Cytoscape.js vs xyflow
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.
xyflowReact Flow and Svelte Flow: libraries for building node-based editors, flow charts and interactive diagrams.
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.
By the numbers
- Cytoscape.js
- xyflow
Show data as a table
| Metric | Cytoscape.js | xyflow |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 11,232 | 38,582 |
| npm downloads / week | 20,157,669 | 15,244,142 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 185 | 510 |
| Contributors | 139 | 138 |
| Forks | 1,674 | 2,541 |
Development activity
Commits per month to each default branch, last 12 complete months.
- Cytoscape.js
- xyflow
Show data as a table
| Month | Cytoscape.js | xyflow |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 0 | 132 |
| Nov 2025 | 0 | 32 |
| Dec 2025 | 3 | 26 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 19 |
| Feb 2026 | 0 | 17 |
| Mar 2026 | 10 | 43 |
| Apr 2026 | 54 | 7 |
| May 2026 | 32 | 76 |
| Jun 2026 | 21 | 59 |
| Jul 2026 | 20 | 23 |
| Aug 2026 | 43 | 66 |
| Sep 2026 | 1 | 10 |
Side by side
| Attribute | 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. |
| Category | JavaScript graph & network visualization libraries | JavaScript graph & network visualization libraries |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Latest release | v3.34.3 () | @xyflow/svelte@1.7.0 () |
| Last commit | ||
| Repository created | ||
| Open issues | 15 | 90 |
| Install | npm install cytoscape | npm install @xyflow/react |
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.
-
xyflow
React Flow and Svelte Flow: libraries for building node-based editors, flow charts and interactive diagrams.