker to ensure someone with  color vision deficiency  will be able to distinguish the colors in your visualization. 

However, to download your finished chart or get an embed code, you’ll need to provide your email address. Once you sign up, you can grab a PNG or publish your visualization to get that embed code. 

Pretty simple. Someone with minimal data visualization experience could easily navigate this tool. 

With 19 chart types, three map types and data tables, Datawrapper offers lots of options for visualizations and the customization capabilities are great, too. 

Free — minus the sign up. You do need to provide your email address to use your finished data visualization. On a free plan, your visual will also include a line that says, “Created with Datawrapper.”

Return to Table of Contents

5. Flourish

Flourish  is a data visualization and storytelling tool that focuses on the design process, rather than on data exploration and analysis. You do need to sign up to start using the tool and go through a fairly involved onboarding process. 

Once you’re in, you can choose to start a “New visualization” or a “New story.” If you choose to create a new visualization, you’ll land on Flourish’s templates page, where you can select from different types of charts, maps, scatter plots and more. 

This is why Flourish is more of a data visualization tool, than a data analysis tool. It doesn’t analyze your dataset up front and provide suggestions or guidance about which visualizations to use, like some of the other tools on this list. If you use Flourish, you need to go in with an understanding of your data and the type of visualization you’d like to create. 

But if you know what your takeaway is and you have a specific data visualization in mind, this tool would be a good choice. Once you’ve picked a chart, you can upload your data and customize your visualization. There are many customization options, so navigating this part is a bit complicated — there will definitely be a learning curve.

When your chart is ready to go, you can download it as a PNG or publish it to get an embed code and a shareable link. For more advanced export options, you need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Simpler than BI tools. More complicated than the tools listed to this point. Flourish does take you through many onboarding flows, but it is a little more complex to use. 

If you’ve already analyzed your data and know what chart you’d like to create, Flourish is very functional. It offers tons of data visualization and customization options.

Free-ish. Flourish offers a freemium version, but you do have to sign up to get started. And for access to more advanced features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

6. Google Data Studio

Google Data Studio  is more for creating data dashboards. But it’s worth a mention because you can use it to create simple data visualizations as well. If you’re logged into a Google account, clicking the “Start for free” button takes you right into “Looker Studio.” ( Google acquired Looker , a data analytics platform, back in 2020.)

From here, you have a few options: you can create a report from scratch, connect to a data source or try “Explorer.” Any of these options will eventually take you to a platform where you can create a data visualization be it  Looker Studio funnel visualization , charts, or any other visual representation.

But if you’re just getting started, try clicking “Create” then “Explorer.” This will take you right into a dashboard where you can select a data source or try a sample dataset. 

Once you’ve hooked up some data, you’ll be able to choose from many different visualization options, including charts, tables, maps, scatter plots and more. But like Flourish, the tool doesn’t provide suggestions for what types of visualizations to use or extract insights from your data. 

Setting up your data visualization is fairly straightforward. You can apply basic styling to it, like customization the text and colors quickly too. When your chart looks the way you want, the next step is to click “Share.” This will prompt you to add your visualization to a report. 

From here, you can invite people to view your visualization, schedule an email with the report, get a shareable link, grab an embed code or download as a PDF. Lots of options! But remember, it’s best to choose this platform if you already know the data insights you want to visualize and how to go about it. 

Slightly more complicated than Flourish. Still simpler than BI tools. 

Quite functional in terms of options for data visualization and customization. But again, you’ll need to do the analysis part yourself. 

Free. You can get started right away if you’re logged into a Google account when you visit Google Data Studio. If not, you can always set one up! 

Example: 

7. Visualize Free by InetSoft

Visualize Free  by InetSoft is a tool that’s geared toward building data visualization dashboards, but like Google Data Studio, you can use it for simple data visualizations too. Though it’s technically free, you do need to sign up to access the tool. Once you’re in, you can get started by uploading an Excel or CSV file.

Next, you have the option to clean up your dataset further by opening a “Data Worksheet.” Or, if your dataset is ready to go, you can choose “Visualization Recommender” to explore options for showcasing different data points. If you’re just getting started with data analysis, this is where things get a bit confusing. 

Visualize Free doesn’t actually recommend comparing certain data points. It does imply what type of charts to use for your data by only giving you certain options depending on the input you select. But you still need to figure out which option makes the most sense and what to visualize in the first place.

Once you’re happy with your data visualization, you can click finish to add it to your dashboard. From there, you can add another chart or choose to continue to your dashboard as is. There are many different options for formatting and filtering your dashboards as well. 

Finally, you can download in different formats or share a link to the live dashboard. So, this tool would be a good option if you’re looking to create a recurring report. Just bear in mind it will take some trial and error to become adept with this tool. 

Not simple. For someone who’s just getting started with data analysis and visualization, there are an overwhelming amount of options and views in this tool. 

If you can figure out how to use it, this tool does offer a lot of functionality! You can create many different kinds of charts and dashboards with interactive features.

For those who believe it ain’t free if you have to sign up… it ain’t free. That said, you don’t need to pay anything to use this tool. They do limit functionality in order to push you to their paid tool, though. 

8. Tableau Public

Tableau Public  is a free data visualization tool, courtesy of Salesforce’s  Tableau . This platform focuses on public sharing and features a large gallery of data visualizations created by users. To get started, you’ll need to sign up for an account. 

Once registered, you can choose to “Create a Viz” or “Explore Sample Data.” If you go with creating a data visualization, Tableau will prompt you to upload your data or connect to your data source. This is where things get a little complicated…

Without having used Tableau or a related tool before, it’s unclear what you need to do after uploading your data. After some trial and error, you may realize you need to extract your data, which leads you to the data visualization dashboard. Again, this part is tricky. 

You’ll need to figure out how to map your data points and values to the correct fields in order to create a visualization. You can customize your chart with labels, colors and additional details at this point as well. 

Similar to Flourish, Tableau doesn’t provide recommendations for what data to highlight or chart to use. There is a little tab that says “Show me” with some tips for which dimensions and measures to choose depending on chart type. But still, you’ll need a strong handle on the variables in your dataset before using this tool. 

When you’re done, you’ll need to publish your visualization before downloading it in various file formats or getting a shareable link or embed code. 

All in all, Tableau’s interface is even more complicated than Flourish — without any of the helpful onboarding tips. It’s not the kind of tool you can just jump into and start using right away. If you want to use Tableau as a beginner, you’ll need to do a lot of reading first.

Tableau is the most complicated tool on this list. Unless you have experience with more advanced data visualization tools, it will involve a steep learning curve.

Once you’re up to speed, Tableau does offer a lot of functionality. It doesn’t analyze your data, but you can clean up a dataset and customize many different types of visualizations with this tool.

Free, but you do have to sign up to use Tableau. That said, there are no gated features once you get started.

9 . Adobe Express 

Adobe Express is an all-in-one open-source tool to create engaging visual content. You can create collages, business cards, QR codes, and more. 

Adobe Express will help you create fully customizable visuals for free. You can professionally visualize any information in a few minutes. 

You can start by choosing from hundreds of templates or a blank page. Then, you can add visuals, photos, and illustrations by uploading from your files or choosing from the Adobe library. After, add text and customize your desired way with various fonts. 

When your design is ready to use, simply download it, share it, or print it!

How simple is it?

It is as straightforward as possible, considering the number of available patterns, design elements, swift operations, and incredible features. 

How functional is it?  

Adobe Express allows the creation of unique visuals with different templates, colors, texts, and sharing them on social media platforms.  

Data visualization example:

Adobe Express free plan can be used as long as you want without any expenses. The free plan lets you get all the main features, collaborate with others in real time, and access thousands of fonts. When upgraded to the pro plan, you will get more features, unlimited post-scheduling on social media, generative credits, and a 30-day free trial.

What is the easiest data visualization tool to use?

When you consider both functionality and ease of use, Vizdium by Venngage is the simplest data visualization tool to use. All you need to do is upload a dataset and Vizdium will analyze it and provide suggestions for what types of visualizations to create. 

It doesn’t require any complicated mapping of data points, and instead of making you figure out a complicated customization interface, it simply asks you a series of questions until you’re happy with your chart. 

What is the best tool to visualize data?

This depends on your needs. If you’re just getting started with data visualization and you’re not familiar with more complex tools, Vizdium by Venngage is a great option. It will help you analyze a dataset, choose the right type of chart and customize it in a few clicks. 

But if you have a little more experience and you don’t need help analyzing your data or choosing a chart, you may prefer to go with a more advanced option, like Flourish, Google Data Studio or Tableau. 

How do you visualize data without coding?

The simplest way to visualize data without coding is to use a data visualization tool, like Vizdium by Venngage. With Vizdium, you just upload a CSV file and the tool will guide you to create the right chart based on your dataset. 

If you’re looking for the simplest, most functional free data visualization tool, try Vizdium

As a data visualization beginner myself and after trying all the tools on this list (and many more that didn’t end up fitting the brief!), I can confidently say that Vizdium provides the best balance of simplicity and functionality. And yes, it’s actually free. 

Give it a try  and see for yourself.

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

Visualize Free is

How visualize free works.

Visualize Free is a free cloud-hosted, zero-client app for data visualization and analytics. It is a derivative of the commercial platform for dashboard, reporting and data mashup developed by InetSoft .

Simply upload your spreadsheet data and drag-and-drop to create visualization dashboards with built-in interactivity. Your private dashboards can be shared with others using a generated shareable link.

Get started now !

Need More? Upgrade for a fraction of the cost of popular alternatives!

Visualize Free users share computing resources of a single in-cloud server. In order to fairly distribute resources, data and user privileges are limited.

Upgrade to one of InetSoft's commercial offerings to get a dedicated in-cloud server for a fraction of what other popular solutions like Microsoft Power BI cost! You can also connect to live data sources where they reside. Learn more about InetSoft...

Featured Visualization

Live coronavirus tracking dashboard for the us vs. leading nations.

Three Simple Steps to Creating Your Own Visualization

Excel or Text Files

Datasets can be Excel files (XLS or XLSX) or text (CSV or tab-delimited TXT). When you upload a dataset it is private to you unless you decide to share it later by changing those sharing options.

Analytic Dashboards

Build an interactive visualization with a zero-client drag-and-drop designer. You, and any person you share the analysis with, can filter and analyze the data, discover new insights, just by pointing and clicking.

Private or Shared

By default your visualization is private to you, but you can make it shareable, and then provide its URL to whomever you like. Viewers do not need to be registered on Visualize Free.

Your data will always stay private.

Custom HTML5 Video

We design, applications.

Nullam consectetur est quis mauris accumsan eleifend sit amet non neq. Vivamus vitae purus eros, nec ullamcorper risus.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam consectetur est quis mauris accumsan eleifend sit amet non neq. Vivamus vitae purus eros, nec ullamcorper risus.

• photography
• illustration
• motion graphics

Click a Thumbnail

To see a fully interactive dashboard

Airport Delay

With live delay data feed

Sales Analysis

Compare between years

College Enrollment

Car Fuel Efficiency

Call Center

Live monitoring

Racial Tolerance

Construction

Visualize free offers free.

Visualize Free shares much of the same help resources as InetSoft's commercial software. There is online documentation and video training. When browsing the video library look for those labeled for Visualize Free. The InetSoft engineer-moderated user forum is the primary support channel for questions not covered by the help resources.

When you upgrade to our very affordable commercial offering, you can access InetSoft's enterprise support portal and get live assistance. Options also exist for mentoring and professional services.

• Documentation
• Video Tutorials

Beyond Visualize Free

When your data and/or users grow, Visualize Free's simple usage model may no longer be sufficient. You can easily and cost effectively upgrade to one of InetSoft's commmercial offerings, your dedicated in-cloud server, for a fraction of other popular solutions. Enjoy:

Unlimited number of users and fine-grained access control

Unlimited data size

Database connections, updatable server hosted data files

Mashup data from multiple sources and leverage the data acceleration engine

Ensured performance with dedicated computing power

InetSoft's commercial products offer data mashup and transformation, visual analytics, real-time dashboards, and production reporting, and start at US$165 per month. These offerings are fully compatible with Visualize Free so your migration will be smooth. Some additional benefits:

On premise or professionally managed in-cloud deployment

Connect to and mashup a large number of data sources

Mix and match visualization dashboards and page oriented reports

Mashup Machine Learning with business intelligence

Seamless embedding and rebranding for OEM applications

Digital Marketing and Search Engine Optimization

Nullam consectetur est quis mauris accumsan eleifend sit amet non neq. Vivamus vitae purus eros, nec ullamcorper risus. Lid est laborum dolo rumes fugats untras. Etharums ser quidem rerum facilis dolores nemis omnis fugats vitaes nemo minima rerums unsers sadips amets. Vivamus vitae purus eros, nec ullamcorper risus.

Interactive Experience

User Interface

Search Engine Marketing

Social Media

Digital Installations

Branding Strategy and Corporate Identity

Lid est laborum dolo rumes fugats untras. Nullam consectetur est quis mauris accumsan eleifend sit amet non neq. Vivamus vitae purus eros, nec ullamcorper risus. Etharums ser quidem rerum facilis dolores nemis omnis fugats vitaes nemo minima rerums unsers sadips amets. Vivamus vitae purus eros, nec ullamcorper risus.

Advertising

Digital Advertising

Photography

Film Productions

ARE YOU READY TO START A CONVERSATION?

Contact us for any questions or comments.

53 Knightsbridge Rd Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA

+1.732.424.0400

[email protected]

© 2018 InetSoft Technology Corp. All rights reserved.

A free and open source tool for data visualization

Main features, open source.

Inspired by and built on top of open source projects. RAWGraphs is open to the community for contributions.

A wide range of charts

Almost 30 visual models to visualize quantities, hierarchies, time series and find insights in your data.

Your data is safe

Even though RAWGraphs is a web app, the data you insert will be processed only by your web browser.

Export and go anywhere

Save your project, or export it as vector or raster image. Edit it within your favourite softwares.

Platinum sponsors

Gold sponsors

The Top 9 Free Data Visualization Tools for 2024

What’s the best way of bringing complex data to life? There are many approaches, but our definite favorite is data visualization .

Using charts, tables, and graphs to create voluptuous visuals isn’t just a fun way of representing complex insights—it also appeals to our innate pattern-spotting abilities, helping us comprehend data in ways we wouldn’t necessarily be able to via the dry medium of databases or Excel spreadsheets alone.  

Data visualization is   not new . But in 2024, thanks to the recent advances in generative AI, it’s going to be easier than ever to create eye-catching visuals. With tons of free data visualisation tools available—from open source libraries for Python and R to proprietary platforms that require minimal technical expertise—you don’t need to splash the cash to produce dazzling and informative visualizations on your own.  

In this post, we look at nine of the top free data viz tools available right now. So—let’s dive in and find out how you can make your data beautiful, for free! 

• Tableau Public
• Microsoft Power BI
• Google Data Studio
• Shiny from RStudio

Feel free to use the clickable menu to skip to a tool that piques your interest. Otherwise… first up on the list is:

  1. Tableau Public

This isn’t the first time Tableau has made it onto one of our top tools lists, and with good reason—not only is Tableau widely used across industries, it also has a free version available: Tableau Public. 

Allowing you to create bright, beautiful, and interactive dashboards without programming expertise, Tableau Public is perfect for those who want to dabble. With access to most of the software functions available in the paid version (Tableau Desktop), Tableau Public also connects to various sources, including CSV, Text, and Excel files. The only catch is that your content is publicly available and you can’t save your projects locally. So while it’s great for beginners and enthusiasts, it isn’t ideal for projects that use sensitive data.

Nevertheless, this is a powerful tool. The dashboard pictured here, for instance, highlights how consumer buying trends in the music industry have changed over the last 40 years. For a real taste of what it can do, check out the full interactive version , as well as a range of Tableau’s other popular dashboards .

2. Microsoft Power BI

Microsoft’s ubiquity doesn’t just apply to spreadsheets, email, and word processing! They also specialize in data viz. While the full Microsoft Power BI platform covers all aspects of the data analytics process (their paid version contains all its features) it offers a limited free version, too, which includes access to some delectable data visualizations. 

As another ‘no coding’ tool, Power BI is a great way to get to grips with common types of charts and graphs using a simple drag-and-drop interface. With more than two dozen data viz types available—ranging from heatmaps to scatter plots and tables—the free version of Power BI lets you connect to 70+ data sources, publish to the web, and export to PowerPoint, Excel, and CSV. With many employer organizations paying for the full enterprise version, creating some basic data dashboards for your portfolio could be a great way to demonstrate your familiarity with the software. Be sure to check it out!

3. Google Data Studio

Another tool that’s completely free to use (and this time, with no attempts to drag you into buying the paid version!) is Google Data Studio. It’s easy to lose yourself in this one—it’s not hard at all to pick up and has a ton of great visualization features: from basic pivot tables and pie charts to geomaps, and more. 

Google Data Studio is more than just a visualization tool, though—it has a whole range of data analytics functionality that you can explore. But its visualizations are front and center. They’re easy to configure and (as you might expect from a mega player like Google) you can connect to a wide variety of data sources, from Google Sheets to CSVs. In addition, Google Data Studio connects to real-time data connectors, too, such as MySQL, YouTube, and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. This is pretty good functionality for a free-to-use tool. Love Google or loathe them, there’s no escaping that they’re at the heart of many organizations’ tech ecosystems, which makes Google Data Studio one free data visualization tool worth paying attention to. And, frankly, it’s pretty fun to play around with!

4. Infogram

For a straightforward tool that removes all technical barriers, check out Infogram. Primarily designed for non-technical users and non-designers such as marketers, journalists, educators, and business professionals, Infogram is all about publishing data online, fast. Okay, full disclosure: it’s primarily a paid tool, but we’ve snuck it onto our list as it has a free version that allows you to trial its features. Using a drag-and-drop interface, great animations, and interactive charts and maps, the free version has more than 35 different interactive chart types and allows you to create up to 10 projects that you can publish as online apps for free.  

Unlike many tools on our list which focus on producing visual dashboards, Infogram is more focused on producing infographics, Facebook posts, slides, posters, and a range of other visuals, too. Like Tableau Public, you can’t share these privately, but it’s a great way to test the water if you’re more interested in exploring different ways of creating fancy images rather than getting lost in the technical aspects of statistical analysis… and it proves you don’t need to be an expert data analyst to make data beautiful.

Check out Infogram’s best example projects on their website.

Next up, let’s step tentatively into slightly more complex territory, welcoming our first Python-based data viz tool. Expanding on the   matplotlib Python library, Seaborn provides a high-level interface for creating attractive but informative static graphics. While code-free tools (such as Infogram) are great for non-technical users, their functionality is necessarily limited by design. Meanwhile, Seaborn is open-source, meaning you can get into the nuts and bolts of the code, creating unrivaled statistical visualizations.

Seaborn refuses to compromise the integrity of the statistical modeling that underpins it. By this, we mean that you can represent many kinds of statistical data and show the output of various data analytics techniques ranging from linear regression to time-series analysis, and more. If you’re dead serious about producing beautiful visuals that work as data analytics tools in and of themselves, Seaborn delivers. Plus, it’s a great way of polishing those Python skills !

Another Python data visualization tool, Plotly is not all that dissimilar to Seaborn. What sets it apart from Seaborn is that Plotly lets you create interactive graphics (as opposed to the static-only visuals available using the former). Functionality such as hovering over values or zooming in on graphs is useful for various reasons. For instance, if you want to more easily detect outliers in a scatterplot. With endless customizations possible, Plotly is a proven hit with data scientists.

The drawback of its customizability, though, is that it’s trickier to master the nuances of things like labeling, text position, etc. all of which require manual coding. While we might not recommend Plotly for beginners, if you’re expanding your basic Python skills, it’s one data viz tool that you’ll want to familiarize yourself with. And, of course, being open-source, it’s 100% free, and will always stay that way. This makes the time and effort put into learning it worthwhile in the long run.

7. Rawgraphs

RAWGraphs offers a wide range of chart types, including bar charts, line charts, scatter plots, histograms, bubble charts, pie charts, and maps. This allows data analysts to find the perfect chart type for their data and communicate insights effectively. There are even extensive customization options, allowing data analysts to fine-tune their visualizations to match their specific needs. Crucially, your data is also secure, as it is processed entirely within your web browser and never sent to RAWGraphs’ servers.

Downsides are its scaleability issues (small and medium-sized datasets only, please!), and the fact that you have to be online to use it.

8. Shiny from RStudio

Most data analysts use Python because it’s easier to master, but in certain spheres—especially where statistical programming is dominant, like the sciences—analysts often use R. While R is trickier to pick up than Python, you can still use it to create fantastic visualizations. Shiny from RStudio (more commonly known as RShiny) is an R package that lets you do just that. Use it to build interactive web apps. These can be hosted standalone on websites, or embedded into larger dashboards—and none of this requires any web development know-how. Furthermore, you can extend apps built using RShiny with CSS, HTML widgets, and more.

While, on paper, RShiny is designed to be used by those without experience of R, we’d suggest that at least some basic knowledge will help. Fortunately, RStudio provides a step-by-step tutorial that gradually introduces all the features and tasks you need to know to make the best of the package. Don’t take our word for it, though. Give it a go! And be sure to check out the interactive apps on RStudio’s website, too. They’re much more fun in the flesh.

The last entry on our list is another programming-heavy tool, this time for users of JavaScript. We won’t lie, D3 isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s tricky to code, and there are limited tutorials and documentation out there for how to make the most of it. And because it’s designed to bring data viz to web browsers, it also requires a bit of web dev know-how. 

However, the trade-off for this steep learning curve is D3’s vast flexibility. Once you’ve mastered the nuances of the tool, the limits to what you can do with it are the limits of your imagination. Using scalable vectors, cascading style sheets, and many other customizable features, you can amend the visualizations in any way you can think of. Once you get them right, the outputs are gorgeous to look at and highly interactive. This is next-level data viz.

Consider D3 the challenge item on our list! It’s not the first tool we’d recommend for beginners, but if you want to stretch yourself, why not give it a shot? Whatever you lose in convenience you’ll make up for in custom design, and that all-important sense of satisfaction for having mastered a new tool.

Wrap up and further reading

New to data viz? Time to change that. In this post, we’ve explored nine popular free data visualization tools that are available for you to try right now (well, some are close-to-free).

Whether you’re a total tech novice, are dipping your toe into the water for the first time, or want to polish up and stretch your existing programming skills, there’s something out there for everyone.

CareerFoundry’s  Data Visualizations with Python course is designed to ease you into this vital area of data analytics. You can take it as a standalone course as well as a specialization within our full Data Analytics Program, you’ll learn and apply the principles of data viz in a real-world project, as well as getting to grips with various data visualization libraries.

Curious about a career in data analytics? Check out this free, 5-day data analytics short course or read the following introductory articles for more:

• Data Analytics For Beginners
• What Is Data Visualization and Why Is It Important? A Complete Introduction
• 13 of the Most Common Types of Data Visualization

• Internet , Reporting & Analytics

10 Best Free Data Visualization Tools

When it comes to representing any form of data, the best way is to use tools that will get the job done.

