Top 10 Data Visualization Tools For Every Budget in 2024
The primary purpose of using data visualization tools is to help communicate a story that is easily understood. Without them, organisations must spend a lot of time creating and modifying reports. Here are some of the most popular data visualization tools.
Data visualization tools can help develop insightful visualizations from complex and large data sets. Not just that, these tools can highlight errors in datasets and generate diagrams that are easier to understand to make future decisions more informed and accurate.
Today, there are plenty of open source data visualization tools along with highly paid ones. Depending on your organisation’s budget and requirements, you can use them. Today the blog will cover the top 10 data visualization tools in all categories – free, budget-friendly, and expensive.
But before you go ahead with the list of data visualization tools as a beginner, you may want to check how to get started with data visualization.
Table of Contents
- Tableau
- Microsoft Power BI
- Datawrapper
- Plotly
- Infogram
- Qlik Sense
- D3.js
- Sisense
- Google Data Studio
- Graphana
Tableau
Tableau is an excellent data visualization software that has an intuitive UI. It allows integration with various forms of data and databases, including MySQL. Also, non-technical users do not have to write codes to combine data.
It has its in-built transparent AI that you can use for predictive modelling and many other techniques that data scientists use.
Explore data scientist courses.
Is Tableau Cost-effective?
It can be, as there are multiple Tableau products. Tableau Public is a free platform that can be useful for those looking to make public data visualizations. The others are expensive, but they allow privacy.
Which Companies use Tableau?
Tableau has around 18% of the global market share among other data visualization tools (Slintel). Many Fortune 500 companies use it. Some top brands are Nike and Coca-Cola, among others.
Explore the growing list of top Tableau courses. Also, check out the free Tableau courses.
Best-suited Data Visualization courses for you
Learn Data Visualization with these high-rated online courses
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is great for those already familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers solutions for various purposes including logistics management, financial transactions, and more.
This business intelligence tool is ideal for creating ad-hoc reports that make it easy to visualize data from multiple perspectives.
Another advantage of Power BI is that it can identify issues in real time. That means any visual that you create in Power BI is updated right then and there.
Must Read: Data Visualization with Power BI
Is Power BI cost-effective?
It is relatively economical. Power BI comes with three flexible pricing plans. For an individual user, Power BI costs $13 per month. But there are limitations to it. For advanced AI-based text analytics and storage, there are higher pricing plans.
Which Companies use Power BI?
Companies such as Accenture, Ernst & Young, Capgemini, etc., use Power BI.
Related: Capgemini Interview Questions
There are tonnes of Power BI courses to get certified with. You can also choose free Power BI courses if you just want to get started.
Datawrapper
Datawrapper is one of the most accessible data visualization tools to use. You can easily copy data from MS Excel or any other spreadsheet programme. You can add URLs if you want the data to update automatically.
The most significant benefit of this data visualization tool is that you need no coding skills to install or use it.
Is Datawrapper Cost-Effective?
Yes. It offers a free plan with features such as creating, publishing and exporting visualizations in PNG format. There are also pricing options available for larger enterprises.
Which Companies Use Datawrapper?
Organisations such as Harvard, UNESCO, etc., use the free version.
Plotly
Plotly is ideal for creating complex data visualizations. It also supports different types of graphs, including scatter plots, histograms, and others.
One of the top advantages of using Plotly is that it is used with programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, etc. you can also create dashboards with its Dash extension.
Check out Creating Interactive Data Visualization in Python using Plotly
Further, you can transform Matplotlib to Plotly charts.
Related: Data visualization using Matplotlib
Is Plotly Cost-Effective?
It is free, but it also offers some commercial licences.
Which Companies Use Plotly?
Plotly is used in sectors including data science, machine learning, etc. According to Slintel, 642 companies worldwide use Plotly as a data visualization tool.
Infogram
Infogram makes data relatively easy to understand through infographs, reports, and maps. It comes with various types of charts and maps.
It features a drag-and-drop editor, and files can be saved in multiple formats – HTML to PNG. You can also embed visuals from Infogram on your website.
Is Infogram Cost-Effective?
It offers a Basic plan that is free. The free version has limitations in types of maps, number of projects, HD videos, and support.
Which Companies Use Infogram?
More than 30,000 companies worldwide use Infogram. LinkedIn, Skyscanner, NerdWallet, etc., are some famous names.
Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense is the successor of the renowned BI solution – Qlik View. This is among the most powerful and well-integrated data visualization tools out there. It integrates AI for generating analyses and insights.
Also, its native Associated Engine allows users to connect with various data sources, including SAP, Amazon, GitHub, Google Analytics, and hundreds more.
Is Qlik Sense Cost-Effective?
The basic plan is $30 per month, with the latest features such as Associated Engine, Augmented Analytics, etc.
Which Companies Use Qlik Sense?
