Cytoscape.js vs Sigma.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library for building, analyzing, and drawing interactive network graphs.
Open source · MIT
A JavaScript library for drawing graphs with thousands of nodes and edges in the browser.
The short answer
Choose Cytoscape.js if you need…
- Developers adding interactive network diagrams to a web app
- Scientists who need to model and visualise relational data such as biological networks
- Teams that want graph analysis in Node.js without a separate tool
- Students learning graph theory who want to experiment in JavaScript
Choose Sigma.js if you need…
- Web developers who need to display large network graphs in a browser
- Data analysts building interactive graph visualizations on a website
- Teams already using graphology for graph data
- Developers who want optional add-ons for images, maps, or image export
Side-by-side
| Cytoscape.js | Sigma.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 11.3k | 12.2k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 7 days ago | 10 days ago |
What each one is
Cytoscape.js
Cytoscape.js is a JavaScript library for working with graphs, which are collections of nodes connected by edges, such as biological pathways or social networks. It includes a graph model for analysis and an optional renderer that displays interactive graphs in a web page. It can be used in browser user interfaces or in server-side Node.js code.
Sigma.js
Sigma.js is an open-source JavaScript library for displaying network graphs (nodes connected by edges) in a web page. It uses WebGL, a browser technology for fast graphics, so it can show graphs with thousands of nodes and edges. It is built on top of graphology, a companion library for storing graph data.
Best for
Cytoscape.js
- Developers adding interactive network diagrams to a web app
- Scientists who need to model and visualise relational data such as biological networks
- Teams that want graph analysis in Node.js without a separate tool
- Students learning graph theory who want to experiment in JavaScript
Sigma.js
- Web developers who need to display large network graphs in a browser
- Data analysts building interactive graph visualizations on a website
- Teams already using graphology for graph data
- Developers who want optional add-ons for images, maps, or image export
Strengths
Cytoscape.js
- Described in the README as a fully featured graph theory library with both model and renderer
- Simple starting point: a single cytoscape({ elements, container }) call, per the README
- Published in peer-reviewed Bioinformatics articles (2016 and 2023) and has an MIT license
Sigma.js
- Designed to handle graphs with thousands of nodes and edges using WebGL
- Modular: companion packages let you install only the features you need
- Has official documentation and interactive examples on its website
Not ideal for
Cytoscape.js
- People who only need a static chart or simple diagram, since the library is aimed at graph data and interactive views
- Users who want a finished desktop application rather than code to integrate, because the README describes it as a library
- Projects needing a graph database for storage, since this README covers an in-memory graph library
Sigma.js
- People who only need a simple chart or bar graph, since this library is specialized for graphs and networks
- Users who want a finished tool with no coding, because sigma is a library that must be built into a project
- Projects that require a long track record of stable APIs, since the README notes v4 development included LLM-drafted code and the API is evolving
Trade-offs
Cytoscape.js
- The README is truncated and does not list the full feature set, so details must be checked in the documentation site
- Install steps are not in the README beyond npm usage hints; setup for end users depends on the project website
- Build instructions in the README target contributors and require Node.js and npm
Sigma.js
- Requires JavaScript and a build setup; it is not a ready-made application
- The README does not detail browser support or performance limits, so those should be checked in the docs
- Some features rely on companion packages that must be installed separately
Getting started
Cytoscape.js
Build dependencies (from README, for building from source)
npm installBuild all library targets (from README)
npm run buildSigma.js
Install sigma and graphology
npm install sigma graphologyFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cytoscape.js and Sigma.js?
Cytoscape.js: A JavaScript library for building, analyzing, and drawing interactive network graphs. Sigma.js: A JavaScript library for drawing graphs with thousands of nodes and edges in the browser. Cytoscape.js suits developers adding interactive network diagrams to a web app, while Sigma.js suits web developers who need to display large network graphs in a browser.
Are Cytoscape.js and Sigma.js free?
Cytoscape.js: Free and open source. Sigma.js: Free and open source.
Is Cytoscape.js or Sigma.js more popular?
Sigma.js has more GitHub stars (12.2k) than Cytoscape.js (11.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Cytoscape.js and Sigma.js?
Other options people compare them with include G6, uPlot, Plotly.js, deck.gl.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.