Best Data Visualization Tools: Top 10 for 2024

A massive part of running a business is analyzing large sets of data daily to understand the changing market scenario and your own company’s position and journey through it. 

It’s unreasonable to assume that all business owners are data scientists, meaning going through tons of business data manually can be a little overwhelming and often outside the purview of a business owner’s skillet. This is where data visualization comes into the picture.

If you’re searching for the top data visualization tools to make reporting and market research easier, this guide is for you. Today, we will share all the details about the best data visualization tools available right now. Keep in mind that we have selected these ten tools after thoroughly reviewing them based on various factors like cost, advantages, integration options, and disadvantages.

Our Top Pick for the Best Data Visualization Tool 2024: Tableau 

There is little to no doubt in our minds that Tableau is the best data visualization tool.

The Best Data Visualization Tools 2024: Top 10 List

Here are the top 10 best data visualization tools:

1. Tableau: Best Data Visualization Tool Overall
2. Zoho Reports: Excels in Integration Capacity
3. Google Charts: Data Visualization Tool for Beginners
4. QlikSense: Ideal for Automated Workflows
5. RAW: Must-have for Extensive Documentation & Resources
6. Plotly: Known for High-Quality Charts
7. Sisense: Excels in Custom Dashboards
8. Fusion Charts: Top Pick for Multiple Chart Themes 
9. Data Wrapper: Free Data Visualization Tool
10. High Charts: Big Data Visualization Tool Ideal for Experts 

The Best Data Visualization Tools: Reviewed 

Here is everything you need to know about our top 10 picks for the best data visualization tool in 2024.

1. Tableau: Best Data Visualization Tool Overall

Tableau is one of the leading data analytics platforms in the world, best known for its accurate business forecasts and reporting, which helps you make informed decisions for your company.

One of the best things about Tableau is that it is fully cloud-hosted. This means your data can be accessed easily by remote employees, making data analysis fast and flexible.

Best Features 

Here is what we love about Tableau:

• Tableau Prep: Tableau Prep automates the process of bringing together all the data and charts in hand to create a visual representation of the reports in just a few seconds. 
• Transparent AI: It offers advanced predictive data analysis with what-if scenariOS, guided model building, and AI-powered predictions to help you make decisions faster. 
• Team Collaboration: Tableau seamlessly integrates with Slack and notifies your team the minute a major development happens. 
• Adequate Training: Getting started with Tableau is a cakewalk. It offers hundreds of tutorial videos and resources for beginners to understand the software better and wrap their heads around its depth and functions.

More information about Tableau:

Pricing

Here are the plans offered by Tableau:

• Creator: $70/user/month (for both self-hosted & hosted by Tableau)
• Explorer: $42/user/month (hosted by Tableau) & $35/user/month (self-hosted)
• Viewer: $15/user/month (hosted by Tableau) & $12/user/month (self-hosted)

Pros 

• Ideal for beginners 
• Integrates with slack 
• Powerful AI analysis 
• Can be hosted on Tableau or self-hosted

Cons

• No option to schedule reports 

2. Zoho Reports: Excels in Integration Capacity

Zoho is a popular group of business tools known for its highly affordable yet highly reliable service. Its analytical extension, Zoho Reports, helps you identify hidden insights through clear data visualization.

Right now, it has over 2 million users creating more than 50 million reports. What makes Zoho Reports one of the top big data visualization tools is its strong data security. Even when you choose to work with other team members, your files are only shared through secure channels with specific permissions. This makes Zoho one of the best collaboration tools for project management.

Best Features

Here is what we love about Zoho Reports:

• Data Integration: No matter where your data is, you can easily get it analyzed. Zoho Reports connects with over 250+ data sources.
• Auto Filter Model: Zoho Reports help you automatically identify data types so that similar data can be grouped together under custom data sets.
• Smart Cleanse: Smart cleanse helps you intelligently identify unwanted data and filter them out so that you only have to deal with what you absolutely require.
• Data Transformation: You can now change your data format without coding. Reshape the visual data anytime you want with over 250 data transformation options.

