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Matplotlib

Free#8 of 98 in Data Visualization SoftwareData Visualization Libraries Software

Matplotlib: A highly customizable Python plotting library for charts, notebooks, and scientific work. Ranked #8 of 98 in Data Visualization Software by our editors (8.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for python users creating publication-quality plots.

8.4/10Editor score

Visit Matplotlib

Matplotlib8.4 Visit Matplotlib

At a glance

Editor score
8.4 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Python users creating publication-quality plots
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Embedded dashboards
Yes
Founded
2003
Facts checked
21 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Publication-quality plots with extensive visual customization
- Supports static, animated, and interactive visualizations
- Exports to PNG, SVG, PDF, and PS formats
Where it doesn't
- Requires Python-based plotting rather than a no-code workflow
- Not positioned as a hosted dashboard service
- No published scheduling or collaboration features

Our verdict on Matplotlib

Matplotlib is an open-source Python library for creating static, animated, and interactive visualizations. It is aimed at Python developers, researchers, analysts, and scientific computing teams that need programmable charting and plotting. Its supported plot types include lines, bars, scatter plots, images, contours, statistics, and 3D plots. Data can come from Python lists and NumPy arrays, while outputs can be embedded in Jupyter notebooks, graphical user interfaces, and web applications.

Its main strength is depth in chart creation and visual control. Interactive figures support pan, zoom, and event handling, while customizable styles and layouts help users produce publication-quality results. Matplotlib can export charts to PNG, SVG, PDF, and PS formats. GUI backends cover Qt, GTK, Tk, wxPython, and macOS, and a web application backend supports dynamically served graphs. This breadth makes it suitable when chart behavior, rendering, and output format need to be handled directly in Python.

Matplotlib is available as open-source software rather than as a hosted dashboard product with paid tiers. It fits teams that want a programmable plotting foundation across web and desktop environments, especially for notebooks, analysis workflows, and scientific visualization. It is less suited to organizations seeking a ready-made dashboard service with scheduled refreshes, commercial integrations, viewer quotas, or built-in collaboration features. Choose it for control and plotting range; consider an alternative when dashboard operations and team-facing distribution are the primary requirements.

Your product? Our editors can test Matplotlib in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Matplotlib pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on matplotlib.org

Matplotlib fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Dashboard type	Both
Scheduled refresh	Not verified
Embedded dashboards	Yes
Data sources	Python lists, NumPy arrays
Viewer limit	Not verified
Platform	Web_and_desktop
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	matplotlib.org
Facts checked	21 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Matplotlib

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Matplotlib vs the competition

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Also Ranked In

Matplotlib is ranked in 2 of our directories.

#2Data Visualization Libraries Software24 tools ranked

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Featured on iTechGuides

Matplotlib is listed in our Data Visualization Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update