Cytoscape Desktop vs Kumu

Cytoscape Desktop7.1Visit Kumu6.8Visit

Higher score Cytoscape Desktop #5 in Graph Visualization Tools Software 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Cytoscape

vs

Kumu #8 in Graph Visualization Tools Software 6.8/10 Free plan · paid from $9/mo · 14-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Kumu

• Cytoscape Desktop fits best

  Scientific and enterprise network analysis

• Kumu fits best

  Collaborative relationship and stakeholder mapping

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Side by side

Feature	Cytoscape Desktop 7.1/10 Visit ↗	Kumu 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.1	6.8
Ranking	#5 in Graph Visualization Tools Software	#8 in Graph Visualization Tools Software
Best for	Scientific and enterprise network analysis	Collaborative relationship and stakeholder mapping
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	$9/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web
Support	Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cytoscape Desktop 2/3 · Kumu 0/3
Interactive filtering	✓ (best)	Not published
Team collaboration	—	Not published
Scripting or API	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Deployment	Desktop	Not published
Graph data model	Property_graph	Not published
Export formats	JPG, PNG, PS, SVG, PDF; network formats include CX2, Cytoscape.js JSON, SIF, GML, XGMML, SBML, BioPAX, GraphML	Not published
Our review
Pros	Maps attribute values to node and edge styles, with interactive filtering. Automates workflows through commands and a RESTful API. Exports network views and data in a wide range of formats.	Maps relationships, stakeholders, systems, communities, and social networks Imports data and supports tags, attributes, filtering, and network metrics Collaborators, presentation tools, and embeddable interactive maps
Cons	Desktop deployment may not suit teams seeking a browser-based workspace. Concurrent collaboration in a shared session file is not recommended. Extensibility is centered on third-party Cytoscape apps.	Private projects start at $9 per project per month Pro workspace collaboration features require a paid plan Focused on mapping relationships, not CRM-derived relationship intelligence
Our verdict	Cytoscape Desktop is a free, open-source application for visualizing, analyzing, and exploring complex networks alongside attribute data. Its audience includes researchers in bioinformatics, systems biology, genomics, and proteomics, as… Read the review →	Kumu is a web-based platform for creating interactive maps of relationships, stakeholders, systems, communities, and social networks. It suits individuals and teams who need to make complex connections easier to explore, from organizations… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Cytoscape Desktop — where it wins

  • Maps attribute values to node and edge styles, with interactive filtering.
  • Automates workflows through commands and a RESTful API.
  • Exports network views and data in a wide range of formats.

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop deployment may not suit teams seeking a browser-based workspace.
  • Concurrent collaboration in a shared session file is not recommended.
  • Extensibility is centered on third-party Cytoscape apps.

• Kumu — where it wins

  • Maps relationships, stakeholders, systems, communities, and social networks
  • Imports data and supports tags, attributes, filtering, and network metrics
  • Collaborators, presentation tools, and embeddable interactive maps

  Where it doesn't

  • Private projects start at $9 per project per month
  • Pro workspace collaboration features require a paid plan
  • Focused on mapping relationships, not CRM-derived relationship intelligence

• Cytoscape Desktop7.1/10 · Free plan

  A free desktop tool for interactive network analysis, automation, and flexible exports.

  Visit CytoscapeFull verdict →
• Kumu6.8/10 · Free plan · paid from $9/mo · 14-day trial

  An interactive mapping tool for exploring relationships, stakeholders, and networks.

  Visit KumuFull verdict →