Matplotlib vs Recharts

Overview

Matplotlib

Stacks1.6K

Followers336

Votes11

Recharts

Stacks233

Followers259

Votes36

GitHub Stars26.2K

Forks1.8K

Matplotlib vs Recharts: What are the differences?

Introduction: Matplotlib and Recharts are both widely used libraries in data visualization. While Matplotlib is a popular library in Python, Recharts is more commonly used with React. Despite their similarities in aiding effective data visualization, there are key differences between the two libraries that set them apart.

Customizability: One major difference between Matplotlib and Recharts is the level of customizability they offer. Matplotlib provides a high degree of customization, allowing users to fine-tune almost every aspect of their visualizations, including setting custom colors, adjusting axis limits, and adding annotations. On the other hand, while Recharts does offer some level of customization, it has a more limited set of options compared to Matplotlib.
Language Usage: Matplotlib is primarily used with the Python programming language, which makes it a convenient choice for data visualization in Python-based projects. In contrast, Recharts is designed to work seamlessly with React, a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. This difference in language usage can affect the choice of library based on the programming language preference or project requirements.
Integration: Matplotlib is a standalone library that can be easily integrated into various Python environments, such as Jupyter notebooks and web applications. Recharts, on the other hand, is a dedicated charting library built specifically for React applications. It integrates smoothly with React components and can be seamlessly used within React-based projects. This makes Recharts more suitable for projects using React as the frontend framework.
Community and Support: Matplotlib has a large and active community of users and developers, making it relatively easy to find help and resources. It has been around for a long time and has established itself as a go-to library for data visualization in Python. Recharts, although popular in the React ecosystem, may not have the same level of community and support as Matplotlib, especially outside the React community.
Chart Types: Both Matplotlib and Recharts offer a wide range of chart types. Matplotlib provides a comprehensive set of plot types, including bar charts, line charts, scatter plots, and more. Recharts also offers a diverse range of chart types, but it may have certain limitations compared to Matplotlib when it comes to more complex or specialized visualizations.
Integration with Backend: Matplotlib can be easily integrated with various Python libraries and frameworks used for data analysis and manipulation, such as Pandas and NumPy. This allows for seamless data processing and analysis workflows. Recharts, being a frontend library, does not have direct integration with backend libraries. However, it can consume data from backend APIs or be fed data through React components.

In Summary, Matplotlib and Recharts differ in terms of customizability, language usage, integration, community and support, chart types, and integration with backend libraries. Choosing the right library depends on the specific requirements of the project, the programming language used, and the level of customization and support needed.

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Advice on Matplotlib, Recharts

Shaik

Feb 18, 2020

Needs advice

I have used highcharts and it is pretty awesome for my previous project. now as I am about to start my new project I want to use other charting libraries such as recharts, chart js, Nivo, d3 js.... my upcoming project might use react js as front end and laravel as a backend technology. the project would be of hotel management type. please suggest me the best charts to use

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Detailed Comparison

Matplotlib	Recharts
It is a Python 2D plotting library which produces publication quality figures in a variety of hardcopy formats and interactive environments across platforms. It can be used in Python scripts, the Python and IPython shells, the Jupyter notebook, web application servers, and four graphical user interface toolkits.	Quickly build your charts with decoupled, reusable React components. Built on top of SVG elements with a lightweight dependency on D3 submodules.
Statistics
GitHub Stars -	GitHub Stars 26.2K
GitHub Forks -	GitHub Forks 1.8K
Stacks 1.6K	Stacks 233
Followers 336	Followers 259
Votes 11	Votes 36
Pros & Cons
Pros 11 The standard Swiss Army Knife of plotting Cons 5 Lots of code	Pros 11 Very intuitive API 8 Built for React, from scratch 7 Responsive 5 Composable chart elements 3 Easy to use Cons 2 Not considered time series charts
Integrations
No integrations available	React D3.js

What are some alternatives to Matplotlib, Recharts?

