Creating professional charts shouldn't require expensive software or advanced design skills. This comprehensive guide compares 11 free chart makers based on their features, limitations, and ideal use cases—helping you choose the right tool for your needs.
Pricing current as of January 2025. Check tool websites for latest rates.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Chart types available
- Data import methods
- Export formats and quality
- Free tier limitations
- Ease of use
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Chart Types | Watermark | Best For | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5of10.com | 60+ | None | Quick charts | No signup, instant use |
| Datawrapper | 20+ | None | Publications | Limited decorative options |
| Google Sheets | 15+ | None | Collaboration | Generic styling |
| Flourish | 30+ | Small | Interactive | Public only (free) |
| Canva | 5 basic | None | Social media | Limited chart types |
| RAWGraphs | 30+ | None | Specialized viz | No saving projects |
| Infogram | 35+ | Yes | Infographics | 10 project limit |
| Plotly | 100+ | None | Scientific | Complex interface |
| Excel Online | 12+ | None | Office users | Fewer features than desktop |
| Visme | 20+ | Yes | Presentations | 5 project limit |
| ChartBlocks | 8 basic | None | Quick basics | Very basic features |
Bar charts are the most common chart type across all tools
Detailed Tool Reviews
1. 5of10.com — Best for Quick, No-Signup Charts
Strengths:
- 60+ free chart and visualization tools with no signup required
- Instant access - no email, no account creation, just open and create
- Export as PNG or SVG with no watermarks
- All processing happens in your browser - complete privacy
- Specialized tools: rating charts, progress bars, gauges, maps, infographics, badges, and more
- Perfect for educators, marketers, and content creators
Chart Types: Rating charts, progress bars, gauges, choropleth maps (world, continents, countries), heatmaps, line charts, scatter plots, histograms, waterfall charts, pie charts, bar charts, badges, price tags, and many more
Free Tier Limitations:
- No account system means no cloud saving (download your work)
- Focused on specific chart types rather than general design
- No collaboration features
Pricing: 100% free forever, no premium tiers or hidden costs
Best For: Anyone who needs quick, professional charts without the hassle of signing up. Ideal for educators creating visual materials, marketers making infographics, and anyone who values privacy and simplicity.
2. Datawrapper — Best Overall for Professional Charts
Strengths:
- Exceptionally clean, professional output with excellent default styling
- No watermarks on free plan
- Responsive charts that work on mobile
- Strong accessibility features (WCAG compliant)
- Easy embed codes for websites
- Used by major newsrooms including The Guardian and NPR
Chart Types: Bar, column, line, area, pie, donut, scatter, symbol maps, choropleth maps, range plots
Free Tier Limitations:
- No data storage—must re-upload for edits
- No animation capabilities
- Fewer decorative options than design-focused tools
Pricing: Free for unlimited public charts; Team plans from $599/year for data storage and custom branding
Best For: Publication-ready charts for reports, presentations, or web publishing where credibility and clarity matter most.
3. Google Sheets — Best for Quick Analysis and Collaboration
Strengths:
- Already familiar to most users
- Real-time collaboration with unlimited users
- Direct data connection—no import/export needed
- Integrates with Google Data Studio (Looker Studio) for dashboards
- Completely free with Google account
Chart Types: Bar, column, line, area, pie, scatter, combo, candlestick, histogram, waterfall, treemap, gauge
Free Tier Limitations:
- Default styling looks generic without customization
- Export quality lower than specialized tools
- Limited design control compared to dedicated chart tools
Pricing: Free with Google account
Best For: Data already in spreadsheets, team collaboration, or internal reports where design polish isn't critical.
4. Flourish — Best for Interactive and Animated Charts
Strengths:
- Animated and interactive charts with smooth transitions
- "Stories" feature for scrollytelling data narratives
- Racing bar charts, 3D visualizations, and unique templates
- Beautiful modern designs with no coding required
- Generous free tier
Chart Types: Bar races, scatter, line, area, maps, network diagrams, 3D globe, sankey, chord diagrams, and 30+ others
Free Tier Limitations:
- All free charts are public (visible in Flourish gallery)
- Requires online embed—can't work fully offline
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Pricing: Free for unlimited public projects; $59/month for private projects
Best For: Eye-catching visuals for presentations, social media content, or interactive web storytelling where animation enhances understanding.
5. Canva — For Design-Forward Social Media Graphics
Strengths:
- Huge template library for infographics and social posts
- Drag-and-drop simplicity with nearly zero learning curve
- Brand kit integration
- Social media sizing presets
- Combines charts with other design elements seamlessly
Chart Types: Bar, line, pie, donut, area (basics only)
Free Tier Limitations:
- Only 5 basic chart types—inadequate for serious data visualization
- Manual data entry is tedious for large datasets
- Not designed for complex or specialized charts
Pricing: Free with limitations; Pro $14.99/month for full template library
Best For: Simple charts embedded in broader social media graphics or presentations, not for standalone data visualization projects.
6. RAWGraphs — For Unique and Specialized Visualizations
Strengths:
- 30+ specialized chart types unavailable in mainstream tools (alluvial, sunburst, circle packing, voronoi, bump charts)
- Open-source and privacy-focused (all processing happens locally in browser)
- Free forever with no account required
- SVG export for editing in Illustrator/Inkscape
- Great for exploratory data analysis
Chart Types: Alluvial diagrams, voronoi treemaps, circle packing, convex hull, dendrogram, hexagonal binning, and many others
Free Tier Limitations:
- No saving/revisiting projects—export and start fresh each time
- Minimal styling options (function over aesthetics)
- Steeper learning curve than mainstream tools
Pricing: Completely free (donations accepted)
Best For: Specialized visualizations for research papers, data journalism, or complex data relationships that standard charts can't represent.
