G2 vs Rough.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 JavaScript library for building charts from data using a declarative, layered grammar.
Open source · MIT
A small JavaScript library that draws shapes in a sketchy, hand-drawn style on Canvas or SVG.
The short answer
Choose G2 if you need…
- Front-end developers adding charts to a web dashboard
- Data analysts comfortable writing a little JavaScript
- Teams that want to customize chart behavior beyond preset chart types
- Projects that need interactive or animated charts
Choose Rough.js if you need…
- Web developers who want a casual, hand-drawn look for diagrams or illustrations
- Developers building whiteboard-style or sketch-style interfaces
- People creating maps or charts that should look informal
- Projects that need a lightweight drawing library with no heavy dependencies noted in the README
Side-by-side
| G2 | Rough.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 12.7k | 21.3k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | HTML |
| Last code update | 8 days ago | 2 years ago |
What each one is
G2
G2 is a TypeScript library for drawing charts and other data visualizations in web pages. You describe the data and how its fields map to visual properties like position and color, and G2 works out the rest. It can render with Canvas, SVG or WebGL, and supports animation and interaction. It is aimed at dashboards, data exploration and storytelling.
Rough.js
Rough.js is a small JavaScript graphics library that makes lines, shapes, and paths look hand-drawn instead of perfectly computer-drawn. It works with both HTML Canvas and SVG, so it can be added to a web page to produce diagrams or illustrations with a sketchy look. The README describes it as under 9 kB in size.
Best for
G2
- Front-end developers adding charts to a web dashboard
- Data analysts comfortable writing a little JavaScript
- Teams that want to customize chart behavior beyond preset chart types
- Projects that need interactive or animated charts
Rough.js
- Web developers who want a casual, hand-drawn look for diagrams or illustrations
- Developers building whiteboard-style or sketch-style interfaces
- People creating maps or charts that should look informal
- Projects that need a lightweight drawing library with no heavy dependencies noted in the README
Strengths
G2
- The README shows a short example that produces a working bar chart
- Supports Canvas, SVG and WebGL rendering
- Released under the MIT license with official documentation, examples and tutorials
Rough.js
- Small library size, described as under 9 kB in the README
- Works with both Canvas and SVG output
- Simple API with examples for shapes, fills, and paths
Not ideal for
G2
- People who want a chart with no coding, since G2 is a code library and needs a web page to run in
- Users who only need a few standard charts and prefer a ready-made tool, because the setup is more involved than a template
- Projects that cannot use JavaScript or TypeScript
Rough.js
- People who need precise, technical, or CAD-style drawings, since the output is intentionally rough
- Users who want a ready-made drawing app rather than a code library, since the README covers only the library API
- Non-programmers looking for a point-and-click tool
Trade-offs
G2
- Its grammar-based API has a learning curve compared with simple chart presets
- The README does not detail every browser or version requirement
- Larger ecosystem extensions such as 3D are separate projects
Rough.js
- The README is brief and points to an external wiki for full API documentation
- Output is deliberately imprecise, so it is unsuited to exact measurements
- The README shows no information on browser support or the maintenance pace beyond the last push date
Getting started
G2
Install with npm
npm install @antv/g2Install with Yarn
yarn add @antv/g2Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between G2 and Rough.js?
G2: A JavaScript library for building charts from data using a declarative, layered grammar. Rough.js: A small JavaScript library that draws shapes in a sketchy, hand-drawn style on Canvas or SVG. G2 suits front-end developers adding charts to a web dashboard, while Rough.js suits web developers who want a casual, hand-drawn look for diagrams or illustrations.
Are G2 and Rough.js free?
G2: Free and open source. Rough.js: Free and open source.
Is G2 or Rough.js more popular?
Rough.js has more GitHub stars (21.3k) than G2 (12.7k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to G2 and Rough.js?
Other options people compare them with include Chart.js, visx, three.js, mo · js, Anime.js.
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.