This is where data visualization tools come in, as they greatly help individuals whose job is to present valuable data and information in a way that many of their clients and colleagues can easily understand.

What Is a Data Visualization Tool?

What is a data visualization tool, and how does it work? According to Tableau.com , it is a specialized data tool that uses various kinds of visual representation and elements, such as maps, charts, graphs, etc.

And just like any other tool in the market today, there are several benefits you can get from using a data visualization tool for your work or presentation. Additionally, there are many reasons why using it is very important for your work career in the long run.

Interesting Read : Bad Data Visualization Examples

What Are the Advantages of Using Data Visualization Tools?

When it comes to the notable advantages that you will get when using various data visualization tools, some of them are really simple. But, there are others that become very beneficial to the user. Here are they:

• Data visualization tools basically help users explain and distribute the data they have gathered in a simple and easy-to-understand form, wherein the important trends and outliers are highlighted from the rest.
• Data visualization tools lessen the workload of an individual who is tasked to explain the data to colleagues in their workplace. These tools also help them to develop professional skills in data distribution and management .
• These tools prepare the user to be more knowledgeable about new working trends in the business sector when it comes to gathering, distribution, and management . This is more prevalent in modern times as it quickly changes and evolves on how data is handled.

What Are the Various Types of Data Visualization Tools?

There are many kinds of data visualization tools currently present today, either in the form of freeware (a free tool or program that anyone can use with their device) or a paid software.

At first, you’d think that the tool is simply a pie chart or a graph that everyone can easily use. The truth is that there are many kinds of tools that you might not be currently aware of.

Listed below are some of the various types of data visualization tools, accompanied by a separate list of specific examples:

Here are some of the general types of data visualization tools currently present in the market:

• Graphs. The most common tool known in this type is the graph tool, a Python-based module that handles both manipulation and statistical analysis of various graphs, which are also known as networks.
• Infographics. These are a collection of various imagery, along with various charts accompanied by minimal text to provide an overview that is simple and easy to understand.
• Charts . Uses various symbols (i.e., bars in a bar chart, lines in a line chart, or slices of a pie in a pie chart) to show different kinds of data, ranging from tabular numeric data up to various functions of an object or subject matter.
• Maps. Also known as mapping software, it is a tool that is used for handling large amounts of data via mapping, modeling, querying, and analysis. Additionally, maps such as the world map, can be created from this tool.
• Tables . This tool is commonly used in communication, research, and data analysis as it handles the arrangement of various amounts of data via rows and columns. It can also use a complex data structure if needed.
• Dashboards . A data visualization tool that prioritizes the handling and distribution of Key Performance Indicators (KPI), along with other metrics and key data points for monitoring. This tool is commonly used by many Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies such as call centers.

Here are some that are most commonly used:

• Word Cloud – Used to show word frequencies from a data representation of words.
• Area Chart – Usually based on a line chart, it displays quantitative data via the usage of various colors, textures, and hatchings.
• Wedge Stack Graph – Used to visually present hierarchical data that is included in a radial system.
• Bar Chart – Data is represented via rectangular bars in this visualization tool, wherein each bar represents data via proportional bars in terms of height or length.
• Treemap – Uses nested rectangles that resemble a tree with its branches to present hierarchical data to the user.
• Box and whisker plots – This tool is meant for showing a data set through spreads and centers.
• Timeline – Often used for management tasks, this tool visually illustrates milestones, deadlines, and other essential data, including dates and events, in order to tie goals to specific dates.
• Bullet Graph – It is a variation of the bar graph, wherein it represents data via the usage of visual horizontal bars that contains the value of the data being handled.
• Steamgraph – Also called ThemeRiver, it presents data via a varying central baseline wherein data values are displaced.
• Cartogram – A specialized map that combines two types of information for representing data, namely statistical information with geographical location.
• Scatterplot (2D or 3D) – It is used to present two quantitative variables and their relationship to each other, usually using X and Y values in its presentation.
• Circle View – Best used for multidimensional data sheets that are usually time-referenced, wherein it gives the freedom to explore correlations and exceptions within the datasheets.
• Radial Tree – It uses a tree data structure to present data to its users, wherein the data expands outwards, enlarging the structure as a result.
• Dot Distribution Map – A type of thematic map that uses point symbols for a visual representation of geographical data distribution.
• Gantt Chart – Usually used as a project management tool, it helps in both planning and scheduling various projects via a specialized bar chart.
• Heat Map – It uses various colors for data visualization similar to a bar graph but combines all data via various colors in a single data palette.
• Matrix – Also considered as a diagram, this kind of tool is considered as a management planning tool that visualizes essential data via a matrix diagram, hence its name.
• Histogram – A data visualization tool that uses bars combined with a graph to show different values of data in a set.

Also Read : Misleading Data Visualization Examples

What Is the Importance of Using a Data Visualization Tool?

It might not be noticeable at first, but nowadays, it is important that a working individual in both business and government sectors is familiar with various kinds of tools.

At some point in their working career, they will be tasked with both handling and distributing important work-related data to their peers in their respective sectors.

Speaking of which, many business and government sector employees are using it for their data handling tasks. These sectors are usually the following:

• Government sectors
• Service industries
• Consumer Goods

Additionally, data visualization tools can also work in other fields and services that handle data as part of their daily operational process.

Surprisingly enough, it can also be used by individuals who need a specific way of handling large amounts of data from their end.

The 10 Best Free Data Visualization Tools

There are many things to consider when choosing the best visualization tools available in the market today. But, don’t worry. To help you out, we created a list of the free best data visualization tools that are perfect for your needs.

1. Tableau Public

Available for both Windows and Mac

The first on our list is Tableau Public. It is a freeware tool many people consider the best of the best. Why? This is because it lets its users have a huge selection of interactive charts that they can use for their data presentation.

The said freedom when it comes to the variety of charts allows stakeholders to use those same charts for themselves, having full access to the data within them. This helps Tableau to be on the top against other data visualization tools present in the market today.

Additionally, it supports various kinds of charts, ranging from maps, stacked charts, scatter plots, and funnels. It can easily handle large amounts of data meant for presentation as well, thanks to its massive selection.

Explore : Best Open-source Data Catalog

2. Google Charts

Google Charts is another popular freeware data visualization tool backed by the famous tech giant Google. This tool still stands out from the rest of the competition even though it isn’t fully packed with features and varieties compared with Tableau Public.

Even if that is the case, it can still be a handy tool for many as it can easily be integrated with an individual website or used for data presentation.

Furthermore, Google Charts can easily work with websites that use both HTML and Javascript. That simply means that many people worldwide have access to this specific tool and can easily use it without extensive knowledge when handling it.

And because it’s an online tool, it can be quickly accessed by many globally. That also means that the user of this tool can simply present their data online with easy access to engagement as stakeholders can ask questions and other relevant things to the presenter in real-time.

The user can select 18 officially supported charts as the basis of their presentation as well. However, if they find that selection lacking, they can head to the community’s creations to find the right chart that will fit their needs.

3. D3: Data-Driven Documents

This freeware tool is the most complex data visualization tool that is free of charge, as it primarily uses the JavaScript library for the creation and handling of data charts and templates. Don’t be turned off by the complex nature of D3: Data-Driven Documents, as it will easily get the job done right.

Since it uses the JavaScript library, expect to have a vast choice when it comes to choosing the right chart or template for your data visual presentation. It can handle simple projects to complex applications that handle data presentation.

Once you have overcome the technical challenges of this data visualization tool, you can get a lot more from it. It will give you more options for data visual presentation than other tools currently present in the market today.

4. RAWGraphs

Available online for both Windows and Mac

If you really want to use the D3 freeware tool, but want to avoid the complications of handling a JavaScript library and its technical difficulties, then this online freeware tool is the one for you. RAWGraphs is usually paired with the D3 tool for optimal usage and best results.

This helps users to have an easier time understanding and handling the JavaScript Library of D3. It does so by simply providing an online editor to the user, which then a chart is chosen next, and finalizing it by selecting the right axis.

Users have the freedom to customize their creations within the tool itself. Once done customizing, they can easily integrate their chart to their website by using the embed code.

The only known downside of this freeware is that it is a bit limited when it comes to its graph library, as there are only 16 options currently. However, that is offset by the freedom of adding their own into the library, expanding it in the process.

Interesting Comparison : Tableau Vs Power BI

5. Fusion Table

Available online for Windows and Mac

If you prefer easy-to-access online tools rather than local and offline tools, then Fusion Table is the perfect data visualization tool for you.

The Fusion Table is part of the list of experimental online apps that Google hosts in their online catalog of office tools (i.e., Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) that its users can freely use from their end.

The best feature of this online tool that sets it apart from the others is that it can easily integrate the data you have to the available online data sets hosted on the tool’s website. That means that you, as the user, can simply create visualization charts that are stunning yet informative.

Additionally, since it is an online tool, you can readily update it with new data gathered from your sources or from individuals who have access to it. You can even make your data visualization charts public, so many can have access to it, as long as they have a Google account.

Visme is an online data visualization tool that is initially free to use (but with very limited options and features). You can then subscribe to their plans so that you can get more features and options.

They offer three kinds of annual paid plans, namely Standard, Business, and Enterprise, respectively.

Don’t be turned off by the pricing of their plans as Visme provides access to a full set of tools such as a graph maker, chart templates, and a data widget, wherein you can easily create various types of data visualization from your end.

Furthermore, you can add your created visualizations to your current projects without complications and hard-to-do stuff, as the tool supports that feature as well.

You can even import your data from Google Sheets and create custom templates and dashboards from imported data. Additionally, it provides a wide variety of tools and templates to choose from, making each of your data visualization presentations distinctly different from the others you have created.

Also Read : Qlik Sense Vs Tableau

7. Infogram

Just like with the previous tool on the list, Infogram is also an online visualization tool. However, it is meant for both infographics and reports, which can be limited to others who are looking for an all-around online visualization tool.

Despite that, this tool is best at what it was designed for. It shows by the ease of use the tool offers and the learning curve on how to use this particular tool is relatively low, making it a good choice for those who aren’t accustomed to handling data visualization tools.

Even though its main purpose is for infographics and reports, Infogram still offers 30 kinds of charts and single maps that are highly customizable by the user. They also provide a social media graphics option, which can be handy for people who use many kinds of social media platforms for their data visual representation.

Another feature of this tool is that it has a dedicated, all-in-one dashboard template library. Storing a variety of types of visualizations in one place makes it easy for many users to track data and be in touch with new trends.

8. Whatagraph

If you are in need of a visualization tool that is perfect for social media platforms, PPC (Pay-Per-Click) marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and email campaigns, Whatagraph is the right tool for you.

Whatagraph users can efficiently do a lot of visualization presentations with this fancy and accessible tool in no time.

Tailor-made for social media and email marketing campaigns, this tool shows and analyzes them via stunning and animated visualizations. The tool can be easily integrated with various services and then create analytic dashboards that are branded as well.

Additionally, digital marketers will have a field day with this tool to quickly create visual dashboards that will meet their client’s needs. They can easily compile reports and dashboards via the integrations of various marketing channels linked to the tool itself.

Available for Windows, Mac & Mobile

This visualization tool is very similar to the previous tool mentioned, but it is simpler to use and provides more options.

Databox offers its user a wide range of templates, along with a DIY tool that is easy to use from one’s end. This DIY tool can integrate data from various sources. This gives the user the flexibility on what to create from their end with the data they have.

This tool can efficiently be accessible to many, as it is not only available to both Windows and Mac but also on mobile as well (both Android and iOS). This gives the user portability so that they can work on their visualization presentation anywhere and on the go if needed.

10. Visualize Free

If you need a visualization tool that primarily supports Flash and HTML5 content, you should take a look at Visualize Free. Users who rely on these for data presentation will have a breeze using this.

A simple and easy-to-understand online tool, Visualize Free processes the visualization of the data fed into its memory via the implementation of Flash and HTML5 software. It can result in highly creative and interactive data presentations that both users and stakeholders can interact with.

Additionally, the tool offers an easy way of filtering data and pieces of information that it gathers through input of the user and can even make the presentation private for a while to fix the data visual presentation without disturbances from their end.

Thanks to the interactive nature of the presentation itself, both the users and stakeholders can easily add, remove, or edit the data within the presentation to their needs. And they can do it anytime and anywhere as long as they have immediate access to a computer with an internet connection.

Which Data Visualization Tool is Right for You?

There are many other data visualization tools that are available in the market today. The ones we have featured in this article are the best of the best out of the competition.

However, you are free to choose your own visualization tool based on your preferences and needs.

You may refer to the list above as a guide for choosing the right tool for you, especially if you don’t have a specific visualization tool in mind. We’re sure that these tools will surely meet your expectations for your data visualization presentations.

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.

Brought to you by

The quick and easy free data visualization tool, identify trends, reinforce an argument, tell better stories with engaging and easily digestible data no data analysis experience required..

Unlock data insights for free

Information is power. Get started with one of our sample datasets and see how Vizdium can work for you.

Sales Records for a B2C Company

200 rows • 9 columns

Happiness Survey Data

50 rows • 11 columns

Famous Iris flower dataset from Ronald Fisher

150 rows • 5 columns

HR Case Study

875 rows • 9 columns

S&P 500 Stock Market Index Daily Historical Data

309 rows • 7 columns

Analyze your own dataset

Intuitive data visualization software

Deliver value through your communications with our modern and simple features.

Smart Guides

Explore your data with the help of an AI-enabled smart assistant. We'll guide you step by step from data to insights.

Charts and Graphs

Explore a variety of charts and visual models to export your data. Visualize as a barplot, heat map, scatter plot, histogram and more.

Download & Share

Download your data insights and charts, or export them to other applications. No sign-up or payment required.

How to Start Analyzing Data in 6 Simple Steps

• Click “Get started”, no sign-in is required.
• Upload your own data or choose one of the sample ones we offer.
• Within the preview, edit any column header to help us analyze your data better.
• Start your journey by either choosing from a list of suggested combinations, or making your own custom chart.
• Add extra details (like columns, values or preferences) that we might suggest to improve your visual model. Depending on your data visualization model, we’ll help you find the best way to display your data.
• Get your visual insights! And export them in SVG or PNG format and share your valuable insights with the world!

.css-i1lyg5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;width:100%;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;transition-property:var(--vz-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--vz-transition-duration-normal);font-size:1rem;-webkit-padding-start:var(--vz-space-4);padding-inline-start:var(--vz-space-4);-webkit-padding-end:var(--vz-space-4);padding-inline-end:var(--vz-space-4);padding-top:var(--vz-space-2);padding-bottom:var(--vz-space-2);}.css-i1lyg5:focus,.css-i1lyg5[data-focus]{box-shadow:var(--vz-shadows-outline);}.css-i1lyg5:hover,.css-i1lyg5[data-hover]{background:var(--vz-colors-blackAlpha-50);}.css-i1lyg5[disabled],.css-i1lyg5[aria-disabled=true],.css-i1lyg5[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;} .css-1eziwv{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;text-align:left;} .css-1hm5wz4{font-size:var(--vz-fontSizes-lg);line-height:var(--vz-lineHeights-base);color:#2B2B35;font-weight:var(--vz-fontWeights-bold);padding-top:0.4rem;padding-bottom:0.4rem;}@media screen and (min-width: 48em){.css-1hm5wz4{font-size:var(--vz-fontSizes-xl);}} Is Vizdium Free? .css-m3f04h{width:1.65rem;height:1.65rem;display:inline-block;line-height:1em;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;color:#0082FF;opacity:1;-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 0.2s;transition:transform 0.2s;transform-origin:center;font-size:1.25em;vertical-align:middle;}

Yes. It’s a completely free tool. No sign-up is required at all and downloads are also fully free. We won’t store your information, so if you don’t download your charts you’ll have to start over again.

Does Vizdium save my information?

No, we don’t. Data is only stored on your browser’s session memory. If you upload your file and end the session your file will no longer be accessible either for you or for Vizdum. No sign-up required comes with the freedom of not getting anything from you! This is a fully free tool, nothing is required from us. If you want to should your gratitude just mention us and say thanks!

I need support, who can I reach out to?

If you need help simply email us at [email protected] and we’ll make sure to provide the best support possible!

What is data visualization?

Data visualization is the visual presentation of data or information. When analyzing big data, your goal is to explore, monitor and explain; the goal of data visualization is to communicate that raw information into valuable actionable insights, in a clear and effective way. Data visualization combines art and data science. While data visualization can be creative and pleasing to look at, it should also be functional in its visual communication of the data.

What are the types of data visualization?

There are many types of data visualization. Typically, data is visualized in the form of scatter plots, line graphs, pie charts, bar charts, heat maps, area charts, choropleth maps and histograms. Vizdium’s data visualization software offers a variety of visualization models to leverage data in an easy but powerful way.

Which tool is the best for data visualization?

Even though there are many data visualization tools available online, Vizdium is the free data visualization tool of choice. It has an intuitive interface, it provides graphical representation in just a few clicks and it’s free to use! Everything a business intelligence tool would do, we do it — easier and faster.

Don’t know where to start analyzing your data? Let Vizdium make it easy for you!

© 2022 Vizdium

20 free data visualisation tools

Brian Suda presents 20 tools and educational resources for cleaning up data and creating brilliant visualisations

In this article, I want to focus on tips and tools that are free and easily accessible. There are loads of great paid tools out there, and I use many of them. But it is hard to expect someone just getting into this field to pay for expensive software without actually knowing what they are getting into. This article looks to expand the list to even more tools and resources you can use to help you get started creating beautiful data visualisations for the web and print. From data journalism, where you are scrubbing and combining datasets, to ornately designed infographic style posters, you need to understand the tools and your audience to succeed. This article will point you in the right directions to both improve your skills as well as open your eyes to new resources.

Cleaning up

Anyone who works with data sets will tell you that a big portion of your time is spent cleaning it up into a usable format! A typical data clean-up job might be to convert a messy excel file into the right column order, reformatting numeric values and expanding or contracting acronyms. "UK" and "U.K." and "United Kingdom" are all the same value represented different ways. "Cleaning" data so the information is consistent helps the workflow in later tools. Over the years a more and more tools have been created to help ease the pain. If you are going to get into this field, the only way to keep your sanity is to know what tools are out there to help clean-up your data. There is nothing worse than spending your time copying and pasting from a PDF into a database. Here are a few tools to help you work smarter, not harder.

Data Wrangler

Data Wrangler is a web-based tool in which you paste in your messy data set and it works with you through a few steps for ways to clean the data so you can download it in a nicer format and work with it in the tools you're comfortable with. The data vis team at Stanford is really on the ball with new techniques to extract data.

Open Refine

Open Refine is the re-branding of Google Refine. Much like Data Wrangler, Open Refine helps clean your data into a usable format, but the difference is that it runs locally on your computer rather than online. If you are concerned with keeping your data secure, Open Refine might be the solution for you. Both of these tools not only clean-up messy data, but have some smarts to let you know when it thinks a data point might be wrong. A missing comma, period or units symbol might add or subtract three zeros from an amount. For instance, 100,000 and 100K are the same value, represented differently. These outliers are flagged for you to look into further. The tools also try to help with common acronyms like merging NASA and N.A.S.A. together. These are massive time-savers when you are trying to analyse the results.

Tabula is a new project geared to help you extract CSV data from ugly PDFs. Tabula has a simple interface where you simply select the area that you want to extract data from and it returns a preview and a CSV file. It is as simple as that! There is an amazing demo to show off what it can do, but ultimately you need to get it running on your own servers to process your own documents. As more and more governmental organisations are forced to release their data, they reluctantly do so as PDFs. PDFs are far from accessible documents for machines, so the maturity and number of tools to extract data from PDFs is also growing. There are huge opportunities to become an expert in just data cleaning techniques. This is just one of many fields that didn't even exist a few years ago, now it is a highly desirable skill to have.

In the previous article, I mentioned D3 as a tool for chart generation. It is on the more complex side if you want simple charts and graphs, but there are a few additional libraries that build on D3 to make things easier.

NVD3 is a library meant for reuse. The project takes all the power of D3 and distills them down into common chart types. I really like this idea because it gives you constrains and prevents you from running wild with different designs, while at the same time making the code much easier and more approachable if you are just getting started in data visualisation.

Get the Creative Bloq Newsletter

Daily design news, reviews, how-tos and more, as picked by the editors.

If cartography is your thing, this is a beautiful map generation tool built for D3. I'm not sure when you'll need to create a 'Wiechel Projection' map, but if you ever do, this is the tool for you! This makes it very easy to create maps for use in a project where the story benefits from using a non-standard map library for directions.

Here is a list of general chart creation tools, some more open and adjustable than others. All of these provide value to the raw data and can be used as a source of inspiration as well as tools that you could possibly use in your workflow and design.

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha isn't a search engine, it is a knowledge engine. For just about any piece of data, WolframAlpha can plot it. Asking it questions like " Next Full Moon " and it returns basic visualisations. When you ask it about your Facebook account it returns plenty of interesting charts, graphs and other data about your connections and interests. While this isn't a general purpose tool, it is an excellent example of taking a large data set and representing it in different ways. More here on the Wolfram Alpha blog.

Chart.js is a beautiful open-source charting library for designers and developers. With a a few lines of JavaScript code you can render a chart inside a <canvas> element. This means that it needs a bit of help with IE8 and below, but nothing an IE shiv can't handle. Chart.js covers the basic chart types very well and only adds 20KB to your page size to do it. If you are looking for a replacement for your current charts and graphs, this might be the answer.

Processing.js

If you have heard of Processing , you probably know the strange and awesome animation and interactive power it has! You probably know that it exported Java-based applets for the web. Now, you get all the craziness of Processing, but in JavaScript. This opens the door to some amazing interactive data visualisations. The minified version weighs in at over 200KB, but for a fully functional animation tool and physics engine, it could be a lot worse!

For years the best way to script any of the Adobe suite software was http://scriptographer.org . Now that has moved onto the web with Paper.js . While Processing.js has been around for a few years, Paper.js is the new kid on the block. It's worth keeping an eye on this library. While new, it's pedigree is very strong. From just browsing the examples, I'm sure you can think of a few projects where this would have been useful.

With the imminent closing of Google Static Charts, there was a gap in the market for static graph generation. While fancy interactive charts are great, when people want to copy and paste them into their slide deck presentations, a vector SVG graph is near impossible. Luckily the canvas element allows for the ability to export a flat image format, and there is always screen capture. But why not start with static graphics when appropriate anyway? JpGraph is a great replacement for Google Static Charts. Written in PHP and self-hosted, with a liberal license, this is a great addition to your toolbox to create data visualisations.

In the last article, I talked about various tools to use a map as a visualisation tool. Most of these focused on the map as location information, but there are many more ways a map can be used to represent data. These are a few tools that use maps, but aren't directly about the location-ness of a map.

Open Heat Map

Heat maps are those magically drawn areas showing how often an event occurs in the area. This could be attributes like temperature, price or event density. To show these heat maps has always required loads of mathematical knowledge and the ability to render your own map tiles and add them to existing maps. Open Heat Map removes all these challenges by simply taking a spreadsheet document and then doing the mathematics and rendering the heat map tiles for you. It is a great way to show-off your data visualisation skills with minimal effort.

