Transforming raw data into compelling visual stories has never been more crucial for businesses and individuals alike. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune on sophisticated software to create impactful charts, graphs, and infographics. Our team at freetrials.co.uk has tested and reviewed a wide array of data visualization tools to bring you the cream of the crop – all available at no cost. Whether you’re a seasoned data analyst or just starting to explore the world of data representation, our curated list of the best free data visualization tools will help you turn complex information into clear, engaging visuals that resonate with your audience.
Tableau Public
Tableau Public is a powerful data visualization tool that allows users to create interactive and shareable visualizations without any cost. This free version of Tableau’s renowned software provides an excellent platform for individuals, journalists, and organizations to tell compelling data-driven stories. With its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality, even those new to data visualization can quickly create professional-looking charts, graphs, and dashboards.
Tableau Public offers a wide range of visualization types and customisation options, enabling users to bring their data to life in visually appealing ways. It’s particularly useful for those who want to share their work publicly, as all visualizations created with Tableau Public are saved to the Tableau Public server and can be embedded on websites or shared via social media.
Key Features
- Wide range of chart types and visualization options
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy chart creation
- Ability to connect to various data sources
- Interactive dashboards and story points
- Public gallery for sharing and discovering visualizations
- Regular software updates and improvements
Tableau Public is completely free to use, with no paid upgrades available. However, all visualizations created must be saved publicly. For private or commercial use, users would need to consider Tableau’s paid options, which start at around £60 per user per month.
Google Data Studio
Google Data Studio is a free, web-based data visualization and reporting tool that seamlessly integrates with other Google services. It allows users to transform their data into informative, easy-to-read, and visually appealing dashboards and reports. With its intuitive interface, users can connect to various data sources, including Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Sheets, as well as external databases and CSV files.
Google Data Studio excels in creating dynamic, interactive reports that can be easily shared and collaborated on in real-time. Its strengths lie in its simplicity, making it accessible for beginners, while still offering advanced features for more experienced users. The tool is particularly beneficial for marketers and business analysts who regularly work with Google’s suite of products.
Key Features
- Integration with Google services and other data sources
- Real-time collaboration and sharing
- Customisable templates and layouts
- Interactive filtering and date range controls
- Calculated fields for data manipulation
- Regular updates and new feature releases
Google Data Studio is entirely free to use, with no limitations on usage or the number of reports you can create. There are no paid versions or upgrades available, making it an excellent option for individuals and businesses of all sizes.
Power BI Desktop
Power BI Desktop is Microsoft’s free data visualization and business intelligence tool, designed to help users create rich, interactive reports and dashboards. As part of the broader Power BI suite, the Desktop version offers a range of powerful features for data analysis and visualization. It allows users to connect to various data sources, transform and model data, and create visually striking reports.
Power BI Desktop is known for its strong integration with other Microsoft products, making it a go-to choice for organizations already using the Microsoft ecosystem. The tool offers a balance between ease of use and advanced capabilities, catering to both beginners and experienced data analysts. Its ability to handle large datasets and perform complex calculations makes it suitable for enterprise-level reporting and analysis.
Key Features
- Extensive data connectivity options
- Powerful data modelling capabilities
- Wide range of visualizations and custom visuals
- DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) for advanced calculations
- AI-powered insights and analytics
- Regular updates with new features and improvements
Power BI Desktop is free to download and use, with no time limitations. However, for sharing reports online or accessing additional features, users need to upgrade to Power BI Pro, which costs around £7.50 per user per month.
Infogram
Infogram is a user-friendly data visualization tool that specializes in creating infographics, charts, and reports. It’s designed to make data visualization accessible to non-technical users, offering a drag-and-drop interface and a wide array of templates. Infogram’s strength lies in its ability to quickly transform data into visually appealing graphics, making it popular among marketers, educators, and content creators.
The platform offers a good balance between simplicity and customisation, allowing users to create professional-looking visualizations without extensive design skills. While the free plan has limitations, it still provides access to core features, making it a good starting point for those new to data visualization or those with basic needs.
Key Features
- Wide range of infographic and chart templates
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy customisation
- Library of icons and images
- Basic animation and interactivity options
- Ability to upload and use custom fonts
- Collaboration features (in paid versions)
The free plan of Infogram allows users to create up to 10 projects, with access to basic templates and charts. However, it has limitations on privacy settings and downloading options. Paid plans start at around £15 per month, offering more templates, advanced features, and increased privacy options.
ChartBlocks
ChartBlocks is a web-based chart creation tool that aims to simplify the process of turning data into visually appealing charts and graphs. It’s designed with a focus on ease of use, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. ChartBlocks offers a straightforward interface where users can input data manually, upload spreadsheets, or connect to live data sources.
