Data is becoming more and more important every day. For any organization, data plays a big role in making important decisions. Data analysts and researchers may gather important and useful information, but it won’t help if clients and users can’t understand it. That’s why data visualization is so important. It is based on the idea that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This means turning complicated data into simple and clear pictures that make it easier to understand.
In this article, we’ll learn about data visualization, what are data visualization tools and explore best data visualization tools. We’ll also discuss some benefits of data visualization.
Data visualization means showing information and mainly numerical data in a visual and easy-to-understand way using images. Some common visual formats include charts and graphs like pie charts, bar charts, line graphs, area charts, cone charts, pyramid charts, donut charts, histograms, spectrograms, cohort charts, waterfall charts, funnel charts, and bullet graphs. It also includes diagrams, plots such as scatter plots, distribution plots, and box-and-whisker plots, as well as different types of maps like symbol maps, choropleth maps, isopleth maps, and heat maps. Other visuals like figures, correlation charts, and percentage meters are also used. Often, these visuals are combined into one view called a dashboard.
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Data visualization tools make it easier for you to turn large amounts of data into clear pictures or charts. When working with huge amounts of data, these tools can automatically create visuals, which saves a lot of time and effort. These data visuals can be used in many places, such as dashboards, yearly reports, sales and marketing content, investor presentations, and anywhere else where quick understanding of information is needed.
Let’s explore some data visualization tools that are easy to use and help turn data into useful insights that help you to make smart decisions and plan effectively.
Tableau
Tableau is one of the most popular data visualization tools, mainly because it’s both easy to use and very powerful. It can connect to many different data sources and lets you create various charts, graphs, and maps. Owned by Salesforce, Tableau is trusted by individuals and large companies around the world.
There are different versions of Tableau, such as Desktop, Server, and Online (web-based) options. It also offers tools that support customer relationship management (CRM).
Tableau works well with advanced databases like Teradata, SAP, MySQL, Amazon AWS, and Hadoop. It can handle large and constantly changing datasets, which is helpful for projects involving AI, machine learning, and Big Data.
Pros
- Great at creating visualizations
- Simple and user-friendly
- Fast and high performance
- Connects to many data sources
- Works well on mobile devices
- Active and helpful user community
Cons
- Costly
- Lacks built-in auto-refresh and report scheduling features
Power BI
Power BI is Microsoft’s powerful and easy-to-use data visualization tool. It can be used both on local systems (on-premise) or in the cloud. Power BI is one of the most complete tools available, supporting many backend databases such as Teradata, Salesforce, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Google Analytics, GitHub, Adobe Analytics, Azure, SQL Server, and Excel. It helps create impressive visuals and delivers real-time insights to support quick and smart decisions.
Pros
- Doesn’t require expert technical help
- Easily works with existing software
- Offers customizable and interactive dashboards
- Strong security features
- Handles large amounts of data without slowing down
- Works seamlessly with other Microsoft tools
Cons
- Struggles to handle multiple and diverse datasets at the same time
Scisense
Sisense is known as one of the most flexible and fast data visualization tools. It allows users to access and analyze data anytime, anywhere. Sisense helps spot important data patterns and summarize key statistics, making it easier for decision-makers to rely on data for smart choices.
Pros
- Great for large-scale, critical projects with huge datasets
- Easy-to-use and reliable interface
- Excellent customer support
- Fast and regular updates
- Highly customizable to fit different need
Cons
- Building and managing data cubes can be difficult
- Doesn’t support time-based data formats
- Offers fewer types of visualizations compared to other tools
Qlik
Qlik is a leading data visualization tool used by over 40,000 clients in 100 countries. It offers fast, customizable visualizations along with strong features like analytics, enterprise reporting, and business intelligence.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Attractive and colorful visuals
- Easy to maintain
- Affordable option
Cons
- Limited by RAM capacity
- Customer support is not very strong
- Does not have a drag-and-drop feature
Infogram
Infogram is a popular web-based tool for creating infographics and visualizing data. It’s designed to help you to build fast interactive reports, dashboards, and infographics with eye-catching visuals and data. Infogram offers a wide range of features, including over 550 maps, 35 types of charts, 20 pre-designed templates, and access to many images and icons. You also get access to over 1 million icons, GIFs, and photos to enhance your visuals. Even those new to data visualization can learn how to use it without much difficulty. You can also create interactive, shareable reports and embed them anywhere.