Companies such as Mahindra and Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, and HCL Technologies use Qlik Sense.
D3.js
Short for Data-Driven Documents, this JavaScript library uses SVG, HTML, and CSS to create compelling data visualizations in web browsers. It supports high-volume datasets, and the codes are reusable. If you want to create data visualizations that interact with each other, D3 can come in handy.
Explore JavaScript courses. If you are new to the field, consider the free JavaScript courses.
Is D3.js Cost-Effective?
It is open source.
Which Companies Use D3.js?
Organisations such as Coursera and Accenture, among many others, use D3.js.
Sisense
Gartner ranks this popular cloud analytics platform as the ‘leading Visionary in the Magic Quadrant.’ It is best for analysing complex data sets through AI-powered analytics and charting options. You can create custom dashboards as well.
Sisense is a great solution for larger enterprises.
Is Sisense Cost-Effective?
It offers custom prices based on your needs. To check prices, you will have to create an account. Also, you can take a free trial.
Which Companies Use Sisense?
Brands such as Philips, GitLab, ZoomInfo, etc., use this tool.
Google Data Studio
For real-time reporting and analyse data from the other Google product family you use, you can use Google Data Studio. It supports MySQL, PostgreSQL and offers different formatting options such as pie-charts and more.
Google Data Studio is highly customisable, and allows the view of multiple data sources in a single report.
Is Google Data Studio Cost-Effective?
It is entirely free to use.
Which Companies Use Google Data Studio?
Google Data Studio is used as a data visualization tool in the digital marketing industry. Brands like Samsung Electronics rely on it. And according to Slintel, 13000 companies worldwide use it.
Related: Top digital marketing courses
Also, explore: Free digital marketing courses
Graphana
No list of data visualization tools can be complete without mentioning Graphana. It is an open-source data visualization tool that features various types of graphs and charts.
It also has the flexibility of adding other types of visualization through its panel plugins. It has a robust plugin architecture that gives you access to more than 80 data sources.
Is Graphana Cost-Effective?
It is free to use for up to 3 users. The other pricing plans are nominally priced.
Which Companies use Graphana?
Graphana currently has over 14000 users globally, according to Slintel. Brands such as Tesla and Essilor, among others, use it.
Parting Thoughts
So these are among the top data visualization tools of 2024. If you are new to these tools and looking for certifications and in-depth training, you may consider taking some data visualization courses. There are plenty of free data visualization courses that you can explore as well.
FAQs
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a data visualization tool for a small business versus a large corporation?
For small businesses, prioritise budget-friendly options like free or freemium plans and open-source tools. Focus on user-friendly interfaces and scalability without significant cost hikes. Choose tools adept at handling basic data sets and providing pre-built templates. Prioritise support with readily available online resources.
For large corporations, emphasise tools that handle large datasets, offer extensive customization, and ensure scalability without performance degradation. Look for features supporting team collaboration, data sharing, and version control. Prioritise security and compliance, selecting tools that meet industry-specific requirements.
How do data visualization tools evolve with the increasing complexity of data in various industries?
Data visualization tools are constantly adapting to handle:
- Big data: Tools are incorporating sophisticated algorithms and cloud-based infrastructure to handle massive datasets efficiently.
- Real-time analytics: Visualization dashboards update in real-time, providing immediate insights on dynamic data streams.
- Industry-specific needs: Tools offer features tailored to specific sectors, like healthcare visualizations depicting patient flow or financial charts with market indicators.
Some examples on some of the tools mentioned in the blog.
- Healthcare: Qlik Sense visualizes patient journeys and treatment efficacy.
- Finance: Zoho Analytics offers interactive dashboards for financial performance tracking.
- E-commerce: Looker Studio presents real-time sales data and customer behaviour insights.
Can data visualization tools significantly improve decision-making processes, and if so, how?
Data visualization significantly improves decision-making by various methods.
- Simplifying complex data: Charts, graphs, and maps clarify trends, patterns, and outliers that might be hidden in numbers.
- Identifying key insights: Visualizations expose relationships and correlations between data points that might be missed in spreadsheets.
- Enabling storytelling with data: Compelling visuals effectively communicate insights and persuade stakeholders.
What are the common challenges faced while using data visualization tools, and how can they be overcome?
Handling data can be tricky because it's tough to connect and organise information from different sources. It gets even more challenging for beginners when the tools have complicated interfaces and advanced features. Making sure that the tools work smoothly with the software and systems you already have can also be a headache. To tackle these issues, go for tools that are easy to use and come with built-in data connectors. Look for tools that provide good training and user support. It's also helpful to choose tools that work on the cloud, making them compatible with different platforms and reducing compatibility worries.
Aquib is a seasoned wordsmith, having penned countless blogs for Indian and international brands. These days, he's all about digital marketing and core management subjects - not to mention his unwavering commitment ... Read Full Bio
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