# ggplot2 vs Matplotlib

## Key differences

- Matplotlib has 3.3× as many GitHub stars as ggplot2 (23.3K vs 7K).
- Matplotlib had more development activity over the last 12 months: 2,023 commits vs 86.
- ggplot2 is licensed under MIT; Matplotlib under PSF-2.0.
- ggplot2 is written primarily in R, Matplotlib in Python.
- ggplot2 is the older project: its repository was created in 2008, Matplotlib's in 2011.

| | ggplot2 | Matplotlib |
|---|---|---|
| Description | A plotting system based on the grammar of graphics. | 2D plotting library. |
| GitHub stars | 7,005 | 23,323 |
| Commits (12 months) | 86 | 2,023 |
| Contributors | 354 | 438 |
| License | MIT | PSF-2.0 |
| Language | R | Python |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Install | `install.packages("ggplot2")` | `pip install matplotlib` |

Source: https://awesomedataviz.com/compare/ggplot2-vs-matplotlib/ · Data updated 2026-10-04 · Content: CC BY 4.0, Awesome Dataviz (https://awesomedataviz.com).