Highcharts vs Plotly: What are the differences?

Differences between Highcharts and Plotly

Highcharts and Plotly are both popular data visualization libraries used for creating interactive charts and graphs in websites. While they share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two:

1. Data Visualization Options: Highcharts offers a wide range of chart types, including line, bar, column, pie, scatter, area, and more. It also provides options for combining different chart types in a single graph. On the other hand, Plotly provides an extensive collection of interactive chart types, including 3D charts, maps, box plots, candlestick charts, and more. Plotly's focus on interactivity allows users to explore and manipulate data directly within the charts.

2. Accessibility and Compatibility: Highcharts is compatible with older versions of browsers, including Internet Explorer 6 and onwards. It supports both desktop and mobile devices, making it suitable for a wide range of users. Plotly, on the other hand, requires modern web browsers and might not be fully compatible with older versions. It focuses on delivering a more dynamic and interactive experience, which may rely on newer browser capabilities.

3. Ease of Use and Learning Curve: Highcharts has a relatively straightforward API and a comprehensive documentation, making it easier for developers to get started quickly. It provides various customization options through simple configuration settings. Plotly, on the other hand, has a more complex API and requires a steeper learning curve. It offers more advanced features and interactions, allowing users to create highly tailored visualizations with extensive control.

4. Integration and Embedding: Highcharts allows easy integration with other JavaScript frameworks such as Angular, React, and Vue. It also provides options for exporting charts as images or PDF files. Plotly, on the other hand, provides seamless integration with Python, R, and Julia, making it popular in the scientific and data analysis community. It offers APIs for creating visualizations in different programming languages and supports embedding charts in Jupyter Notebook for interactive data exploration.

5. Pricing and Licensing: Highcharts is available for free for personal and non-commercial use, but a commercial license is required for commercial projects. The license cost varies based on factors such as project type, number of developers, and intended use. Plotly follows a freemium model, where a basic version is available for free, but advanced features and additional support require a paid subscription. It offers different pricing plans for individuals, teams, and enterprises.

6. Community and Support: Highcharts has a large and active community with extensive online resources, forums, and Stack Overflow discussions. It also provides official support through its forum and email. Plotly has a growing community with active contributions from the data visualization and data science communities. It offers support through its forum, GitHub repository, and dedicated customer support for paid users.

In summary, Highcharts is suitable for developers who seek a wide range of chart types and integration options with older browsers, while Plotly focuses on interactivity, advanced features, and integration with scientific computing languages.