Bokeh vs Matplotlib

Struggling to choose between Bokeh and Matplotlib? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Bokeh is a Development solution with tags like python, data-visualization, interactive, graphics, web-browser.

It boasts features such as Interactive data visualization, Supports streaming data, Python library, Targets modern web browsers, Elegant and concise graphics, High-performance interactivity, Can handle large datasets and pros including Very flexible and customizable visualizations, Integrates well with other Python data tools like NumPy and Pandas, Open source and free, Good performance even with large datasets, Nice web-based interface for sharing visualizations.

On the other hand, Matplotlib is a Photos & Graphics product tagged with plotting, graphs, charts, visualization, python.

Its standout features include 2D plotting, Publication quality output, Support for many plot types (line, bar, scatter, histogram etc), Extensive customization options, IPython/Jupyter notebook integration, Animations and interactivity, LaTeX support for mathematical typesetting, and it shines with pros like Mature and feature-rich, Large user community and extensive documentation, Highly customizable, Integrates well with NumPy, Pandas and SciPy, Output can be saved to many file formats.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Bokeh

Bokeh

Bokeh is an interactive data visualization library for Python that targets modern web browsers for presentation. It offers elegant, concise construction of versatile graphics, and affords high-performance interactivity over large or streaming datasets.

Categories:
python data-visualization interactive graphics web-browser

Bokeh Features

  1. Interactive data visualization
  2. Supports streaming data
  3. Python library
  4. Targets modern web browsers
  5. Elegant and concise graphics
  6. High-performance interactivity
  7. Can handle large datasets

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Very flexible and customizable visualizations

Integrates well with other Python data tools like NumPy and Pandas

Open source and free

Good performance even with large datasets

Nice web-based interface for sharing visualizations

Cons

Steeper learning curve than some visualization libraries

Visualizations can be more complex to build

Limited built-in statistical analysis features

Requires knowledge of Python and web development

Not as simple as drag-and-drop visualization builders


Matplotlib

Matplotlib

Matplotlib is a comprehensive 2D plotting library for Python that allows users to create a wide variety of publication-quality graphs, charts, and visualizations. It integrates well with NumPy and Pandas data structures.

Categories:
plotting graphs charts visualization python

Matplotlib Features

  1. 2D plotting
  2. Publication quality output
  3. Support for many plot types (line, bar, scatter, histogram etc)
  4. Extensive customization options
  5. IPython/Jupyter notebook integration
  6. Animations and interactivity
  7. LaTeX support for mathematical typesetting

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Mature and feature-rich

Large user community and extensive documentation

Highly customizable

Integrates well with NumPy, Pandas and SciPy

Output can be saved to many file formats

Cons

Steep learning curve

Plotting code can be verbose

3D plotting support is limited

Cannot do web visualization (unlike Bokeh or Plotly)