Best Helios Alternatives in 2026
The top Helios alternatives are Graphistry, Gephi and Linkurious: 15 graph visualization tools software our editors would look at instead of Helios, in our ranking order.
Helios: An open-source toolkit for GPU-rendered graph views and programmatic graph data work. Where it falls short: requires development work to build interactive graph applications.
Switching from Helios? For most graph visualization tools software buyers the best Helios alternative is Graphistry, built for teams investigating connected data across integrated sources. On a budget, Polinode starts at $40/mo.
Why People Look for a Helios Alternative
- Requires development work to build interactive graph applications
- No paid pricing tiers for teams seeking a commercial plan structure
- Shared or collaborative graph workflows are not part of its documented focus
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallGraphistry8.9
Teams investigating connected data across integrated sources
Visit Graphistry - Lowest pricePolinode8.4
Paid plans from $40/mo
Visit Polinode - Best free optionGraphistry8.9
Has a free plan
Visit Graphistry
All 15 Helios Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forTeams investigating connected data across integrated sources
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.9
A graph investigation environment with interactive exploration, APIs, and deployment choice.
- Team collaboration
- Interactive filtering
- Scripting or API
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Graphistry -
Best forLarge-scale network exploration and metrics
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.9
Free network analysis with desktop and browser-based graph exploration.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Gephi -
Best forEnterprise graph intelligence and case workflows
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.9
A broad graph investigation toolkit, priced for teams with enterprise needs.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Linkurious -
Best forProduction web graph applications
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.9
A capable web SDK for production graph apps, with broad integrations and sales-led pricing.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit KeyLines -
Best forScientific and enterprise network analysis
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.9
A free desktop tool for interactive network analysis, automation, and flexible exports.
- Interactive filtering
- Scripting or API
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cytoscape -
Best forWorkplace network and relationship analysis
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.9
Maps workplace relationships through surveys and workplace-data integrations.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Polinode -
Best forDesktop graph analysis with many visual views
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.9
A capable desktop graph-analysis toolkit for users comfortable building from source.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Tulip -
Best forCollaborative relationship and stakeholder mapping
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.9
An interactive mapping tool for exploring relationships, stakeholders, and networks.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Kumu -
Best forDeveloper-built interactive web graphs
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.9
A flexible, API-oriented toolkit for building interactive web graphs.
- Interactive filtering
- Scripting or API
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Cytoscape.js -
Best forScriptable graph and diagram rendering
- Better than Helios:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.9
A scriptable, open-source renderer for graph, network, and hierarchical diagrams.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Graphviz -
Best forBibliometric and citation network visualization
A free tool for mapping scholarly relationships, from citations to term co-occurrence.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit VOSviewer -
Best forTeams building extensible web graph visualizations
A flexible graph engine for developers who need control over rendering, layouts, and interactions.
- Interactive filtering
- Scripting or API
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit AntV G6 -
Best forLightweight WebGL network rendering
A free, open-source WebGL library for interactive network graphs in web apps.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Sigma.js -
Best forTeams embedding Neo4j-oriented graph views
An open-source graph explorer with Neo4j import, multiple layouts and React embedding.
- Scripting or API
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Motif -
Best forFree desktop social-network analysis
A free, open-source desktop tool for drawing, importing, and analyzing social networks.
- Interactive filtering
- Scripting or API
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit SocNetV
Helios Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Helios?
Graphistry: #1 in our Graph Visualization Tools Software ranking, with an editor score of 8.9 out of 10. A graph investigation environment with interactive exploration, APIs, and deployment choice.
Is there a free alternative to Helios?
Yes. Graphistry, Gephi, Cytoscape Desktop, Polinode and Tulip have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Helios alternatives?
Requires development work to build interactive graph applications; No paid pricing tiers for teams seeking a commercial plan structure; Shared or collaborative graph workflows are not part of its documented focus.
How do I switch from Helios?
Export your data from Helios (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Helios.
How to Switch from Helios
- Export your data from Helios (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Helios.
Helios vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Helios | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 1 | Graphistry | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 2 | Gephi | Yes | Free | 8.8 |
| 3 | Linkurious | No | €490/user/mo | 8.7 |
| 4 | KeyLines | No | 8.6 | |
| 5 | Cytoscape Desktop | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 6 | Polinode | Yes | $40/mo | 8.4 |
| 7 | Tulip | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 8 | Kumu | Yes | $96/yr | 8.2 |
| 9 | Cytoscape.js | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 10 | Graphviz | Free | 8.0 | |
| 11 | VOSviewer | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 12 | AntV G6 | Yes | Free | 7.7 |
| 13 | Sigma.js | Yes | Free | 7.6 |
| 14 | Motif | Yes | Free | 7.5 |
| 15 | SocNetV | Yes | Free | 7.4 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update