Chart.js vs ECharts: Popular JavaScript Charting Libraries Comparison
Both Chart.js and ECharts are JavaScript libraries that help developers create beautiful charts and graphs on websites. Chart.js is known for being simpler and easier to learn, perfect for basic charts, while ECharts offers more complex visualizations and features. These libraries are commonly used when you need to turn data into visual graphs, like pie charts, bar graphs, or line charts on dashboards.
Data Visualization Librarieschartsgraphsdata-visualizationjavascriptinteractive-graphics
Detailed Comparison
Technical Analysis
featureComparison
Both libraries support various chart types, including line, bar, pie, and scatter charts. However, echarts has more advanced features like 3D charts, heatmaps, and treemaps. chart.js has better support for animations and transitions.
typescriptSupport
Both libraries have TypeScript definitions and are compatible with TypeScript projects.
browserCompatibility
Both libraries support modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. chart.js also supports older browsers like IE11.
dependencies
chart.js has no dependencies, while echarts depends on zrender, a graphics rendering library.
performance
chart.js is generally faster and more lightweight than echarts, making it suitable for large datasets and real-time updates.
Ecosystem Analysis
frameworkCompatibility
Both libraries are compatible with popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js.
communityActivity
Both libraries have active communities, with chart.js having more contributors and a more frequent release cycle.
documentationQuality
Both libraries have extensive documentation, with chart.js having more interactive examples and a better API reference.
maintenanceStatus
Both libraries are actively maintained, with chart.js having a more predictable release schedule.
Performance Comparison
bundleSizeAnalysis
echarts has a larger bundle size due to its more extensive feature set.
runtimePerformance
chart.js is generally faster and more efficient, especially with large datasets.
loadingTime
chart.js has a faster loading time due to its smaller bundle size.
memoryUsage
chart.js uses less memory than echarts, especially when rendering complex charts.
Code Examples
Simple Line Chart with chart.js
1const ctx = document.getElementById('chart').getContext('2d');
2new Chart(ctx, {
3 type: 'line',
4 data: {
5 labels: ['Jan', 'Feb', 'Mar'],
6 datasets: [{
7 label: 'Sales',
8 data: [10, 20, 30],
9 backgroundColor: 'rgba(255, 99, 132, 0.2)'
10 }]
11 }
12});This code creates a simple line chart with chart.js, using a canvas element and defining the chart data and options.
Simple Bar Chart with echarts
1var chartDom = document.getElementById('chart');
2var myChart = echarts.init(chartDom);
3var option;
4option = {
5 xAxis: {
6 type: 'category',
7 data: ['Mon', 'Tue', 'Wed']
8 },
9 yAxis: {},
10 series: [{
11 data: [10, 20, 30],
12 type: 'bar'
13 }]
14};
15myChart.setOption(option);This code creates a simple bar chart with echarts, using a DOM element and defining the chart options and data.
Recommendation
Summary
Both libraries are suitable for creating interactive charts, but chart.js is a better choice for simple, lightweight charts, while echarts is better suited for complex, feature-rich charts.
Details
- chart.js is more lightweight and easier to use
- echarts has more advanced features and customization options
Similar Packages
Plotly.js
90%
A comprehensive charting library that creates beautiful interactive charts. It includes scientific charts, 3D graphs, and statistical tools built-in.
Like Chart.js and ECharts, it offers ready-to-use charts but with more scientific and statistical features. It's particularly good for dashboards and data science applications.
Interactive Charting LibraryApexCharts
90%
Modern charting library that creates interactive visualizations with smooth animations. It works well on mobile devices and offers many customization options.
Similar feature set to Chart.js but with better animations and modern design. It's particularly good for creating responsive charts for mobile-first applications.
Interactive Charting LibraryD3.js
80%
A powerful JavaScript library for creating custom data visualizations in the browser. It gives you complete control over how your charts look and behave by manipulating web elements (SVG, Canvas, HTML).
While it has a steeper learning curve than Chart.js, D3.js offers much more flexibility and control. It's perfect when you need highly customized charts that Chart.js or ECharts can't provide out of the box.
Data Visualization LibraryHighcharts
80%
Professional-grade charting library with extensive features and chart types. While it requires a license for commercial use, it's free for personal and non-profit projects.
More feature-rich than Chart.js and ECharts, with excellent documentation and support. It's particularly good for enterprise applications where reliability and support are crucial.
Enterprise Charting LibraryVictory
70%
A React-specific charting library that makes it easy to add charts to React applications. It provides simple components that work well with React's component model.
Great alternative if you're working specifically with React. It follows React patterns and is easier to integrate with React applications than Chart.js or ECharts.
React Charting Library<p align="center">
<a href="https://www.chartjs.org/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://www.chartjs.org/media/logo-title.svg" alt="https://www.chartjs.org/"><br/>
</a>
Simple yet flexible JavaScript charting for designers & developers
</p>
<p align="center">
<a href="https://www.chartjs.org/docs/latest/getting-started/installation.html"><img src="https://img.shields.io/github/release/chartjs/Chart.js.svg?style=flat-square&maxAge=600" alt="Downloads"></a>
<a href="https://github.com/chartjs/Chart.js/actions?query=workflow%3ACI+branch%3Amaster"><img alt="GitHub Workflow Status" src="https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/chartjs/Chart.js/ci.yml?branch=master&style=flat-square"></a>
<a href="https://coveralls.io/github/chartjs/Chart.js?branch=master"><img src="https://img.shields.io/coveralls/chartjs/Chart.js.svg?style=flat-square&maxAge=600" alt="Coverage"></a>
<a href="https://github.com/chartjs/awesome"><img src="https://awesome.re/badge-flat2.svg" alt="Awesome"></a>
<a href="https://discord.gg/HxEguTK6av"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-chartjs-blue?style=flat-square&maxAge=3600" alt="Discord"></a>
</p>
Documentation
All the links point to the new version 4 of the lib.
- Introduction
- Getting Started
- General
- Configuration
- Charts
- Axes
- Developers
- Popular Extensions
- Samples
In case you are looking for an older version of the docs, you will have to specify the specific version in the url like this: https://www.chartjs.org/docs/2.9.4/
Contributing
Instructions on building and testing Chart.js can be found in the documentation. Before submitting an issue or a pull request, please take a moment to look over the contributing guidelines first. For support, please post questions on Stack Overflow with the chart.js tag.
License
Chart.js is available under the MIT license.
