# Cytoscape.js vs xyflow

## Key differences

- xyflow has 3.4× as many GitHub stars as Cytoscape.js (38.6K vs 11.2K).
- xyflow had more development activity over the last 12 months: 510 commits vs 185.
- Cytoscape.js is downloaded 1.3× as often on npm (20.2M vs 15.2M per week).
- Both are released under the MIT license.
- Cytoscape.js is written primarily in JavaScript, xyflow in TypeScript.
- Cytoscape.js is the older project: its repository was created in 2011, xyflow's in 2019.

| | Cytoscape.js | xyflow |
|---|---|---|
| Description | JavaScript library for graph drawing maintained by Cytoscape core developers. | React Flow and Svelte Flow: libraries for building node-based editors, flow charts and interactive diagrams. |
| GitHub stars | 11,232 | 38,582 |
| Commits (12 months) | 185 | 510 |
| Contributors | 139 | 138 |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Install | `npm install cytoscape` | `npm install @xyflow/react` |

Source: https://awesomedataviz.com/compare/cytoscape-js-vs-xyflow/ · Data updated 2026-10-04 · Content: CC BY 4.0, Awesome Dataviz (https://awesomedataviz.com).