13 Best Visualization Software [Reviewed and Ranked]

Visualization software is a tool that helps users to represent data in a visual format.

They are used to visualize and analyze data in order to gain insights, identify patterns, and make informed decisions.

Visualization tools can be used in a variety of fields, including business, data science, and research, and are essential tools for anyone working with data.

In this guide, we will review the best visualization software available on the market and discuss its benefits, pros and cons, and how to get started with each tool.

We will also answer some frequently asked questions about visualization software and discuss the benefits of using them.

What Is The Best Visualization Software?

Here are my top picks for the best visualization software.

1. Tableau

Tableau is a powerful visualization software that allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, and maps.

It is a popular choice for businesses, as it allows users to easily connect to and visualize data from a variety of sources, including Excel, SQL databases, and cloud storage services.

Benefits of using Tableau

• Intuitive interface: Tableau has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to create and customize visualizations, even if they have little to no experience with data visualization.
• Flexibility: Tableau offers a wide range of visualization options, including bar charts, scatter plots, and maps, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Collaboration: Tableau allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Wide range of visualization options
• User-friendly interface
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Tableau

• To get started with Tableau, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and training materials to learn the basics of the software.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the tool.

2. Excel

Excel is a spreadsheet software that is part of the Microsoft Office suite.
While it is primarily used for data management and analysis, it also has some visualization capabilities.

Benefits of using Excel for visualization

• Familiarity: Many people are already familiar with Excel, so it can be a good choice for those who are new to data visualization.
• Cost: Excel is a cheaper option than many other visualization tools, as it is included in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Customization: Excel allows users to customize their visualizations, including adding labels and formatting options.

Pros

• Familiarity for many users
• Cost-effective
• Customization options

Cons

• Limited visualization options compared to other tools
• Can be difficult to create complex visualizations

How to get started with Excel

• To get started with using Excel for visualization, you can follow the built-in tutorials and training materials provided by Microsoft.
• There are also many online resources and tutorials available that can help you learn how to use Excel for data visualization.

3. Google Charts

Google Charts is a free visualization tool provided by Google that allows users to create a variety of charts and graphs.

It is a good choice for those who want a simple, easy-to-use tool for creating basic visualizations.

Benefits of using Google Charts

• Free: Google Charts is a free tool, making it an attractive option for those on a budget.
• Wide range of visualization options: Google Charts offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, pie charts, and line graphs, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Easy to use: Google Charts has a simple interface that makes it easy for users to create and customize their visualizations.

Pros

• Free to use
• Wide range of visualization options
• Easy to use

Cons

• Limited customization options compared to other tools
• May not be suitable for large or complex datasets

How to get started with Google Charts

• To get started with Google Charts, you can visit the Google Charts website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• There are also many online resources and tutorials available that can help you learn how to use Google Charts to create visualizations.

4. Plotly

Plotly is a data visualization software that allows users to create interactive charts, graphs, and maps.

It is a good choice for those who want to create interactive visualizations that can be easily shared and explored by others.

Benefits of using Plotly

• Interactive visualizations: Plotly allows users to create interactive visualizations that can be explored and manipulated by others.
• Wide range of visualization options: Plotly offers a variety of chart types, including scatter plots, bar charts, and maps, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Collaboration: Plotly allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Interactive visualizations
• Wide range of visualization options
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Plotly

• To get started with Plotly, you can sign up for a free account on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

5. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a graphic design software that allows users to create vector graphics and illustrations.

While it is primarily used for design, it also has some visualization capabilities.

Benefits of using Adobe Illustrator for visualization

• Customization: Adobe Illustrator allows users to customize their visualizations with a wide range of design options, including colors, fonts, and shapes.
• Wide range of visualization options: Adobe Illustrator allows users to create a variety of visualizations, including charts, graphs, and maps.
• Professional quality: Adobe Illustrator is a professional-grade tool that allows users to create high-quality visualizations that are suitable for use in presentations, reports, and other professional documents.

Pros

• Customization options
• Wide range of visualization options
• Professional quality

Cons

• Can be expensive
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Adobe Illustrator

• To get started with Adobe Illustrator, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and training materials to learn the basics of the software.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the tool.

6. Microsoft Power BI

Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence and visualization software that allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, and reports.

It is a good choice for businesses that need to analyze and visualize data from a variety of sources.

Benefits of using Microsoft Power BI

• Wide range of visualization options: Microsoft Power BI offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Integration with Microsoft Office: Power BI integrates with other Microsoft Office tools, making it easy for users to analyze and visualize data within their existing workflow.
• Collaboration: Power BI allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Wide range of visualization options
• Integration with Microsoft Office
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Microsoft Power BI

• To get started with Microsoft Power BI, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

7. QlikView

QlikView is a data visualization and business intelligence software that allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, and reports.