D3.js

It is a JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data. Emphasises on web standards gives you the full capabilities of modern browsers without tying yourself to a proprietary framework.

Highcharts

Highcharts currently supports line, spline, area, areaspline, column, bar, pie, scatter, angular gauges, arearange, areasplinerange, columnrange, bubble, box plot, error bars, funnel, waterfall and polar chart types.

Plotly.js

It is a standalone Javascript data visualization library, and it also powers the Python and R modules named plotly in those respective ecosystems (referred to as Plotly.py and Plotly.R). It can be used to produce dozens of chart types and visualizations, including statistical charts, 3D graphs, scientific charts, SVG and tile maps, financial charts and more.

Chart.js

Visualize your data in 6 different ways. Each of them animated, with a load of customisation options and interactivity extensions.

ECharts

It is an open source visualization library implemented in JavaScript, runs smoothly on PCs and mobile devices, and is compatible with most current browsers.

ZingChart

The most feature-rich, fully customizable JavaScript charting library available used by start-ups and the Fortune 100 alike.

amCharts

amCharts is an advanced charting library that will suit any data visualization need. Our charting solution include Column, Bar, Line, Area, Step, Step without risers, Smoothed line, Candlestick, OHLC, Pie/Donut, Radar/ Polar, XY/Scatter/Bubble, Bullet, Funnel/Pyramid charts as well as Gauges.

CanvasJS

Lightweight, Beautiful & Responsive Charts that make your dashboards fly even with millions of data points! Self-Hosted, Secure & Scalable charts that render across devices.

AnyChart

AnyChart is a flexible JavaScript (HTML5) based solution that allows you to create interactive and great looking charts. It is a cross-browser and cross-platform charting solution intended for everybody who deals with creation of dashboard, reporting, analytics, statistical, financial or any other data visualization solutions.

ApexCharts

A modern JavaScript charting library to build interactive charts and visualizations with simple API.

Related Comparisons

Matplotlib vs Recharts: What are the differences?

Customizability: One major difference between Matplotlib and Recharts is the level of customizability they offer. Matplotlib provides a high degree of customization, allowing users to fine-tune almost every aspect of their visualizations, including setting custom colors, adjusting axis limits, and adding annotations. On the other hand, while Recharts does offer some level of customization, it has a more limited set of options compared to Matplotlib.
Language Usage: Matplotlib is primarily used with the Python programming language, which makes it a convenient choice for data visualization in Python-based projects. In contrast, Recharts is designed to work seamlessly with React, a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. This difference in language usage can affect the choice of library based on the programming language preference or project requirements.
Integration: Matplotlib is a standalone library that can be easily integrated into various Python environments, such as Jupyter notebooks and web applications. Recharts, on the other hand, is a dedicated charting library built specifically for React applications. It integrates smoothly with React components and can be seamlessly used within React-based projects. This makes Recharts more suitable for projects using React as the frontend framework.
Community and Support: Matplotlib has a large and active community of users and developers, making it relatively easy to find help and resources. It has been around for a long time and has established itself as a go-to library for data visualization in Python. Recharts, although popular in the React ecosystem, may not have the same level of community and support as Matplotlib, especially outside the React community.
Chart Types: Both Matplotlib and Recharts offer a wide range of chart types. Matplotlib provides a comprehensive set of plot types, including bar charts, line charts, scatter plots, and more. Recharts also offers a diverse range of chart types, but it may have certain limitations compared to Matplotlib when it comes to more complex or specialized visualizations.
Integration with Backend: Matplotlib can be easily integrated with various Python libraries and frameworks used for data analysis and manipulation, such as Pandas and NumPy. This allows for seamless data processing and analysis workflows. Recharts, being a frontend library, does not have direct integration with backend libraries. However, it can consume data from backend APIs or be fed data through React components.

Matplotlib vs Recharts

Overview