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D3.js VS Esri ArcGIS

Compare D3.js VS Esri ArcGIS and see what are their differences

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D3.js logo D3.js

D3.js is a JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data. D3 helps you bring data to life using HTML, SVG, and CSS.

Esri ArcGIS logo Esri ArcGIS

ArcGIS provides contextual tools for mapping and spatial reasoning so you can explore data & share location-based insights. ArcGIS is the heart of the Esri Geospatial Cloud. Try ArcGIS for free with 21-day trial.
  • D3.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-11

D3 allows you to bind arbitrary data to a Document Object Model (DOM), and then apply data-driven transformations to the document. For example, you can use D3 to generate an HTML table from an array of numbers. Or, use the same data to create an interactive SVG bar chart with smooth transitions and interaction.

D3 is not a monolithic framework that seeks to provide every conceivable feature. Instead, D3 solves the crux of the problem: efficient manipulation of documents based on data. This avoids proprietary representation and affords extraordinary flexibility, exposing the full capabilities of web standards such as HTML, SVG, and CSS. With minimal overhead, D3 is extremely fast, supporting large datasets and dynamic behaviors for interaction and animation. D3’s functional style allows code reuse through a diverse collection of official and community-developed modules.

  • Esri ArcGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-14

D3.js features and specs

  • Powerful Visualization
    D3.js allows for the creation of highly customized and interactive data visualizations, harnessing the full power of web standards like SVG, Canvas, and HTML.
  • Data Binding
    It offers robust support for data-driven transformations and binding, enabling intuitive connections between data sets and DOM elements.
  • Community and Ecosystem
    A large and active community contributes to tutorials, plugins, and tools, which can significantly simplify the development process.
  • Flexibility
    D3.js is highly flexible, providing low-level manipulation capabilities without being tied to any specific chart types or patterns.
  • Performance
    It is highly optimized for performance, allowing for efficient rendering of complex visualizations even with large data sets.

Possible disadvantages of D3.js

  • Steep Learning Curve
    D3.js has a steep learning curve due to its low-level nature and requires a solid understanding of JavaScript, DOM manipulation, and data concepts.
  • Complexity
    Creating complex visualizations can be time-consuming and require a significant amount of custom code, making it less approachable for quick, simple tasks.
  • Browser Compatibility
    Although widely supported, some D3.js features may have inconsistent behavior across different browsers, requiring additional testing and debugging.
  • Documentation
    While extensive, D3.js documentation can be challenging for beginners to navigate and understand, causing misunderstandings and slower development times.
  • Dependency Management
    The library itself is modular, but managing dependencies and integrating D3.js with other JavaScript frameworks or libraries can sometimes be problematic.

Esri ArcGIS features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    ArcGIS offers a wide range of tools for mapping, spatial analysis, data management, and more, making it a versatile platform for various GIS needs.
  • Scalability
    ArcGIS can scale from individual use on a desktop to extensive enterprise deployments, allowing it to meet the needs of small projects as well as large organizations.
  • Integration Capabilities
    The platform supports integration with other software systems and databases, as well as various APIs, enabling seamless data sharing and workflow integration.
  • Robust Support and Documentation
    Esri provides extensive documentation, a comprehensive support system, and a vibrant user community, which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Advanced Spatial Analysis
    ArcGIS includes powerful spatial analysis tools and machine learning capabilities to reveal patterns and insights from spatial data.
  • Regular Updates and Innovations
    Esri regularly updates ArcGIS, introducing new features, tools, and improvements to keep up with technology advancements and user requirements.
  • Cloud Services
    ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise offer cloud-based solutions, providing robust data hosting, sharing, and collaboration capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Esri ArcGIS

  • Cost
    ArcGIS can be expensive, especially for small organizations or individuals, as it requires a subscription or purchase of licenses for access to its full range of features.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its comprehensive toolset, ArcGIS can have a steep learning curve, requiring significant time and training to master.
  • Hardware Requirements
    Running ArcGIS, particularly for large datasets and complex analyses, can require powerful hardware, which might necessitate additional infrastructure investment.
  • Complexity
    The software's extensive capabilities can sometimes be overwhelming, making it challenging for users to find and employ the right tools for their specific needs.
  • Licensing Complexity
    ArcGIS has multiple products and licensing options, which can be confusing and might require careful consideration to choose the best suited for the user's needs.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Some of the cloud-based features of ArcGIS require a stable internet connection, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Proprietary Software
    ArcGIS is not open-source, which means that users do not have full control over the software and its customizability might be limited compared to open-source GIS platforms.

Analysis of D3.js

Overall verdict

  • Yes, D3.js is a highly regarded library for data visualization in the web development community.

Why this product is good

  • Flexibility: D3.js provides incredible flexibility in creating complex and interactive visualizations with web standards (SVG, HTML, and CSS).
  • Customization: It allows for high levels of customization, which lets developers create unique and detailed visualizations tailored to their specific needs.
  • Community and Ecosystem: D3.js has a large, active community and a rich ecosystem of plugins and extensions conducive to learning and integration.
  • Data Binding: Offers powerful ways to manipulate documents based on data; the data-driven approach simplifies dynamic interaction creation.
  • Performance: Efficiently manipulates DOM elements and performs well with large datasets if used correctly.

