Apache ECharts
What it is: Powerful open-source JavaScript visualization from Apache. Rich chart types, stunning animations.
What It Does Best
Feature completeness. 20+ chart types out of box. 3D charts, maps, graphs, timelines—everything included.
Beautiful animations. Smooth transitions and interactions. Looks modern without extra styling.
Performance. Handles large datasets well. Canvas and SVG rendering options.
Key Features
20+ chart types: Line, bar, scatter, pie, radar, heatmap, tree, graph, 3D, maps
Canvas/SVG rendering: Choose performance vs scalability
Rich interactions: Tooltips, zooming, selection, data aggregation
Theme system: Built-in themes plus custom theming
Large dataset support: Optimized for millions of data points
Pricing
Free. Apache 2.0 license.
When to Use It
✅ Need rich, complex dashboards
✅ Want beautiful defaults
✅ Large number of data points
✅ 3D or geographic visualizations
✅ Free alternative to Highcharts
When NOT to Use It
❌ Simple charts only (Chart.js lighter)
❌ Need smallest bundle size (ECharts is large)
❌ Prefer declarative API (Altair/Vega better)
❌ Minimal documentation in English (improving)
❌ Require extensive React/Vue integration (extra wrappers needed)
Common Use Cases
Business dashboards: Rich KPI visualizations with multiple chart types
Geographic visualization: Interactive maps with data overlays
Network graphs: Relationship diagrams, org charts, dependency graphs
Data exploration: Large dataset visualization with zoom and filter
3D visualizations: Three-dimensional bar, scatter, surface plots
ECharts vs Alternatives
vs Highcharts: ECharts free, open source; Highcharts commercial license, slightly better docs
vs Chart.js: ECharts more features, chart types; Chart.js simpler, smaller bundle
vs D3.js: ECharts easier, faster setup; D3.js unlimited customization
Unique Strengths
Completeness: Most comprehensive free charting library
Performance: Handles millions of data points smoothly
Visual polish: Beautiful animations and transitions by default
Apache backing: Stable, well-maintained, growing ecosystem
Bottom line: Highcharts quality without the price tag. Widely used in China, gaining traction globally. Excellent Highcharts alternative.