Color Brewer

As you get into creating data visualisation using maps, you'll inevitably end-up going to that rabbit hole of choosing colours. Selecting the right colour palette is difficult for several reasons. You need to keep in mind the reader and how they will be consuming the data. Choosing colours that work in print, on black and white devices, on an LCD screen, are acceptable for people with low vision or colour blindness or simply with enough contrast for everyone to be able to distinguish a difference can be difficult to do right! Color Brewer helps by allowing you to select some parameters specific to your project then offering a series of pre-made colour palettes that meet the criteria.

A great way to visualise event data is on a timeline. It helps you identify what events happened when and for what duration. From scheduling to investigative journalism, visually seeing a records of the events on a timeline is helpful. There are a few tools out there to create scrollable and zoomable timelines with ease.

This is an MIT SIMILE project. It's been around for a while and is very robust. It accepts JSON and XML as input and plots all types of events from just about any time format. From dinosaurs to daily planners, this is an easy visualisation to get up and running. Timeline is fully customisable, which makes for fun triple-stacked time lines that are all interconnected and scroll as each is swiped individually.

Here is Today

Timelines can be used to show vast scales and differences in time. Here is Today is a great example of an interactive timeline which continues to zoom out to give relative times all based on today. It seems simple, but is an example of several good aspects of data visualisation design. It is interactive, which allows the reader to continue at their own pace, but it is also only showing the relative information at each step. It compares today with a month, then a year, then century, etc. It isn't overwhelming the reader with all the data at once, or forcing the person to choose only one interpretation.

Timeflow allows you to create time-based diagrams easily and quickly. Designed for journalists, it allows for a variety of different ways to visualise the data and help you understand any underlying trends. The project hasn't been touched in a few years, but it is still available for anyone willing to give it a try.

Learning more

Beyond the tools, it's always good to keep up with what is happening in the world of data visualisations. The best way I've found to do this is to both look forward and look back. There are hundreds of years of design choices that have been refined over and over again. As we get to new mediums such as the web and new devices of varying sizes, many of the design principals still remain true. That said, you need to be on your toes to keep abreast of what is coming down the tubes on the internet as well as all the new research and findings. These are a few excellent resources to continue learning about data visualisations and designing with data.

Data Stories

Data Stories isn't a tool that you can install and work with on a daily basis. It's a podcast which highlights some of the best experts in the field discussing their workflows, tools and projects. If you are serious about data visualisations, then you need to be keeping up with the industry. There is no better way than to learn directly from the experts.

Data Journalism

Stanford has positioned itself as one of the hubs for data journalism. They have great tools like Data Wrangler and many others you can browse at http://vis.stanford.edu . Beyond that, they have courses and videos dedicated to Data Journalism. You can watch the film online at http://datajournalism.stanford.edu and see how many of the tools, uses-cases and workflows are implemented in real-world situations.

Teaching to See

Inge Druckrey is one of the most well respected designers. Over the last 40 years she has taught graphic design to some of the greatest designers today. Most recently, she has made a short film called " Teaching to See ". If you are serious about designing with data, then you should sit back and learn.

Practice makes perfect

As you become more and more immersed in large data sets, you'll need to understand much more than just visual display. You need to understand the tools to help you clean-up the data, prune the data to a smaller segment and understand what the reader needs to know. From that, you can begin to use these different tools to create a visual representation of the data. This might be circles, maps or other charts and graphs. It will take practice, which is why I also included plenty of resources that are not tools. If you are serious about data visualisations, you need to keep on top of what is happening in the industry, watch conference videos, listen to related podcasts and interviews as well as keep reading everything you can about data visualisations from the best practitioners. Videos from the Eyeo Festival are a great place to start watching and learning about who's who in this field. As you implement many of these tools for your own projects, it is important for you to share your knowledge. This is a growing field and you have the opportunity to be an expert in some niche part of it. Take the opportunity and explain to others how you achieved your results and learned from your mistakes.

Brian is a software developer and author of A Practical Guide to Designing with Data (Five Simple Steps).

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

The Creative Bloq team is made up of a group of design fans, and has changed and evolved since Creative Bloq began back in 2012. The current website team consists of eight full-time members of staff: Editor Georgia Coggan , Deputy Editor Rosie Hilder , Ecommerce Editor Beren Neale , Senior News Editor Daniel Piper , Editor, Digital Art and 3D Ian Dean , Tech Reviews Editor Erlingur Einarsson and Ecommerce Writer Beth Nicholls and Staff Writer Natalie Fear , as well as a roster of freelancers from around the world. The 3D World and ImagineFX magazine teams also pitch in, ensuring that content from 3D World and ImagineFX is represented on Creative Bloq. 

Related articles

• 2 Forget the PS5 Pro’s price tag, the boring design is just as disappointing
• 3 AceFast Z4 218W desktop power station review: a stylish solution for those juggling multiple power-hungry devices
• 4 6 ways AI can supercharge your small business branding
• 5 What's the best AI laptop for students?

Ready to Book a Consultation Session With Us?

Fill in the Requirements

10 Essential Free Data Visualization Tools [2024]

Explore a curated list of powerful, cost-free tools to transform raw data into insightful visualizations, empowering your development journey.

Data visualization tools empower developers, data analysts , and decision-makers to extract meaningful insights from vast datasets, transforming raw information into actionable knowledge. As organizations strive to use data, the availability of accessible data visualization tools becomes crucial for fostering innovation and accessibility. In this article, we will explore ten essential accessible data visualization tools that play a pivotal role in empowering development across various domains.

Importance of Accessible and Free Tools for Data Visualization

In the dynamic landscape of data-driven decision-making, data visualization plays a pivotal role in transforming complex information into clear, comprehensible insights. As organizations and individuals grapple with an ever-expanding pool of data, the need for effective visual representation has never been more crucial. This blog delves into the realm of data visualization tools, shedding light on their significance in facilitating understanding and aiding informed decision-making. Moreover, the growing importance of accessible and free tools for data visualization is highlighted, recognizing the democratization of data-driven insights and the empowerment it brings to a diverse range of users.

Best Free Data Visualization Tools in 2024:

1. tableau public.

Tableau Public stands at the forefront of data visualization tools, providing a comprehensive suite of features and capabilities that empower users to transform complex data into compelling visuals. Its user-friendly interface allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to enhance data management in a visually engaging manner. Key features include:

• Versatile Visualizations: From traditional charts and graphs to interactive dashboards and maps, Tableau Public supports a wide array of visualization types.
• Data Connectivity: Seamless integration with various data sources, allowing users to connect, analyze, and visualize data from spreadsheets and databases. Grow your business with our Cloud App Development Services .
• Real-Time Collaboration: The platform fosters a collaborative environment where users can share and explore visualizations within the Tableau Public community.

How to Use Tableau Public for Interactive Data Visualizations:

Creating interactive data visualizations with Tableau Public is a user-friendly process, enabling both beginners and experienced analysts to bring their data to life. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Connect to Data: Import data from diverse sources, including spreadsheets, databases, or web data connectors.
• Create Worksheets: Utilize the drag-and-drop functionality to build visualizations on individual sheets.
• Build Dashboards: Combine sheets into interactive dashboards, enhancing the storytelling aspect of your data.
• Apply Filters and Parameters: Enhance interactivity by incorporating filters and parameters, allowing users to explore data dynamically.
• Accessibility: Tableau Public offers a free version, making powerful data visualization accessible to a broad audience.
• Community Engagement: Users can share their visualizations with the Tableau Public community, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• User-Friendly: The intuitive interface and extensive online resources make it easy for users to learn and leverage Tableau Public effectively.

Limitations:

• Data Security: As a public platform, sensitive data may be limited in its suitability for Tableau Public.
• Advanced Features: Some advanced features are exclusive to Tableau Desktop, the paid version of the software.
• Online-Only Access: Users need an internet connection to access and share Tableau Public visualizations.

2. Google Data Studio

In the fast-paced world of data-driven decision-making, Google Data Studio stands out as a beacon of accessibility and power. This free and cloud-based data visualization tool is designed to empower users of all skill levels, allowing them to convert raw data into compelling insights. As organizations strive to make sense of their vast data reservoirs, Google Data Studio offers a dynamic platform for creating visually appealing reports and dashboards.

Key Features and Integration with Other Google Services:

Google Data Studio's strength lies not only in its standalone capabilities but also in its seamless integration with various Google services. Users can effortlessly connect to data sources such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Sheets, fostering a cohesive ecosystem for data analysis. This integration ensures that real-time data updates are reflected in your reports, providing an accurate and up-to-date snapshot of your metrics.

The tool's key features include a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, interactive and shareable dashboards, and collaborative capabilities. Google Data Studio allows teams to work together in real-time, facilitating a collective approach to data interpretation and decision-making.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Reports and Dashboards:

Navigating Google Data Studio for the first time can be an exciting journey. Let's embark on a step-by-step guide to help you create your own reports and dashboards:

Connect to Data Sources:

• Link your data sources, whether it's Google Analytics, Google Sheets, or other supported platforms.
• Choose the specific metrics and dimensions you want to visualize.

Design Your Report:

• Utilize the drag-and-drop functionality to add charts, graphs, and other visual elements.
• Customize the appearance of your report with themes, colors, and branding options.

Create Interactive Dashboards:

• Combine multiple reports into interactive dashboards.
• Implement dynamic controls like date ranges and filters for a personalized user experience.

Collaborate and Share:

• Collaborate with team members by providing them with access to your reports and dashboards.
• Share your visualizations through links or embedded codes, ensuring widespread accessibility.

3. Microsoft Power BI

Microsoft Power BI stands as a robust business analytics tool that empowers users to transform raw data into insightful visualizations, fostering data-driven decision-making. Its capabilities extend far beyond conventional reporting, offering a comprehensive suite of features.

• Interactive Dashboards: Power BI provides a canvas for creating interactive dashboards that amalgamate diverse data sources, offering a holistic view of business metrics.
• Data Connectivity: It seamlessly connects to various data sources, including databases, cloud services, and on-premises data, ensuring a unified approach to data analysis.
• Advanced Analytics: Users can leverage advanced analytics, including predictive modeling and machine learning, to glean deeper insights from their data.

How to Utilize Power BI for Dynamic Data Visualizations:

Power BI's strength lies in its ability to transform complex datasets into compelling visuals that tell a story. Navigating through this capability requires a grasp of its intuitive features.

• Data Import and Transformation: Learn how to import and shape data within Power BI, ensuring it aligns with your analytical goals.
• Creating Visualizations: Explore the diverse range of visualizations available, from simple charts to complex geographical maps, and understand how to choose the right visualization for your data.
• Building Dashboards: Step into the world of dashboard creation, arranging visual elements to convey key insights succinctly.

Integration with Microsoft Office and Other Platforms:

One of Power BI's distinctive features is its seamless integration into the Microsoft ecosystem, amplifying data utilization .

• Integration with Microsoft Excel: Understand how Power BI complements Excel, allowing users to leverage existing skills and data models.
• Collaboration with Microsoft Teams: Explore how Power BI integrates with Microsoft Teams, enabling collaborative analytics and real-time sharing of insights.
• Integration with Other Platforms: Learn about Power BI's adaptability, with connectors to popular platforms such as Azure , SharePoint, and SQL Server.

Related Post: Tableau OR Power BI

4. chart.js.

In the realm of web development, Chart.js stands tall as a popular JavaScript library, revered for its ability to seamlessly integrate dynamic and visually appealing charts into web applications. With an emphasis on simplicity and versatility, Chart.js has become a go-to choice for developers aiming to breathe life into data through engaging visual representations.

Features and Customization Options:

Chart.js boasts a rich set of features that contribute to its widespread adoption. Developers appreciate its support for various chart types, including line, bar, radar, pie, and more. One of its key strengths lies in its lightweight nature, ensuring swift integration and optimal performance. The library's responsiveness adapts effortlessly to different devices, providing a consistent user experience. Moreover, Chart.js offers an array of customization options, allowing developers to tailor charts with precision. From colors and labels to tooltips and animation, the customization possibilities are virtually limitless.

Examples and Use Cases for Effective Visualizations:

The true power of Chart.js shines through when we explore its real-world applications and the impactful visualizations it enables. In business analytics, developers leverage Chart.js to present complex data sets in an easily digestible format, aiding decision-makers in making informed choices. In financial contexts, dynamic charts help convey market trends and performance metrics. Additionally, real-time data monitoring benefits from Chart.js, offering a visually intuitive way to comprehend changing data scenarios.

Chart.js serves as a testament to the potential of JavaScript libraries in transforming data into meaningful insights. Its simplicity, versatility, and adaptability make it an invaluable tool for developers seeking to enhance the visual appeal and user engagement of their web applications. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just venturing into the world of web development, Chart.js is a resourceful ally for turning raw data into compelling visual narratives.

5. RAWGraphs

RAWGraphs stands at the forefront of data visualization tools, offering users the freedom to create custom visualizations that transcend the conventional. In this exploration of RAWGraphs, we delve into its user-friendly interface, rich design options, and showcase real-world applications through compelling examples.

Exploring RAWGraphs for Creating Custom Visualizations:

At the heart of RAWGraphs lies its commitment to empowering users to break free from standard visual representations. With an open-source framework, RAWGraphs invites exploration, enabling users to transform raw data into stunning visuals that align with their unique storytelling needs. The tool's versatility ensures that whether you're a seasoned data professional or a novice enthusiast, creating bespoke visualizations becomes an intuitive and enjoyable experience.

User-Friendly Interface and Design Options:

RAWGraphs prides itself on its user-friendly interface, designed for accessibility and ease of use. The tool's simplicity is evident in its drag-and-drop functionality, allowing seamless data import and manipulation. Users can effortlessly experiment with various design options, from choosing distinct color palettes to customizing labels and axes. This user-centric approach makes RAWGraphs a dynamic platform for unleashing creativity without the steep learning curve.

Real-World Applications and Examples:

The true strength of RAWGraphs shines through in its real-world applications across diverse domains. Academia finds value in the tool's ability to create visually compelling charts for research papers, enhancing data communication. Data journalists leverage RAWGraphs to tell engaging stories through interactive visualizations, while businesses utilize it for impactful presentations and reports. Throughout this exploration, we'll showcase concrete examples, illustrating how RAWGraphs transforms raw data into meaningful insights in various professional contexts.

In essence, RAWGraphs is more than a tool; it's a canvas for expression in the world of data visualization. As we journey through its features, interface, and real-world applications, readers will gain a profound understanding of RAWGraphs' potential to revolutionize the way we visually communicate data. Whether you're a researcher, journalist, or enthusiast, RAWGraphs invites you to explore the artistry inherent in data visualization.

Other Free Data Visualization Tools:

For developers seeking a more hands-on approach to data visualization, D3.js is a JavaScript library that offers unparalleled flexibility and customization. Although it has a steeper learning curve compared to some other tools, D3.js allows developers to create dynamic and interactive visualizations directly within the web browser. With D3.js, developers have fine-grained control over every element of their visualization, making it a go-to choice for those who prioritize customization and creativity.

Plotly is a versatile data visualization library available for Python, R, and JavaScript. It offers a free version that provides access to a rich set of chart types and features. Plotly's interactive plots and dashboards are well-suited for exploratory data analysis and presentation. With its integration with popular programming languages, Plotly enables developers to create visually appealing and interactive visualizations with ease.

8. Google Charts

Google Charts is a free, easy-to-use charting library that enables developers to create a wide range of charts and graphs. With its simple API and documentation, Google Charts is accessible to developers with varying levels of expertise. The library supports dynamic data updates and is well-suited for embedding interactive charts into web applications. As a cloud-based solution, Google Charts seamlessly integrates with other Google services, making it a convenient choice for developers already leveraging the Google ecosystem.

9. Qlik Sense Desktop

Qlik Sense Desktop is a free version of the Qlik Sense business intelligence platform. It empowers developers to create interactive and dynamic visualizations using associative data modeling. Qlik Sense Desktop's drag-and-drop interface simplifies the process of exploring and visualizing data, making it a suitable choice for both beginners and experienced developers. The tool's associative data model allows for flexible exploration of data relationships, enhancing the depth of insights derived from visualizations.

10. Infogram

Infogram is a web-based data visualization and infographic tool that offers a free version with essential features. With a focus on simplicity and speed, Infogram allows developers to create engaging and shareable visualizations. The agency provides a wide range of templates and customization options, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced designers. Infogrames collaboration features enable teams to work together seamlessly, making it a valuable asset for projects that require collective input.

In conclusion, the availability of accessible data visualization tools has democratized the process of transforming data into actionable insights. The tools mentioned in this article cater to a wide range of preferences, from user-friendly interfaces for quick visualizations to more hands-on libraries for customized solutions. Whether you are a seasoned data professional or a beginner exploring the world of data visualization, these tools empower you to unlock the potential of your data and drive informed decision-making. As the field continues to evolve, these essential free data visualization tools will remain invaluable assets for developers and organizations striving to harness the power of data. Contact Us for professional Data Science Consulting Services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are data visualization tools, and why are they important in development?

Data visualization tools are custom software applications or libraries that enable users to represent data graphically, transforming raw data into visual formats such as charts, graphs, and dashboards. They are crucial in development as they provide a more accessible and insightful way to interpret complex datasets. Visualization tools help developers, analysts, and decision-makers understand patterns, trends, and relationships within the data, leading to informed decision-making.

2. Are these free data visualization tools suitable for professional use, or are they more geared toward personal projects?

Many of the accessible data visualization tools mentioned in this article are suitable for professional use. For example, Tableau Public, Google Data Studio, and Power BI offer free versions that provide powerful features for creating professional-grade visualizations. These tools are widely used in industries ranging from business intelligence to research and development.

3. How do these tools handle large datasets, and are there any limitations in terms of data size?

The ability to handle large datasets can vary among different tools. Tableau Public, for instance, may have limitations on the size and complexity of datasets due to its cloud-based nature. Power BI, on the other hand, offers a robust solution for handling large datasets, especially when integrated with Microsoft Azure services. It's essential to check the documentation and specifications of each tool to understand its limitations regarding data size and complexity.

4. Can these tools be used for real-time data visualization?

Yes, some of the mentioned tools support real-time data visualization. Google Data Studio, for example, allows users to create reports that update in real-time as the underlying data changes. Power BI also offers real-time data streaming capabilities, making it suitable for applications that require up-to-the-minute insights. When real-time visualization is a requirement, it's crucial to choose a tool that aligns with the specific needs of the project.

5. How steep is the learning curve for tools like D3.js, and is it suitable for beginners?

D3.js has a steeper learning curve compared to some other tools due to its focus on customization and flexibility. It is a JavaScript library that requires a good understanding of web development and programming. While there may be better choices for absolute beginners, developers with some coding experience can find D3.js to be a powerful tool for creating highly customized and interactive visualizations.

6. Are there any privacy or security concerns when using cloud-based data visualization tools?

When using cloud-based data visualization tools, it's essential to consider privacy and security concerns. Users should be aware of the data storage and handling practices of each tool, especially when dealing with sensitive or confidential information. Organizations should carefully review the terms of service and security features of cloud-based tools to ensure compliance with their data protection policies and regulations.

7. Can these tools be integrated with other data analysis or business intelligence platforms?

Yes, many of these tools offer integrations with other data analysis and business intelligence platforms. For example, Power BI integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Azure services , while Tableau provides connectivity with various data sources. The ability to integrate with other platforms enhances the versatility of these tools, allowing developers to leverage a broader ecosystem of data-related services and tools.

8. Are there any community or online resources for learning and troubleshooting these tools?

Most of the tools mentioned have active communities and online resources. Whether it's official documentation, forums, or tutorial videos, users can find a wealth of information to aid in learning and troubleshooting. Platforms like Stack Overflow, community forums on the official websites of these tools, and online courses provide valuable insights and solutions to common issues encountered during the development and use of these data visualization tools.

We're excited to hear from you and help turn your ideas into reality!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Be the first to know about our newest projects, special offers, and upcoming events. Let’s build the future together!

Latest Articles

Best Ecommerce UI/UX Agencies 2024/2025

Best B2B Web Design Agencies/Companies in 2024/2025

Best Web Development Practices 2024/2025

TechRepublic

Account information.

Share with Your Friends

8 Best Data Visualization Tools for 2024 (Free & Paid Software)

Your email has been sent

• Best for advanced data visualization: Tableau
• Best for integration with Microsoft products: Microsoft Power BI
• Best for customizable data modeling: Looker Studio
• Best for user-friendly interface: Zoho Analytics
• Best for associative data modeling: QlikView
• best for real-time data visualization: Domo
• Best for a wide range of data visualization tools: Microsoft Excel
• Best for web-based data visualization: Google Charts

Data visualization tools have become essential in translating complex data into actionable insights. With the right tool, businesses and data professionals can uncover trends, patterns and insights that drive strategic decisions.

Tools like Microsoft Power BI, Excel, Google Charts and Looker Studio are more ideal for businesses with existing Microsoft or Google ecosystems. Tableau, Zoho Analytics, QlikView, and Domo offer advanced analytics, more robust data integration and greater customization options, making them suitable for businesses requiring in-depth data analysis and flexible visualization capabilities.

Regardless, choosing the right data visualization tool comes down to the data analysis needs of the business, the level of customization required and the compatibility with existing data systems.

Best data visualization tools: Comparison table

Tableau: Best for advanced data visualization

Tableau, a product of Salesforce, is one of the most popular and most often used data visualization application suites on the market. Its popularity comes from its advanced analytics capabilities and interactive dashboards and reports, which large enterprises and professional analysts surely appreciate.

Tableau offers a 7-day free trial for each of its three paid plans:

• Viewer: $15 per user per month, billed annually.
• Explorer: $42 per user per month, billed annually.
• Creator: $75 per user per month, billed annually.

Standout features

• Interactive dashboards for creating dynamic and engaging visualizations.
• Supports a wide range of data sources and integrations with advanced analytics tools.
• Advanced visual analytics capabilities to handle complex data sets and provide deep insights ( Figure A ).

• Tableau is a user-friendly platform that’s accessible to users with different levels of expertise.
• It benefits from a large and active user community.
• Tableau has extensive customization options.
• Tableau can be expensive, especially for smaller organizations.
• Users may need time to master its full range of features.
• Tableau Mobile’s performance is inconsistent on Android.

Why we picked Tableau

We chose Tableau because of its impressive interactive data visualization capabilities and robust analytics. Beyond visualizations, it offers effective AI capabilities that help to streamline and ease analytics tasks and has great community support and extensive support resources.

SEE: For more information, read the full Tableau review and our Tableau cheat sheet .

Microsoft Power BI: Best for integration with Microsoft products

Microsoft Power BI is a full-service business intelligence suite of data visualization applications. It offers deep integration with Microsoft products, making it popular among teams of all sizes, especially those using the Microsoft ecosystem. Power BI can pull in data from many different sources and coordinate dashboards and visual reports across teams, departments and enterprises.

