CanvasJS vs Plotly: What are the differences?

CanvasJS and Plotly are both popular JavaScript libraries used for data visualization. While both libraries offer a wide range of features and options for creating interactive charts and graphs, there are several key differences between them.

1. Customizability: One key difference between CanvasJS and Plotly is the level of customizability they offer. CanvasJS provides a more extensive set of customization options, allowing developers to control various aspects of the chart including axes, labels, tooltips, animations, and themes. On the other hand, Plotly offers a more simplified approach to customization, providing predefined templates and themes that can be easily applied to the chart.

2. Integration: Another difference lies in the integration with other libraries and frameworks. Plotly has built-in support for integration with popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js. It provides dedicated APIs and wrappers that make it easier to embed Plotly charts within these frameworks. In contrast, CanvasJS does not have direct integration with these frameworks, although it can still be used alongside them with some additional effort.

3. Offline Rendering: Offline rendering capabilities also differ between the two libraries. CanvasJS supports offline rendering out of the box, meaning charts can be rendered and viewed without an active internet connection. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where data visualization needs to be done in isolated environments. Plotly, however, relies on online libraries for rendering, and an internet connection is required for chart generation.

4. Data Binding: The approach to data binding is different in CanvasJS and Plotly. CanvasJS offers a more intuitive way of binding data to charts, allowing data to be directly assigned to chart options or updated dynamically using its API. Plotly, on the other hand, uses a declarative syntax where data is passed as arguments to functions, making it more suited for reactive programming and data manipulation.

5. 3D Charts: Another notable difference is the support for 3D charts. CanvasJS provides extensive support for creating 3D charts, including 3D bar charts, surface charts, and scatter plots. Plotly also offers 3D charting capabilities, but its focus is more on 2D charts with limited 3D options. This makes CanvasJS a better choice for applications that require in-depth visualization in three-dimensional space.

6. Licensing: CanvasJS and Plotly also differ in their licensing models. CanvasJS is primarily a paid library, with various tiers of licenses available. While it does offer a free version with limited features, commercial usage and access to advanced features require a paid license. Plotly, on the other hand, is an open-source library and can be used freely in both commercial and non-commercial projects.

In summary, CanvasJS offers a higher degree of customizability, offline rendering capabilities, and extensive 3D charting support, while Plotly provides better integration with popular frameworks, a more streamlined approach to customization, and a free open-source licensing model. The choice between the two libraries depends on specific project requirements and preferences.