More information about Zoho Reports:

Pricing

Here are the plans offered by Zoho Reports:

• Basic: $24/month
• Standard: $48/month
• Premium: $115/month
• Enterprise: $455/month

Pros

• Unlimited reports 
• Hourly data sync
• 250+ data integration options
• Flexible data format transformation

Cons

• Dashboard clarity decreases with larger amounts of data

3. Google Charts: Data Visualization Tool for Beginners

Google Charts is one of the most prominent players in the data visualization industry. Its tools are powerful yet simple to use and completely free, just like most tools by Google. The tool comes with a three-year backward compatibility guarantee, meaning you can rest assured that you will have a frictionless experience. 

Rich with a diverse pool of chart templates for both small and complex data, Google Charts’ biggest benefit is that each template is 100% customizable. Ditch the work of creating a chart from scratch without giving up on your flexibility of editing it. 

Best Features

Here is what we love about Google Charts:

• Chart Templates: Whether you need simple scatter plots or complex hierarchical treemaps, Google Charts offers a variety of templates to choose from.
• Data Connector Compatibility: Import your data in real time by connecting to any data connector of your choice. Google Charts is compatible with almost all the popular connectors. 
• Cross Platform Compatibility: Coded HTML5 & SVG, Google Charts supports cross-platform compatibility to iOS & new Android releases without any additional plugin.
• Interactive Dashboard: Manage all your charts in one place and get a bird’s eye view of your work through an interactive dashboard.

More information about Google Charts:

Pricing

Google Charts is completely free to use, which is easily its USP.

Pros

• 100% customizable
• User-friendly interface 
• Powered by an interactive dashboard
• Compatible with multiple data connectors  

Cons

• The export feature is outdated 

4. QlikSense: Ideal for Automated Workflows

QlikSense is one of the best contemporary data visualization and analysis tools. The tool is designed in a way that allows people with different skill levels to understand the insights and make data-driven decisions.

QlikSense likes to stay a step ahead of all its competitors, which is why it’s constantly reinventing data visualization solutions. With superfast calculations and 100% accuracy, QlikSense has it in it to be your brand’s number one weapon for understanding market data.

Best Features 

Here is what we love about QlikSense:

• Application Automation: Automate your data analysis workflows through event-driven triggers. Being connected to limitless cloud connectors, every change will be reflected organization-wide.
• Data Prep & Connectivity: QlikSense simplifies data import and preparation, allowing you to work swiftly and quickly with any data regardless of its size. 
• Collaboration & Notes: Want more context on the data you have just added? Add notes and start discussion threads to help your team understand what they are dealing with.
• Data Catalogue: A defined database of all your data helps you find the origin and use of each piece of information. 

More information about QlikSense:

Pricing 

Here are the plans offered QlikSense:

• QlikSense Business: $30/user/month
• QlikSense Enterprise: Custom

Pros

• Self-serviced 
• Automated workflows 
• Perfect for big teams
• Well-connected to countless cloud applications 

Cons

• Slightly difficult for beginners 

5. RAW: Must-have for Extensive Documentation & Resources

Looking for the best free and open source data visualization tools? Try RAW. It offers more than 30 visual charts for different forms of data visualization, including quantities, time series, hierarchies, etc. 

The best thing about RAW is that it doesn’t keep a copy of your personal data. Even though it is a web app, the data you enter is only processed on your web browser and not on RAW’s servers.

Best Features

Here is what we love about RAW, one of the best big data visualization tools:

• Open Source: Being open-source, RAW is open to contributions from the community.
• Chart Templates: RAW offers over 30+ chart templates so that you can start your data visualization work at the earliest.
• Flexible Editing: You can save your work on the platform itself or export it as a vector or raster image to edit in the software of your choice.
• Adequate Resources: RAW has a dedicated learning center to help new beginners understand the features and applications of the software.

More information about RAW:

Pricing

RAW is a completely free-to-use open-source project management software.

