C3.js vs Plotly: What are the differences?

Introduction:

C3.js and Plotly are two popular JavaScript libraries used for creating interactive and visually appealing charts and graphs on websites. While both libraries offer similar functionalities, there are key differences that set them apart.

1. Architecture: C3.js follows a more traditional approach of using predefined methods and configurations to create charts. It is built on top of D3.js, another powerful data visualization library. On the other hand, Plotly is a more modular library that allows for greater customization and flexibility. It offers an exhaustive set of options and features to create complex charts and dashboards.

2. Ease of Use: C3.js provides a simpler API that abstracts the complexity of D3.js, making it easier for beginners to create charts quickly. It offers a more intuitive syntax and a wide range of predefined chart types. Plotly, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve but allows for more fine-grained control over chart elements and interactions. It is suitable for advanced users or those who require highly customized visualizations.

3. Interactivity: C3.js focuses more on interactive features out-of-the-box, providing options like tooltips, zooming, panning, and chart interactions. It also offers seamless data integration with features like CSV and JSON parsing. Plotly, on the other hand, offers extensive support for interactivity with built-in features like hover effects, click events, annotations, and even the ability to add sliders, dropdowns, and filters to enhance user experience.

4. Integrations and Platforms: C3.js is predominantly a client-side library and is well-suited for browser-based applications. It can be easily integrated into any webpage or web application. Plotly, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in terms of platform and environment support. It can be used both on the client-side and the server-side, providing functionalities like exporting charts as static images, embedding in Jupyter notebooks, and even support for Python, R, and MATLAB.

5. Community and Documentation: C3.js has a smaller community compared to Plotly, but it still enjoys a decent level of community support and active development. It has comprehensive documentation with examples and a dedicated website. Plotly, on the other hand, has a larger community and is widely adopted by data scientists, researchers, and developers. It offers extensive documentation, a user-friendly website with interactive examples, and frequent updates with new features and improvements.

6. Pricing: C3.js is an open-source library released under the MIT license, making it completely free for commercial and non-commercial use. Plotly, on the other hand, offers both open-source and commercial versions. The open-source version of Plotly is also free to use, but the commercial version comes with additional features, support, and dedicated hosting options that require a subscription.

In Summary, C3.js and Plotly differ in terms of architecture, ease of use, interactivity, integrations, community support, and pricing. Both libraries have their unique strengths and suitability based on the specific requirements of a project.