Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Flot VS ChartBlocks

Compare Flot VS ChartBlocks and see what are their differences

Flot logo Flot

Flot is a pure Javascript plotting library for jQuery.

ChartBlocks logo ChartBlocks

Import data, design and share a chart in minutes. Or seconds via the API.
  • Flot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-12-12
  • ChartBlocks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-14

Flot features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Flot is known for being a very lightweight plotting library, which makes it ideal for applications where performance is critical and resources are limited.
  • Ease of Use
    Flot offers a simple API that is easy to use, making it accessible for developers to create basic charts without extensive experience in data visualization.
  • Extensible
    Flot is designed to be easily extended. Users can customize it and add plugins to enhance its functionality according to their specific needs.
  • Compatibility with jQuery
    Flot is built on top of jQuery, which means it integrates well in projects that already use this popular JavaScript library.
  • Good Documentation
    The library comes with decent documentation, providing useful examples and detailed explanations of its features.

Possible disadvantages of Flot

  • Limited Features
    Compared to other more modern libraries, Flot has fewer features and it may not support advanced chart types or interactions out of the box.
  • Performance with Large Datasets
    Flot's performance may degrade when dealing with very large datasets, as it was not optimized for big data handling.
  • Outdated
    Flot has not been actively maintained for some time, which means it might not support the latest web standards or integrate seamlessly with newer technologies.
  • Dependency on jQuery
    The reliance on jQuery can be seen as a drawback, especially for projects looking to minimize dependencies or use vanilla JS.
  • Lack of Interactivity
    Flot does not offer as much interactive capability as some newer charting libraries, potentially limiting user engagement with the data visualizations.

ChartBlocks features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    ChartBlocks offers a highly intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible even for users without advanced technical skills.
  • Wide Range of Customization Options
    The platform provides extensive customization options for charts, allowing users to tailor visualizations to their specific needs and preferences.
  • Data Import Flexibility
    ChartBlocks supports importing data from various sources, including direct file uploads, Google Sheets, and URLs, providing flexibility in data management.
  • Responsive Design
    Charts created on ChartBlocks are responsive, ensuring they display well across different devices and screen sizes.
  • Interactive Features
    The platform allows the creation of interactive charts, enhancing user engagement and making data more accessible and easier to understand.

Possible disadvantages of ChartBlocks

  • Limited Free Plan Features
    The free version of ChartBlocks comes with limitations such as fewer chart types and branding restrictions, which may necessitate an upgrade for more robust features.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic features are user-friendly, there is a learning curve associated with leveraging some of the more advanced customization options and features.
  • Export Limitations
    In the free plan, there may be restrictions on exporting charts in certain formats or resolutions, which can be a limitation for users needing high-quality outputs.
  • Performance Issues with Large Datasets
    The platform might experience performance lags and slower responsiveness when handling very large datasets, affecting efficiency.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    As a cloud-based service, ChartBlocks requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance, which could be a drawback in areas with poor connectivity.

Analysis of ChartBlocks

Overall verdict

  • Overall, ChartBlocks is a versatile and powerful tool for creating visually appealing and informative charts. It is well-suited for those who need a straightforward solution for data visualization without a steep learning curve. However, users looking for advanced analytical features or complex data manipulation may find it lacking compared to some other specialized data visualization tools.

Why this product is good

  • ChartBlocks is often considered a good option because it offers an intuitive interface for creating charts and graphs quickly. It caters to both novices and professionals by providing a user-friendly drag-and-drop feature, extensive customization options, and the ability to import data from various sources, such as spreadsheets, databases, and live feeds. Additionally, it provides responsive templates and allows for easy sharing and embedding of charts on different platforms.

Recommended for

    ChartBlocks is recommended for educators, marketers, bloggers, small business owners, and any individuals who need to create charts quickly and without needing to write code. It is particularly beneficial for projects that prioritize ease of use and presentation quality over deep data analysis features.

Flot videos

ETF Battles: Which Bond ETF is the Better Strategy for Rising Interest Rates? - FLOT vs. IVOL!

More videos:

  • Review - Goyard Petit Flot bag
  • Review - Unboxing│Goyard Petit Flot and what fits in

ChartBlocks videos

How to Make a Bar Chart

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Flot and ChartBlocks)
Charting Libraries
39 39%
61% 61
Development
44 44%
56% 56
Data Dashboard
26 26%
74% 74
Data Visualization
0 0%
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 Flot and ChartBlocks

Flot Reviews

15 JavaScript Libraries for Creating Beautiful Charts
Flot supports lines, points, filled areas, bars and any combinations of these. It’s also compatible with older browsers — way back to IE6 and Firefox 2.

ChartBlocks Reviews

A Complete Overview of the Best Data Visualization Tools
ChartBlocks claims that data can be imported from “anywhere” using their API, including from live feeds. While they say that importing data from any source can be done in “just a few clicks,” it’s bound to be more complex than other apps that have automated modules or extensions for specific data sources.
Source: www.toptal.com
The Best Data Visualization Tools - Top 30 BI Software
Chartblocks is an easy-to-use chart building and publishing tool that allows you to build charts from data by importing it from spreadsheets and databases. Charts are created under the hood in HTML5 by using the powerful JavaScript library D3.js and your visualizations will be responsive and compatible with any screen size and device. You can also be able to embed your...
Source: improvado.io

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Flot and ChartBlocks, you can also consider the following products

CanvasJS - HTML5 JavaScript, jQuery, Angular, React Charts for Data Visualization

ZoomCharts - Creating meaningful and aesthetically pleasing data visualizations and incorporating them into your projects is easy with the tools offered by ZoomCharts.

liveGap Charts - Free online charts. Easily create animated charts from your data.save your charts as image or HTML.

Google Charts - Interactive charts for browsers and mobile devices.

Plotly - Low-Code Data Apps

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