Pros

• Free tool
• Open source
• Easy enough for beginners 
• 30+ chart templates for data analysis 

Cons

• Limited information on features 

6. Plotly: Known for High-Quality Charts

Plotly is an open-source module of Python which is used for swift data visualization through a variety of charts like line charts, histograms, area plots, scatter plots, etc. Based on Javascript, it also helps you build interactive plots which can be zoomed into or edited at any time.

The charts created by Plotly are quite appealing, making them engaging and easier to understand. Also, all the graphs designed on Plotly are 100% customizable, so you can format the data the way you deem perfect. 

Best Features 

Here is what we love about Plotly:

• Diverse Chart Options: Plotly has a diverse range of charts. From complex 3D models to regular line charts, you get it all. 
• Publication Quality: Each chart and image exported from Plotly has publication-level quality.
• Automated Reports: All the reports created and managed at Plotly are automatically delivered as per your settings.
• Threshold-based Triggers: Get real-time interactive reports and triggered alerts based on thresholds.

More information about Plotly:

Pricing

Plotly has customizable pricing. It offers two plans:

• Dash Open Source
• Dash Enterprise 

Reach out to its sales team to get a custom quote. 

Pros

• Easy to install
• Custom pricing
• Publication-quality charts 
• Automated report delivery

Cons

• Might be a little too technical for beginners to wrap their heads around

7. Sisense: Excels in Custom Dashboards

Sisense is the number one cloud-based data analytics software that can be embedded in your work streams or products to bring real-time AI-based insights to you and your customers.

Wherever you go or work, powerful insights will follow you. The best part is that you don’t need any advanced coding expertise to embed them. You can also customize and manage the time and place where you want to infuse the insights in a few simple steps.

Best Features

Here is what we love about Sisense:

• Custom Dashboards: Sisense does not only let you customize your reports and charts, but you can also customize your dashboards to control the way data analysis is managed at your company.
• Personalized Templates: You can either use Sisense’s pre-built template or create your own with its convenient and user-friendly drag-and-drop builder. 
• Interactive Visuals: Sisense charts are not just pretty; they are highly interactive, enabling you to narrow down to specific queries and seek answers whenever you need them.
• Shareable Reports: Sharing your work updates through reports or dashboards is a breeze. You can simply forward your dashboard URL or invite the user onboard via email.

More information about Sisense:

Pricing

Sisense offers custom pricing to all users. You can start with a free trial before requesting a custom quote.

Pros

• Free trial 
• Shareable reports
• Interactive visuals
• Compatible with multiple industries

Cons

• Needs a better alerting system

8. FusionCharts: Top Pick for Multiple Chart Themes

FusionCharts not only helps you analyze heaps of data through interactive charts, but it also lets you build your own custom dashboard for mobile and web. Trusted by more than 800k developers over 28k companies like Oracle, Facebook, and Google, FusionCharts’s diverse suite of tools covers all your data analysis needs.

One of the best things about FusionCharts is that it supports both internal and SaaS apps, and the software is always automatically updated to the latest version. Apart from the basic plan, all the other plans offer professional customer support. 

Best Features

Here is what we love about FusionCharts:

• Time-series Charts: Create a time-based data calculation chart for your company with FusionCharts’s pre-built time-series templates.
• Multiple Themes: Choose from a variety of color schemes to design your data charts in a way that resonates with your brand’s theme.
• Dashboard Export: Quit simply exporting reports! With FusionCharts, you can export the entire dashboard in multiple file formats. 
• Extensive Documentation: Getting started with FusionCharts is a breeze. It offers adequate documentation and live tutorials every step of the way, making it a cakewalk for beginners in the industry.

