ApexCharts vs Google Charts: What are the differences?

ApexCharts and Google Charts are two popular charting libraries used for creating interactive and visually appealing charts on websites. While both offer similar functionalities, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Customizability: ApexCharts offers a high level of customizability with a wide range of options to configure the appearance and behavior of charts. It provides more flexibility in terms of colors, gradients, border styles, and animations. On the other hand, Google Charts provides a more streamlined approach with limited customization options, making it easier to implement but less flexible for highly customized designs.

2. Data Handling: ApexCharts provides more advanced data handling capabilities compared to Google Charts. It allows for dynamic updating and real-time streaming of data, making it suitable for applications that require live data visualization. Google Charts, on the other hand, relies on static data and does not provide built-in support for real-time updates.

3. Chart Types: ApexCharts offers a larger variety of chart types compared to Google Charts. It includes a comprehensive set of options for different chart types such as line, area, bar, column, pie, radar, and more. Google Charts, although provides a decent range of chart types, has a more limited selection compared to ApexCharts.

4. Documentation and Community Support: Google Charts has been around for a longer time and has extensive documentation and a large community of users. It offers detailed examples, tutorials, and troubleshooting resources, making it easier for developers to get started and find solutions to potential issues. While ApexCharts also has documentation and community support, it may not be as extensive as Google Charts.

5. Integration and Compatibility: ApexCharts is designed to work seamlessly with modern JavaScript frameworks and libraries such as React, Vue, and Angular. It provides dedicated plugins and comprehensive documentation for integration into these frameworks. Google Charts, on the other hand, has a wider compatibility range with support for older browsers and legacy systems, making it a better choice for projects that require broad platform compatibility.

6. License and Pricing: ApexCharts uses the MIT license, which allows for free and open-source usage in both commercial and non-commercial projects. Google Charts, although free to use, has some limitations and restrictions for commercial usage. Additional features and support may require a paid license, making it less suitable for budget-constraint projects.

In Summary, ApexCharts offers more customizability, advanced data handling capabilities, a wider range of chart types, while Google Charts provides better documentation and community support, wider compatibility, and a simpler licensing model.