deck.gl vs Plotly.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A GPU-accelerated framework for drawing large data sets as layers on maps and 3D views.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library for drawing interactive charts in web pages, also the engine behind Plotly in Python and
The short answer
Choose deck.gl if you need…
- Developers building interactive maps or geospatial dashboards over large data sets
- Teams who need GPU rendering for tens of thousands of points or shapes
- Python users who want to produce deck.gl maps through pydeck
- Projects that need custom rendering by extending core classes
Choose Plotly.js if you need…
- Web developers who want interactive charts in their own site or app
- Data analysts who already use Python or R Plotly and want to understand the JavaScript side
- Teams building dashboards that need 3D or scientific chart types
- People comfortable with basic HTML and JSON who want charts without much code
Side-by-side
| deck.gl | Plotly.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 14.7k | 18.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 7 days ago |
What each one is
deck.gl
deck.gl is a visualization framework that uses WebGL2 and WebGPU to draw large data sets quickly in the browser. You feed it an array of data objects, choose layers such as icons, polygons or text, and view them through map, first-person or orthographic views. It is used by developers who need interactive maps and charts over big data, and it also has a Python wrapper called pydeck.
Plotly.js
Plotly.js is a JavaScript library that draws interactive data visualizations such as statistical charts, 3D graphs, scientific charts, map charts and financial charts. You describe your data and layout as a JSON-like object, and the library renders the chart in a web page. The same library also powers the Python and R packages named plotly.
Best for
deck.gl
- Developers building interactive maps or geospatial dashboards over large data sets
- Teams who need GPU rendering for tens of thousands of points or shapes
- Python users who want to produce deck.gl maps through pydeck
- Projects that need custom rendering by extending core classes
Plotly.js
- Web developers who want interactive charts in their own site or app
- Data analysts who already use Python or R Plotly and want to understand the JavaScript side
- Teams building dashboards that need 3D or scientific chart types
- People comfortable with basic HTML and JSON who want charts without much code
Strengths
deck.gl
- Built for GPU rendering of large data sets
- Large catalog of tested layers and flexible APIs for customization
- Open-source under the MIT license, part of the OpenJS Foundation's vis.gl project
Plotly.js
- Supports dozens of chart types, including 3D, scientific, map and financial charts
- Can be used with no build step by loading it from a CDN, or installed through npm
- Actively maintained by Plotly, with an MIT license
Not ideal for
deck.gl
- People wanting a finished tool without coding, since it is a framework for building visualizations
- Simple static charts with small data, where a lighter charting library is easier
- Users on browsers without WebGL2 support, since rendering depends on it
Plotly.js
- Users who only need a simple static chart image; a lighter charting library may be enough
- Projects with strict bundle size limits unless they choose a custom or partial bundle, since the full build is large
- Anyone needing WebGL 2 features, since the README only mentions a WebGL 1 workaround for multiple graphs
Trade-offs
deck.gl
- Requires programming knowledge and is not a point-and-click tool
- Relies on WebGL2 or WebGPU support in the user's browser
- The README is truncated here, so detailed setup requirements are not fully confirmed
Plotly.js
- The full bundle is large, so you may need to build a custom bundle to keep pages light
- Advanced setup such as custom builds or bundling requires reading additional guides
- Some features like MathJax rendering need separate loading and extra configuration
Getting started
deck.gl
Install the npm module
npm install deck.glInstall the Python package
pip install pydeckPlotly.js
Install the ready-to-use distributed bundle
npm i --save plotly.js-dist-minFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between deck.gl and Plotly.js?
deck.gl: A GPU-accelerated framework for drawing large data sets as layers on maps and 3D views. Plotly.js: A JavaScript library for drawing interactive charts in web pages, also the engine behind Plotly in Python and . deck.gl suits developers building interactive maps or geospatial dashboards over large data sets, while Plotly.js suits web developers who want interactive charts in their own site or app.
Are deck.gl and Plotly.js free?
deck.gl: Free and open source. Plotly.js: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, deck.gl or Plotly.js?
Plotly.js is easier to get started with (rated beginner); deck.gl is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is deck.gl or Plotly.js more popular?
Plotly.js has more GitHub stars (18.4k) than deck.gl (14.7k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to deck.gl and Plotly.js?
Other options people compare them with include kepler.gl, visx, G6, plotly.py, G2.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.