Every data has a story to tell. Now it's upto you how you want to present the story, you wanna create a dashboard, an infographics, or something else. Depending on your story comes the tools of the trade, Tableau, PowerBI, QliKView, or something lesser known, like D3. And not all of these tools are free, so here is a list of best free data visualization tools.
1. Tableau Public
Sorry but I am a bit biased towards Tableau, so it had to be the first one. You can give Tableau a spin, for free, using Tableau Public. There are some drawbacks, like you won't be able to save your work locally, but that's a sacrifice I am willing to make given the versatility of the tool with respect to the varied types of Tableau Charts you can create.
2. D3.js
D3.js is a JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data. D3.js helps you bring data to life using HTML, SVG, and CSS. D3’s emphasis on web standards gives you the full capabilities of modern browsers without tying yourself to a proprietary framework, combining powerful visualization components and a data-driven approach to DOM manipulation.
3. FusionCharts
Create interactive and responsive charts with FusionCharts. There is a trial version for FusionCharts, however it does not have any feature or time restriction. It just includes a link to www.fusioncharts.com in your chart.
4. Dash
Dash is a productive Python framework for building web applications. Written on top of Flask, Plotly.js, and React.js, Dash is ideal for building data visualization apps with highly custom user interfaces in pure Python. It's particularly suited for anyone who works with data in Python. Dash is OpenSource, it is MIT licensed. So you can run Dash on your desktop environment for free.
5. QlikView Personal Edition
QlikView Personal Edition is not a trial product, it is a full version of their powerful Qlik business discovery software. It is somewhat similar to Tableau, with a few differences including speed. Why don't you use QlikView for yourself and feel the difference.
6. Infogram
Infogram is an intuitive visualization tool that empowers people and teams to create beautiful content. The Inforgram Basic version, which has limited capabilities, is free to use.
7. Data Wrapper
Data Wrapper empower everyone to create beautiful charts, maps and tables. What's surprising is it's not only free, but it doesn't even require a sign-up. Simply go to the Data Wrapper website and start creating.
8. RAWGraphs
RawGraphs is an open web tool to create custom vector-based visualizations on top of the amazing d3.js library. This is another tool which doesn't require any sign-ups, you can simply go to the RAWGraphs website, and start creating your charts.
9. Chart Studio
Chart Studio is another product from Plotly like Dash. This too does not require any sign-up, just go to the Chart Studio website and start creating using their Online Graph Maker.
10. FastCharts
FastCharts is a product from the Financial Times DataViz team. FastCharts is an online, no-frills-attached chart maker where you can paste your data, and start building up the charts.
11. Palladio
Palladio is a free data-driven tool designed to visualize complex historical data with ease from Stanford. And you can do it online, from the Palladio website. No need for any installation.
12. MyHeatMap
MyHeatMap is another tool that makes it possible to view geographic data interactively. They have a free version with only one limitation, it only allows for upto 20 data points. Give it a spin from the MyHeatMap website.
13. Chartbuilder
Chartbuilder is a front-end charting application that facilitates the easy creation of simple beautiful charts. Chartbuilder is the user and export interface. Chartbuilder powers all chart creation on Atlas, a charting platform developed by Quartz. Chartbuilder is not a data analysis or data transformational tool. It simply creates charts in a consistent predefined style.
14. TimelineJS
TimelineJS is an open-source tool that enables anyone to build visually rich, interactive timelines. Beginners can create a timeline using nothing more than a Google spreadsheet, experts can use their JSON skills to create custom installations, while keeping TimelineJS's core functionality.
15. RCloud
RCloud is a web-based platform for analytics, visualization, and collaboration using R, developed by AT&T Research. Give RCloud a try by heading over to their website.
16. Gephi
Gephi is the leading visualization and exploration software for all kinds of graphs and networks. Gephi is open-source and free.
17. Google Charts
Google chart tools are powerful, simple to use, and free. You can even display live data on your website with Google Charts.
18. Google Data Studio
An extension of Google Charts, Google Data Studio provides further functionalities to create full reports based on analytics. These reports are fully customizable with data visualizations and trackable via Google Analytics, giving you a wider view of your data. Most importantly, its integrations with Google’s other products, like Google Sheets and Google Cloud Storage, is crucial for any pre-existing user of Google’s suite of digital solutions.
19. Zoho Analytics
Previously known as Zoho Reports, Zoho Analytics is a self-service BI and data analytics software that specializes in creating beautiful visualizations and insightful dashboards within minutes. There is a free version available for Zoho Analytics with 2 Users, 10K Rows, Unlimited reports and dashboards.
20. Visme
With Visme, you can not only create charts and graphs, but also infographics. There is a free version available for Visme with up to 5 Projects, 100 MB Storage, limited number of templates, and some other limitations for individuals.
Create magnificent charts and visuals with these tools, but don't forget to share it with us.