The tool provides a good selection of chart types, from basic bar and line charts to more complex scatter plots and bubble charts. While it may not have the advanced features of some other tools, ChartBlocks excels in its simplicity and speed, allowing users to create and embed charts quickly. It’s particularly useful for bloggers, small businesses, and individuals who need to create charts occasionally without investing in more complex software.
Key Features
- Easy-to-use interface for quick chart creation
- Various data input options (manual, spreadsheet, live data)
- Good selection of chart types
- Customisation options for colors, fonts, and labels
- Responsive charts that work well on different devices
- Ability to embed charts on websites
ChartBlocks offers a free plan that allows users to create up to 50 charts per month, with public visibility. For more charts, private sharing options, and advanced features, paid plans start at approximately £15 per month.
Datawrapper
Datawrapper is a user-friendly, web-based data visualization tool that has gained popularity among journalists and news organizations. It offers a streamlined process for creating charts, maps, and tables, with a focus on clarity and accuracy in data representation. Datawrapper stands out for its attention to detail in design, ensuring that visualizations are not only informative but also aesthetically pleasing and print-ready.
The tool provides a good balance between ease of use and customisation options, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced users. One of Datawrapper’s strengths is its ability to create responsive visualizations that work well across different devices, which is particularly valuable for online publications.
Key Features
- Wide range of chart types, including maps and tables
- Responsive design for multi-device compatibility
- Customisable color schemes and typography
- Built-in data cleaning and transformation tools
- Option to add annotations and highlighting
- Easy embedding and export options
Datawrapper’s free plan allows users to create unlimited charts, maps, and tables. However, some advanced features and removal of the Datawrapper logo are restricted to paid plans, which start at around £85 per month.
RAWGraphs
RAWGraphs is an open-source data visualization platform that offers a unique approach to creating charts and graphs. Developed as a bridge between spreadsheet applications and vector graphics editors, RAWGraphs allows users to create complex, customised visualizations quickly and easily. It’s particularly useful for creating less common chart types that might not be available in standard spreadsheet software.
The tool is web-based, requiring no installation, and emphasizes data privacy by processing all data locally in the user’s browser. RAWGraphs is favored by designers, data journalists, and researchers who need flexibility in their visualizations and appreciate the ability to export to vector formats for further editing.
Key Features
- Wide range of unique chart types
- Drag-and-drop interface for mapping data to visual variables
- Local data processing for privacy
- Export options including SVG, PNG, and JSON
- Customisable layouts and styles
- Open-source nature allows for community contributions
RAWGraphs is completely free and open-source, with no paid versions available. Users can access all features without any cost or time limitations. The project is sustained through donations and community support.
Flourish
Flourish is a powerful data visualization and storytelling platform that combines ease of use with advanced features. It’s designed to help users create engaging, interactive, and animated visualizations without the need for coding skills. Flourish offers a wide range of templates and chart types, from basic line charts to more complex network diagrams and 3D globes.
One of its standout features is the ability to create animated transitions between different views of your data, allowing for dynamic storytelling. The platform is particularly popular among journalists, marketers, and researchers who need to create impactful data stories. Flourish also offers strong collaboration features, making it suitable for team projects.
Key Features
- Extensive library of templates and chart types
- Ability to create animated and interactive visualizations
- Story-based presentations with multiple slides
- Custom branding options
- Collaboration tools for team projects
- API access for automated chart creation (in paid versions)
Flourish offers a free plan that includes access to most templates and allows for unlimited public projects. However, private projects and some advanced features are restricted to paid plans, which start at around £50 per month.
Canva (Charts)
Canva, primarily known for its graphic design capabilities, also offers a robust set of tools for creating charts and infographics. The Charts feature in Canva provides an accessible way for users to visualize data within their broader design projects. It’s particularly useful for those who need to incorporate data visualizations into presentations, social media posts, or marketing materials.
Canva’s strength lies in its user-friendly interface and the seamless integration of charts with other design elements. While it may not offer the advanced data handling capabilities of specialized visualization tools, Canva excels in creating visually attractive charts quickly and easily. The platform is ideal for small business owners, marketers, and educators who need to create professional-looking data visualizations without a steep learning curve.
Key Features
- Variety of chart types and infographic templates
- Integration with Canva’s extensive design features
- Easy customisation of colors, fonts, and styles
- Drag-and-drop interface for effortless design
- Collaboration tools for team projects
- Extensive library of icons and images to enhance visualizations
Canva’s free plan includes access to basic chart types and templates. For more advanced features, custom branding, and additional storage, paid plans start at around £10 per month.
Plotly
Plotly is an open-source data visualization library that offers both a graphing library for developers and a web-based plotting interface for non-coders. It’s known for its ability to create highly interactive and customisable charts, graphs, and dashboards. Plotly supports a wide range of chart types, from basic line and bar charts to more complex 3D plots and statistical graphs.
