Data Formulator vs Sampler
A data-driven comparison of two Data visualization apps & tools: popularity, development activity, licensing and installation. Updated .
Data FormulatorAI-assisted tool for transforming data and creating visualizations, from Microsoft Research.
SamplerTerminal dashboard that runs shell commands and visualizes their output, configured with YAML.
Key differences
- Data Formulator has 1.2× as many GitHub stars as Sampler (17.5K vs 14.8K).
- Data Formulator had more development activity over the last 12 months: 930 commits vs 0.
- Data Formulator is licensed under MIT; Sampler under GPL-3.0.
- Data Formulator is written primarily in Python, Sampler in Go.
- Sampler is the older project: its repository was created in 2019, Data Formulator's in 2024.
- Sampler has had no commits since Oct 6, 2022.
By the numbers
- Data Formulator
- Sampler
Show data as a table
| Metric | Data Formulator | Sampler |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 17,525 | 14,810 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 930 | 0 |
| Contributors | 36 | 14 |
| Forks | 1,724 | 667 |
Development activity
Commits per month to each default branch, last 12 complete months.
- Data Formulator
- Sampler
Show data as a table
| Month | Data Formulator | Sampler |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40 | 0 |
| Nov 2025 | 42 | 0 |
| Dec 2025 | 48 | 0 |
| Jan 2026 | 38 | 0 |
| Feb 2026 | 129 | 0 |
| Mar 2026 | 146 | 0 |
| Apr 2026 | 231 | 0 |
| May 2026 | 136 | 0 |
| Jun 2026 | 22 | 0 |
| Jul 2026 | 66 | 0 |
| Aug 2026 | 32 | 0 |
| Sep 2026 | 0 | 0 |
Side by side
| Attribute | Data Formulator | Sampler |
|---|---|---|
| Description | AI-assisted tool for transforming data and creating visualizations, from Microsoft Research. | Terminal dashboard that runs shell commands and visualizes their output, configured with YAML. |
| Category | Data visualization apps & tools | Data visualization apps & tools |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | Go |
| Status | Active | Inactive |
| Latest release | 0.8b1 () | v1.1.0 () |
| Last commit | ||
| Repository created | ||
| Open issues | 54 | 57 |
| Install | pip install data-formulator | go get github.com/sqshq/sampler |
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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Data Formulator
AI-assisted tool for transforming data and creating visualizations, from Microsoft Research.
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Sampler
Terminal dashboard that runs shell commands and visualizes their output, configured with YAML.