• Free: No cost.
• Power BI Pro: Available as a Microsoft 365 E3 add-on or at $10 per user per month.
• Power BI Premium: $20 per user per month. A 30-day free trial is available.
• Seamless compatibility with Microsoft’s suite of products.
• Real-time dashboards for a 360-degree view of business data.
• Customizable visualizations ( Figure B ) with more than 30 visuals available.

• Robust customer support.
• More effective than its alternatives for users already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Intuitive and user-friendly, suitable for various skill levels.
• Understanding pricing can be frustrating.
• Power BI’s performance can fluctuate.
• Best utilized within the Microsoft environment.

Why we picked Microsoft Power BI

Microsoft Power BI makes it to our list primarily thanks to its excellent integration with Microsoft products. Its user interface is user-friendly, coupled with an affordable price, to make Power BI accessible to a wide range of users.

SEE: For more information, read the full Microsoft Power BI review .

Looker Studio: Best for customizable data modeling

Google Looker Studio is a cloud-based business intelligence and data analysis service with a data visualization component. It stands out for its customizable data modeling and integration with Google Cloud, which makes it a no-brainer for businesses already using other products in the Google ecosystem. Looker Studio concentrates its efforts on discovering hidden patterns and information within big data streams.

Google Looker has a free version and three paid editions. The paid editions include Standard, Enterprise and Embed; get custom pricing by consulting their sales teams.

• Customizable data modeling through LookML, its unique modeling language.
• Straightforward compatibility with Google Cloud services.
• Template gallery alongside advanced data visualization capabilities ( Figure C ).

• Great for Google’s product ecosystem.
• Shared dashboards strengthen its collaborative capabilities.
• Easy to pick up and use as it has a straightforward free version.
• Its advanced features can be underutilized by casual users.
• LookML can be rather challenging to grasp for beginners.
• Pricing for the paid tiers can be confusing.

Why we picked Looker Studio

Similar to Power BI, we selected Looker Studio due to its integration into Google’s Cloud Platform, offering a suite of interrelated tools that enhance data visualization capabilities. With Looker Studio, users can easily create real-time dashboards that make their data analysis more effective.

SEE: For more information, check out how Looker compares to Tableau .

Zoho Analytics: Best for user-friendly interface

Zoho Analytics is a cloud-based data visualization platform with business intelligence, AI and collaboration. Small and midsize businesses should consider Zoho Analytics should they want a user-friendly interface alongside AI-powered analytics. Additionally, the platform can access data from many different sources and outputs, including mobile, web-based or simple reports.

Zoho offers a Free plan as well as 15-day free trial for each of its premium plans:

• Basic: $24 per month, billed annually, or $30 per month when billed monthly.
• Standard: $48per month, billed annually, or $60 per month when billed monthly.
• Premium: $115 per month, billed annually, or $145 per month when billed monthly.
• Enterprise: $455 per month, billed annually, or $575 per user month billed monthly.
• AI assistant for advanced data analytics .
• Diverse visualization options, like a variety of charts, widgets and pivot tables.
• Intuitive user interface with self-service features ( Figure D ).

• Competitive pricing makes it affordable for smaller businesses.
• Intuitive interface makes it easy to use for users without advanced technical skills.
• Robust mobile application.
• It doesn’t offer as much customizability as some of its alternatives.
• It’s not ideal for advanced advanced analytics needs.
• Maximum efficiency when used with other Zoho products.

Why we picked Zoho Analytics

Zoho Analytics is selected for its balance of a user-friendly interface and powerful AI-driven analytics, making it ideal for SMBs. Its straightforward ability to transform raw data from various sources into meaningful reports and visualizations allows a wider net of users to quickly develop and publish reports.

SEE: Explore our side-by-side comparison of Power BI and Zoho Analytics .

QlikView: Best for associative data modeling

QlikView is another cloud-based business intelligence platform designed to provide visual dashboards and reports using advanced AI and machine learning technologies. Its associative data modeling and interactive guided analytics are its standout features that meet the needs of businesses that require personalized, interactive data discovery. The service stresses enterprise-level collaboration features.

Qlik has a trio of plans, namely the Standard, Premium and Enterprise, but pricing information can only be obtained by contacting Qlik and requesting a quote. When billed annually, the Standard and Premium plans cost $20 per user per month and $2700 per month.

• Interactive guided analytics for deep diving into data with guided exploration.
• Enterprise-level real-time collaboration for active analytics across large teams and departments.
• Associative data modeling for a unique approach to data exploration and discovery ( Figure E ).

• Qlik tailors data exploration to individual user needs.
• It’s suitable for businesses of various sizes.
• Qlik offers AI-powered insights.
• Can be complex for new users to grasp fully.
• Cost may easily spiral for larger enterprise deployments.
• Its interface isn’t as intuitive as some of its competitors.

Why we picked QlikView

QlikView delivers fast data processing and interactive visualizations, making it one of the quickest data visualization tools on the market. Its associative data engine allows users to explore all their data from any angle within dashboards, which offers them clarity and understanding.

Domo: best for real-time data visualization

Domo is a cloud-based data visualization tool that can access data from many sources, including AWS, Google, Snowflake and other on-premises environments. The platform is known for its real-time data visualization capabilities, as the company markets itself as a low-code digital transformation platform for reports, dashboards and data analysis.

Domo has a limited free plan that allows businesses to try out some of the features available in its three paid plans.

• Standard: Starts at $300 per month for 400 credits.
• Enterprise: Contact sales to request a quote.
• Business Critical: Contact sales to request a quote.
• Low-code platform for easier creation of reports and dashboards.
• Integration with diverse data sources.
• Real-time data visualization for immediate insights into data changes and trends ( Figure F ).

• Domo is suitable for various business sizes and industries.
• It’s accessible to users with different levels of technical expertise.
• It’s a no-code platform.
• Some features may need technical expertise to use.
• Only one pricing plan is transparent upfront.
• Complexity in large deployments — can become complex to manage in larger setups.

Why we picked Domo

We listed Domo because of its real-time data visualization capabilities that turn data into vibrant, interactive dashboards. Domo also delivers an intuitive, low-code platform that makes it worth considering for immediate data analysis needs.

SEE: Check out our side-by-side comparison of Domo and Tableau .

Microsoft Excel: Best for a wide range of data visualization tools

Microsoft Excel, the spreadsheet application found in the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity apps, is often the first introduction to data visualization techniques and analysis for many users. Known for its wide range of data visualization tools and familiar interface, Excel is great for basic data analysis and visualization. Despite its general availability and ease of use, Excel can be a powerful data visualization tool.

Excel is part of the Microsoft 365 subscription.

• A familiar interface that makes it accessible to a broad audience.
• Integration with Microsoft 365.
• Variety of visualization tools, with charts, graphs, pivot tables and more for data presentation ( Figure G ).

• Ubiquity and familiarity reduce the learning curve for data visualization.
• It’s suitable for a range of basic to moderately complex data tasks.
• It’s easy to pick up and use.
• Large datasets can impact performance
• It’s not as powerful as specialized data visualization software.
• Premium features require users to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Why we picked Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel earns a spot on our list because of its widespread use and familiarity, making it a great starting point and a go-to software for data visualization for businesses of all sizes, from basic to moderately complex data tasks. Plus, its integration within the Microsoft 365 suite makes it both versatile and reliable.

Google Charts: Best for web-based data visualization

Google Charts specializes in creating mobile and web-based reports, dashboards and other visual assets. It has a wide variety of chart types and integration with Google products, which makes it appealing for developers and businesses needing web-based visualizations. Primarily a tool designed for developers, Google Charts relies heavily on JavaScript.

Google Charts is available for free.

• Seamless integration with Google products.
• Web-based focus making it ideal for creating interactive online reports and dashboards.
• Wide variety of chart types that deliver extensive data visualization options ( Figure H ).

• Free to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
• It’s developer-friendly as it offers them extensive customization options.
• Great tool for web-based applications.
• Advantageous to users with JavaScript knowledge.
• It’s primarily designed for online use.
• Users who aren’t developers may experience a learning curve when customizing the tool.

Why we picked Google Charts

Google Charts is part of our selection as it’s able to create a wide variety of charts and visualizations, especially suited for web-based applications. Its emphasis on JavaScript allows for extensive customization that enables users to create interactive and engaging online visualizations. It also integrates well with Google products, plus, it’s free!

How do I choose the best data visualization tool for my business?

Selecting the right data visualization tool isn’t just about its features; it’s about how those features align with business needs and goals. Businesses need to:

• Understand their data needs.
• Consider the technical expertise at their disposal.
• Keep integration with other systems in mind.
• Plan for scalability.
• Consider the cost of the data visualization tool.

Throughout this article, we’ve explored a variety of software options, each with its own use case.

ACADEMY: Learn how to visualize data like a pro .

For businesses searching for real-time data analysis and a low-code platform, Domo stands out as an excellent choice. Its ability to provide vibrant, interactive dashboards with real-time insights makes it ideal for dynamic business environments.

On the other hand, for businesses that operate heavily within the Google ecosystem and value the integration of cloud-based tools, Looker Studio emerges as a powerful option. Google Charts also falls into this category and is ideal for businesses focusing on online data visualization.

For those in need of a tool that offers a balance of user-friendliness, AI and collaboration capabilities, Zoho Analytics is a strong contender. Its collaborative features and diverse visualization options cater well to small and medium-sized businesses.

QlikView, with its fast data processing and interactive visualizations, is particularly suited for teams that need speedy and comprehensive data exploration. Its associative data engine allows for intuitive data exploration, making it a strong choice for businesses that need to analyze data quickly.

Lastly, Microsoft Excel, with its widespread use and familiarity, is an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile and reliable tool for basic to moderate data visualization tasks. Its user-friendly interface and integration within the Microsoft 365 suite make it a practical option for many users.

Review methodology

We chose eight top data visualization tools we anticipated would offer different use cases and subjected them to a variety of factors to deliver this review. Firstly, we considered the features of each to ensure that their visualization capabilities are worth recommending. Then, we examined their pricing and value, which was based on the cost and pricing structure while keeping in mind their target users and the cost of their competitors.

We then read through real-world user reviews to understand the experiences of other users with these tools, as well as looking through their websites to note how they approach data visualization. Finally, we tested the tools wherever possible through live demos and trial plans for that valuable hands-on feel.

Subscribe to the Data Insider Newsletter

Learn the latest news and best practices about data science, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, data security, and more. Delivered Mondays and Thursdays

• What Are Data Analytics Tools? A Comprehensive Overview
• What is Data Science? Benefits, Techniques and Use Cases
• 8 Best Data Science Tools and Software of 2023
• Data Governance Policy
• Big data: More must-read coverage

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

* - indicates required fields

Sign in to TechRepublic

Lost your password? Request a new password

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support .

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

You're all set.

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

• Data Visualizations
• Most Recent
• Presentations
• Infographics
• Forms and Surveys
• Video & Animation
• Case Studies
• Design for Business
• Digital Marketing
• Design Inspiration
• Visual Thinking
• Product Updates
• Visme Webinars
• Artificial Intelligence

13 Amazing Data Visualization Software & Best Practices

Written by: Chloe West

Data visualization —a graphical or visual representation of data—is key to sharing in-depth or complex data and information in a more comprehensive format. It’s used in a number of different industries to create at-a-glance visual content that would otherwise take a while to read and understand in a word or report format.

However, to create high-quality data visualizations, you need high-quality data visualization software.

To help you choose the best data visualization software for your needs—and to create the best data visualizations possible—we’ve rounded up the top 10 tools and tips you should know.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

The importance of data visualization, what is data visualization software, top 13 best data visualization software, 5 best practices when using data visualization software.

• Data visualization is important as it helps your audience understand complex information at a glance.
• Using data visualization software can help you build charts and graphs within minutes.
• Visme is a data visualization software that enables users to create and visualize any information—even more than just data.
• Color is incredibly important when creating data visualizations, as it can help your audience better understand your graphs.

What do we mean by “data visualization?” In layman’s terms, this refers to various charts, graphs , infographics , etc., like pie charts , line graphs , bar charts , timelines , flowcharts and visualizations like that.

Data visualization not only helps make data and information more engaging, but it also makes it easier to understand.

Let’s take the timeline of Uber’s company history as an example. Which of the following representations of the history do you find easier to read through? A boring document with a whole bunch of text? Or a visual timeline that helps you see exactly which month and year each major milestone occurred?

Although we’re sure this example speaks for itself, the visual appeal isn’t the only reason data visualization is important. A few other benefits include:

• It helps people see trends and make predictions for the future
• It makes complex data easy to understand at a glance
• It improves decision making
• It makes data easier to present

Want more proof? Here are 50 data visualization statistics that help further prove its importance.

Data visualization software is an online tool that helps users create various types of charts, graphs and other data visualizations. It allows users to either input data directly or connect/import a spreadsheet of existing data sets.

Then, data visualization software will automatically visualize your selected chart or graph and allow you to color code segments, create labels, add a legend and more.

If you’re in the business of gathering data, you need a data visualization tool in your arsenal. It will make it so much easier to visualize your data accurately, regardless of whether you need a one-off chart, a full infographic or simply to showcase pieces of data in a presentation.

Simplify content creation and brand management for your team

• Collaborate on designs , mockups and wireframes with your non-design colleagues
• Lock down your branding to maintain brand consistency throughout your designs
• Why start from scratch? Save time with 1000s of professional branded templates

Sign up. It’s free.

If you’re starting your search for the right data visualization software for your business, look no further. We’ve got the top five options and their features below.

Visme’s graph maker is a great tool to try out because of its versatility. Not only can users create dashboards to showcase a number of visualizations at once (like the other tools in our list), but they can also create standalone charts, intuitive infographics, presentations, report, documents and more.

Visme has a template library with thousands of available templates across 50+ visual content types. Users can even save their data visualizations as a content block that can be placed into any other type of content they’re creating.

Main Features:

Data Widgets

Visme hosts an impressive collection of 30+ diverse data widgets. These widgets allow users to display data in unique and dynamic ways, aiding in more precise information communication.

From progress bars and radial gauges to timelines and population arrays, each widget is designed to represent specific data types effectively.

Ways to utilize these data widgets might include:

• Showcasing progress towards a goal using progress bar widgets
• Displaying time-based data in a visually appealing timeline widget
• Representing change over time or fractions of a whole with gauge widgets

Charts and Graphs

With over 20 types of charts and graphs , Visme allows you to visualize and present larger data sets. Each chart and graph type caters to specific big data visualization needs, providing the flexibility to choose the best option to explain your data story.

Here are potential use cases for these chart types:

• Utilize pie charts to represent part-to-whole relationships in your data.
• Use line graphs , bar graphs or area charts to visualize trends over time.
• Deploy scatter plots to reveal correlations between different variables in your dataset.

Interactive Maps

Create interactive maps within Visme that enable users to zoom, pan and access location-based data. Interactive maps convey location-based insights and encourage users to explore regional trends or anomalies in your datasets.

Custom Animations and Transitions

Leverage Visme's custom animation capabilities to infuse life into your data visualizations. Create enter and exit effects for various graphical elements and time them to appear based on user interactions or at designated intervals.

Create personalized pop-ups in Visme to reveal additional information when users hover over or click on specific elements.

This feature provides supplementary context and details, transforming static visualizations into rich, interactive experiences.

Dynamic Fields

Visme's Dynamic Fields feature offers a smarter way to handle repetitive data. It allows you to save time by automatically updating multiple uses of the same data throughout a project when the source data changes.

Team Collaboration Features

Visme fosters effective teamwork through its robust collaboration features . It provides a shared workspace where team members can collaborate seamlessly and in real-time, ensuring efficient and coherent collaboration.

Here are some ways to utilize these collaboration features:

• Share designs with team members and request comments or feedback to improve the work.
• Collaborate on data updates for current projects, ensuring everyone stays updated.
• Utilize the live editing features to allow collaborators to make changes in real time.
• Assign roles and permissions to different team members based on their specific tasks.

Visme's advanced design capabilities have positively impacted a lot of users around the world. Jaime Kelm, the Director of Business and Data Strategy at LAFC, is one of those satisfied users and here's what he has to say about Visme:

"I absolutely recommend Visme due to its dynamic functionality and ability to integrate everchanging media and digital technologies. That combined with a collaborative environment which empowers our team to be more efficient with time has been a huge plus."

"The ability to enrich our presentations with embedded media like Tableau or embedded posts from our partners' social accounts is huge. Being able to incorporate those different elements of media into a live presentation has been a game changer."

Additional Features

• Input data into the in-app spreadsheet, upload an Excel or CSV file or connect a public Google Sheet for a dynamic data viz
• Integrations with apps like Google Analytics, Tableau, Microsoft Excel, Hubspot and Salesforce that let you connect your data and turn it into stunning reports, charts and graphs
• Drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to place your visuals on your dashboard, report, presentation, etc.
• Icons, photos, illustrations and more to use for labels and other visual elements
• Download and embed capabilities for easy sharing with your team or client

Pricing: Start with a completely free plan. Premium plans start at $12.25/month, billed annually.

Sisense is designed to help businesses consolidate, interpret and transform complex data into actionable insights.

With its end-to-end approach, Sisense caters to diverse industry sectors, from retail to healthcare. Its intuitive interface, customizable dashboards and AI-driven capabilities make it a reliable choice for data professionals and non-experts.

• Sisense leverages In-Chip technology for enhanced data processing and faster query response times
• Users can access advanced data connectors like Salesforce, Google Analytics and more
• Sisense supports cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployments for versatility

Pricing: Contact sales or customer support for customized pricing.

Databox is a business analytics platform that enables its users to create KPI dashboards like the sample Google Analytics dashboard above.

Users also get the ability to integrate Databox with a number of different tools, like Google Analytics or even social media platforms to pull insights directly into the data visualization software.

• 70+ integrations to help populate your data visualization dashboards
• Dashboard templates users can customize for their needs
• No-code, DIY dashboard designer that makes it easy to add and remove blocks

Pricing: Take advantage of their free basic plan. Premium plans start at $72/month, billed annually.

4. Zoho Analytics

Zoho Analytics is a feature-rich BI solution that simplifies data analysis and visualization tasks. It offers an extensive range of tools to create insightful reports and dashboards from multiple data sources.

Accompanied by an AI Assistant named Zia, Zoho Analytics provides intelligent suggestions, helping users draw meaningful conclusions from their data.

• Zoho Analytics includes built-in forecasting models to predict future trends
• The platform supports natural language processing (NLP) for easy querying
• Users benefit from Zoho Analytics' fine-grained access control options

Pricing: Zoho Analytics paid plans start from $24/mo, billed annually.

5. Whatagraph

Whatagraph is a reporting and analytics tool catered more to marketing agencies. It integrates with various marketing tools so that agency account managers can easily connect client accounts and build out shareable reports.

• 40+ integrations with marketing platforms to pull data from
• Report templates for easy customization
• The ability to schedule reports to go out to clients at regular intervals so it’s always on time

Pricing: Starts at $199/month, billed annually.

6. Infogram

Infogram is a user-friendly platform designed for crafting visually appealing and engaging infographics, reports and charts. It offers a variety of creative templates and interactive visualization options while facilitating data import from multiple sources.

Additionally, the platform supports real-time collaboration features for a more unified workflow within teams.

• Infogram provides a built-in library of over one million images and icons
• Infogram supports accurate data import from spreadsheets or live connections
• The platform offers streamlined publishing options like PDF, CSV or social sharing

Pricing: Infogram has a free forever plan and the Pro plan starts from $19/mo.

7. Yellowfin

Yellowfin is a business intelligence reporting and analytics software. It allows users to connect databases, spreadsheets or APIs to their tool in order to import data. Furthermore, it can automate the analysis of your data, helping you to tell comprehensive data stories .

• No-code/low-code dashboard development
• Automated business monitoring that notifies you when changes in your data occur
• Embeddable analytics to give your customers the ability to create their own dashboards

Pricing: Interested brands must request a quote based on their needs.

8. Qlik Sense

Qlik Sense combines an associative analytics engine with an intuitive interface to help users uncover deeper insights from raw data.

Targeted towards both beginners and seasoned analysts, Qlik Sense offers flexible, interactive visualizations alongside AI-assisted data interpretation.

Qlik's diverse data integration options make it suitable for organizations seeking an all-encompassing solution for managing and analyzing their data.

• Qlik Sense's smart search functionality boosts data discovery capabilities
• You can create custom extensions and integrations within the platform
• Qlik Sense offers a mobile app for on-the-go analytics and engagement

Pricing: Starts from $20/mo/user, billed annually.

• Drag-and-drop data visualization tools
• The ability to create both simple and complex charts
• Collaboration and sharing tools so your team and clients can collaborate and view the results

Pricing: Starts at $70/user/month, billed annually. Viewer and Explorer licenses (does not include the ability to create data visualizations and dashboards) are less expensive.

Domo centralizes data processing, making day-to-day business decisions quicker and better informed. As a cloud-based platform, it eliminates the need for on-premises infrastructure, offering real-time data updates on fully customizable dashboards .

Furthermore, the platform's AI and machine learning capabilities ensure seamless integration with various data sources and a more personalized approach to data management.

• Domo's Magic ETL allows for seamless data transformations without requiring code
• You can explore IoT data via Domo's IoT Cloud feature
• The platform includes pre-built connectors to over 500 sources, such as social media and CRM tools

Pricing: Contact sales to ask for pricing.

11. Google Charts

Google Charts is a free, accessible data visualization tool ideal for web applications and those with a tighter budget. The platform offers various chart types for diverse use cases and boasts dynamic data connectivity for real-time updates.

Its configurable and customizable options and seamless integration with Google Workspace applications make Google Charts a helpful resource.

• Google Charts offers viewport options for responsive design across devices
• Built-in error handling and customizable error display
• Google Charts' cross-browser compatibility ensures functionality across devices and browsers

Pricing: Free to use.

Looker is a modern analytics platform that streamlines data modeling and visualization, paving new avenues for data exploration and decision-making. The tool is a part of the Google Cloud platform and employs a powerful, flexible data modeling language called LookML.

Looker is a popular solution for data-driven decision-making, thanks to its customizable dashboards, extensive connectivity options, and user-friendly interface.

• Custom email alerts based on critical data changes
• The platform offers tools for version control and rollback functionalities
• Includes customizable security roles and user management options

Pricing: $30/user/mo for the Viewer user license and the Developer user license with advanced capabilities starts at $125/user/mo.

13. Datawrapper

Datawrapper is a versatile platform that enables non-specialists and professionals to create striking charts, maps and tables with minimal effort. The tool's user-friendly, mobile-compatible interface simplifies the data visualization process and is complemented by a wide range of unique options.

Datawrapper's team collaboration features and easy-to-embed results make it an essential tool for disseminating information to stakeholders via websites and blogs.

• Datawrapper supports high-quality output formats, including SVG
• Privacy control settings, such as password protection for visualizations
• Provides detailed access logs for better security and monitoring

Pricing: You can try their free plan to test the tool and the paid plans start from $599/mo for 10 users.

Visualize any kind of data with Visme

• Choose from various charts and graphs
• Match your data visualization to your branding
• Paste in your data or import spreadsheets

Now that you’re starting to explore the right data visualization software for your organization, let’s talk graphing. There are a few tips and best practices to keep in mind when you start creating your own charts and graphs.

