Pros of D3

• Highly flexible and customizable, allowing for complex and unique visualizations
• Extensive library with a wide range of chart types and data manipulation tools
• Large community and ecosystem with numerous extensions and resources

Cons of D3

• Steeper learning curve due to its low-level nature
• Requires more code to create basic charts compared to C3
• Less suitable for quick prototyping or simple visualizations

Code Comparison

D3 (creating a basic bar chart):

const svg = d3.select("body").append("svg")
    .attr("width", 400).attr("height", 300);

svg.selectAll("rect")
    .data(data).enter().append("rect")
    .attr("x", (d, i) => i * 70)
    .attr("y", d => 300 - d * 10)
    .attr("width", 65).attr("height", d => d * 10);

C3 (creating a basic bar chart):

c3.generate({
    data: {
        columns: [
            ['data', 30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250]
        ],
        type: 'bar'
    }
});

This comparison highlights the simplicity of C3 for basic charts, while D3 offers more control but requires more code. D3 is better suited for complex, custom visualizations, while C3 excels in quickly creating standard charts with less code.

Pros of Chart.js

• Lighter weight and faster rendering compared to C3
• More customization options and flexibility in chart designs
• Larger community and more frequent updates

Cons of Chart.js

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Less built-in chart types compared to C3

Code Comparison

C3 example:

var chart = c3.generate({
    data: {
        columns: [
            ['data1', 30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250],
            ['data2', 50, 20, 10, 40, 15, 25]
        ],
        type: 'bar'
    }
});

Chart.js example:

new Chart(ctx, {
    type: 'bar',
    data: {
        labels: ['Red', 'Blue', 'Yellow', 'Green', 'Purple', 'Orange'],
        datasets: [{
            label: '# of Votes',
            data: [12, 19, 3, 5, 2, 3]
        }]
    }
});

Both libraries offer powerful charting capabilities, but Chart.js provides more modern features and customization options. C3 is built on top of D3.js, which can be beneficial for those familiar with D3, while Chart.js is a standalone library. Chart.js has a larger community and more frequent updates, potentially leading to better long-term support and feature development.

Pros of Plotly.js

• More extensive chart types and customization options
• Better support for scientific and statistical visualizations
• Larger and more active community, with frequent updates

Cons of Plotly.js

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
• Larger file size, which may impact page load times
• Some advanced features require a commercial license

Code Comparison

C3.js:

var chart = c3.generate({
    data: {
        columns: [
            ['data1', 30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250],
            ['data2', 50, 20, 10, 40, 15, 25]
        ],
        type: 'bar'
    }
});

Plotly.js:

Plotly.newPlot('myDiv', [{
    x: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6],
    y: [30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250],
    type: 'bar'
}, {
    x: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6],
    y: [50, 20, 10, 40, 15, 25],
    type: 'bar'
}]);

Both libraries offer powerful charting capabilities, but Plotly.js provides more advanced features and customization options at the cost of increased complexity. C3.js, built on top of D3.js, offers a simpler API and easier integration for basic charts, making it more suitable for quick implementations and simpler visualizations.

Pros of Highcharts

• More extensive chart types and customization options
• Better documentation and community support
• Smoother animations and interactivity

Cons of Highcharts

• Commercial license required for most use cases
• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
• Larger file size, potentially impacting page load times

Code Comparison

C3.js:

var chart = c3.generate({
    data: {
        columns: [
            ['data1', 30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250],
            ['data2', 50, 20, 10, 40, 15, 25]
        ],
        type: 'line'
    }
});

Highcharts:

Highcharts.chart('container', {
    series: [{
        name: 'data1',
        data: [30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250]
    }, {
        name: 'data2',
        data: [50, 20, 10, 40, 15, 25]
    }]
});

Both C3 and Highcharts are powerful charting libraries, but they cater to different needs. C3 is built on top of D3.js and offers a simpler API, making it easier for beginners to create basic charts quickly. It's open-source and free to use, which is advantageous for small projects or those with budget constraints.

Highcharts, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive set of features and chart types, making it suitable for complex data visualization needs. Its extensive documentation and community support can be beneficial for larger projects or teams. However, the commercial licensing requirement may be a drawback for some users.

Pros of ApexCharts.js

• More extensive and modern feature set, including animations and interactivity
• Better documentation and examples
• Responsive design and mobile-friendly out of the box

Cons of ApexCharts.js

• Larger file size, which may impact page load times
• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API

Code Comparison

C3.js:

var chart = c3.generate({
    data: {
        columns: [
            ['data1', 30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250],
            ['data2', 50, 20, 10, 40, 15, 25]
        ],
        type: 'line'
    }
});

ApexCharts.js:

var options = {
    series: [{
        name: 'data1',
        data: [30, 200, 100, 400, 150, 250]
    }, {
        name: 'data2',
        data: [50, 20, 10, 40, 15, 25]
    }],
    chart: {
        type: 'line'
    }
};
var chart = new ApexCharts(document.querySelector("#chart"), options);
chart.render();

Both libraries offer similar basic functionality for creating charts, but ApexCharts.js provides more customization options and a more modern API structure. C3.js has a simpler syntax, which may be preferable for basic use cases or quick implementations.