# Datashader vs PyQtGraph

## Key differences

- PyQtGraph has 1.2× as many GitHub stars as Datashader (4.4K vs 3.6K).
- PyQtGraph had more development activity over the last 12 months: 352 commits vs 74.
- PyQtGraph is downloaded 2.2× as often on PyPI (234.6K vs 105.9K per week).
- Datashader is licensed under BSD-3-Clause; PyQtGraph under MIT.
- PyQtGraph is the older project: its repository was created in 2013, Datashader's in 2015.

| | Datashader | PyQtGraph |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Renders very large datasets into accurate images by rasterizing them. | Interactive and realtime 2D/3D/Image plotting and science/engineering widgets. |
| GitHub stars | 3,570 | 4,431 |
| Commits (12 months) | 74 | 352 |
| Contributors | 63 | 275 |
| License | BSD-3-Clause | MIT |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Install | `pip install datashader` | `pip install pyqtgraph` |

Source: https://awesomedataviz.com/compare/datashader-vs-pyqtgraph/ · Data updated 2026-11-01 · Content: CC BY 4.0, Awesome Dataviz (https://awesomedataviz.com).