1. Color Code Your Graphs

Color coding is a way to identify the different data sets in your chart or graph. This way, it’s easier to tell the different data sets apart at a glance rather than having to study the graph for a while.

Take a look at this bar graph below. Each bar is represented by a different color, and the labels below help you match the color to the proper item.

If you have multiple charts showcasing similar data, you can keep the same color scheme for each item across the board. This helps your viewer immediately identify what they’re looking at without having to dedicate an overwhelming amount of time.

2. Use Contrasting Colors

Color coding is important. But it’s also important to make sure your colors stand out. Using similar shades of a single color isn’t going to make your chart much easier to read than if everything were the same shade.

Instead, take a page out of this pie chart’s book. It uses bright, contrasting colors that let you tell each piece of the pie apart.

Make sure you’re using complementary and contrasting colors—especially between your chart, background colors and other design elements. You want your chart to pop off the page so your viewers can easily understand your information.

3. Create Interactive Charts

Let your audience interact with your charts—this is a great way to help them further retain the information. And with Visme, this is easy. Our charts automatically create pop-up legends and labels that your viewers can use to interact with the chart data.

Take a look at this map. When embedded on a webpage or shared via a web link, viewers can hover over each of the states to learn more information.

The same can be done with all of our charts, helping to create an interactive experience in your infographic, presentation, report and more.

4. Label Each Element

Labels are a must. How else will your viewer know what your data is conveying? You can spice up your labels however you want, too. Use shapes, colors, icons and other design elements to help the end viewer better understand what your data is telling them.

Here’s an example of a polar area chart with basic color-coded labels on the side of the chart, as well as words labeling the axes.

Every piece of data in a data visualization needs a label so that your audience can fully comprehend what you’re trying to tell them.

5. Choose the Best Graph for the Job

There are so many different types of data visualizations because they each have a different job and convey data in different ways.

For example, a pie chart is a representation of 100%. It depicts parts of a whole, whereas a bar chart is used to share how amounts are distributed across varying categories. And scatter plots can be used to visualize trends.

Learn more in our guide to creating charts about which chart should be used and when.

Never Create Boring Data Visualization Again with Visme

Spice up your charts and graphs with Visme’s graph maker . Take advantage of professionally designed templates, easy-to-customize design elements, 30+ chart types, icons, illustrations and so much more. Make your data and information easy to understand with a free Visme account .

Easily create charts and data visualizations in Visme

Trusted by leading brands

Recommended content for you:

Create Stunning Content!

Design visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a seasoned designer or a total novice.

About the Author

Chloe West is the content marketing manager at Visme. Her experience in digital marketing includes everything from social media, blogging, email marketing to graphic design, strategy creation and implementation, and more. During her spare time, she enjoys exploring her home city of Charleston with her son.

• Data Visualization Designers
• Social Media Designers
• Dashboard Designers
• SaaS Designers
• Visual Designers
• Presentation Designers
• UI Designers
• UX Designers

A Complete Overview of the Best Data Visualization Tools

When dealing with data sets that include hundreds of thousands or millions of data points, automating the process of data visualization makes a designer’s job significantly easier.

By Cameron Chapman

Cameron is the former Head of Content at Uxcel, where she was an instructional designer of UX design courses, skill assessments, and other educational design content. She has more than 20 years experience in the design education space, contributing to Toptal’s Design blog, Smashing Magazine, Web Designer News, CodeVisually, and Webdesigner Depot.

Consuming large sets of data isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, data sets are so large that it’s downright impossible to discern anything useful from them. That’s where data visualizations come in.

Creating data visualizations is rarely straightforward. It’s not as if designers can simply take a data set with thousands of entries and create a visualization from scratch. Sure, it’s possible, but who wants to spend dozens or hundreds of hours plotting dots on a scatter chart? That’s where data visualization tools come in.

What Are Data Visualization Tools?

Data visualization tools provide data visualization designers with an easier way to create visual representations of large data sets. When dealing with data sets that include hundreds of thousands or millions of data points, automating the process of creating a visualization, at least in part, makes a designer’s job significantly easier.

These data visualizations can then be used for a variety of purposes: dashboards , annual reports, sales and marketing materials, investor slide decks, and virtually anywhere else information needs to be interpreted immediately.

What Do the Best Data Visualization Tools Have in Common?

The best data visualization tools on the market have a few things in common. First is their ease of use. There are some incredibly complicated apps available for visualizing data. Some have excellent documentation and tutorials and are designed in ways that feel intuitive to the user. Others are lacking in those areas, eliminating them from any list of “best” tools, regardless of their other capabilities.

The best tools can also handle huge sets of data. In fact, the very best can even handle multiple sets of data in a single visualization.

The best tools also can output an array of different chart, graph, and map types. Most of the tools below can output both images and interactive graphs. There are exceptions to the variety of output criteria, though. Some data visualization tools focus on a specific type of chart or map and do it very well. Those tools also have a place among the “best” tools out there.

Finally, there are cost considerations. While a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily disqualify a tool, the higher price tag has to be justified in terms of better support, better features, and better overall value.

Data Visualization Tools Comparison

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of applications, tools, and scripts available to create visualizations of large data sets. Many are very basic and have a lot of overlapping features.

But there are standouts that either have more capability for the types of visualizations they can create or are significantly easier to use than the other options out there.

Tableau (and Tableau Public)

Tableau has a variety of options available, including a desktop app, server and hosted online versions, and a free public option. There are hundreds of data import options available, from CSV files to Google Ads and Analytics data to Salesforce data.

Output options include multiple chart formats as well as mapping capability. That means designers can create color-coded maps that showcase geographically important data in a format that’s much easier to digest than a table or chart could ever be.

The public version of Tableau is free to use for anyone looking for a powerful way to create data visualizations that can be used in a variety of settings. From journalists to political junkies to those who just want to quantify the data of their own lives, there are tons of potential uses for Tableau Public. They have an extensive gallery of infographics and visualizations that have been created with the public version to serve as inspiration for those who are interested in creating their own.

• Hundreds of data import options
• Mapping capability
• Free public version available
• Lots of video tutorials to walk you through how to use Tableau
• Non-free versions are expensive ($70/month/user for the Tableau Creator software)
• Public version doesn’t allow you to keep data analyses private

Data Visualization Examples

Bottom Line

Tableau is a great option for those who need to create maps in addition to other types of charts. Tableau Public is also a great option for anyone who wants to create public-facing visualizations.

Infogram is a fully-featured drag-and-drop visualization tool that allows even non-designers to create effective visualizations of data for marketing reports, infographics, social media posts, maps, dashboards, and more.

Finished visualizations can be exported into a number of formats: .PNG, .JPG, .GIF, .PDF, and .HTML. Interactive visualizations are also possible, perfect for embedding into websites or apps. Infogram also offers a WordPress plugin that makes embedding visualizations even easier for WordPress users.

• Tiered pricing, including a free plan with basic features
• Includes 35+ chart types and 550+ map types
• Drag and drop editor
• API for importing additional data sources
• Significantly fewer built-in data sources than some other apps

Infogram is a great option for non-designers as well as designers. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to create professional-looking designs without a lot of visual design skill.

ChartBlocks

ChartBlocks claims that data can be imported from “anywhere” using their API, including from live feeds. While they say that importing data from any source can be done in “just a few clicks,” it’s bound to be more complex than other apps that have automated modules or extensions for specific data sources.

The app allows for extensive customization of the final visualization created, and the chart building wizard helps users pick exactly the right data for their charts before importing the data.

Designers can create virtually any kind of chart, and the output is responsive—a big advantage for data visualization designers who want to embed charts into websites that are likely to be viewed on a variety of devices.

• Free and reasonably priced paid plans are available
• Easy to use wizard for importing the necessary data
• Unclear how robust their API is
• Doesn’t appear to have any mapping capability

ChartBlocks has an excellent free plan, which is a big plus. The ease of use for creating basic charts and graphs is also outstanding.

Datawrapper

Datawrapper was created specifically for adding charts and maps to news stories. The charts and maps created are interactive and made for embedding on news websites. Their data sources are limited, though, with the primary method being copying and pasting data into the tool.

Once data is imported, charts can be created with a single click. Their visualization types include column, line, and bar charts, election donuts, area charts, scatter plots, choropleth and symbol maps, and locator maps, among others. The finished visualizations are reminiscent of those seen on sites like the New York Times or Boston Globe. In fact, their charts are used by publications like Mother Jones, Fortune, and The Times.

The free plan is perfect for embedding graphics on smaller sites with limited traffic, but paid plans are on the expensive side, starting at $39/month.

• Specifically designed for newsroom data visualization
• Free plan is a good fit for smaller sites
• Tool includes a built-in color blindness checker
• Limited data sources
• Paid plans are on the expensive side

Datawrapper is an excellent choice for data visualizations for news sites. Despite the price tag, the features Datawrapper includes for news-specific visualization make it worth it.

D3.js is a JavaScript library for manipulating documents using data. D3.js requires at least some JS knowledge, though there are apps out there that allow non-programming users to utilize the library.

Those apps include NVD3 , which offers reusable charts for D3.js; Plotly’s Chart Studio , which also allows designers to create WebGL and other charts; and Ember Charts , which also uses the Ember.js framework.

• Very powerful and customizable
• Huge number of chart types possible
• A focus on web standards
• Tools available to let non-programmers create visualizations
• Free and open source
• Requires programming knowledge to use alone
• Less support available than with paid tools

D3.js is only suitable for those designers who either have access to a programmer for help, or have programming knowledge themselves.

Google Charts

Google Charts is a powerful, free data visualization tool that is specifically for creating interactive charts for embedding online. It works with dynamic data and the outputs are based purely on HTML5 and SVG, so they work in browsers without the use of additional plugins. Data sources include Google Spreadsheets, Google Fusion Tables, Salesforce , and other SQL databases.

There are a variety of chart types, including maps, scatter charts, column and bar charts, histograms, area charts, pie charts, treemaps, timelines, gauges, and many others. These charts can be customized completely, via simple CSS editing.

• Wide variety of chart formats available
• Cross-browser compatible since it uses HTML5/SVG
• Works with dynamic data
• Beyond the tutorials and forum available, there’s limited support

Google Charts is a great option if a designer is somewhat comfortable with coding and wants a powerful, free solution. Being able to use any SQL database as a data source makes it a good option for large data sets, too.

FusionCharts

FusionCharts is another JavaScript-based option for creating web and mobile dashboards . It includes over 150 chart types and 1,000 map types. It can integrate with popular JS frameworks (including React, jQuery, React, Ember, and Angular) as well as with server-side programming languages (including PHP, Java, Django, and Ruby on Rails).

FusionCharts gives ready-to-use code for all of the chart and map variations, making it easier to embed in websites even for those designers with limited programming knowledge. Because FusionCharts is aimed at creating dashboards rather than just straightforward data visualizations it’s one of the most expensive options included in this article. But it’s also one of the most powerful.

• Huge number of chart and map format options
• More features than most other visualization tools
• Integrates with a number of different frameworks and programming languages
• Expensive (starts at almost $500 for one developer license)
• Overkill for simple visualizations outside of a dashboard environment

For creating dashboards, nothing else in this article really compares to FusionCharts. If that’s the project at hand, this is undoubtedly the most powerful choice.

Chart.js is a simple but flexible JavaScript charting library. It’s open source, provides a good variety of chart types (eight total), and allows for animation and interaction.

Chart.js uses HTML5 Canvas for output, so it renders charts well across all modern browsers. Charts created are also responsive, so it’s great for creating visualizations that are mobile-friendly.

• Responsive and cross-browser compatible output
• Very limited chart types compared to other tools
• Limited support outside of the official documentation

Chart.js is a good option for designers who need a simple, customizable, interactive visualization option. Its biggest selling points are that it’s free and open source.

Grafana is open-source visualization software that lets users create dynamic dashboards and other visualizations. It supports mixed data sources, annotations, and customizable alert functions, and it can be extended via hundreds of available plugins. That makes it one of the most powerful visualization tools available.

Export functions allow designers to share snapshots of dashboards as well as invite other users to collaborate. Grafana supports over 50 data sources via plugins . It’s free to download, or there’s a cloud-hosted version for $49/month. (There’s also a very limited free hosted version.) The downloadable version also has support plans available, something a lot of other open-source tools don’t offer.

• Open source, with free and paid options available
• Large selection of data sources available
• Variety of chart types available
• Makes creating dynamic dashboards simple
• Can work with mixed data feeds
• Overkill for creating simple visualizations
• Doesn’t offer as many visual customization options as some other tools
• Not the best option for creating visualization images
• Not able to embed dashboards in websites, though possible for individual panels

Grafana is one of the best options for creating dashboards for internal use, especially for mixed or large data sources.

Chartist.js

Chartist.js is a free, open-source JavaScript library that allows for creating simple responsive charts that are highly customizable and cross-browser compatible. The entire JavaScript library is only 10KB when GZIPped. Charts created with Chartist.js can also be animated, and plugins allow it to be extended.

• Tiny file size
• Charts can be animated
• Not the widest selection of chart types available
• No mapping capabilities
• Limited support outside of developer community

Chartist.js is a good option for designers who want simple, embeddable, responsive charts with a small file size.

Sigmajs is a single-purpose visualization tool for creating network graphs. It’s highly customizable but does require some basic JavaScript knowledge in order to use. Graphs created are embeddable, interactive, and responsive.

• Highly customizable and extensible
• Easy to embed graphs in websites and apps
• Only creates one type of visualization: network graphs
• Requires JS knowledge to customize and implement

Because of its single focus, Sigmajs is a great option for creating network graphs as long as the designer is comfortable with JavaScript.

Polymaps is a dedicated JavaScript library for mapping. The outputs are dynamic, responsive maps in a variety of styles, from image overlays to symbol maps to density maps. It uses SVG to create the images, so designers can use CSS to customize the visuals of their maps.

• Built specifically for mapping
• Easy to embed maps in websites and apps
• Only creates one type of visualization
• Requires some coding knowledge to customize and implement

Polymaps is a good option if maps are the only type of visualization required, as long as the designer is comfortable with some basic coding.

There is such a huge variety of visualization tools available to designers that it can be hard to decide which one to use. Data visualization designers should keep in mind things like ease of use and whether a tool has the features they need.

Selecting the most powerful tool available isn’t always the best idea: Learning curves can be steep, requiring more resources just to get up and running, while a simpler tool might be able to create exactly what’s needed in a fraction of the time. Remember, though, that the tool is only part of the equation in creating a data visualization; designers also need to consider what else goes into making a great data visualization.

Most data visualization tools include free trials (if the entire tool isn’t free), so it’s worth taking the time to try out a few before deciding on a single solution.

Further Reading on the Toptal Blog:

• Data Visualization: Best Practices and Foundations
• Strength in Numbers – An Overview of Data-driven Design
• If You’re Not Using UX Data, It’s Not UX Design
• Dashboard Design: Considerations and Best Practices
• Mastering SaaS Implementation: 4 Tips for Success

Understanding the basics

What are the best data visualization tools.

The best data visualization tools include Google Charts, Tableau, Grafana, Chartist.js, FusionCharts, Datawrapper, Infogram, ChartBlocks, and D3.js. The best tools offer a variety of visualization styles, are easy to use, and can handle large data sets.

What are data visualization tools?

Data visualization tools provide designers with an easier way to create visual representations of large data sets. When dealing with data sets that include hundreds of thousands or millions of data points, automating the process of creating a visualization makes a designer’s job significantly easier.

What are data visualization techniques?

Data visualization techniques include charts (line, bar, or pie), plots (bubble or scatter), diagrams, maps (heat maps, geographic maps, etc.), and matrices. There are many variations on these specific techniques that designers can use to meet specific visualization needs based on the data they’re working with.

Why do we use data visualization?

It is almost impossible to discern information from large data sets with millions of data points unless some kind of visualization is employed, such as a basic graph or an interactive dashboard.

How important is data visualization?

Without data visualization, drawing conclusions from large data sets is almost impossible. Data visualization methods make information understandable for stakeholders.

• Visual Design
• Data Visualization

World-class articles, delivered weekly.

By entering your email, you are agreeing to our privacy policy .

Toptal Designers

• Adobe Creative Suite Experts
• Agile Designers
• AI Designers
• Art Direction Experts
• Augmented Reality Designers
• Axure Experts
• Brand Designers
• Creative Directors
• Digital Product Designers
• E-commerce Website Designers
• Full-Stack Designers
• Information Architecture Experts
• Interactive Designers
• Mobile App Designers
• Mockup Designers
• Prototype Designers
• Sketch Experts
• Squarespace Designers
• User Flow Designers
• User Research Designers
• Virtual Reality Designers
• Wireframing Experts
• View More Freelance Designers

Join the Toptal ® community.

Table of Contents

What is data visualization, what are data visualization tools, what do the best data visualization tools have in common, 2. dundas bi, 3. power bi, 4. zoho reports, 5. google charts, 6. visual.ly, 8. ibm watson, 11. data wrapper, 12. highcharts, 13. fusioncharts, 14. jupyter, 15. qlikview, 16. infogram, 17. chartblocks , 19. chart.js, 20. grafana, 21. chartist.js , 22. sigma.js, 23. polymaps, choose the right program, learning data visualization tools to further your career, 23 best data visualization tools you can't miss.

According to a Fortune Business Insights report, the data visualization market in 2019 was estimated at $8.85 billion. By 2027, the market worth is expected to be $19.20 billion at a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%.

The proliferation of smartphones, growing Internet use, rapid advancements in Machine Learning, and the rising adoption of cloud computing technologies as well as the Internet of Things are driving the global data visualization market. 

In addition, the increasing inclination for smart factories and the ever-widening use of visual analytics, information visualization, and scientific visualization in both small and large organizations are also contributing to the growth of the data visualization market. 

Check out the video below that explains what Data Visualization is, Why we use Data Visualization, major considerations for Data Visualization and the basics of different types of graphs.

Data visualization is the process of graphical representation of data in the form of geographic maps, charts, sparklines, infographics, heat maps, or statistical graphs. 

Data presented through visual elements is easy to understand and analyze, effectively extracting actionable insights from the data. Relevant stakeholders can then use the findings to make more efficient real-time decisions.

Data visualization tools, incorporating support for streaming data , AI integration, embeddability, collaboration, interactive exploration, and self-service capabilities, facilitate the visual representation of data. 

Here are 15 top-notch data visualization tools that are gaining market recognition for their impressive performance and usability.

Data is becoming increasingly important every day. For any organisation, you can understand how important data is while making crucial decisions. For the same reason, data visualisation is grabbing people's attention. Modern data visualisation tools and advanced software are on the market. A data visualisation tool is a software that is used to visualise data. The features of each tool vary, but at their most basic, they allow you to input a dataset and graphically alter it. Most, but not all, come with pre-built templates for creating simple visualisations.

All of the technologies available on the market for data visualisation have something or another feature in common. The first advantage is their simplicity of usage. There are two types of software that you will most likely encounter: those that are easy to use and those that are really difficult to visualise data. Some include good documentation and tutorials and are constructed in user-friendly ways. Others, regardless of their other qualities, are missing in certain areas, excluding them from any list of "best" tools. The one thing you should ensure is that the software can handle large amounts of data and many kinds of data in a single display.

The better software can also generate a variety of charts , graphs, and maps kinds. Obviously, there will be others in the market who present the facts in a somewhat different manner. Some data visualisation tools specialise in a single style of chart or map and excel at it. Those tools are also among the "best" tools available. Finally, there are financial concerns. While a larger price tag does not inherently disqualify a tool, it must be justified in terms of greater support, features, and overall value.

Tableau is a highly popular tool for visualizing data for two main reasons: it's easy to use and very powerful. You can connect it to lots of data sources and create all sorts of charts and maps. Salesforce owns Tableau, and it's widely used by many people and big companies.

Tableau has different versions like desktop, server, and web-based options, plus some customer relationship management (CRM) software.

Providing integration for advanced databases, including Teradata, SAP, My SQL, Amazon AWS , and Hadoop, Tableau efficiently creates visualizations and graphics from large, constantly-evolving datasets used for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Big Data applications.

The Pros of Tableau:

• Excellent visualization capabilities
• Easy to use
• Top class performance
• Supports connectivity with diverse data sources
• Mobile Responsive
• Has an informative community

The Cons of Tableau:

• The pricing is a bit on the higher side
• Auto-refresh and report scheduling options are not available

Become a Data Science & Business Analytics Professional

• 28% Annual Job Growth By 2026
• 11.5 M Expected New Jobs For Data Science By 2026

Data Analyst

• Industry-recognized Data Analyst Master’s certificate from Simplilearn
• Dedicated live sessions by faculty of industry experts

Post Graduate Program in Data Analytics

• Post Graduate Program certificate and Alumni Association membership
• Exclusive hackathons and Ask me Anything sessions by IBM

Here's what learners are saying regarding our programs:

Gayathri Ramesh

Associate data engineer , publicis sapient.

The course was well structured and curated. The live classes were extremely helpful. They made learning more productive and interactive. The program helped me change my domain from a data analyst to an Associate Data Engineer.

Felix Chong

Project manage , codethink.

After completing this course, I landed a new job & a salary hike of 30%. I now work with Zuhlke Group as a Project Manager.

Dundas BI offers highly-customizable data visualizations with interactive scorecards, maps, gauges, and charts, optimizing the creation of ad-hoc, multi-page reports. By providing users full control over visual elements, Dundas BI simplifies the complex operation of cleansing, inspecting, transforming, and modeling big datasets. 

The Pros of Dundas BI:

• Exceptional flexibility
• A large variety of data sources and charts 
• Wide range of in-built features for extracting, displaying, and modifying data

The Cons of Dundas BI:

• No option for predictive analytics
• 3D charts not supported

Power BI , Microsoft's easy-to-use data visualization tool, is available for both on-premise installation and deployment on the cloud infrastructure. Power BI is one of the most complete data visualization tools that supports a myriad of backend databases, including Teradata, Salesforce, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Google Analytics, Github, Adobe Analytics, Azure, SQL Server, and Excel. The enterprise-level tool creates stunning visualizations and delivers real-time insights for fast decision-making.

The Pros of Power BI:

• No requirement for specialized tech support
• Easily integrates with existing applications  
• Personalized, rich dashboard
• High-grade security 
• No speed or memory constraints
• Compatible with Microsoft products

The Cons of Power BI:

• Cannot work with varied, multiple datasets

Zoho Reports, also known as Zoho Analytics, is a comprehensive data visualization tool that integrates Business Intelligence and online reporting services, which allow quick creation and sharing of extensive reports in minutes. The high-grade visualization tool also supports the import of Big Data from major databases and applications. 

The Pros of Zoho Reports:

• Effortless report creation and modification
• Includes useful functionalities such as email scheduling and report sharing
• Plenty of room for data
• Prompt customer support.

The Cons of Zoho Reports:

• User training needs to be improved
• The dashboard becomes confusing when there are large volumes of data

Google Charts is one of the major players in the data visualization market space, coded with SVG and HTML5 , is famed for its capability to produce graphical and pictorial data visualizations. Google Charts offers zoom functionality, and it provides users with unmatched cross-platform compatibility with iOS, Android, and even the earlier versions of the Internet Explorer browser.

