Trying to analyze data in a spreadsheet or databased can be a nightmare.
Luckily there’s plenty of data visualization tools that help format, display and analyze data in an easier to digest format.
Data visualization is the process of taking datasets and creating visual representations of the information. Generally speaking, this means depictions like charts, graphs, or tables to better digest and analyze the data set.
We’ve all heard the saying “a picture is worth 1,000 words” – that’s heavily applicable to data viz. Laying out datasets with charts and graphs makes it easier to communicate your argument, especially to stakeholders or folks who may not be familiar with your industry.
Here at Coding is for Losers, we help clients build all sorts of data visualizations for their marketing and sales data. Over the years we’ve used dozens of data viz tools, this article will explore our favorites.
We started here for a reason – Google Data Studio is our go to choice. It’s an easy to pickup for anyone who works within Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, Analytics, etc) and will fit comfortably within your existing stack.
The platform comes with hundreds of native connections (from Google Analytics to Facebook Ads), but can be modified to pull in data from anywhere via Google Sheet or Google BigQuery.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Learn more
As one of the best data visualization tools, massive companies like Verizon and Charles Schwab rely on Tableau to draw insights from their data across every department.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
You can try Tableau Public for free. Tableau offers two paid versions: one for their cloud storage and another for their fully hosted software:
Learn more
It offers a huge data visualization template library and operates entirely within your browser.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Learn more
If infographics are your thing (or your client’s thing), Infogram is definitely one of the best data visualization tools to check out.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Learn more
D3.js is a JavaScript library you can use to visualize data in highly interactive formats with HTML, CSS, and SVG.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Learn more
Not only does FusionCharts deliver your standard JavaScript interactive bars, dots, and charts, but it also really shines as one of the best data visualization tools for maps.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Learn more
This was designed for journalists so it’s easy and fast to use even for folks without any coding knowledge.
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing:
Learn more
Sisense bills itself as a complete end-to-end BI platform. It’s more than just one of the best data visualization tools – Sisense can also help you develop data-driven apps.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
While the website boasts “no surprise” pricing, you’ll still have to contact them for a straightforward quote.
Learn more
Not to be outdone by Google, Microsoft also offers a cloud-based data visualization tool used by major companies like Adobe, Meijer, and Heathrow Airport.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
The self-service pro plan is super affordable, starting at just $10 a month
Learn more
HighCharts offers an extensive library to create super interactive mobile-optimized web and mobile visualization projects for any platform.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Learn more
It calls itself the “missing link” between spreadsheets and vector graphics. As one of the best data visualization tools, RAWGraphs is easy to customize and learn.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Learn more
If you’re not sure what would be the best data visualization tools for your needs, start with the free ones. See what works for you, what doesn’t, and what extra features you’d be willing to pay for to make your life a little easier.
Need help with data viz? Our consultants are standing by – drop us a line!
Get off the ground quickly, with customizable data pipeline Recipes for BigQuery.
GET COOKING