One of Plotly’s strengths is its support for scientific and technical visualizations, making it popular among data scientists, researchers, and engineers. The tool allows for deep customisation and offers the flexibility to create unique, publication-quality figures. While it has a steeper learning curve compared to some other tools, especially for those using the coding library, Plotly offers unparalleled control over the final output.
Key Features
- Extensive range of chart types, including scientific and statistical plots
- High level of interactivity in visualizations
- Support for large datasets
- Integration with popular data science tools and languages
- Ability to create dashboards and web apps
- Community-driven development and support
Plotly’s open-source libraries are free to use with no limitations. The web-based Plotly Chart Studio offers a free plan with public charts and basic features. For private sharing and advanced capabilities, paid plans start at around £35 per month.
How to choose the best free data visualization tool for you
Consider your data types and sources
Evaluate the nature of your data and where it comes from. Some tools excel at handling specific data formats or integrating with particular databases. If you work primarily with spreadsheets, look for tools that easily import CSV files. For those dealing with real-time data streams, seek platforms offering live data connections. Ensure the tool you choose supports your data types and can seamlessly connect to your preferred sources.
Assess your skill level and learning curve
Free data visualization tools vary in complexity. Some offer drag-and-drop interfaces ideal for beginners, while others require coding knowledge for advanced customization. Be honest about your technical skills and the time you can dedicate to learning. If you’re new to data visualization, prioritize user-friendly options with extensive tutorials and community support. For those with programming experience, consider tools that allow for greater flexibility and control through scripting.
Evaluate output and sharing capabilities
Think about how you’ll use and share your visualizations. Do you need to embed interactive charts on a website, or are static images sufficient? Some tools offer a wide range of export options, including high-resolution images and interactive HTML. Others might focus on collaborative features, allowing team members to work on visualizations together. Consider your audience and how you’ll present your insights to ensure the tool aligns with your communication needs.
Which Free Data Visualisation Tool Is Best?
Tableau Public offers a powerful, professional-grade solution with a wide range of visualisation options. It’s particularly well-suited if you work with complex datasets. While it’s free, you should be mindful that your visualisations will be publicly accessible. We recommend Tableau Public for data analysts and researchers who need to create sophisticated visualisations for public consumption.
Google Data Studio is an excellent choice if you’re looking for seamless integration with Google products. Its user-friendly interface, real-time collaboration features, and easy connections with various Google services make it ideal for teams already using Google’s ecosystem for their data management needs. We suggest Google Data Studio for marketing teams and small businesses heavily invested in the Google suite.
Microsoft users will find Power BI Desktop provides a full-featured set of tools for creating interactive visualisations. It’s particularly strong in its ability to handle large datasets and create detailed dashboards. While the desktop version is free, some features may require a paid subscription for full functionality. We recommend Power BI Desktop for business intelligence professionals and organisations already using Microsoft products.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Data Visualization Tools
What is data visualization?
Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data. It uses visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps to provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data.
Why should I use data visualization tools?
Data visualization tools help you turn complex data into easily digestible visual formats. They enable better decision-making, improve data analysis, and make it easier to communicate insights to others, even if they’re not data experts.
Are free data visualization tools as good as paid ones?
Free data visualization tools can be quite powerful and offer many features similar to paid versions. However, they may have limitations on data volume, export options, or advanced features. For many users, especially those just starting out, free tools are often sufficient.
Can I use these free tools for commercial projects?
It depends on the specific tool and its terms of service. Some free plans, like Tableau Public, require your visualizations to be publicly accessible. Others, like Power BI Desktop, allow commercial use but with certain limitations. Always check the licensing terms before using a tool for commercial purposes.
Which free data visualization tool is best for beginners?
For beginners, tools like Canva and Infogram are great starting points due to their user-friendly interfaces and templates. Google Data Studio is also relatively easy to learn, especially if you’re already familiar with Google products.
Can I collaborate with others using these free tools?
Some free data visualization tools offer collaboration features. For example, Google Data Studio allows real-time collaboration similar to Google Docs. However, collaboration features may be limited in free versions compared to paid plans.
What types of charts and graphs can I create with these tools?
Most of these tools offer a wide range of chart types, including bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, scatter plots, and maps. More advanced tools like Tableau Public and Power BI Desktop also allow for complex, interactive visualizations.
How much data can I work with using free data visualization tools?
Data limits vary by tool. Some, like RAWGraphs, process data in your browser and don’t have strict limits. Others, like Infogram’s free plan, might limit the number of projects or data points. Always check the tool’s specifications for exact limits.
Can I embed visualizations created with these tools on my website?
Many of these tools, including Tableau Public, Datawrapper, and Flourish, allow you to embed visualizations on websites. However, some may require attribution or have limitations on commercial use for free plans.
Do I need programming skills to use these data visualization tools?
Most of these tools are designed to be user-friendly and don’t require programming skills. However, some, like Plotly, offer more advanced features that can be enhanced with programming knowledge. Tools like Power BI also allow for some scripting for more complex analysis.