It is a good choice for businesses that need to analyze and visualize large and complex datasets.

Benefits of using QlikView

• Wide range of visualization options: QlikView offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Scalability: QlikView is designed to handle large and complex datasets, making it a good choice for businesses with large amounts of data.
• Collaboration: QlikView allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Wide range of visualization options
• Scalability for large datasets
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with QlikView

• To get started with QlikView, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

8. D3Js

D3.js is a JavaScript library for creating interactive data visualizations.

It is a good choice for developers who want to create custom visualizations for web applications.

Benefits of using D3.js

• Customization: D3.js allows developers to create custom visualizations from scratch, giving them complete control over the design and functionality of the visualization.
• Wide range of visualization options: D3.js can be used to create a variety of visualizations, including bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots.
• Interactivity: D3.js allows developers to create interactive visualizations that users can explore and manipulate.

Pros

• Customization options
• Wide range of visualization options
• Interactivity

Cons

• Requires knowledge of JavaScript to use
• May require more time and effort to create custom visualizations

How to get started with D3.js

• To get started with D3.js, you can visit their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the library.
• There are also many online resources and tutorials available that can help you learn how to use D3.js to create custom data visualizations.

9. Qlik Sense

Qlik Sense is a data visualization and business intelligence software that allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, and reports.

It is a good choice for businesses that need to analyze and visualize large and complex datasets.

Benefits of using Qlik Sense

• Wide range of visualization options: Qlik Sense offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Scalability: Qlik Sense is designed to handle large and complex datasets, making it a good choice for businesses with large amounts of data.
• Collaboration: Qlik Sense allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Wide range of visualization options
• Scalability for large datasets
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Qlik Sense

• To get started with Qlik Sense, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

10. Klipfolio

Klipfolio is a cloud-based data visualization and dashboard software that allows users to create interactive dashboards and charts.

It is a good choice for businesses that need to track and monitor key metrics in real time.

Benefits of using Klipfolio

• Real-time updates: Klipfolio allows users to create dashboards that update in real-time, so they can track and monitor key metrics as they change.
• Customization: Klipfolio allows users to customize their dashboards and charts with a wide range of design options, including colors, fonts, and layout.
• Collaboration: Klipfolio allows users to share their dashboards and charts with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Real-time updates
• Customization options
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Klipfolio

To get started with Klipfolio, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.

They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

11. Looker

Looker is a data visualization and business intelligence software that allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, and reports.

It is a good choice for businesses that need to analyze and visualize large and complex datasets.

Benefits of using Looker

• Wide range of visualization options: Looker offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Scalability: Looker is designed to handle large and complex datasets, making it a good choice for businesses with large amounts of data.
• Collaboration: Looker allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Wide range of visualization options
• Scalability for large datasets
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Looker

• To get started with Looker, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

12. Zoho Analytics

Zoho Analytics is a cloud-based data visualization and business intelligence software that allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, and reports.

It is a good choice for businesses that need to analyze and visualize data from a variety of sources.

Benefits of using Zoho Analytics

• Wide range of visualization options: Zoho Analytics offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Integration with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps: Zoho Analytics integrates with other Zoho apps, making it easy for users to analyze and visualize data within their existing workflow.
• Collaboration: Zoho Analytics allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Wide range of visualization options
• Integration with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps
• Collaboration features

Cons

• May not be suitable for large or complex datasets
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Zoho Analytics

• To get started with Zoho Analytics, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

13. Domo

Domo is a cloud-based data visualization and business intelligence software that allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, and reports.

It is a good choice for businesses that need to analyze and visualize large and complex datasets.

Benefits of using Domo

• Wide range of visualization options: Domo offers a variety of chart types, including bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots, allowing users to choose the best way to represent their data.
• Scalability: Domo is designed to handle large and complex datasets, making it a good choice for businesses with large amounts of data.
• Collaboration: Domo allows users to share their visualizations with others and collaborate on projects in real time.

Pros

• Wide range of visualization options
• Scalability for large datasets
• Collaboration features

Cons

• Can be expensive for large organizations
• Requires a learning curve to master all features

How to get started with Domo

• To get started with Domo, you can sign up for a free trial on their website and follow their tutorials and documentation to learn how to use the tool.
• They also offer paid training courses and certifications for those who want to become experts in using the software.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visualization Software

Conclusion

Visualization software is an essential tool for anyone working with data, as they allow users to represent data in a visual format and gain insights, identify patterns, and make informed decisions.

In this guide, we reviewed the best visualization software available on the market and discussed their benefits, pros and cons, and how to get started with each tool.

We also answered some frequently asked questions about visualization software and discussed the benefits of using them.