CanvasJS vs Chart.js: What are the differences?

CanvasJS and Chart.js are both popular JavaScript libraries that provide a wide range of functionalities for creating interactive and visually appealing charts on websites. Let's explore the key differences between them.

1. Animation Options: CanvasJS offers more extensive animation options compared to Chart.js. With CanvasJS, you can customize animations for different chart elements such as data points, series, and axis. This allows for more dynamic and engaging chart visualizations. On the other hand, Chart.js has more limited animation options, primarily focusing on simple animations for the chart as a whole.

2. Interactivity: Chart.js provides a more interactive user experience compared to CanvasJS. With Chart.js, you can easily incorporate hover effects and tooltips to display additional information when users interact with the chart elements. This enhances the user's ability to explore and understand the data being presented. Although CanvasJS also supports interactivity, Chart.js provides more built-in features for user interactions.

3. Supported Chart Types: CanvasJS supports a wider range of chart types compared to Chart.js. CanvasJS offers over 30 types of charts, including column, bar, line, area, pie, doughnut, scatter, and more. On the other hand, Chart.js provides around 8 basic chart types, such as line, bar, radar, and polar area. If you require a specific chart type, CanvasJS might offer more flexibility and options.

4. Browser Compatibility: Chart.js is more compatible with older browsers compared to CanvasJS. Chart.js has better support for older versions of Internet Explorer, which makes it a better choice if you need to ensure compatibility with a wider range of browsers. CanvasJS, on the other hand, places more emphasis on modern browsers and might have limited support for older versions.

5. Documentation and Community Support: Chart.js has a larger and more active community compared to CanvasJS. This means that there are more resources, tutorials, and examples available for Chart.js, making it easier to get started and troubleshoot any issues. While CanvasJS also has documentation and support, the resources might be more limited compared to Chart.js.

6. Pricing and Licensing: Chart.js is an open-source library released under the MIT license, which means that it is free to use and modify in both personal and commercial projects. On the other hand, CanvasJS offers both a free version and a paid version with additional features and support. If you require advanced features or dedicated support, the paid version of CanvasJS might be a better option.

In summary, CanvasJS provides more extensive animation options, while Chart.js offers a more interactive user experience. CanvasJS supports a wider range of chart types, but Chart.js is more compatible with older browsers. Chart.js also has a larger community and is open-source, while CanvasJS offers a paid version with additional features and support.