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Head-to-head · Graph Visualization Tools Software

Gephi vs Graphviz

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Gephi #2 in Graph Visualization Tools Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Gephi
Graphviz #10 in Graph Visualization Tools Software 8.0/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Graphviz

Gephi leads on 0 checks, Graphviz on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGephi · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly Gephi

Gephi scores higher on our rubric for graph visualization tools software: 8.8 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #10.

Gephi is the better fit for large-scale network exploration and metrics. Graphviz is the better fit for scriptable graph and diagram rendering.

  • Gephi fits best

    Large-scale network exploration and metrics

  • Graphviz fits best

    Scriptable graph and diagram rendering

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Side by side

Feature Gephi 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Graphviz 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.0
Ranking #2 in Graph Visualization Tools Software #10 in Graph Visualization Tools Software
Best for Large-scale network exploration and metrics Scriptable graph and diagram rendering
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Gephi 0/3 · Graphviz 0/3
Interactive filtering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Team collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Scripting or API Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Graph data model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Export formats Not checked yet BMP, EPS, GIF, JPEG, JSON, PDF, PNG, PS, SVG, TIFF, WebP, DOT, XDOT
Our review
Pros
  • Combines real-time visualization, layouts, filtering, and network metrics.
  • Imports graph files, spreadsheets, CSV files, and databases.
  • Exports graph formats and SVG, PDF, or PNG; plugins extend its capabilities.
  • DOT supports nodes, edges, subgraphs, and clusters
  • Multiple layout engines, including hierarchical directed-graph layouts
  • Exports raster, vector, document, and structured data formats
Cons
  • Its broad set of layouts and metrics may take time to learn.
  • Gephi Lite offers browser exploration, while the desktop app holds broader editing tools.
  • Support is through community resources and documentation.
  • DOT is the listed import format
  • Output formats depend on the build and installed libraries
  • Support is provided through community resources and documentation
Our verdict

Gephi is open-source software for exploring, analyzing, manipulating, and visualizing graph and network data. Researchers, journalists, students, and others working with complex relationships can use its desktop application for interactive…

Read the review →

Graphviz is open-source software for turning structural graph descriptions into diagrams. It is suited to people who need repeatable graph, network, or hierarchical diagram rendering rather than a primarily manual drawing workspace. DOT…

Read the review →
  1. GephiGraph Visualization Tools Software 8.8Free plan
  2. GraphvizGraph Visualization Tools Software 8.0Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Gephi — where it wins

    • Combines real-time visualization, layouts, filtering, and network metrics.
    • Imports graph files, spreadsheets, CSV files, and databases.
    • Exports graph formats and SVG, PDF, or PNG; plugins extend its capabilities.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its broad set of layouts and metrics may take time to learn.
    • Gephi Lite offers browser exploration, while the desktop app holds broader editing tools.
    • Support is through community resources and documentation.
  • Graphviz — where it wins

    • DOT supports nodes, edges, subgraphs, and clusters
    • Multiple layout engines, including hierarchical directed-graph layouts
    • Exports raster, vector, document, and structured data formats

    Where it doesn't

    • DOT is the listed import format
    • Output formats depend on the build and installed libraries
    • Support is provided through community resources and documentation

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update