More information about FusionCharts:

Pricing 

Here are the plans offered by FusionCharts:

• Basic: $499/month
• Pro: $1299/month
• Enterprise: $2499/month
• Enterprise+: Custom pricing

Pros

• Latest software updates 
• Allows team collaboration
• Reliable technical support team
• Adequate integration options 

Cons

• A tad too expensive, especially for smaller businesses 

9. Data Wrapper: Free Data Visualization Tool

If you are a newbie to data visualization and looking for something free and simple, try Data Wrapper. Unlike the other tools on our list, you don’t need to be from a tech background or have technical skills to use Data Wrapper.

A standout feature of Data Wrapper is that it does not limit visual representation of your data to charts alone; you can also create tables and maps whenever needed. 

Best Features

Here is what we love about Data Wrapper, one of the best free online data visualization tools:

• Multiple Data Display Formats: You shouldn’t be using only charts to display your data when you can use engaging and interactive tables and maps with Data Wrapper.
• No Code Needed: Data Wrapper is perfect for beginners. No coding or designing skill is required. Get started with countless pre-built templates.
• Multiple Import Options: Simply copy/paste your data, import from a spreadsheet, or upload a CSV/XLS file; the choice is yours. 
• Flexible Sharing: Download your data or embed it on your website any time you want with a simple, responsive code.

More information about Data Wrapper:

Pricing

Here are the plans offered by Data Wrapper:

• A free forever plan 
• Custom: $599/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing 

Pros

• Easy to use 
• Generous free plan
• Multiple data formats 
• Easy to share and embed 

Cons

• Doesn’t have a mobile app

10. HighCharts: Big Data Visualization Tool Ideal for Experts

HighCharts is the best software for developers to create interactive charts for the web and mobile using JavaScript, Angular, React, Python, etc. It comes with all the tools you will need to create the perfect data visualization display. 

The best part about using HighCharts is that you can easily integrate it with other tools like HighCharts Maps, HighCharts Stock, HighChart Gantt, etc. 

Best Features 

Here is what we love about HighCharts:

• Auto Optimization: HighCharts optimizes the data chart automatically for different devices with all the elements placed optimally on the screen.
• Touch-sensitive: HighCharts’s touch sensitivity feature allows you to zoom in, zoom out or reposition visual elements just with your fingers.
• Dynamic Design: Simple options allow for greater customization and in-depth styling through Java and CSS. It is also extensible and pluggable in case you want to add animations to your report. 
• Chart Editor: You can embed the HighCharts editor on your CMS or web app with just a few lines of code. 

More information about HighCharts:

Pricing

Here are the licensing plans offered by HighCharts:

• Web: $152/seat/year
• SaaS: $300/seat/year
• SaaS Plus: $750/seat/year
• OEM: Custom pricing 

Pros

• Touch-sensitive 
• Works with multiple coding languages 
• Fully optimized on mobile devices
• Easily integrates with other HighCharts solutions

Cons

• Quite complex for beginners

Best Data Visualization Tools 2024: Comparison Table

Sure, scanning the tiniest of details of the reviews of all the ten tools mentioned above is an unfailing way to arrive at the best data visualization tool for your needs, but it’s not the only way. Given how time-consuming and monotonous it can be, we suggest you make use of the table below instead.

The following table is a quick comparison between our top picks for the best data visualization tools. It highlights the most crucial differences between the top contenders across parameters that matter the most, namely standout features, pricing, whether or not a free trial and mobile app are available, etc. 

Best Free Data Visualization Tool

If you are looking for a top-notch, free data visualization tool, try Data Wrapper. It has a generous free plan with access to the most essential and even premium features, capable of competing with some of the best paid tools in the industry.

You can display your data on interactive charts, tables as well as maps and choose from sufficient pre-built templates. The best part of using Data Wrapper is its usability. You need no coding or designing skills. All you have to do is copy/paste your data or upload it in Data Wrapper, from where the tool takes care of the rest. 

Also, note that Data Wrapper isn’t limited to a free plan, meaning you can switch to a paid plan as your business grows to make use of state-of-the-art features, the likes of which are available in big data visualization tools.

What Are the Benefits of Using Data Visualization Tools?  

