Data visualization tools

Creating your own graphics can be very time-consuming. With data visualization tools, visualizations are created and customized in real time. It's made easy with drag and drop and assistant functions. Data visualization tools simplify data sets by transforming raw numbers into easy-to-understand graphics.

The most essential thing is the quality of the data. The most beautiful visualizations must be based on solid data sources. Trickery with charts is a common way to make statistics look pretty. However, scientific papers require an independent approach that is verifiable.

Data visualization techniques

To visualize data, you can choose:

• Bar charts
• Histograms
• Pie charts
• Scatter plots
• Sankey diagrams
• Maps
• etc.

Interactive data visualizations are eye-catching and professional. Big data science can be fun and adventurous with the right tools.

Overview of the best data visualization tools for various purposes

Depending on the number and type of data, different tools can be used for visualization. Here is an up-to-date overview of which programs are available.

ATLAS.ti

ATLAS.ti is the perfect tool for evaluating qualitative and quantitative studies. Visualization is only one of many helpful functions. There is a free demo version available here to dive into professional data analysis. Especially for researchers, the best tool to use. Students get a generous discount and non-profit organizations pay less as well.

Tableau by Salesforce

A classic data visualization tool with extensive capabilities. It costs about $70/month. You can try a free version, but then the data is not private. It is ideal for sales but also beyond.

Microsoft Power BI

With this tool from Microsoft, you can graphically examine your business. It is clear that it harmonizes particularly well with Microsoft Office data. It is free for individual users, the more team members, the more expensive it gets.

Gephi

Gephi is the leading open-source visualization and exploration software. Gephi processes relational data. On Social Media, f. e. who is following whom on Twitter. It is also a good evaluation tool for elections.

Tableau Public

Tableau Public is an online platform where users can explore, create and share data visualizations for free. Here, you find examples of visualized data analytics.

QlikView

QlikView is a business intelligence tool aimed primarily at business users in enterprises. It is more than a data visualization tool. QlikView also helps, for example, to find unexpected information and data correlations

Datawrapper

This tool is perfect for newsrooms. Graphics adapt perfectly to all output devices. For students or small companies, the free version may be enough. Most of the functions are self-explanatory. The premium version is available from 499 euros per month. The tool is simple in design and self-explanatory.

Google Charts

Data from SQL databases can be imported and output here. Google Charts is free of charge, but if you have specific questions, you can only ask them in the forum and have no support contact.

Plotly

Plotly is a well-known and powerful data visualization framework that displays information by creating interactive charts based on web browsers. You can create visualizations, which are outstanding.

Fusion Charts

Here, graphical embedding in web pages is particularly easy. The formatting options are great. Overall, it is a very comprehensive tool, which also has its price.

RAWGraph

This tool describes itself as the "missing link between spreadsheets and data visualization". Data can be converted into vector graphs with this open source solution. The data is processed in the browser and not stored externally.

Infogram

Infogram allows you to create infographics, charts and maps with many free templates. You can either download them or embed them in websites. This tool is great for showing sales activities. It is also useful for students or government agencies. A basic plan is free.

Zoho Analytics

Business intelligence and analytics software that lets you create reports and dashboards and data visualizations. A basic version is available starting at $30 per month. The enterprise version costs 575 euros per month.

Chart Blocks

This online tool offers different rates for individuals or companies. One needs to create a user account. It is kept quite simple. Charts can be well shared on social media.

Charts.JS

Chart.js is an open source JavaScript chart library for designers and developers. The options here are clear. The lightweight interactive tool can be used well for mobile sites, responsive charts etc. are possible. The code is open-source (free of charge).

D3.js

D3.js is an open source JavaScript library. To use it, you should have some programming knowledge. But it is worth it: The powerful tool can be used very flexibly.

Grafana

With this open source tool you can create dynamic views. It is more suitable for displaying internal data on different dashboards.