7. Infogram — For Data-Driven Infographics
Strengths:
- Strong infographic templates combining text, charts, and images
- Maps and geographic visualizations
- Interactive charts for web embedding
- Icon and image integration
Chart Types: 35+ including standard charts plus maps, pictograms, word clouds, Gantt charts
Free Tier Limitations:
- Visible Infogram watermark
- Limited to 10 projects
- Some advanced chart types require paid plan
Pricing: Free for up to 10 projects; Pro $19/month for watermark removal and unlimited projects
Best For: Marketing reports, social media infographics, or educational content that combines data visualization with broader storytelling.
Specialized Tools for Advanced Users
8. Plotly Chart Studio — For Scientists and Engineers
Strengths: 100+ chart types including scientific visualizations (contour plots, 3D surface, ternary plots), Python/R/MATLAB integration, high-quality exports
Limitations: Interface assumes technical knowledge, overkill for simple business charts
Pricing: Public charts unlimited; $49/month for private dashboards
Best For: Scientific research, engineering, technical publications
9. Microsoft Excel Online — For Office Ecosystem Users
Strengths: Familiar Excel interface, OneDrive integration, desktop Excel compatibility
Limitations: Online version has fewer features than desktop, generic default styling
Pricing: Free with Microsoft account; desktop Excel included in Microsoft 365 ($69.99/year)
Best For: Microsoft 365 users, traditional spreadsheet workflows
10. Visme — For Presentation-Quality Visuals
Strengths: Beautiful presentation templates, animated charts, video export
Limitations: Free plan very limited (5 projects max), visible watermark
Pricing: 5 projects max free; $29/month for full access
Best For: Pitch decks, marketing materials, educators
11. ChartBlocks — For No-Frills Basic Charts
Strengths: Very simple interface, fast chart creation, no account needed
Limitations: Very basic feature set, limited customization
Pricing: Basic features free; paid plans from $9/month
Best For: Quick, simple charts when you need just the basics
How to Choose Your Chart Tool
By Use Case
For quick charts with no signup:
→ 5of10.com (instant access, 60+ tools, complete privacy)
For business reports and dashboards:
→ Datawrapper (professional quality) or Google Sheets (collaboration)
For social media and presentations:
→ Flourish (interactive wow factor) or Canva (design flexibility)
For infographic-style content:
→ Infogram (balanced) or Visme (presentation integration)
For scientific or specialized charts:
→ RAWGraphs (unique types) or Plotly (technical rigor)
For team collaboration:
→ Google Sheets (easiest) with export to Datawrapper for polish
By Skill Level
Beginners: 5of10.com, Google Sheets, Canva, ChartBlocks
Intermediate: Datawrapper, Infogram, Visme
Advanced: Flourish, RAWGraphs, Plotly
The Hybrid Strategy
Many professionals use this workflow:
- Create accurate, interactive charts in Datawrapper or Flourish
- Export as high-res PNG/SVG
- Import into Canva for final design composition with branding
This combines the strengths of specialized chart tools with Canva's design flexibility.
Pro Tip: Export charts as SVG when possible—they scale perfectly and maintain quality when imported into design tools.
Tips for Maximizing Free Tiers
- Use brand colors consistently — Even free tools let you customize colors; save hex codes for consistency
- Create reusable templates — Most tools let you duplicate charts, saving time
- Test mobile display — Preview on mobile before finalizing since many charts will be viewed on phones
- Export at highest resolution — Always choose maximum quality in free tiers
- Combine tools strategically — Use specialized tools for charts, design tools for composition
When to Upgrade to Paid Plans
Consider paid upgrades when:
- You need to remove watermarks for client work
- You create charts daily and need efficiency features (data storage, templates)
- You require private/confidential charts (Flourish)
- Team collaboration features are essential
- Advanced chart types are frequently needed
Best value upgrade: Datawrapper Pro ($599/year) if you're a professional publishing charts regularly—eliminates all friction and provides data storage.
Conclusion
In 2025, creating professional charts is completely free and accessible. Whether you're a journalist, marketer, analyst, or small business owner, tools like 5of10.com, Datawrapper, Google Sheets, and Flourish provide everything you need.
The key is matching the tool to your use case: 5of10.com for quick no-signup charts, Datawrapper for publication quality, Flourish for interactivity, Google Sheets for collaboration, and specialized tools for unique visualization needs.
Resources:
- Datawrapper Academy — Free data visualization courses
- Flourish Help Center — Tutorials for interactive charts
- Google Charts Gallery — Chart type reference
Social Snippets:
Twitter: "Compared 11 free chart makers in 2025. Top picks: 5of10.com (no signup), Datawrapper (best quality), Google Sheets (collaboration), Flourish (interactive) Full comparison with use cases for each →"
LinkedIn: "You don't need expensive software for professional charts in 2025. After comparing 11 free tools across chart types, export quality, and ease of use, here's my breakdown with specific recommendations for quick charts (5of10.com), journalists (Datawrapper), teams (Google Sheets), presenters (Flourish), and researchers (RAWGraphs). Includes feature matrix and hybrid workflow strategies →"