Data visualization software uses charts, slides, dashboards, graphs, maps, infographics, and videos to simplify the presentation of complex information. As data strings are converted into a common language that anybody can understand and engage in, this is an essential tool for executives and business intelligence analysts.

There are several reasons why data visualization tools help in every aspect, from the decision-making procedure to the businesses’ broader operational efficiency and productivity. Let’s explore some of the advantages of data visualization in more detail.

Direct and Personalized Data Interaction

Data visualization tools empower businesses to build customized reports and engage directly with data. This makes it possible to guarantee that decision-makers are getting helpful information. 

Unlike tables, spreadsheets, and charts, data visualization tools allow for active engagement in addition to viewing. Users can also quickly change how data is displayed to remove irrelevant information and focus on crucial details.

It Can Show Trends and Patterns

Data visualization is critical for identifying patterns and trends. For businesses that want to thrive in a constantly shifting market, being informed of changes in the business spectrum is valuable. Data visualization tools can highlight these trends and distinguish between maximal gains and rising losses.

It would be reasonable to point out that businesses would be working in the dark if they were unaware of the current patterns and trends. They would have trouble making decisions based on solid proof, meaning they would turn to assumptions. Data visualization tools enable you to see untapped data, which you can utilize to discover patterns and trends to get clarity.

Communicate Findings More Effectively

Most company reports are formal documents jam-packed with static charts and tables. Despite how thorough these reports may be, they end up being highly extensive, so much so that most of the information is lost or doesn’t reach the people whose opinions count the most. 

However, reports created using capable data visualization tools enable decision-makers to retain and better understand relevant data. These tools allow users to simplify potentially complex data so that CEOs and business managers can easily understand it. 

Decision-makers can readily evaluate enormous amounts of data from multiple sources using graphics, including interactive features and constructive visual tools, such as heat maps and fever charts, to mention a few.

It Accurately Captures Customer Sentiment Analysis

Data visualization can assess client sentiments just as well as it can offer insights into consumer behavior and show the most recent industry trends. Data visualization tools provide insight into consumer sentiments and other customer-oriented data to reveal what customers say about your business on social media and how they use your brand to raise awareness, among other things. 

What’s more, companies can better understand their target market’s motivations, preferences, pain points, and loves and dislikes. They can use this data to appropriately modify their business strategy, marketing methods, and ideas for new products and brand outreach. These findings also open the door to a variety of novel commercial prospects.

Recognize Errors and Assess Risks

When it comes to safety and security, it’s difficult to overestimate the value of data visualization. Visualized data can frequently assist managers in identifying dangers, locating errors, and measuring and analyzing risks. 

For instance, keeping an eye on the performance of connected heavy machinery enables error detection before breakdown or malfunction. In terms of safety at work, visual analytics can occasionally even save lives by preventing industrial accidents.

It Encourages Better Absorption of Business Knowledge

Data visualization tools’ ability to simplify and quickly absorb massive volumes of big data may be one of its most important benefits. Data visualization is the most effective information absorption and processing method since the human eye can interpret visual images roughly 60,000 times faster than figures or text. 

The human brain processes visual data representations like charts and graphs more quickly and can further transform this information into a mental visualization.

Data visualization offers new methods of evaluating data through the many graphical representations, allowing decision-makers and business owners to find meaningful and valuable connections between multi-dimensional data sets (bar graphs, pie charts, histograms, PowerPoint presentations, etc.)

Increase Revenue by Using Predictive Sales Analysis

Most visual data discovery tools offer real-time customer data that you may utilize to undertake sophisticated predictive analytics for sales figures. Decision-makers will have access to the most recent sales data, allowing them to understand why some products are more well-liked by their target market than others.

Data visualization, as you can see, is all about locating the appropriate data to assist managers and executives in making informed decisions. However, finding the correct information can be challenging when the volume of information from many sources becomes overwhelming.

You can execute advanced predictive analytics for multiple factors of your organization using real-time data visualization. As a result, you can make estimates based on the most recent data, which will help you optimize marketing campaigns, add or remove products from your inventory based on how well-liked they are with your target market, and give customers a better experience. And ultimately, all of these will enhance your revenue.