Pros
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Web-based, no installation needed
- Drag-and-drop editor for quick customization
- Includes metrics to track audience engagement
Cons
- Limited offline functionality since it’s web-based
- Some advanced features may require a paid plan
- Custom branding options might be restricted on the free version
Zoho Analytics
Zoho Analytics is a powerful data visualization and business intelligence tool. It helps you quickly create and share detailed reports. The tool also allows importing large datasets from major databases and applications, making it great for handling Big Data.
Pros
- Easy to create and edit reports
- Handy features like email scheduling and report sharing
- Can handle large amounts of data
- Responsive and helpful customer support
Cons
- Requires better training or tutorials for new users
- Dashboards can get cluttered when managing too much data
Datawrapper
Datawrapper is one of the few data visualization tools that is completely free to use. It is especially popular with media companies because it can quickly create charts and show visual statistics based on large datasets. With its simple and user-friendly interface, you can easily create maps and charts and embed them into reports or websites.
Pros
- No installation needed to create charts
- Great for beginners
- Free to use
Cons
- Not suitable for creating complex charts like Sankey diagrams
- Being open-source, it may have some security concerns
Google Charts
Google Charts is a well-known data visualization tool built using SVG and HTML5. It is popular for creating clear, interactive charts and graphs. Google Charts includes zoom features and works smoothly across different platforms, including iOS, Android, and even older versions of Internet Explorer.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Simple to connect with data sources
- Creates visually appealing charts
- Works well with other Google tools
Cons
- Exporting charts could be improved
- Not enough tool demos for guidance
- Limited customization options
- Needs internet access to generate visuals
ChartBlocks
ChartBlocks is a user-friendly online chart builder that helps you create charts in just a few minutes. It can import data from almost any source and comes with a design wizard that guides you step-by-step in selecting the right chart type and data. With lots of customization options and strong sharing features, it’s ideal for quickly building and publishing charts.
Pros
- Fast chart creation with a helpful design wizard
- Imports data from almost any source
- Highly customizable with hundreds of chart styles
- Easy embedding into websites
- Built-in sharing tools for platforms like Facebook and Twitter
- Export charts as editable vectors and images
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics features
- Design flexibility may still be less compared to pro-level tools
- Not ideal for handling very large or complex datasets
Looker
Looker provides a powerful way to integrate dashboards and reports directly into the apps you already use. Developers can tailor the look and feel of the analytics to deliver a smooth, engaging experience within the same platform.
Pros
- Interactive analytics directly within your app, letting users filter, explore, and build reports easily
- Highly customizable visualizations to match your brand using themes, fonts, and layouts
- API and SDK support for deep integration and custom chart components
- Advanced security with row-level access control to protect sensitive data
- Centralized data management with a semantic layer to ensure consistent metrics and definitions
Cons
- Expensive for small businesses or startups
- Limited default visuals requires design effort for a polished look
- Steep learning curve for advanced use cases, especially with LookML and APIs
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The benefits of data visualization are
- Makes information easy to understand quickly that helps you gain insights and make decisions faster.
- Allows easy sharing of data, so everyone involved in a project can stay informed and contribute.
- Helps organizations see what actions they need to take to grow or improve.
- Keeps the audience interested by showing data in a clear and engaging way.
- Enables decision-makers to act quickly, leading to faster results and fewer mistakes.
- Reduces the need for expert help, since visual data is easier for everyone to understand.
Wrapping up
Data visualization plays a crucial role in turning complex data into clear, understandable visuals that support better decision-making. Whether you’re a beginner or a data professional, the right tool can help you turn raw numbers into meaningful insights. The 10 data visualization tools we explored each offer unique strengths,some are great for beginners, others for large-scale enterprise use. Choosing the right one depends on your needs, data sources, and how you want to present your findings. Ultimately, strong visuals not only make your data more engaging but also make your message more impactful.