The Pros of Google Charts:

• User-friendly platform
• Easy to integrate data
• Visually attractive data graphs
• Compatibility with Google products.

The Cons of Google Charts:

• The export feature needs fine-tuning 
• Inadequate demos on tools
• Lacks customization abilities
• Network connectivity required for visualization

Visual.ly is one of the data visualization tools on the market, renowned for its impressive distribution network that illustrates project outcomes. Employing a dedicated creative team for data visualization services, Visual.ly streamlines the process of data import and outsource, even to third parties.

The Pros of Visual.ly:

• Top-class output quality 
• Easy to produce superb graphics
• Several link opportunities

The Cons of Visual.ly:

• Few embedding options 
• Showcases one point, not multiple points
• Limited scope

RAW, better-known as RawGraphs, works with delimited data such as TSV file or CSV file. It serves as a link between data visualization and spreadsheets. Featuring a range of non-conventional and conventional layouts, RawGraphs provides robust data security even though it is a web-based application.

The Pros of RAW:

• Simple interface
• Super-fast visual feedback
• Offers a high-level platform for arranging, keeping, and reading user data
• Easy-to-use mapping feature
• Superb readability for visual graphics
• Excellent scalability option

The Cons of RAW:

• Non-availability of log scales
• Not user intuitive

Named after IBM founder Thomas J. Watson, this high-caliber data visualization tool uses analytical components and artificial intelligence to detect insights and patterns from both unstructured and structured data. Leveraging NLP ( Natural Language Processing ), IBM Watson's intelligent, self-service visualization tool guides users through the entire insight discovery operation.

The Pros of IBM Watson:

• NLP capabilities
• Offers accessibility from multiple devices
• Predictive analytics
• Self-service dashboards

The Cons of IBM Watson:

• Customer support needs improvement
• High-cost maintenance

Regarded as one of the most agile data visualization tools, Sisense gives users access to instant data analytics anywhere, at any time. The best-in-class visualization tool can identify key data patterns and summarize statistics to help decision-makers make data-driven decisions.

The Pros of Sisense:

• Ideal for mission-critical projects involving massive datasets
• Reliable interface
• High-class customer support
• Quick upgrades
• Flexibility of seamless customization

The Cons of Sisense:

• Developing and maintaining analytic cubes can be challenging
• Does not support time formats
• Limited visualization versions

An open-source data visualization tool, Plotly offers full integration with analytics-centric programming languages like Matlab, Python , and R, which enables complex visualizations. Widely used for collaborative work, disseminating, modifying, creating, and sharing interactive, graphical data, Plotly supports both on-premise installation and cloud deployment. 

The Pros of Plotly:

• Allows online editing of charts 
• High-quality image export
• Highly interactive interface
• Server hosting facilitates easy sharing 

The Cons of Plotly:

• Speed is a concern at times
• Free version has multiple limitations
• Various screen-flashings create confusion and distraction 

Data Wrapper is one of the very few data visualization tools on the market that is available for free. It is popular among media enterprises because of its inherent ability to quickly create charts and present graphical statistics on Big Data . Featuring a simple and intuitive interface, Data Wrapper allows users to create maps and charts that they can easily embed into reports.

The Pros of Data Wrapper:

• Does not require installation for chart creation
• Ideal for beginners
• Free to use

The Cons of Data Wrapper:

• Building complex charts like Sankey is a problem
• Security is an issue as it is an open-source tool

Deployed by seventy-two of the world's top hundred companies, the Highcharts tool is perfect for visualization of streaming big data analytics. Running on Javascript API and offering integration with jQuery, Highcharts provides support for cross-browser functionalities that facilitates easy access to interactive visualizations. 

The Pros of Highcharts:

• State-of-the-art customization options
• Visually appealing graphics
• Multiple chart layouts
• Simple and flexible

The Cons of Highcharts:

• Not ideal for small organizations

Fusioncharts is one of the most popular and widely-adopted data visualization tools. The Javascript -based, top-of-the-line visualization tool offers ninety different chart building packages that integrate with major frameworks and platforms, offering users significant flexibility.

The Pros of Fusioncharts:

• Customized for specific implementations
• Outstanding helpdesk support
• Active community

The Cons of Fusioncharts:

• An expensive data visualization solution
• Complex set-up
• Old-fashioned interface

A web-based application, JupyteR, is one of the top-rated data visualization tools that enable users to create and share documents containing visualizations, equations, narrative text, and live code. JupyteR is ideal for data cleansing and transformation, statistical modeling, numerical simulation, interactive computing, and machine learning. 

The Pros of JupyteR:

• Rapid prototyping
• Visually appealing results
• Facilitates easy sharing of data insights

The Cons of JupyteR:

• Tough to collaborate
• At times code reviewing becomes complicated

A major player in the data visualization market, Qlikview provides solutions to over 40,000 clients in 100 countries. Qlikview's data visualization tool, besides enabling accelerated, customized visualizations, also incorporates a range of solid features, including analytics, enterprise reporting, and Business Intelligence capabilities. 

The Pros of QlikView:

• User-friendly interface 
• Appealing, colorful visualizations
• Trouble-free maintenance
• A cost-effective solution

The Cons of QlikView:

• RAM limitations
• Poor customer support
• Does not include the 'drag and drop' feature

Infogram is one of the most popular software programmes on the internet today. It is a web-based tool for creating infographics and visualising data. It is primarily intended to assist all users in quickly and simply creating interesting and interactive reports, infographics, and dashboards with data-driven information and captivating images. This particular solution provides customers with over 550 maps and 35 charts, 20 ready-made design templates, numerous pictures and icons, a drag-and-drop editor, and other features. Even someone who is new to the sector may quickly learn how to utilise this programme.

It has a simple editor that allows users to modify the colours and styles of their visualisations, add corporate logos, and adjust the display choices. In addition, the users will be granted the right to use over a million icons, GIFs, and photos in their visualisations. Users may add connections to generate traffic to their website using interactive charts, which allow audiences to examine data using Infogram tabs. Reports that are interactive and shareable may also be developed and incorporated, with metrics to measure audience interaction.

ChartBlocks selects the appropriate data segment to create a chart and manages the whole import process. It may import information from virtually any source. It enhances many sharing options that set the chart on the website and instantly share it. It contains hundreds of customization and design choices that influence various aspects of the chart. The Wizard feature selects and selects the appropriate data for the chart using the basic chart design wizard. ChartBlocks' data import capabilities enable data to be swiftly imported from any source. It aids in the import of proper data from the target source and the creation of the chart. And all of this happens in a matter of minutes. To create a chart, no code is necessary.

It allows for the creation of a chart in minutes, as well as the use of a chart designer and the selection of hundreds of chart kinds, which may be adjusted as needed. It can also gather data from nearly any source and use it to make visualisations. The data import wizard walks you through each step of the procedure. It easily embeds charts into any website of your choice and distributes them.

The same sharing functionality is available in the built-in social media sharing tools. It is known to interface directly with Facebook and Twitter. It also has a function that allows the charts to be exported as editable vectors and graphics.

With Data-Driven Document, you can use any browser to bind data to a DOM in a document, allowing you to manipulate documents from anywhere. Transforming data involves selecting selections of nodes and manipulating them individually. You can easily change and alter node attributes, register event listeners, change nodes, alter HTML or text content, and access the document's underlying DOM by working with functions of data (styles, attributes, and other properties). You can associate operations (updates, additions, and deletions) with nodes to improve performance. You can build new functions using the function factory, as well as using the graphical primitives included. Geographic coordinates can be retrieved using a function as opposed to a constant. Properties can be reused by having data bound to the documents.

It uses HTML, SVG and CSS to create graphics from data, for example generating a table in HTML from data. Using animated transitions and high performance, you can easily visualize data in bar charts and graphics, support large amounts of data, and enjoy dynamic interaction and animation in a 3D environment with large amounts of data.

Chart.js is a popular JavaScript charting toolkit that is open source. It is a Data Visualization Software that will help you visualise data. Because it is open-source, it is maintained by the entire community. It has support for eight various types of charts, including pies, lines, and bars. The good news is that all of these are really responsive. All you have to do is put up your chart, and the library will make sure it is readable. It has 53.7k GitHub stars and a strong ecosystem providing wrappers for Vue, React, Ember, and more frameworks. The library draws the charts on the browser canvas. It is an independent project with numerous community contributors. Chart.js provides eight different types of chart bar charts, but also bubble charts,  scatter charts, line charts, and polar charts.

Grafana open source is a free and open source visualisation and analytics tool. It enables you to query, display, alert on, and examine metrics, logs, and traces stored everywhere. It includes tools for transforming time-series database (TSDB) data into informative graphs and visualisations.

It also has a Graohana cloud component. It is an OpenSaaS logging and metrics platform that is highly available, quick, and fully controlled. The program provides all of the features you love about Grafana, but Grafana Labs hosts and manages the program for you.

Grafana Enterprise is Grafana's commercial edition, which offers capabilities not present in the open source version. Grafana Corporate includes enterprise data sources, sophisticated authentication choices, expanded permission restrictions, 24x7x365 support, and core team training.

Chartist.js is an online application that allows you to build highly customizable responsive charts that highlight important data and construct a library or libraries. Chartist.js encapsulates the given data in a library for usage in a user-friendly framework. Chartist.js is now used to create libraries in a variety of projects, including Chartist JSF (Java Server Faces Component),  node chartist (node package for server-side charts, ng-chartist.js (Angular Directive), Table press Chartist ( WordPress / tablepress extension), Ember - cli - chartist (Ember Addon), react chartist (react component), etc.

Chartist.js is user-friendly since it is compatible with a variety of browsers, making it simple to work with any of them. The browsers enable the use of several remarkable capabilities, such as general browser support, sophisticated CSS animations, SVG animations, multi-line labels, with SMIL, and responsive option override.

These are critical properties that every browser wants to have in order to provide reliable information. These capabilities allow Chartist.js to create charts that have an animation component, making them presentable and simple to read.

Sigma is a JavaScript library for drawing graphs. It enables developers to incorporate network exploration into rich online applications and makes it simple to publish networks on websites. 

• The Sigma.js layout is fantastic.
• It enables individuals to follow up with interest as soon as possible. 
• Sigma.js's performance is currently satisfactory. 
• Sigma.js support is fantastic and quite helpful.
• Good software must be tried.

Polymaps, a collaboration between Stamen and SimpleGeo, is a free JavaScript library for image and vector tiled maps that use SVG. The library enables the creation of interactive and dynamic maps in web browsers, as well as the rapid display of datasets and support for a broad range of visual presentations for vector data (tiled). Cartography from CloudMade, OpenStreetMap, Bing, and other image-based web map suppliers is supported by Polymaps. It can load data at all scales and works well for displaying information from the country level down to the local level. It displays information using Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), which allows users to simply create data design using CSS rules. This also saves users from having to learn new scripts because they may do the majority of jobs using scripts to which they are already accustomed.

Looking to build a career in the exciting field of data analytics? Our Data Analytics courses are designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel in this rapidly growing industry. Our expert instructors will guide you through hands-on projects, real-world scenarios, and case studies, giving you the practical experience you need to succeed. With our courses, you'll learn to analyze data, create insightful reports, and make data-driven decisions that can help drive business success.

Program Name Data Analyst Post Graduate Program In Data Analytics Data Analytics Bootcamp Geo All Geos All Geos US University Simplilearn Purdue Caltech Course Duration 11 Months 8 Months 6 Months Coding Experience Required No Basic No Skills You Will Learn 10+ skills including Python, MySQL, Tableau, NumPy and more Data Analytics, Statistical Analysis using Excel, Data Analysis Python and R, and more Data Visualization with Tableau, Linear and Logistic Regression, Data Manipulation and more Additional Benefits Applied Learning via Capstone and 20+ industry-relevant Data Analytics projects Purdue Alumni Association Membership Free IIMJobs Pro-Membership of 6 months Access to Integrated Practical Labs Caltech CTME Circle Membership Cost $$ $$$$ $$$$ Explore Program Explore Program Explore Program

Business analysts are the most sought-after IT professionals. Today, there is an increased demand for business analysts, but most organizations are facing a severe skills gap, failing to fill key roles. The rising shortage of new talent is a great opportunity for business analyst aspirants. Learning data visualization tools from an industry-recognized educational institution, such as Simplilearn, can enable them to grab better opportunities and get hired in their dream roles.

Simplilearn's Business Analysis Certification Program, in partnership with Purdue University and endorsed by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), teaches you 30+ in-demand skills and tools with hands-on industry training in 14+ real-life projects. Join the world's #1 online bootcamp here . 

1. What is data visualization?

Data visualization is the process of interpreting data in the form of eographic maps, charts, sparklines, infographics, heat maps, or statistical graphs. This helps make data easier to consume and understand.

2. What are the best data visualization tools?

Some really good data visualization tools are Google Charts, Tableau, Grafana, Chartist, FusionCharts, Datawrapper, Infogram, and ChartBlocks etc.

3. What are data visualization tools?

Data visualization tools are programs that help turn data into visual representations. 

4. What are data visualization techniques?

Data visualization techniques include knowing your audience, understanding your goals, choosing the right chart for your audience and dataset, using the correct layout, including comparisons, telling a tale using the data, and using the right data visualization tool.

5. Why do we use data visualization?

Data in its raw form is very messy to understand and make sense of, this is why data needs to be sorted, organized, and visually presented in a way that it makes sense. This is where data visualization comes handy.

6. How important is data visualization?

Data visualization is important as data has become an important part of every industry. Hence, learning from data is crucial for the running of business and data visualization helps us understand the data better.

7. What are the types of data visualization?

The most common data visualization types are scatter plots, bar charts, heat maps, line graphs, pie charts, area charts, choropleth maps and histograms.

8. Is Microsoft Excel a data visualization tool?

Microsoft Excel is not a type of visualization tool, but is a powerful tool to help analyze data sets. 

9. What should I look for in a data visualization tool?

The type of tool you use is dependent on your need. You will have to understand first what would you like the data to show, and then select a tool that works in tandem to help you with the result. You should also consider ease of use, flexibility of the tool, broad data platforms, cost, etc. when you consider selecting a tool.

Data Science & Business Analytics Courses Duration and Fees

Data Science & Business Analytics programs typically range from a few weeks to several months, with fees varying based on program and institution.

Get Free Certifications with free video courses

Data Science & Business Analytics

Introduction to Data Analytics Course

Introduction to Data Visualization

Learn from Industry Experts with free Masterclasses

The Rise of GenAI: Reshaping Job Responsibilities Across Sectors

Navigate the Future of Data Analytics with Gen AI & Prompt Engineering

Data Storytelling: Transform Data into Business Solutions with Power BI in 60 Minutes

Recommended Reads

Data Analyst Resume Guide

The Value of Mastering Data Visualization & Storytelling for Data Scientists

The Complete Guide to Data Visualization in Python

Data Science Career Guide: A Comprehensive Playbook To Becoming A Data Scientist

Data Visualization: Why It Is One of the Top Data Skills for 2024

An Interesting Guide to Visualizing Data Using Python Seaborn

Get Affiliated Certifications with Live Class programs

• PMP, PMI, PMBOK, CAPM, PgMP, PfMP, ACP, PBA, RMP, SP, and OPM3 are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

• Sources of Business Finance
• Small Business Loans
• Small Business Grants
• Crowdfunding Sites
• How to Get a Business Loan
• Small Business Insurance Providers
• Best Factoring Companies
• Types of Bank Accounts
• Best Banks for Small Business
• Best Business Bank Accounts
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Bank Accounts for Small Businesses
• Free Business Checking Accounts
• Best Business Credit Cards
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Business Credit Cards for Bad Credit
• Build Business Credit Fast
• Business Loan Eligibility Criteria
• Small-Business Bookkeeping Basics
• How to Set Financial Goals
• Business Loan Calculators
• How to Calculate ROI
• Calculate Net Income
• Calculate Working Capital
• Calculate Operating Income
• Calculate Net Present Value (NPV)
• Calculate Payroll Tax

23 Best Data Visualization Tools of 2024 (with Examples)

If you are dissatisfied with what you've been able to achieve with your current data visualization software, and you want to try a different one, you have come to the right place.

Or, if you have never tried a data visualization software and you wish first to understand how it works and what the market offers, you are again in the right place.

Through extensive research, we have compiled a list of the absolute best data visualization tools in the industry, ranging from free solutions to enterprise packages.

Continue reading, and find the JavaScript library, non-programmer-optimized tools, industry and concept-specific, or fully-featured mapping, charting, and dashboard solutions for your needs.

What are Data Visualization Tools?

Data Visualization Tools refer to all forms of software designed to visualize data.

Different tools can contain varying features but, at their most basic, data visualization tools will provide you with the capabilities to input datasets and visually manipulate them.

Helping you showcase raw data in a visually digestible graphical format, data visualization tools can ensure you produce customizable bar, pie, Gantt, column, area, doughnut charts, and more.

When you need to handle datasets that contain up to millions of data points, you will need a program that will help you explore, source, trim, implement and provide insights for the data you work with.

A data visualization tool will enable you to automate these processes, so you can interpret information immediately, whether that is needed for your annual reports, sales and marketing materials, identifying trends and disruptions in your audience's product consumption, investor slide decks, or something else.

After you have collected and studied the trends, outliers, and patterns in data you gathered through the data visualization tools, you can make necessary adjustments in business strategy and propel your team closer to better results.

In addition, the more you can implement the valuable insights gained from the graphs, charts, and maps into your work, the more interested and adept you will become at generating intelligent data visualizations, and this loops back into getting actionable insights from the reports.

Through data visualization tools, you build a constructive feedback loop that keeps your team on the right path.

Comparison of Best Data Visualization Tools

Best data visualization software for creating maps and public-facing visualizations..

Available in a variety of ways, including desktop, server, online, prep, free public option, Tableau provides an enormous collection of data connectors and visualizations.

Establishing connections to your data sources is straightforward, and you can import everything from CSV files, Google Ads and Analytics to Microsoft Excel, JSON, PDF files, and Salesforce data.

A variety of chart formats and a robust mapping capability ensure that the designers can create color-coded maps that show geographically important data in the most visually digestible way.

The tool offers a public version that is free to use for everyone that will help you create interactive visualizations and connect to CSV, text, statistical files, Google sheets, web data connectors, and Excel documents.

Tableau Desktop can help you transform, process, and store huge volumes of data with exceptional analytics and powerful calculations from existing data, drag-and-drop reference lines and forecasts, and statistical summaries.

The Desktop option lets you connect to data on-prem or in the cloud, access and combine disparate data without coding, pivot, split, and manage metadata, and there is no limit to how much data it can store, process, or share.

Whereas Tableau Desktop is more suitable for analysts and BI professionals, Tableau Public is for anyone interested in understanding data and sharing those insights through data visualizations (students, journalists, writers, bloggers).

Data visualization example

You can purchase Tableau Creator for $70 per user per month.

• The tool comes in desktop, cloud, server, prep, online options
• Free public version
• Extensive options for securing data without scripting
• Convert unstructured statistical information into comprehensive logical results
• Fully functional, interactive, and appealing dashboards
• Arrange raw data into catchy diagrams
• Support for connections with many data sources, such as HADOOP, SAP, DB Technologies
• More than 250 app integrations

With a user-friendly design and a substantial collection of data connectors and visualizations, Tableau will help you attain high performance with a thriving community & forum and mobile-friendly capacity.

2. Infogram

Fully-featured data visualization tool for non-designers and designers..

Consisting of more than 550 maps, 35 charts, and 20 predesigned templates, Infogram can enable you to prepare a fully responsive, professional presentation on any device.

You can import data from online or PC sources, and you can download infographics in HD quality, supporting multiple file types (PNG, JPG, PDF, GIF, HTML).

If the majority of your data sources are in Excel XLS, JPG, or HTML files, and you want them imported in Infogram as PDF files, you can do a little search and find the best PDF converters .

The process of creating effective visualizations for marketing reports, infographics, social media posts, and maps is simplified with the drag-and-drop editor, allowing non-designers or people without much technical knowledge to generate slick-looking reports, one-pagers, diagrams.

Interactive visualizations are perfect for embedding into websites and apps, and you can update new data to a chart periodically and automatically for updating dashboards, reports, presentations, live feeds, and articles through Infogram's live options.

The software allows you to upload CSV or XLS files from your Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive accounts easily by connecting with the accounts, making any design changes, publishing, and embedding them.

Outside of the free Basic plan, the Pro subscription is $25 per month.

• 550+ map types and 35+ chart types
• Enhanced interactive charts and maps with tooltips, tabs, clickable legends, linking
• Object animations
• Move your graphics to social media, slide decks like Prezi, and other platforms easily
• Make changes on the fly without wholesale revisions
• View and restore earlier versions of your projects
• Generate 13 different reports on website traffic and automatically update the charts with data
• Facilitate top referring sites, mobile usage, number of pages per session, top keywords, and other reports through Google Analytics
• Publish your content on Facebook Instant Articles, Medium, or through WordPress

With a wide selection of chart types and map types that are easy to implement by anyone and a free plan that allows you to publish your content online, you will find Infogram is an excellent solution for downloading data, sharing it privately, and accessing beautiful templates and images.

3. ChartBlocks

Best data visualization tool for embedding charts on any website..

The cloud-based chart-building tool allows you to customize any charts and sync them with any data source, letting you share charts on social media websites, including Facebook and Twitter.

You can import data from any source using their API, including live feeds, with the chart building wizard helping you select the optimal data for your charts before importing on any device of any screen size.

Control all aspects of your charts with hundreds of customization options, allowing you to configure everything from colors, fonts, and sizes to grids and number ticks on your axes.

CartBlocks ensures responsive HTML5 charts that work on any browser or device and the powerful D3.js tool to render your charts as scalable vector graphics and make them ready to be used on retina screens and for high-quality printed documents.

Grab the embed code and share the charts on your website, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites.

The Personal plan is $0 per month, and you can scale up to the Professional subscription for $20.

• HTML5 charts that work on any browser, device, and screen size
• Import data from spreadsheets, databases, and live feeds
• Pick the right data for your chart with the chart building wizard
• Design all elements of your charts with hundreds of customization options
• Embed your charts on websites, articles, and across social media
• Set up scheduled imports in the ChartBlocks app
• Optimize your charts for retina screens and high-quality printed documents through D3.js
• Export charts to PNG images
• Export charts as vector graphics (eps, PDF, SVG)
• Remove branding for $20 per month

Helping you create charts on any device and any screen size along with optimizing the charts for high-quality prints, ChartBlocks can offer up to 50 active charts for free for up to 50K monthly views.

4. Datawrapper

Best data visualization software for adding charts and maps to news stories..

Created specifically for adding charts and maps to news stories, Datawrapper is an open-source tool that supports Windows, Mac, and Linux and enables you to connect your visualization to Google Sheets.

Select one of 19 interactive and responsive chart types ranging from simple bars and lines to the arrow, range, and scatter plots, three map types that allow you to create locator maps, thematic choropleth, symbol maps, and more.