How We Evaluated the Best Data Visualization Tools?

There is no “one shoe fits all” as far as choosing the best data visualization tool is concerned. It all boils down to your preferences and budget. That said, certain features are indispensable and cannot be compromised regardless of anything. 

Here are the factors we took into account for determining the winners on our list:

Integrations 

What integration plans do you have for the data visualization tool with your current workflows and systems? How will it gather information from various apps, systems, and business sources, then provide visualizations to the stakeholders in the format and on the platforms they require? The data visualization tool you pick should ideally be simple to integrate into your current systems and workflows.

Dashboard Layout

When it comes to intuitive dashboards, striking the correct balance between a dashboard’s complexity and simplicity is crucial. More intricate designs could clutter up the screen and cause you to miss what is right in front of you, while the simpler ones might not be able to fit in as much information.

If you’re a newcomer with little experience with designs, at the very least, think about the dashboard’s color balance. It should have bursts of color set off by the right amount of white space, making it visually appealing. Too much white could be way too simplistic, while too much color could strain your eyes.

Security

In most cases, the visual report requires several degrees of authentication and authorization to allow different individuals or teams to view only a set of data.

Many tools have built-in security, while others rely on the organization’s account access permissions policy. Some depend on the security offered by the hosting service where the reporting will be installed. 

Select the security solution that best satisfies your business needs, bearing in mind how to serve your end users in a way that is both user-friendly and accessible while also maintaining data protection.

Features

While all visualization tools allow you to produce data-filled graphics, the final product’s quality, intricacy, and artistic value might differ substantially. Most employ simple templates, which at the very least let you make clear visuals. These could be enough. 

Other solutions, however, can use templates as a starting point for more complex, personalized infographics or interactive visualizations that might appeal more strongly to your audience.

As you weigh your alternatives, keep these possibilities in mind. Your level of satisfaction with the tool you select will increase as you think more carefully about the types of data visualizations you will want to create.

Pricing

Before zeroing in on a data visualization tool, you must thoroughly research the costs of the analytics solutions you are considering, including growth, subscriptions, and hidden fees. Various tools have different pricing structures, so understanding them is vital.

In addition to any upfront fees, does the vendor require annual or quarterly subscriptions? This is a factor that might not be advertised now but could later throw you off your budget. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, make sure to find out all possible costs of your data visualization solution upfront.

Ease of Use

The last thing you need is a solution that hinders the flow of your research and presentation—you want a data visualization tool with functionality to keep things going quickly.

Look for convenience. For instance, drag-and-drop or point-and-click capabilities, the ability to see your data represented automatically, or the ability to highlight one graphic and immediately view relevant information in other graphics save you from completing those actions manually. 

You want a tool that makes it quick and straightforward to enter content and make changes, such as switching layouts to display new information.

Data Processing Capacity

Data processing capacity is essential because a data visualization tool’s primary function is to accelerate and facilitate data processing. Therefore, confirming that the chosen solution can give optimal performance while managing a significant amount of data is crucial. While some technologies have certain limitations, others slow down and become less effective when processing a lot of data.

You must also consider the ability to manage different sources. The software must be able to import any file and quickly connect to other databases. Different tools provide choices for connecting to relational and non-relational database servers, local files in various forms (such as flat files or JSON), and APIs.

Conclusion: What is the Best Data Visualization Tool?

While all the data visualization tools mentioned in our list are equally adept and can up your business’s ante in a matter of days, we shortlist Tableau as the best of them all.

Not only is Tableau a cloud-based data visualization tool with a slew of features, including team collaboration tools and a transparent AI for powerful insights and predictions, but it also provides a buffet of training material, including tutorial videos and in-depth guides for new users to kickstart their journey with the tool quicker and more eloquently.

The cherry on top is its diverse plans, making it a perfect and affordable option for both solopreneurs and large enterprises.

FAQs