Cytoscape.js vs Vue Flow
A data-driven comparison of two JavaScript graph & network visualization libraries: popularity, development activity, licensing and installation. Updated .
Cytoscape.jsJavaScript library for graph drawing maintained by Cytoscape core developers.
Vue FlowFlowchart and node-based graph component for Vue 3.
Key differences
- Cytoscape.js has 1.6× as many GitHub stars as Vue Flow (11.2K vs 6.9K).
- Cytoscape.js had more development activity over the last 12 months: 185 commits vs 22.
- Cytoscape.js is downloaded 29× as often on npm (20.2M vs 705.2K per week).
- Both are released under the MIT license.
- Cytoscape.js is written primarily in JavaScript, Vue Flow in TypeScript.
- Cytoscape.js is the older project: its repository was created in 2011, Vue Flow's in 2021.
By the numbers
- Cytoscape.js
- Vue Flow
Show data as a table
| Metric | Cytoscape.js | Vue Flow |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 11,232 | 6,888 |
| npm downloads / week | 20,157,669 | 705,203 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 185 | 22 |
| Contributors | 139 | 29 |
| Forks | 1,674 | 413 |
Development activity
Commits per month to each default branch, last 12 complete months.
- Cytoscape.js
- Vue Flow
Show data as a table
| Month | Cytoscape.js | Vue Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 0 | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | 0 | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | 3 | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| Apr 2026 | 54 | 0 |
| May 2026 | 32 | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | 21 | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | 20 | 0 |
| Aug 2026 | 43 | 0 |
| Sep 2026 | 1 | 0 |
Side by side
| Attribute | Cytoscape.js | Vue Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Description | JavaScript library for graph drawing maintained by Cytoscape core developers. | Flowchart and node-based graph component for Vue 3. |
| Category | JavaScript graph & network visualization libraries | JavaScript graph & network visualization libraries |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Status | Active | Maintained |
| Latest release | v3.34.3 () | v1.48.2 () |
| Last commit | ||
| Repository created | ||
| Open issues | 15 | 12 |
| Install | npm install cytoscape | npm install @vue-flow/core |
Which should you choose?
Popularity and activity are only part of the story. Consider which ecosystem you work in, the chart types and interactions you need, how much data you render, and whether the license fits your project. Both tool pages list alternatives if neither is quite right.
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Cytoscape.js
JavaScript library for graph drawing maintained by Cytoscape core developers.
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Vue Flow
Flowchart and node-based graph component for Vue 3.