Table capabilities provide you with a range of styling options for the responsive bars, columns & line charts, heatmaps, images, search bars & pagination.

Copy your data from the web, Excel, or Google Sheets, and upload CSV/XLS files or provide links to URLs, Google Sheets for live-updating charts.

Copy the embed code into your CMS or website to access the interactive version, or export the chart as a PNG, SVG, or PDF for printing.

Outside the free plan, you can purchase the Custom for $599 per month, but the free one offers unlimited visualizations.

• 19 interactive and responsive charts and 3 map types
• No limits to charts, maps, and tables you can create in the free plan
• All visualizations are private until you activate the publish capability
• Utilize shared folders, Slack & Team integrations, and admin permissions
• Dustwrapper will design a custom chart theme according to the style guides you send
• Export all visualizations as PNG, SVG, PDF formats
• Update charts and tables automatically without republishing through live updating
• Access print-ready PDFs with defined CMYK colors

Datawrapper will create finished visualizations similar to those in the New York Times, with tons of stylization options and practicality for creating graphics and web maps that you can easily copy and share.

JavaScript Library for Manipulating Documents through Data with Reusable Charts.

D3.js is a JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data, helping you activate data through HTML, SVG, and CSS.

The tool is extremely fast and it supports large datasets and dynamic behaviors for interaction and animation, enabling you to generate an HTML table from an array of numbers or use the same data to create an interactive SVG bar chart with smooth transitions and interaction.

While the platform requires some JavaScript knowledge, there are apps like NVD3 that allow non-programmers to utilize the library, providing reusable charts and chart components without taking away the power of D3.js.

Other similar apps include Plotly's Chart Studio that enables you to import data, compose interactive charts, publish static, printed versions or share interactively.

Ember Charts lets you extend and modify the time series, bar, pie, and scatter charts within the D3.js frameworks.

D3.js is free.

• Free, open-source, customizable
• Extremely fast and supportive of large datasets
• Generate HTML tables from numbers
• Create interactive SVG bar charts with smooth transitions and interaction
• Non-programmers can create complex visualizations
• A diverse collection of official and community-developed modules allows code reuse
• Utilize NVD3, Plotly's Chart Studio, and Ember Charts to get the most out of D3.js's library without coding

Emphasizing web standards, D3.js will help you create high-quality visualizations quickly and share them on the web without anyone having to install any software to view your work.

Best Data Visualization Software for Companies with BI Experience.

Domo is a cloud platform that has a powerful BI tool with a lot of data connectors and a robust data visualization capability that helps you conduct analysis and generate interactive visualizations.

The app helps you simplify administration data and examine important data using graphs and pie charts, and the engine allows you to manipulate ETL operations and conduct data cleansing in the engine after the load with no limits to how much data you can store.

With more than 450 available connectors, some of which are accessible by default and others after requesting URLs from the support team, Domo is highly flexible, and they allow you to load the locally stored CSV files easily.

Explore data in the interactive format through the data warehouse functionality, and conduct data prep, data joining, and ETL tasks.

Access more than 85 different visualizations, create and customize cards and pages, handling everything from text editing and single-data points to creating the apps for the app store.

You need to contact Domo's sales team for a personalized quote.

• Limitless data storage and an extensive range of connectors
• Create advanced charts and maps with filters and drill-downs
• Guide people through analysis with interactive data stories by combining cards, text, and images
• Ensure the teams can self-service while governing access to data
• Refine data with data points, calculated fields, and filters
• Annotate chart data for further commentary
• Define how cards on a dashboard interact with custom links and filters
• Dashboards with KPIs for retail, marketing, data science through different apps
• Encrypt your data with the Workbench tool or use an on-premise VM with Domo querying engine behind your firewall

Domo's powerful BI tool with a lot of data connectors isn't suited for newcomers and is best-suited for businesses that have BI experience that will benefit from the tool's excellent sharing features, limitless data storage, and terrific collaboration capabilities.

7. Google Charts

Best data visualization tool for creating simple line charts and complex hierarchical trees..

The powerful and free data visualization tool Google Charts is specifically designed for creating interactive charts that communicate data and points of emphasis clearly.

The charts are embeddable online, and you can select the most fitting ones from a rich interactive gallery and configure them according to your taste.

Supporting the HTML5 and SVG outputs, Google Charts work in browsers without the use of additional plugins, extracting the data from Google Spreadsheets and Google Fusion Tables, Salesforce, and other SQL databases.

Visualize data through pictographs, pie charts, histograms, maps, scatter charts, column and bar charts, area charts, treemaps, timelines, gauges, and many more.

Google Charts is free.

• Rich interactive chart gallery
• Cross-browser compatibility
• Dynamic data support
• Combo, calendar, candlestick, diff, gauge, Gantt, histograms, intervals, org, scattered, stepped area charts
• Animate modifications made to a chart
• Draw multiple charts on one web page
• Compatible with Android and iOS platforms

Google Charts is a free data visualization platform that supports dynamic data, provides you with a rich gallery of interactive charts to choose from, and allows you to configure them however you want.

8. FusionCharts

Best data visualization tool for building beautiful web and mobile dashboards..

FusionCharts is a JavaScript-based solution for creating web and mobile dashboards that can integrate with popular JS frameworks like React, jQuery, Ember, and Angular and server-side programming languages like PHP, Java, Django, and Ruby on Rails.

The tool equips you with 100+ interactive chart types and 2,000+ data-driven maps, including popular options like the bar, column, line, area, and pie, or domain-specific charts like treemaps, heatmaps, Gantt charts, Marimekko charts, gauges, spider charts, and waterfall charts.

In addition to these, FusionCharts provides 2K+ choropleth maps that cover countries and even cities, and the powerful engine supports millions of data points in your browser with no glitches.

Generate charts on the server-side, export the dashboards as PDFs, send reports via email, and FusionCharts will have you covered.

The Basic plan is $499 per year.

• Integrates with popular JS frameworks and server-side programming languages
• 100+ interactive chart types and 2K+ data-driven choropleth maps
• Construct complex charts through dashboards easily with consistent API
• Plot your crucial business data by regions with over 2,000 choropleth maps
• Common charts are supported on older browsers
• Comprehensive documentation for each library or programming language
• Ready-to-use chart examples, industry-specific dashboards and data stories with source codes

With extensive documentation, cross-browser support, and a huge number of chart and map format options, FusionCharts will allow you to build beautiful dashboards for your web and mobile projects while keeping even the most complex charts performing on a high level with consistent API.

9. Chart.js

Simple and flexible data visualization software for including animated, interactive graphs on your website..

Chart.js is a simple and flexible JavaScript charting library that provides eight chart types in total and allows animation and interaction.

Using the HTML5 Canvas for output, Chart.js renders charts across all modern browsers effectively.

You can mix and match bar and line charts to provide a clear visual distinction between datasets, plot complex, sparse datasets on date time, logarithmic, and fully custom scales.

Animate anything with out-of-the-box stunning transitions for data changes.

Chart.js is free.

• The learning curve is almost non-existent
• Compatible with all screen sizes
• Modernized, eye-catching, and pleasing graphs
• Open-source and free
• Visualize your data through 8 different animated, customizable chart types
• Continuous rendering performance across all modern browsers through HTML5 Canvas
• Mix and match bar and line charts for a clear visual distinction between datasets
• Plot complex, sparse datasets on date time, logarithmic, and entirely custom scales
• Redraw charts on window resize

Not only are the Chart.js graphs easy to digest and eye-catching, but the tool allows you to combine different graph forms to translate data into a more tangible output and add numerical JSON data into the Canvas for free.

10. Sisense

#1 data visualization tool for simplifying complex data from multiple sources..

Crunch large datasets and visualize them with beautiful pictures, graphs, charts, maps, and more from a single dashboard.

One of the best data visualization tools that can help you transform data into actionable, applicable components or visualizations, Sisense lets you simplify data analysis by unlocking data from the cloud and on-prem and embed analytics anywhere with a customizable feature.

Create custom experiences and automated multi-step actions to accelerate workflows and integrate AI-powered analytics into workflows, processes, applications, and products.

Before selecting your data sources, you can preview and mash up a couple of data sources before adding them to your schema.

Instead of valuing visualizations for the number of designs and formats it offers, Sisense places the emphasis on the depth of insights the charts expose, providing multidimensional widgets that render interactive visualizations and generate a ton of insights by scrolling the mouse over them or clicking on different sections.

With no subscription plans displayed publicly, you will need to request a quote.

• Assemble and share dashboards
• Crunch large datasets and visualize them through graphs, charts, maps, and pictures
• Transform raw data into actionable, applicable components for visualizations
• Preview and mash up multiple data sources before adding them to your schema
• Enable self-service analytics for your customers code-free
• Advanced predictive intelligence and natural language querying
• Leverage robust embedding capabilities from iFrames to APIs and SDKs
• Pull in data from eBay, Facebook, Quickbooks, PayPal
• Leverage cached data for minimized query costs
• Resolve bottlenecks with in-chip processing

Appealing to seasoned BI users with its comprehensive features, Sisense will help you mash up data and create an analytics app, deploy your work on the cloud, recover your data and safeguard against errors, and help you export data to Excel, CSV, PDF.

11. Workday Adaptive Planning

#1 data visualization tool with the best planning, budgeting, and forecasting capabilities..

Workday's Adaptive Planning data visualization tool is designed to boost your business by helping you make more lucrative decisions, allowing you to plan, budget, and forecast while evaluating multiple scenarios across large datasets.

Collaborate through the web, mobile, or Excel and deliver stunning reports in minutes while quickly optimizing sales resources, increasing rep performances, and improving predictability.

Create dashboards that integrate your actuals and plans, easily manage models and forecasts across integrated data sources, and always extract real-time data.

Automated data consolidation from all sources and use flexible modeling that lets you build on the fly, adjusting the dimensions if needed.

Making the right decisions based on the insights gathered through a comprehensive budgeting and forecasting tool like Workday Adaptive Planning will be more effective when implemented hand in hand with Net Present Value calculation for fostering a more budget-optimized workspace and better investment decisions.

Before starting your free trial and receiving a quote, you will need to write a request to the support team.

• Create dashboards that integrate your actuals and plans
• Drag-and-drop report building features
• Create rep capacity plans to meet topline bookings targets
• Deploy the right quotas and set up balanced territories
• Collaborate on what-if scenarios
• Access audit trails to see what changed, where, and who did it
• Export operational data from GL, payroll, purchasing

When the active planning process is collaborative, comprehensive, and continuous as with Adaptive Planning, the tools and information for building complex dashboards quickly that the software provides are easy to deploy.

12. Grafana

Open-source data visualization tool for integrating with all data sources and using the smoothest graphs..

In Grafana , you can package and present information through a variety of chart types, and if you want to make dynamic dashboards, there are not a lot of visualization tools that make the process simpler than Grafana.

Grafana's open-source data visualization software allows you to create dynamic dashboards and other visualizations.

You can query, visualize, alert on, and understand your metrics no matter where they are stored, and deploy data source permissions, reporting, and usage insights.

Extract data from mixed data sources, apply annotations and customizable alert functions, and extend the software's capabilities via hundreds of available plugins.

Share snapshots of dashboards and invite other users to collaborate through the export functions.

Outside of the Free plan, you can purchase the Pro subscription for $49 per month + usage.

• Creating dynamic dashboards is easy
• Variety of chart types and data sources
• Support for mixed data feeds
• Access for up to 3 members in the Free plan
• Query, visualize, alert on, and understand your metrics
• Data source permissions
• Usage insights
• Apply annotations
• Hundreds of plugins
• Share snapshots of the dashboard

One of the best software for monitoring and alerting, Grafana allows you to write the query to create graphs and alerts, integrate with almost all cloud platforms, and invite other users to collaborate for free.

Best Data Visualization Software to Motivate and Engage Your Employees to Perform Better through Dashboards.

By visualizing performance indicators openly and engagingly, Plecto helps keep your team's morale at a high level and motivates your employees to keep improving.

Plecto allows you to integrate with an unlimited number of data sources, and you can even import data from different sources and filter these across sources.

Visualize your most important KPIs on real-time dashboards and engage your team with the addicting gamification features, sales contests, leaderboards, and instant notifications.

Add data through Excel, SQL, Zapier, or Plecto's REST-based API, display your Plecto account on a TV and access your dashboard on the go through mobile apps for Android, iPhone, and Apple Watch.

The Medium subscription starts at $250 per month when billed monthly.

• Provide data-driven, actionable knowledge about the business, departments, and individuals' performances
• Motivate your team to keep improving through gamification
• Integrate with an unlimited number of data sources
• Import data from different sources and apply filters
• Engage your team through sales contests, leaderboards, and instant notifications
• Add data through Excel, SQL, Zapier, or the software's REST-based API
• Access your Plecto account via TV or through the Android, iPhone, and Apple Watch apps

Plecto will allow the teams and individuals to keep progressing and provide teams with actionable, data-driven knowledge delivered through encouraging gamification practices while connecting them with one of 50+ pre-built integrations or public API.

14. Whatagraph

Best data visualization tool for monitoring and comparing performances of multiple campaigns..

The Whatagraph application allows you to transfer custom data from Google Sheets and API.

Commonly used by marketing professionals for visualizing data and building tailored cross-channel reports, Whatagraph is the best tool for performance monitoring and reporting.

Blend data from different sources and create cross-channel reports so you can compare how the same campaign is performing across different channels.

Create custom reports or utilize the pre-made widgets, with ready-made report templates for different marketing channels like SEO, PPC, social media, and share links with your colleagues so they can access them at all times.

Choose from 30+ integrations that include Facebook Ads, Google Analytics, HubSpot, and more.

The Professional plan will cost you $119 per month.

• Monitor and compare performances of multiple channels and campaigns
• Customize the reports with brand colors, logos, custom domains
• Add custom data with Google Sheets and Public API integrations
• Blend data from different sources and create cross-channel reports
• Ready-made templates for different marketing channels
• Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, Simplifi, and more integrations
• Automatically deliver reports to clients

Whatagraph allows you to style your reports according to your preferences, monitor and compare performances across multiple campaigns and channels, and blend data from different sources for cross-channel reports.

Best-in-Class Data Visualization Software for Running SQL Queries.

Cluvio will enable you to utilize SQL and R to analyze your data and create appealing, interactive dashboards in a few minutes better than any other tool on the market.

Translate your raw data into numerous professional charts and graphs, and share your dashboard with clients and colleagues without a mandatory log-in.

Scheduled dashboard and report sharing via email (image, PDF, Excel, CSV) are functionalities Cluvio provides to urge the users to view the information, get a regular snapshot, or trigger conversations.

Cluvio's customer service team is definitely worth mentioning as it has gained praise for being fast, informative, accurate, and helpful for a large portion of Cluvio's audience.

Outside of the Free plan, Cluvio's Pro plan is $249 per month.

• Change aggregation, select a specific time range, and filter dashboards by any individual attributes
• Code completion, syntax highlighting, and parameterized queries in the SQL editor
• Turn your codes into reusable snippets
• Monitor data in real-time with SQL alerts
• Automatic suggestions for best data visualization practices
• Run custom R scripts
• Invite an unlimited number of employees in the Pro and Business plans

Not only does Cluvio offer a free plan with three dashboards and 1,000 query executions, but the software comes with complete monitoring and sharing capabilities while allowing you to dig deeper into your statistical analysis and extract more value through SQL and R queries.

16. RAWGraphs

Best data visualization tool for simplifying complicated data through striking visual representation..

RAWGraphs will enable you to generate beautiful data visualizations uploaded as XLSX or CSV files quickly, as well as URL uploads and spreadsheet copies.

The software offers mapping and export visualizations as SVG or PNG images that can be customized by inputting additional parameters.

You can work with delimiter-separated values (CSV. and TSV. files), as well as copy-paste texts from other applications (TextEdit, Excel) and CORS-enabled endpoints (APIs).

Data here is processed only by the web browser, and the charts are available in conventional and unconventional layouts.

The pricing is not provided by the vendor, which is why you will have to contact them to get your quote.

• Work with CSV, TSV files, copy-paste texts from other applications, and APIs
• Receive visual feedback after mapping dataset dimensions
• Export visualizations as SVG and PNG images and embed them on your web page
• No server-side operations or storages are performed so no one can see or copy your data
• Unconventional charts that are hard to produce with other tools
• Simple pie and column charts
• Map the dimensions of your datasets with the visual variables of the selected layouts
• Open the visualizations in your favorite vector graphics editor and improve them

Designed as a tool to provide the missing link between spreadsheet applications (Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers, OpenRefine) and vector graphics editors (Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Sketch), RAWGraphs will help you simplify complex data through powerful visualizations.

17. Visually

Fast and affordable data visualization solution for infographics and interactive websites..

Visually is a data visualization and infographics platform that will help you turn your data into a compelling story, allowing you to convert your numbers into image-based visualizations and streamline the product design processes.

To create your memorable data visualizations, Visually's team will handpick from a selection of 1,000 of the best data journalists, designers, and developers to deliver your designs in record time.

Collaborate with world-class designers to create infographics that stand out, with the software keeping you in direct contact with your creative team and assigning you a dedicated rep to be at your disposal during the streamlining of the production.

Create presentations and slideshows that leave long-lasting impressions with a normal delivery time of 19 days.

Data personalization example

You will need to submit a request to get your quote.

• Create world-class presentations and slideshows and attention-grabbing infographics
• Usual delivery time of 16 days for infographics and 19 days for slideshows and presentations
• Corporate reports, sales decks, and slideshares for startups, Fortune 50 companies
• Share content on social media channels
• Collaboration with premium data journalists, designers, and developers
• Convert your numbers into image-based visualizations
• Keep direct contact with the creative team during the infographics, presentation production process

Visually creates beautiful content that grabs the attention of large crowds on social media, conveys the intended message in a captivating way, and connects you with the world's biggest experts while allowing you to keep direct contact during their work in the production stages, which guarantees satisfactory infographics and presentations.

#1 Data Visualization Tool for Converting Data into Useful Diagrams.

Looker will help you develop and streamline accurate data models and visualize your codes in interactive diagrams.

Equipping you with a dashboard through which you can explore and analyze your data deeply, Looker lets you select funnel, maps, timelines, donut multiples, snakey, treemap, combined charts, or gauge multiple visualizations.

You can configure your specific visualization, and the software will add it to your Looker workflow, helping you maximize your impact and tell a compelling story.

Without proper organization, any data you pull for visualizations will give subpar results, which is why you need to properly manage, update, and track data by choosing one of the best database software that will help you generate realistic and productive projections in your visualizations.

Set up filters for individuals or groups dynamically, separating one dashboard for sales reps, one for customer success managers, and another for external viewers.

Develop robust and accurate data models and reduce errors while understanding the relationships, behaviors, and extensions of different LookML objects.

As with many other vendors, you will need to send a request to receive your quote.

• Visualize your codes in interactive diagrams
• Explore and analyze your data deeply
• Choose from a variety of chart types, multiple chart and map frameworks, or configure your own
• Build effective, action-oriented dashboards and presentations
• Easy to detect changes and irregularities in your data
• The software adds your tailored visualizations to your Looker workflows
• Set up dynamic filters for groups and individuals and separate the dashboards for sales reps and external viewers
• Visualize data with subtotal in tables

Providing a modern API to integrate your workflows, Looker allows you to explore your data to intrinsic detail and bring your stories to life through compelling visualizations while compartmentalizing the dashboards for different uses.

19. Chartist.js

Best data visualization tool for smaller teams in need of simple, responsive charts..

Chartist.js is an open-source charting JavaScript library that has a lightweight interface that is flexible for integrations.

Create responsive, scalable, and great-looking charts while availing of the simple handling, great flexibility while using clear separation of concerns (styling with CSS and controlling with JS), SVG for illustration, and more.

The app is fully responsive and DPI independent, which results in GUI being displayed at a consistent size regardless of the resolution of the screen.

Chartist.js ensures responsive configuration with media queries, allowing compatibility with a wide variety of devices and screen sizes.

Specifying the style of your chart in the CSS will enable you to use the amazing CSS animations and transitions and apply them to your SVG elements.

Chartist's SVG animation API ensures almost limitless animation possibilities, and you can style your charts with CSS in @media queries.

The configuration override mechanism based on media queries helps you conditionally control the behavior of your charts when necessary.

Lastly, you should know that the app is fully built and customizable with SaaS.

Chartist.js is free.

• Create responsive, scalable, great-looking charts
• A lightweight interface that's flexible for integrations
• Implement your style through the DOM hooks
• Rich, responsive support for multiple screen sizes
• Comprehensive grid, color, label layout options
• Advanced SSL animations
• Multi-line labels
• SVG animations with SMIL
• Control the behavior of your charts with the configuration override mechanism

Offering great response configuration to media queries and high flexibility for use in the separation of concerns, Chartist.js is here to help you create highly customized, responsive charts and allow you to utilize SVG for illustrations.

20. Sigma.js

Single-purpose data visualization tool for creating network graphs..

Sigma.js allows you to create embeddable, interactive, and responsive graphs, helping you customize your drawing and allowing you to publish the final result on any website.

To make the networks' manipulation on web pages as smooth and as fast as possible, Sigma.js will equip you with features such as Canvas and WebGL renderers, as well as mouse & touch support.

You can add your functions directly to your scripts and render the nodes and edges how you want them to be.

Through the Public API, you can modify data, move the camera, refresh the rendering, listen to events, and more.

Sigma.js can allow you to create JSON and GEXF-encoded graphs with the related plugin covering loading and parsing of the files.

Sigma.js is a free, open-source tool.

• WebGL and Canvas rendering
• Rescale when the container's size changes
• Render nodes and edges according to your liking
• Move the camera, refresh the rendering, listen to events, and modify your data through the Public API
• Display simple interactive publications of network and rich web applications
• Update data and refresh the drawing when you want
• Use plugins for animating the graphs or applying force-directed layouts to your graphs

Sigma.js is a dedicated graph drawing service that will help you embed graphs in websites and apps easily while allowing you to make changes and refresh the graphs anytime you want.

Best Data Visualization Software for Building Complex Data Models Quickly through its Associative Engine.

Innovatively providing data visualization services, Qlik will help you attain data from various sources quickly while automatically maintaining data association and supporting numerous forms of data presentation.

Capture large volumes of data and generate reports quickly and automatically while extracting valuable insights from transparent reporting functionalities and identify trends and information to help you make best-practice decisions.

Get an understanding of the information quickly through powerful global search and selections with interactive dashboards.

Combine, load, visualize, and explore your data, and activate the assistance from the insight advisor for chart creation, association recommendation, and data preparation.

Qlik Sense Business plan will cost you $30 per user per month.

• Build complex data models and dashboards quickly
• Simplifies data load and data modeling
• Aggregate structured data from different sources and build simple data models through snowflake or star schemas
• Simplified operation querying
• Generate reports quickly and automatically
• Identify trends to make best-practice decisions
• An attentive, knowledgeable support team that is receptive to feedback
• Get assistance on chart creation, association recommendation, and data preparation with the insight advisor

Allowing you to discover important insights through conversational analytics and insight advisor, rapidly develop custom apps, new visualizations, or extensions, and embed fully interactive analytics within the apps and processes, Qlik will let you visualize with clear intent and context through the most engaging graphs.