Recommended for

  • Data Scientists and Analysts looking to create custom, interactive visualizations.
  • Web Developers who need to incorporate complex data visualizations into applications.
  • Educators and Researchers presenting data in an engaging way.
  • Anyone needing to build bespoke visualizations that are not possible with off-the-shelf solutions.

D3.js videos

+ Add

Data Visualization with D3.js - Full Tutorial Course

More videos:

  • Review - Let's learn D3.js - D3 for data visualization (full course)

Esri ArcGIS videos

No Esri ArcGIS videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to D3.js and Esri ArcGIS)

D3.js

Esri ArcGIS

Charting Libraries
100 100%
Charting Libraries
0% 0
Maps
0 0%
Maps
100% 100
Data Visualization
100 100%
Data Visualization
0% 0
Mapping And GIS
0 0%
Mapping And GIS
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare D3.js and Esri ArcGIS

D3.js Reviews

6 JavaScript Charting Libraries for Powerful Data Visualizations in 2023
Depending on your requirements, the best JavaScript library is D3.js, as it’s by far the most customizable. However, it’s also really complex and difficult to master. Plus, it’s not as compatible with TypeScript as it is with JavaScript, which can be off-putting for some developers. If you’d prefer a less complex library that you can use with TypeScript, ECharts, and...
Source: embeddable.com
15 JavaScript Libraries for Creating Beautiful Charts
When we think of charting today, D3.js is the first name that comes up. Being an open source project, D3.js definitely brings many powerful features that were missing in most of the existing libraries. Features like dynamic properties, Enter and Exit, powerful transitions, and syntax familiarity with jQuery make it one the best JavaScript libraries for charting. Charts in...
Source: www.sitepoint.com
Top 20 Javascript Libraries
D3 stands for Data-Driven Documents. With D3, you can apply data-driven transformations to DOM objects. The keyword with D3 is ‘data-driven,’ which means documents are manipulated depending on the data received. Data can be received in any format and bound with DOM objects. D3 is very fast and supports dynamic behavior for animation and interactions. There are plenty of...
Source: hackr.io
20+ JavaScript libraries to draw your own diagrams (2022 edition)
D3.js is a JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data. Right now, I would say is the most popular library of its kind.
Source: modeling-languages.com
15 data science tools to consider using in 2021
Another open source tool, D3.js is a JavaScript library for creating custom data visualizations in a web browser. Commonly known as D3, which stands for Data-Driven Documents, it uses web standards, such as HTML, Scalable Vector Graphics and CSS, instead of its own graphical vocabulary. D3's developers describe it as a dynamic and flexible tool that requires a minimum amount...
Source: searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com

Esri ArcGIS Reviews

6 Best GIS Software 2024
On the flip side, utilizing Esri software may necessitate a significant time investment to master its intricate features, and is considered costly when compared to more budget-friendly alternatives. Ultimately, Esri ArcGIS stands as a strong GIS and data visualization ecosystem. Nevertheless, it is essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons to determine if it aligns with...
Source: www.caliper.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, D3.js seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 167 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

D3.js mentions (167)

  • IO Devices and Latency
    Do you mean something for data visualization, or tricks condensing large data sets with cursors? https://d3js.org/ Best of luck =3. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • 2024 Nuxt3 Annual Ecosystem Summary🚀
    Document address: D3.js Official Document. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • 100+ Must-Have Web Development Resources
    D3.js: One of the most popular JavaScript visualization libraries. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • What are npm Peer Dependencies and how to use them?
    A Dependency is an npm package that our code depends on in order to be able to run. Some popular packages that can be added as dependencies are lodash, D3, and chartjs. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Introducing RacingBars 📊
    RacingBars is an open-source, light-weight (~45kb gzipped), easy-to-use, and feature-rich javascript library for bar chart race, based on D3.js. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
View more

Esri ArcGIS mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Esri ArcGIS yet. Tracking of Esri ArcGIS recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing D3.js and Esri ArcGIS, you can also consider the following products

Chart.js - Easy, object oriented client side graphs for designers and developers.

ArcGIS Pro - Explore ArcGIS Pro resources such as tutorials, videos, documentation, instructor-led classes & more. Find answers, build expertise and connect with the ArcGIS Pro community.

Plotly - Low-Code Data Apps

Maptitude - Maptitude is a mapping software that is fitted with GIS features that avail maps and other forms of data regarding the surrounding geographical areas. Read more about Maptitude.

Highcharts - A charting library written in pure JavaScript, offering an easy way of adding interactive charts to your web site or web application

Google Earth Pro - Google Earth Pro allows you fly anywhere around the earth to view satellite imagery, maps, 3D building, and terrain, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean.

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