Data Visualization and Infographics

This document lists current and recommended tools for creating infographics, data visualizations, and network maps. Outdated or inactive options have been removed or relocated to the deprecated section. The tools highlighted here represent actively maintained, high-quality platforms used in research, journalism, and data storytelling.

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Data Visualization and Infographics

• Datawrapper — Intuitive browser-based charting and mapping tool, widely used by journalists.
  
• Flourish — Interactive visualization platform with templates for storytelling and dashboards.
  
• Observable — Notebook-style environment for building interactive JavaScript visualizations with D3.js.
  
• Vega-Altair — Declarative visualization library for Python, built on Vega-Lite.
  
• D3.js — Core JavaScript library for custom, highly flexible visualizations.
  
• Tableau Public — Platform for interactive dashboards and exploratory data analysis.
  
• RAW Graphs — Open-source web tool for creating vector-based visualizations from tabular data.
  
• Chart.js — Lightweight JavaScript charting library for simple web visualizations.
  
• Google Charts — Easy-to-embed framework for charts and dashboards.
  
• ggplot2 (R) — Statistical visualization system in R based on the grammar of graphics.
  
• Plotly — Framework for interactive charts and dashboards, available in Python, R, and JavaScript.
  
• Kumu — Relationship and systems mapping tool for qualitative or network-driven visualizations.
  
• Palladio — Visualize complex historical or humanities data with ease.
  
• Canva and Adobe Express — Design tools for quick infographics and visual layouts.
  
• Lucidchart and Diagrams.net — Diagramming and systems visualization tools.

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Social Network Analysis

• Gephi — Open-source software for network exploration, analysis, and visualization.
  
• Cytoscape — Platform for complex network visualization, originally developed for biological data.
  
• NodeXL — Excel-based tool for importing, analyzing, and visualizing social network data.
  
• ORA — Comprehensive platform for dynamic and multi-mode network analysis.
  
• Pajek — Desktop software designed for analyzing large network datasets.
  
• Social Network Visualizer (SocNetV) — Open-source tool for creating and analyzing social networks.
  
• Graph-tool and NetworkX — Python libraries for advanced network analysis.
  
• Kumu — Also supports conceptual and systems-based network mapping.
  
• Onodo — Collaborative web-based tool for simple network visualization and storytelling.
  
• Visual Investigative Scenarios (VIS) — OCCRP’s platform for mapping entities, assets, and investigative relationships.

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Data Visualization Resources

• Data Visualization Catalogue — Reference for chart types and visualization methods.
  
• Visualizing Data (Andy Kirk) — Tutorials, guidance, and examples for data storytelling.
  
• UW Interactive Data Lab — Research group behind Vega, Altair, and Observable.
  
• Periodic Table of Visualization Methods — Overview of visualization types and use cases.

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Deprecated and Discontinued Tools

The following tools were once widely used but are now discontinued, unmaintained, or replaced by modern alternatives:

• Statpedia
  
• Hohli
  
• Pixcone
  
• SpicyNodes
  
• Bizint
  
• Cacoo (free tier deprecated)
  
• Easel.ly
  
• Quadrigram
  
• Visually
  
• Tagul (now WordArt.com)
  
• Timeglider
  
• Timetoast
  
• Visualize.me
  
• Visualize Free
  
• ChartBlocks
  
• FusionCharts (deprecated in favor of JS charting libraries)
  
• Dygraphs
  
• Exhibit
  
• Arbor.js
  
• Java Infovis Toolkit
  
• Beaker Notebook
  
• Circos (active only in bioinformatics contexts)