22. Polymaps

Dedicated javascript library for mapping and complete data visualization..

Designed specifically for mapping, Polymaps is a free, open-source JavaScript library for creating interactive, dynamic maps, using CSS to design and SVG to display your data through numerous types of visual presentation styles.

You can use the CSS mechanism to customize the visuals of your maps, after which you can easily embed them onto any website or apps.

The software supports large-scale and rich data overlays on interactive maps and SVR-rendered vector files, along with powerful graphical operations like compositing, geometric transformations, and image processing.

Apply styling via CSS operations, and utilize the CSS3 animations and transitions.

The software provides a factory method for constructing the required objects internally which results in shorter code and faster execution when compared to the traditional JS constructors.

Polymaps is 100% free.

• Large-scale data overlays
• CSS3 animations and transitions
• Private members can hide the internal state
• Refine the geometry to display greater details when zooming in
• Compositing, geometric transformations, and image processing
• Shorter code and faster execution
• Compatible and robust API

Polymaps is known for its speed when loading large amounts of data in full range, allowing it to run compositing, image processing, and geometric transforms, as well as supporting and processing of rich data on dynamic maps.

23. Microsoft Power BI

Best data visualization tool for fostering a data-driven culture with business intelligence for all..

Microsoft's Power BI is a data visualization and business intelligence tool combined into one that allows you to convert data from various data sources into interactive, engaging, and story-presenting dashboards and reports.

Providing reliable connections to your data sources on-prem and in the cloud, Power BI is ready to equip you with data exploration through natural language querying and real-time updates on the dashboard.

Save time and make data prep easier with modeling tools, and reclaim hours in a day using the self-service power query, ingestion, transforming, and integration tools.

Dig deeper into data and find patterns that lead to actionable insights, and use features like quick measures, grouping, forecasting, and clustering.

Activate the powerful DAX formula language and give advanced users full control over their models.

Power BI Pro is $9.99 per user per month.

• Access data from Dynamics 365, Salesforce, Azure SQL DB, Excel, SharePoint, and hundreds of other supported sources
• Pre-built and custom data connectors
• Natural language querying
• Real-time dashboard updates
• Design your reports with theming, formatting, and layout tools
• Quick measures, grouping, forecasting, and clustering
• Assign full control over models to advanced users through the DAX formula language
• Sensitivity labeling, end-to-end encryption, and real-time access monitoring

In Power BI, you can handle everything from managing reports using SaaS solutions to engaging in data exploration using the natural language query while accessing reliable data sources, which you can easily convert into interactive dashboards and reports that you can share across the whole organization.

Types of Data Visualization Methods

Starting with the most familiar one, column charts are a time-efficient method of showing comparisons among different sets of data.

A column chart will contain data labels along the horizontal axis with measured metrics or values presented on the vertical axis.

With column charts, you can track monthly sales figures, revenue per landing page, and similar information, while you can use the pie charts to demonstrate components or proportions between the elements of one whole.

You can find many more chart types like the Mekko, bar, line, scatter plot, area, waterfall, and many more.

Plots are data visualization methods used to distribute two or more datasets over a 2D or 3D space to represent the relationship between these sets and the parameters on the plot.

Scatter and bubble plots are some of the most commonly used data visualization methods, while the more complex box plots are more frequently utilized for visualizing relationships between large volumes of data.

A bubble plot is an extension of the scatter plot used to look at the relationships between three numeric variables.

Box plot is a data visualization method used for expanatory data analysis, visually displaying the distribution of numerical data and distortion through displaying the data quartiles and averages.

Maps allow you to locate elements on relevant objects and areas, which is where we can start to divide them into geographical maps, building plans, website layouts, and the most popular map visualization types include heat maps, distribution maps, and cartograms.

Heat maps are graphical representations of data where values are depicted by different colors.

Distribution maps are data visualization arrangements used to indicate the distribution of a particular feature in an area, and they can be qualitative that explore qualities or characteristics, quantitative where the value of data is shown in the form of counts and numbers.

The distribution of continuous variables like temperature, pressure, rainfall are represented by lines of equal value.

4. Diagrams and Matrices

Diagrams are used to illustrate complex data relationships and links, and they include various types of data in one visualization.

They can be hierarchical, network, flowchart, Venn, multidimensional, tree-like, etc.

Matrix is one of the advanced data visualization techniques that help determine and process the correlation between multiple continuously updating datasets.

What to Look for In Data Visualization Software Tools

Before getting into the specific functionalities, let's establish the fundamentals required when purchasing a data visualization tool.

1. Ease of Use

Any data visualization software you choose must have easy-to-use features and a user-friendly interface for the less technically skilled employees.

While there are code-heavy data visualization tools packed with advanced features, these tools need to be well balanced if your team consists of both seasoned IT users and less-experienced workers.

Tableau has a steeper learning curve than other platforms on this list, for example, but this is balanced out with an extremely user-friendly design and a l arge community of users.

That's not to say Tableau doesn't require substantial training, but the completeness of the tool in all aspects makes the training process worth the effort.

Similarly, Sisense will appeal to seasoned BI users while potentially causing frustration with the newcomers.

Apart from the natural language query in the third-party apps, Sisense's UI doesn't match the level of user-friendliness needed to satisfy less-knowledgeable users.

Online training systems with well-organized support teams have helped battle this significantly.

Most importantly, Sisense provides phenomenal data visualization service and equips their target intermediate and highly-skilled business analysts with transparency, and lifts most of their burden without having to buy additional tools.

2. Data Connectivity

Quality data visualization software will equip you with the capability to connect with or extract important information from external sources when you encounter data absence problems.

If you want to import data from both online and PC sources while being able to download infographics in HD quality and connect with numerous file types like PNG, JPG, PDF, GIF, HTML, and more, Infogram could be the comprehensive data connectivity solution you need.

What if you want good data connectivity for free?

Thanks to D3.js , this is possible as well, with the tool being the perfect JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data, letting you access data through HTML, SVG, and CSS.

All this flexibility comes with additional benefits of the tool being extremely fast, supporting large datasets and dynamic behaviors for interaction and animation.

Adding on the themes in the previous paragraphs, D3.js accommodates this robust data connectivity with apps like NVD3 that non-programmers can use to still get good results in the library.

When you search for a tool that supports the SVG and HTML5 outputs, yet enables you to work in browsers without additional plugins, it's hard to rival Google Charts as it allows you to extract data from Google Spreadsheets, Google Fusion Tables, Salesforce (and Salesforce alternatives ), and other SQL databases.

3. Employee Skill Level

Now that you have determined the fundamentals you look for in the tool, you should turn inward and see what your team can offer to the tool.

Not only will you avoid sudden training costs during the learning process, but knowing the limitations of your employees will help you select a data visualization tool to get you the results you strive for and challenge the employees to develop faster.

4. Let's Talk Refinements

• Data visualization – Analyze data in visual form, such as patterns, charts, graphs, maps, trends, correlations, and so on.
• Role-based access management – Regulate access levels for individuals, including data and administration.
• Historical snapshots – Create snapshots of your data samples and workspace and access them as records later in the process.
• Template creation – Save previously used color schemes and combinations as templates and reuse them again in future projects.
• Visual analytics – Analyze enormous amounts of data through powerful and interactive reporting capabilities.
• Visual discovery – Find patterns, sequences, and outliers in datasets through visual analysis without necessarily creating data models.
• Data cleansing – Filter through the redundant and inaccurate residual information from various formats, and keep your database pure.
• In-place filtering – Filter off specific data by value, type, category, or other criteria with dropdowns, checkboxes, radio buttons, sliders, and more.
• Email reporting – Receive constant information and visual statistical reports about your data through scheduled emails.
• Mobile user support – Access your data and monitor ongoing operations outside of the working environment.

Which Data Visualization Tool Should I Choose?

Do you want a tool that will give you access to an enormous collection of data connectors and visualizations, allow you to create maps and public-facing visualizations that stand out, generating the most accurate forecasts and statistical summaries?

Of course, you do.

Everyone looking for a data visualization solution wants those things, and there is no better tool today to help you master self-service business intelligence like Tableau .

Maybee empowering your employees to perform better is at the top of your priorities, and you would like to engage your employees in an alternative way.

Plecto is a tool that will let you add data from all SQL databases, including Zapier and REST-based API, and allow you to integrate with an unlimited number of them while proactively motivating your team to improve through gamification and other unique features.

If you want to construct complex data models but you want to do it quickly with a tool that will help you attain data from various sources and even advise you on the best practices for chart creation, association recommendation, and data preparation, look no further than Qlik .

Just like Jumpeau, with Sisense , you know you are getting the cream of the crop from picture, graph, chart, and map visualizations and high-volume dataset management, reaching the depth of insights through the actionable visualizations that is unrivaled.

Was This Article Helpful?

Martin luenendonk.

Martin loves entrepreneurship and has helped dozens of entrepreneurs by validating the business idea, finding scalable customer acquisition channels, and building a data-driven organization. During his time working in investment banking, tech startups, and industry-leading companies he gained extensive knowledge in using different software tools to optimize business processes.

This insights and his love for researching SaaS products enables him to provide in-depth, fact-based software reviews to enable software buyers make better decisions.

• Best Data Visualization Tools

The Best Data Visualization Tools Of 2024

Updated: Aug 29, 2024, 2:57pm

In any data-driven business, data visualization is necessary. It turns data into visuals, making it easier to understand, digest and make important business decisions from. Data visualization creates actionable insights your team might not have found otherwise.

There are many data visualization tools available, and we’ve done the research to determine the best for small businesses. These tools should be versatile, easy to use and allow you to visualize data in a variety of ways to suit your business’s needs.

• Best Data Recovery Services
• Best Data Recovery Software
• Best Data Analytics Tools
• How to Recover Deleted Files

The Best Data Visualization Software of 2024

Microsoft power bi, zoho analytics, forbes advisor ratings, methodology, frequently asked questions (faqs), next up in business.

• Microsoft Power BI : Best for business intelligence (BI)
• Tableau : Best for interactive charts
• Qlik Sense : Best for artificial intelligence (AI)
• Klipfolio : Best for custom dashboards
• Looker : Best for visualization options
• Zoho Analytics : Best for Zoho users
• Domo : Best for custom apps

Best for Business Intelligence

Software Integrations

Real-Time Analytics

Trend Analysis

Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence platform that enables users to collaborate with data and track goals. It provides real-time analytics and trend analysis to help users make confident decisions. Microsoft Power BI integrates with many Microsoft products and cloud services, making it a versatile solution for businesses.

It offers data security features to protect user data. Microsoft Power BI is a powerful platform for building engaging, immersive dashboards and reports that allow you to take action.

Who should use it:

Businesses that use Microsoft products and services and need a business intelligence solution.

• Has a mobile app
• Competitive pricing
• If you know how to use Excel, you’ll have an easy time learning this
• Heavy CPU usage
• Desktop version not compatible with Mac

Best for Interactive Charts

Tableau is a data visualization and analytics platform that enables users to explore data and share insights. Data exploration is simple for anyone thanks to Tableau’s flexibility and power. Users can build visualizations with drag and drop, employ AI-driven statistical modeling with a few clicks and ask questions using natural language.

Tableau saves time and money by allowing for greater scale in the areas of governance, security, compliance, maintenance and support. Users also receive more than just an analytics tool—they get the knowledge and support they need to achieve greater scale.

Businesses that need data visualization and analytics capabilities to scale their data operations.

• Storytelling dashboards
• It’s backed by Salesforce
• Integrates with Slack
• Steep learning curve
• Prices are higher compared to similar products

Best for Artificial Intelligence

Qlik Sense is a data visualization tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help users understand and use data more effectively. It offers deeper interactivity and broader context than other data visualization tools, as well as lightning-fast calculations and the ability to connect and combine data from hundreds of data sources.

Qlik Sense is a part of the Qlik Active Intelligence Platform, which offers analytics performance and scalability to businesses of all sizes. Additionally, it’s available as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution or as a hybrid service that extends SaaS analytics to on-premises data.

Businesses that need artificial intelligence capabilities to scale their data operations.

• Automated action triggers
• AI insights
• Drag-and-drop interface
• User interface needs work

Best for Custom Dashboards

With Klipfolio, access and combine data from hundreds of services without writing any code using curated instant metrics, all of which are pre-built. With its powerful data modeler, you can leverage data in everyday decision-making. Users can import, edit and analyze data to get comprehensive and exact insight.

Its flexible payment plans require no lengthy contracts or onboarding fees. Nonprofit organizations receive a discount on plans but will need to contact Klipfolio’s sales team for details.

Klipfolio’s unlimited dashboards with every plan make it an ideal solution for businesses requiring custom dashboards.

• Offers a free plan
• Has hundreds of integrations
• Each plan has unlimited dashboards, metrics and viewer users
• Free plan doesn’t include downloadable PDF reports

Best for Visualization Options

Looker is a powerful tool that allows users to see data in many ways thanks to its plugin marketplace. Here, you can find a directory of different types of visualizations, such as bar gauges, aster plots, cartoons, calendar heat maps, liquid fill gauges and spider visualization.

It has pre-made analytical blocks that let users employ templates for certain data or analyses, which helps to accelerate analytics. Looker’s at-a-glance visualization tools make it easy to make data-driven decisions faster.

Businesses that need a variety of data visualization capabilities to scale operations.

• Plugin database for a variety of visualization types
• Stunning visuals
• Data-heavy visualizations can slow down the tool
• Not as customizable as other tools

Best for Zoho Users

Zoho Analytics is a data visualization tool that allows users to import data from a variety of data sources for in-depth analysis. With a drag-and-drop interface, users can create insightful reports and dashboards with a range of data visualization tools.

Users can collaborate on reports and dashboards with their coworkers and decide what others may see and do with the reports provided to them. Publish reports and dashboards via email or embed them on websites. It integrates with other Zoho applications and even offers a free plan.

Any business already using Zoho applications will appreciate the easy integration with Zoho Analytics.

• Sign up in less than a minute
• Has a 15-day free trial on paid plans
• Premium support costs extra

Best for Custom Apps

Domo provides data visualization tools that help small businesses understand data and make data-driven decisions. With its easy-to-use interface, it allows users to create custom apps, advanced charts and maps and other visualizations of data with just a few clicks.

Its governance tools help organizations control who has access to data. And with Domo Everywhere, data can be shared outside of Domo in other applications for easier external reporting. For example, take the data and embed it onto your website using iFrame and JavaScript.

Small businesses that want to better understand data and data-driven decision-making will appreciate Domo.

• Use a pre-built app, hire Domo to create one or use a template to build one
• Its custom seat visualization tool can help stadiums track revenue, sales and attendance
• More than 150 interactive charts
• Pricing isn’t transparent
• Must speak to its sales team for a custom quote

To help businesses find the best data visualization tool for their needs, our team of business experts looked at a variety of options and narrowed our list down to the top seven data visualization tools on the market. We considered features that included ease of use, pricing, customer support, customization, data security and the ability to share data outside of the tool. Our team also looked at user reviews to get insights into real-world experiences with each data visualization tool.

What is data visualization?

Data visualization is the act of representing data in a visual form, such as graphs, charts and maps. This enables people to glean insights from data more easily and make data-driven decisions. By representing data in a visual form, data visualization makes data more accessible and easier to understand.

What are the types of data visualization?

There are many types of data visualization, but some common ones include bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, scatter plots, tree charts, polar graphs, radar polygon, mind maps, dichotomous keys, choropleth maps, timelines and project (or program) evaluation and review technique (PERT) charts.

What should I look for in a data visualization tool?

The most important factors to consider when choosing a data visualization tool include how easy it is to learn and use, if it offers access to several different graph and chart types―and that they’re easy to understand, even to beginners, that the tool allows you to export your data into different formats, that it can handle a number of different formats, is interactive, offers plugins and supports many different devices.

Is Microsoft Excel a data visualization tool?

It depends on who you ask. It offers many features for creating visuals, such as graphs, charts and maps. Excel data can also be imported into data visualization tools for further analysis. However, some data visualization experts consider Excel to be more of a data management tool than a data visualization tool.

• What Are CRM Integrations? Everything You Need To Know
• Notion Vs. Trello: Which Is Best For Your Business?
• CRM Analytics Guide
• Data Scientist Job Description

Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.

Best data visualization tool of 2024

Communicate business insights more easily to stakeholders with the best data visualization tools

Best overall

Best basic option, best for flowcharts, best for dashboards, best for features.

• How we test

The best data visualization tools make it simple and easy to communicate business insights from raw data to stakeholders.

1. Best overall 2. Best basic option 3. Best for flowcharts 4. Best for dashboards 5. Best for features 6. FAQs 7. How we test

Data visualization can be used in the form of anything from presentations to workflows, each of which can benefit from better charts and diagrams to provide information visually.

Ultimately, data visualizations will provide clear indicators of trends from existing data, or present otherwise important information such as core tasks or assignments in management processes. Graphic representation of key data helps you to get the point across quickly, in a way that others will find easy to understand.

The key to visualization is simplicity in the presentation, no matter how it is applied, and irrespective of industry-specific applications of visualization.

Below we list what we think are the best data visualization tools and apps currently available.

We've also featured the best data recovery software .

The best data visualization tools of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Tableau comes in strong as a market leader when it comes to showing how visualization can help with general productivity management. It's a flexible and powerful solution that provides for business intelligence , and it's with large data sets that Tableau really comes into its own.

Tableau offers a range of different software tools for data visualization, starting with Tableau Creator which allows for both a desktop and online version for individuals, to allow for the processing of data to output visualized analytics. This service costs around $70 / £60 / AU$105 per user per month when billed annually.

There are also versions for teams and organizations, either as a standalone to provide data mining with visualization and interactive dashboards, while there's also a version for live analytics processing with existing software apps.

Altogether, Tableau is a powerful analytics tool for producing all manner of useful charts and graphs, all of which make it easier to communicate insights and answers to questions with different levels of stakeholders. 

• ^ Back to the top

Quire allows you to manage and visualize projects that don’t require advanced functionality.

Quire works by letting you map out tasks and thoughts in a simple to-do list format that can easily be rearranged and assigned to team members. Once tasks have been defined in the app, you can visually organize and assign these tasks using a Kanban board built into the system. The software makes it easy to flip between task lists and the Kanban board as needed.

The beauty of Quire is that it also offers a number of visual representations of your task list that you can choose from, including pie charts, project summaries, and graphs. All the basic visual data representations are there except for Gantt charts , the one strike against this platform. 

Overall, though, Quire delivers a streamlined interface that works very well for exploring workflows and improving project management . It strikes a good balance between simplicity and power, earning it a place among the best data visualization tools available right now.

Quire's starting Professional plan costs around $9 / £8 / AU$12 per user per month, but if you want more storage and functions you need to buy the Premium or Enterprise plans.

There are many ways in which you can visually organize your project. If your preferred style is flowchart-based organization, you’re going to love Casual.

Instead of Kanban boards or Gantt charts, Casual is built exclusively around a single flowchart interface where you organize projects by drawing lines between tasks, and assign team members to each step in the flowchart. Each team member gets a task list based on the flowchart, but essentially project managers that use Casual track progress through the single-pane flowchart.

In terms of price plans, all tiers share the same features. The only differentiating feature is the number of users. For example, the personal tier supports two users while the enterprise tier supports fifty or more. There is currently a free 14-day trial on all tiers, so you can see if it's for you before committing to an ongoing subscription.

Casual is easily the best data visualization tool if you prefer to work with flowcharts and have a project that can be represented in that format. If you want a range of charts and other ways to organize or manage a large team, however, Casual is not for you.

Our expert review:

If Gantt charts and dashboards are your thing, Wrike should be on your data visualization tool shortlist.

Wrike makes it easy to create tasks and workflows, and then manage these tasks visually in a Gantt chart or calendar format. One feature that’s great about Wrike is that you can visually create custom workflows for your project.

Data visualization is also a strong point for Wrike, which lets you set up custom dashboard items that visually show the progress of key project metrics. In one quick view, you can see the status of each area of the project.

The free tier supports up to 5 team members and an unlimited number of collaborators. A series of paid tiers unlock additional team members and premium features, with bespoke options available for large organizations.

Furthermore, Wrike is highly scalable, with many integrations to other platforms and support for large teams.

Read our full Wrike review .

5. Targetprocess

If you want all-in-one project management software that includes a host of data representation options, Targetprocess is for you.

Taking a dashboard approach but also working in Kanban and Gantt chart formats, Targetprocess basically gives your project the full suite of features. Complex task lists can be configured and rearranged, and it comes with a multitude of data representation views that can be added to the dashboard for quick progress assessment.

Targetprocess is geared towards agile software development projects, and it can be overwhelming in its feature set and clunky in its interface, but this solution visually represents data in more ways than rivals, and does everything a software project manager could want.

In summary, a comprehensive feature set makes this one of the best data visualization tools available for users who aren't intimidated by the wealth of options.

We've also featured the best mind map software.

Data visualization tool FAQs

What are data visualization tools.

The best data visualization tools transform raw data from spreadsheets, databases, and other sources into easy-to-read graphs, charts, and other graphic assets.

Why would you want to do that? These visualizations help bring data to life, making it easy to see performance over time, trends, and other vital metrics. As well as being an excellent addition to reports and presentations, data visualizations can help you analyze your data in new ways, drawing out details you may have otherwise overlooked.

How to choose the best data visualization tools for you

The best data visualization tool for you will depend entirely on your business needs. If you simply want to look at your data in new ways, a standalone data visualization solution could be the best option.

However, if you want to connect data from various sources or monitor metrics in real-time, a cloud-based solution with advanced features would be more appropriate. There are also software packages that offer a complete project management suite, alongside data visualization tools. This would be a solid choice for companies that want one program to do it all.

How we tested the best data visualization tools

Where possible, we register for and use every program in our best data visualization tools guide. We use the software, recreating real-world use cases to assess ease of use and functionality. Where there are features beyond the scope of data visualization, we test these too to give you a full overview.

We also look at ongoing technical support and the price tiers, investigating free versions where available. If we can't physically test a piece of software, we consider information displayed on the company's website, peer reviews, and testimonials from existing customers.

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

Get in touch

• Want to find out about commercial or marketing opportunities? Click here
• Out of date info, errors, complaints or broken links? Give us a nudge
• Got a suggestion for a product or service provider? Message us directly
• You've reached the end of the page. Jump back up to the top ^

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Sage is off 75% for six months if you grab it today

Xodo PDF editor review

Worried about breaking SD cards? Lexar just revealed the world's first made from stainless steel

Most Popular

• 2 Apple Intelligence features explained - everything you need to know about Apple AI and when you can use it
• 3 Microsoft confesses its recent security updates...broke Windows 10 security patches
• 4 It’s What’s Inside is one of my most-anticipated new Netflix movies for Halloween after seeing the nightmare trip trailer
• 5 Windows and macOS apps in perfect harmony on your Mac device? Parallels Desktop version 20 says yes