Matplotlib vs Seaborn
A data-driven comparison of two Python plotting libraries: popularity, development activity, licensing and installation. Updated .
Matplotlib2D plotting library.
SeabornA library for making attractive and informative statistical graphics.
Key differences
- Matplotlib has 1.7× as many GitHub stars as Seaborn (23.4K vs 14.1K).
- Matplotlib had more development activity over the last 12 months: 2,119 commits vs 19.
- Matplotlib is downloaded 6.2× as often on PyPI (44.6M vs 7.2M per week).
- Matplotlib is licensed under PSF-2.0; Seaborn under BSD-3-Clause.
- Matplotlib is the older project: its repository was created in 2011, Seaborn's in 2012.
By the numbers
- Matplotlib
- Seaborn
Show data as a table
| Metric | Matplotlib | Seaborn |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 23,407 | 14,094 |
| PyPI downloads / week | 44,638,335 | 7,236,176 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 2,119 | 19 |
| Contributors | 438 | 190 |
| Forks | 8,539 | 2,154 |
Development activity
Commits per month to each default branch, last 12 complete months.
- Matplotlib
- Seaborn
Show data as a table
| Month | Matplotlib | Seaborn |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 72 | 0 |
| Dec 2025 | 97 | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | 153 | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | 144 | 0 |
| Mar 2026 | 244 | 0 |
| Apr 2026 | 197 | 0 |
| May 2026 | 257 | 0 |
| Jun 2026 | 260 | 0 |
| Jul 2026 | 202 | 15 |
| Aug 2026 | 142 | 0 |
| Sep 2026 | 179 | 0 |
| Oct 2026 | 172 | 1 |
Side by side
| Attribute | Matplotlib | Seaborn |
|---|---|---|
| Description | 2D plotting library. | A library for making attractive and informative statistical graphics. |
| Category | Python plotting libraries | Python plotting libraries |
| License | PSF-2.0 | BSD-3-Clause |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Latest release | v3.11.2 () | v0.13.2 () |
| Last commit | ||
| Repository created | ||
| Open issues | 1,050 | 181 |
| Install | pip install matplotlib | pip install seaborn |
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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Matplotlib
2D plotting library.
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Seaborn
A library for making attractive and informative statistical graphics.