Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Paper.js VS CanvasJS

Compare Paper.js VS CanvasJS and see what are their differences

Paper.js logo Paper.js

Open source vector graphics scripting framework that runs on top of the HTML5 Canvas.

CanvasJS logo CanvasJS

HTML5 JavaScript, jQuery, Angular, React Charts for Data Visualization
Not present
  • CanvasJS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

CanvasJS is an easy to use HTML5 and Javascript Charting library which supports 30+ chart types including line, column, bar, area, pie, financial and much more. It runs across devices including iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, Microsoft Surface, Desktops, etc. This allows you to create rich dashboards that work on all the devices without compromising on maintainability or functionality of your web application.

Paper.js

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

CanvasJS

$ Details
freemium $149.0 / Annually
Platforms
Web
Release Date
2013 March

Paper.js features and specs

  • Vector Graphics Support
    Paper.js excels in handling vector graphics, making it an excellent choice for creating and manipulating graphics with precision.
  • Scene Graph
    The library uses a scene graph, which facilitates hierarchical organization and management of graphical objects.
  • Rich API
    Paper.js offers a highly intuitive and rich API that simplifies tasks like working with paths, segments, and more.
  • Ease of Use
    With its clear documentation and straightforward syntax, Paper.js is beginner-friendly while remaining powerful for advanced users.
  • Cross-Platform
    Being JavaScript-based, Paper.js works across different platforms and browsers without requiring any additional plugins.
  • Interactive Graphics
    It allows for easy creation of interactive graphics, making it ideal for use in web applications needing dynamic graphic manipulation.
  • Built-In Animation Support
    Paper.js includes built-in support for animations, enabling smooth and complex animations with minimal effort.

Possible disadvantages of Paper.js

  • Performance
    Due to its high-level abstraction and ease of use, Paper.js may not perform as well as lower-level graphics libraries in performance-critical applications.
  • File Size
    Paper.js can be relatively large in terms of file size compared to some lightweight alternatives, which might affect load times.
  • Limited to Canvas
    Paper.js is limited to the HTML5 Canvas element, so it doesn't natively support other rendering contexts like SVG.
  • Animation Flexibility
    While it offers built-in animation support, the flexibility and feature set might not be as extensive as dedicated animation libraries.
  • Learning Curve for Complex Features
    Although it's beginner-friendly for simple tasks, mastering more complex aspects of Paper.js can have a steeper learning curve.
  • Community and Support
    Paper.js might not have as large a community or as extensive support as some other more widely-used JavaScript libraries such as D3.js or Three.js.

CanvasJS features and specs

  • Easy to Use
    CanvasJS offers a straightforward API and extensive documentation, making it easy for developers to quickly integrate charts into their applications.
  • Performance
    CanvasJS uses HTML5 Canvas for rendering, which provides excellent performance, especially for large datasets or real-time updates.
  • Cross-Browser Compatibility
    Charts rendered with CanvasJS work across all modern web browsers, ensuring a consistent experience for users.
  • Variety of Chart Types
    CanvasJS supports a wide range of chart types including line, bar, pie, and more, offering flexibility for different data visualization needs.
  • Responsive Design
    Charts created with CanvasJS are responsive and adjust well to different screen sizes, which is crucial for mobile and tablet support.

Possible disadvantages of CanvasJS

  • Licensing Cost
    While CanvasJS offers a free version, the full-featured version requires a commercial license, which may be costly for small projects or individual developers.
  • Limited Customization
    Although CanvasJS provides several customization options, it may not be as flexible as other libraries when it comes to highly specific or complex customizations.
  • Dependency on JavaScript
    Being a JavaScript library, CanvasJS requires a working knowledge of JavaScript, which could be a barrier for beginners or developers coming from other programming languages.
  • Learning Curve for Complex Features
    Although basic usage is simple, mastering all of the advanced features and customization options may take some time and effort.

Paper.js videos

Revision clouds in AutoCAD using Paper.js

CanvasJS videos

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

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Category Popularity

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Javascript UI Libraries
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Charting Libraries
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Flowcharts
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Data Dashboard
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User comments

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Reviews

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

Paper.js Reviews

20+ JavaScript libraries to draw your own diagrams (2022 edition)
Paper.js is an open source vector graphics scripting framework that runs on top of the HTML5 Canvas. It offers a clean Scene Graph / Document Object Model and a lot of powerful functionality to create and work with vector graphics and bezier curves, all neatly wrapped up in a well designed, consistent and clean programming interface. It’s based on (and largely compatible)...
8 Best Free and Open-Source Drawing Libraries in JavaScript
The Paper.js library is another free and open-source solution for people who want to draw using JavaScript. The library uses canvas to handle its drawing animations. However, its primary focus is vector-based drawings instead of raster images.

CanvasJS Reviews

We have no reviews of CanvasJS yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

CanvasJS might be a bit more popular than Paper.js. We know about 11 links to it since March 2021 and only 11 links to Paper.js. 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.

Paper.js mentions (11)

  • How Framer/Figma is built?
    I started with angular and paper.js: http://paperjs.org/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Polygon JS libraries
    In a thread in the Processing forum, Boolean operations in polygons , user ErraticGenerator suggests using g.js or Paper.js. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Looking for a javascript library with good wrapping support
    It is likely that paper.js provides the functionality needed. I will probably investigate it at some point since it appears to be the more popular library Compare paper.js & bezier.js. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Animating an svg
    Just remember you can do some SVG displacement with Paper.JS. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Diagnosing RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded in React KeyEscapeUtils
    Our webapp is written with React and Redux using the official react-redux bindings. Another primary library used in this web app is PaperJS. We recently transitioned this to being a Redux app, though it has used React for a while. Source: about 3 years ago
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CanvasJS mentions (11)

  • Smarter Axis Label Formatting Based on Zoom Level in CanvasJS
    When building time-series charts, how you format axis labels can make or break readability — especially when users zoom across seconds to years. CanvasJS provides excellent out-of-the-box support for time-based axis labels, but when working with sub-minute or sub-hour data (e.g., sensor readings, real-time dashboards), the default behavior might not always deliver the best readability. This guide shows how to... - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Dynamic Highlighting of Weekends in CanvasJS Charts
    Visualizing time-series data - such as financial charts, project timelines, or event trackers - often requires contextual markers like weekends or holidays to improve insights. CanvasJS charts offer the flexibility to dynamically highlight specific date ranges using stripLines. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Integrating CanvasJS Charts in Salesforce Lightning Aura Component
    Visualizing data within Salesforce enhances user engagement and decision-making. A recent study showed that dashboards with interactive charts increase user adoption by 70%. This article guides you through seamlessly integrating CanvasJS charts into your Lightning Aura components for impactful data representation. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Display Chart in Express.js App using CanvasJS
    Download the CanvasJS library from CanvasJS's official website. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Integrating WebDataRocks and CanvasJS for Interactive Data Visualization
    In modern web applications, data analysis and visualization play a crucial role in delivering insights. While pivot tables allow users to explore and manipulate data interactively, charts make it easier to understand trends and patterns at a glance. WebDataRocks, a JavaScript pivot table library, and CanvasJS, a versatile charting library, can be seamlessly integrated to combine the best of data exploration and... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Paper.js and CanvasJS, you can also consider the following products

p5.js - JS library for creating graphic and interactive experiences

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

Three.js - A JavaScript 3D library which makes WebGL simpler.

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.

Konva - Konva is 2d Canvas JavaScript framework for drawings shapes, animations, node nesting, layering, filtering, event handling, drag and drop and much more.

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