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Data Visualization: Tools

Point-Click Tools

Microsoft Excel
Widely used application that allows for the creation of various graphs and charts by inputting data into cells.


Google Sheets
Free-to-access and web-based alternative to Microsoft Excel.


Datawrapper
Website that allows users to upload datasets that will automatically be converted into various graphs and charts.


Flourish
Web application that provides users with various templates that will automatically adjust depending on the dataset uploaded/entered into the application.


RawGraphs
Web application allowing the user to choose from an assortment of templates that will adjust to uploaded datasets.


Voyant Tools
Web tool that reads datasets and provides a graphical and textual analysis of the data.


  Microsoft Excel Google Sheets Datawrapper Flourish RawGraphs Voyant Tools
Pricing Free (through institution) Free Free Free Free Free
Open-Source No No Yes No Yes Yes
Sign-Up Requirement Required Required No Required No No
Access Options Web & Desktop Web Web Web Web Web

Dashboard Tools

Microsoft Power BI
Collection of analytical tools that reads datasets and provides interactive visuals.


Tableau Public
Free online data analytics application that helps users create data visualizations while also providing instructional content and resources.


Tableau Academic
Academic counterpart to Tableau Public, student centered analytics application that provides useful instruction and tools for creating data analytics.


Looker Studio
Web application, hosted by Google, that provides various tools to concert datasets into various charts and graphs.


  Microsoft Power BI Tableau Public Tableau Academic Looker Studio
Pricing Free (through institution) Free Paid Free
Open-Source No No No No
Sign-Up Requirement Required Required Required Required
Access Options Web & Desktop Web & Desktop Desktop Web

Programming Tools

R/RStudio
Programming language that specializes in data and statistical analysis/computing and provides many ways to display and visualize findings.


Python
Programming language used for a variety of different tasks such as website and software design along with data visualization.


Plotly
An open-source graphing library that can be used in various programing such as R, Python, and Java to create various data visualizations.


  R/R Studio Python Plotly
Pricing Free Free Free
Open-Source Yes Yes Yes
Sign-In Requirement None None None
Access Options Desktop Desktop Desktop

Mapping Tools

ArcGIS
Geographic Information System (GIS) application that helps with the visualization of geographical data on various map types


QGIS
Free and open-source Geographic Information System (GIS) web application for visualizing geographical information.


Mapbox
Provides customizable and interactive geospatial visualizations to help with data visualization, navigation, and other location-based activities.


Google Maps
Popular consumer application for providing directions and geographical information across the globe.


  ArcGIS QGIS Mapbox Google Maps
Pricing Paid Free Free Free
Open-Source No Yes No No
Sign-In Requirement Required None Required None
Access Options Web & Desktop Desktop Web & Desktop Web & Desktop

Design Tools

Adobe Illustrator
Popular Vector graphics software design tool used to create various illustrations.


Affinity Designer
Alternative to Adobe Illustrator for creating various graphic designs.


InkScape
Free and open-source vector graphics software alternative.


Adobe Creative Cloud
Collection of various Abode services that provide a variety of useful graphic design tools and applications.

https://guides.hshsl.umaryland.edu/dataVisualizationService


  Adobe Illustrator Affinity Designer InkScape Adobe Creative Cloud
Pricing Paid Paid Free Paid
Open-Source No No Yes No
Sign-In Requirement Required Required None Required
Access Options Web & Desktop Desktop Desktop Web & Desktop

 

Network Analysis Tools

Gephi
Open-source network analysis package written in Java.


VOSViewer
Open-source software for visualizing bibliometric networks.


Citespace
Tool for visualizing and analyzing trends in scientific literature to help with the visualization of progressive knowledge domain.


Cytoscape
Open-source software for useful for the visualization of networks and biological pathways.


  Gephi VOSViewer Citespace Cytoscape
Pricing Free Free Free Free
Open-Source Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sign-In Requirements None None None None
Access Options Desktop Desktop Desktop Desktop