G6 vs visx
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/TypeScript library for drawing and analyzing interactive graphs and network data in the browser.
Open source · MIT
A set of reusable React building blocks for drawing custom charts, built on d3 math.
The short answer
Choose G6 if you need…
- Frontend developers building interactive network or relationship diagrams in a web app
- Teams that need graph layouts such as force-directed arrangements in TypeScript or JavaScript projects
- Developers who want Canvas, SVG, or WebGL rendering options from one library
- Projects that need server-side rendering of graphs with Node.js
Choose visx if you need…
- React developers who want full control over how a chart looks and behaves
- Teams building their own reusable chart library on top of shared components
- Developers who already know d3 and want its math without its DOM update style
- Projects that want to keep bundle size small by importing only needed packages
Side-by-side
| G6 | visx | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 12.4k | 21.1k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 10 days ago | 5 months ago |
What each one is
G6
G6 is a graph visualization engine that helps developers draw networks of connected things, such as relationships between people, accounts, or devices. It provides building blocks for drawing nodes and edges, running layouts that arrange them, handling user interactions like dragging, and animating or theming the result. Developers use it to build their own graph-based analysis or visualization applications.
visx
visx is a collection of low-level visualization components for React. It uses d3 for the calculations and math, while React handles updating the page, so developers can build charts without writing d3 selection code by hand. You install only the small packages you need, such as shapes or scales, and combine them into your own charts.
Best for
G6
- Frontend developers building interactive network or relationship diagrams in a web app
- Teams that need graph layouts such as force-directed arrangements in TypeScript or JavaScript projects
- Developers who want Canvas, SVG, or WebGL rendering options from one library
- Projects that need server-side rendering of graphs with Node.js
visx
- React developers who want full control over how a chart looks and behaves
- Teams building their own reusable chart library on top of shared components
- Developers who already know d3 and want its math without its DOM update style
- Projects that want to keep bundle size small by importing only needed packages
Strengths
G6
- Broad built-in set of node, edge, layout, and interaction options according to the README
- Supports Canvas, SVG, and WebGL rendering, plus server-side rendering with Node.js
- Written in TypeScript and published under the permissive MIT license
visx
- Components are low-level and unopinionated, so you control the final look
- Lets you use d3 math without managing d3 selections or enter/exit/update logic
- Modular packages mean you only include what you use
Not ideal for
G6
- People who want a finished graph tool without writing code, since G6 is a library for developers
- Users who need only a simple static chart, where a lighter charting library would be less work
- Teams without JavaScript experience, because setup and customization require writing code
visx
- People who want ready-made charts with no coding, since visx provides building blocks rather than finished charts
- Projects that need built-in animation, because the README says visx deliberately does not include animation and suggests using existing React animation libraries instead
- Projects not using React, since the components are built for React 18 or 19
Trade-offs
G6
- The README is brief on detailed API usage, so you will rely on the external documentation site for depth
- Advanced features such as 3D rendering come through separate plugin packages
- Requires JavaScript or TypeScript knowledge to build anything
visx
- Because it is low-level, you write more code than with a turnkey charting library
- No built-in animation; you must add a React animation library yourself if you want it
- Requires React 18 or 19 for the current v4 release, so older React projects need migration (see the migration guide)
Getting started
visx
Install the packages used in the README example
npm install --save @visx/mock-data @visx/group @visx/shape @visx/scaleFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between G6 and visx?
G6: A JavaScript/TypeScript library for drawing and analyzing interactive graphs and network data in the browser. visx: A set of reusable React building blocks for drawing custom charts, built on d3 math. G6 suits frontend developers building interactive network or relationship diagrams in a web app, while visx suits react developers who want full control over how a chart looks and behaves.
Are G6 and visx free?
G6: Free and open source. visx: Free and open source.
Is G6 or visx more popular?
visx has more GitHub stars (21.1k) than G6 (12.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to G6 and visx?
Other options people compare them with include Cytoscape.js, Sigma.js, Plotly.js, deck.gl, kepler.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.