Matplotlib vs Plotly

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs. Compare features, pricing, pros & cons, and make an informed decision.

Matplotlib icon
Matplotlib
Plotly icon
Plotly

Expert Analysis & Comparison

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

Matplotlib is a Photos & Graphics solution with tags like plotting, graphs, charts, visualization, python.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including 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.

On the other hand, Plotly is a Data Visualization product tagged with python, r, javascript, excel, data-analysis, data-visualization, interactive, charts, graphs, dashboards.

Its standout features include Interactive data visualization, Support for Python, R, JavaScript, Excel, 2D and 3D plotting, Statistical charts, Dashboards, Collaboration tools, Exporting and sharing, and it shines with pros like User-friendly, High-quality visualizations, Cross-platform compatibility, Open source and free, Large gallery of examples, Active community support.

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.

Why Compare Matplotlib and Plotly?

When evaluating Matplotlib versus Plotly, both solutions serve different needs within the photos & graphics ecosystem. This comparison helps determine which solution aligns with your specific requirements and technical approach.

Market Position & Industry Recognition

Matplotlib and Plotly have established themselves in the photos & graphics market. Key areas include plotting, graphs, charts.

Technical Architecture & Implementation

The architectural differences between Matplotlib and Plotly significantly impact implementation and maintenance approaches. Related technologies include plotting, graphs, charts, visualization.

Integration & Ecosystem

Both solutions integrate with various tools and platforms. Common integration points include plotting, graphs and python, r.

Decision Framework

Consider your technical requirements, team expertise, and integration needs when choosing between Matplotlib and Plotly. You might also explore plotting, graphs, charts for alternative approaches.

Feature Matplotlib Plotly
Overall Score N/A N/A
Primary Category Photos & Graphics Data Visualization
Target Users Developers, QA Engineers QA Teams, Non-technical Users
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Cloud-based, SaaS
Learning Curve Moderate to Steep Easy to Moderate

Product Overview

Matplotlib
Matplotlib

Description: 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.

Type: Open Source Test Automation Framework

Founded: 2011

Primary Use: Mobile app testing automation

Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows

Plotly
Plotly

Description: Plotly is an open-source graphing library for Python, R, JavaScript, and Excel. It allows users to create interactive, publication-quality graphs, charts, and dashboards that can be embedded in websites and apps. Plotly is useful for data analysis and visualization.

Type: Cloud-based Test Automation Platform

Founded: 2015

Primary Use: Web, mobile, and API testing

Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, API

Key Features Comparison

Matplotlib
Matplotlib Features
  • 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
Plotly
Plotly Features
  • Interactive data visualization
  • Support for Python, R, JavaScript, Excel
  • 2D and 3D plotting
  • Statistical charts
  • Dashboards
  • Collaboration tools
  • Exporting and sharing

Pros & Cons Analysis

Matplotlib
Matplotlib
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)
Plotly
Plotly
Pros
  • User-friendly
  • High-quality visualizations
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Open source and free
  • Large gallery of examples
  • Active community support
Cons
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited customization compared to matplotlib
  • Online dependency for full functionality
  • Freemium pricing model limits features

Pricing Comparison

Matplotlib
Matplotlib
  • Open Source
Plotly
Plotly
  • Freemium
  • Subscription-based

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