CanvasJS vs Highcharts: What are the differences?

Comparison between CanvasJS and Highcharts

Introduction

CanvasJS and Highcharts are both popular JavaScript charting libraries that allow developers to create interactive charts and graphs for websites. While they have similar purposes, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Rendering Engine: One of the main differences between CanvasJS and Highcharts is the rendering engine they use. CanvasJS utilizes the HTML5 Canvas element to render charts, which provides high-performance rendering and smooth animations. On the other hand, Highcharts uses SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) as its rendering engine, which offers better support for vector graphics and accessibility features.

2. Chart Types and Customization: When it comes to chart types and customization options, Highcharts offers a wider variety of chart types including heat maps, gauge charts, and network graphs. It also provides a greater level of customization with extensive options for styling and formatting. In contrast, CanvasJS focuses more on the core chart types like line, bar, and pie charts, but still offers a good level of customization.

3. Performance: In terms of performance, CanvasJS has an advantage in terms of rendering speed and efficiency. Since it uses the Canvas element to render charts, it is generally faster and performs well even with large datasets. Highcharts, on the other hand, may encounter performance issues with large datasets or complex visualizations due to the overhead of SVG rendering.

4. Pricing and Licensing: Another important difference between CanvasJS and Highcharts is their pricing and licensing models. Highcharts follows a dual licensing model, where it offers both free for non-commercial use and paid options for commercial use. CanvasJS, on the other hand, is a paid library that comes with a one-time licensing fee. The pricing for both libraries may vary depending on the specific requirements and usage scenario.

5. Documentation and Community Support: Both CanvasJS and Highcharts have comprehensive documentation that covers all aspects of the libraries. However, Highcharts has been around for a longer time and has a larger user community, which means there is a wealth of community-driven resources, tutorials, and support available. CanvasJS, being a newer library, may have a smaller community but still provides good support through its documentation and forums.

6. Development Philosophy: CanvasJS and Highcharts follow different development philosophies. CanvasJS focuses on simplicity and ease of use, providing a simple and intuitive API. It aims to provide a lightweight solution that can be easily integrated into web applications. Highcharts, on the other hand, has a more feature-rich and modular approach. It offers a wide range of advanced features and options for developers who require more complex visualizations.

In summary, CanvasJS and Highcharts have some notable differences in terms of rendering engine, chart types, customization options, performance, pricing, documentation, and development philosophy. Developers should consider these differences when choosing a charting library based on their specific requirements and preferences.