Matplotlib vs Streamlit
A data-driven comparison of two Python data visualization libraries: popularity, development activity, licensing and installation. Updated .
Matplotlib2D plotting library.
StreamlitFramework for turning Python scripts into interactive data apps.
Key differences
- Streamlit has 2× as many GitHub stars as Matplotlib (45.9K vs 23.3K).
- Streamlit had more development activity over the last 12 months: 2,413 commits vs 2,023.
- Matplotlib is downloaded 8.5× as often on PyPI (39.5M vs 4.7M per week).
- Matplotlib is licensed under PSF-2.0; Streamlit under Apache-2.0.
- Matplotlib is the older project: its repository was created in 2011, Streamlit's in 2019.
By the numbers
- Matplotlib
- Streamlit
Show data as a table
| Metric | Matplotlib | Streamlit |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 23,323 | 45,895 |
| PyPI downloads / week | 39,546,864 | 4,656,116 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 2,023 | 2,413 |
| Contributors | 438 | 319 |
| Forks | 8,503 | 4,404 |
Development activity
Commits per month to each default branch, last 12 complete months.
- Matplotlib
- Streamlit
Show data as a table
| Month | Matplotlib | Streamlit |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 100 | 125 |
| Nov 2025 | 72 | 146 |
| Dec 2025 | 97 | 187 |
| Jan 2026 | 153 | 181 |
| Feb 2026 | 144 | 208 |
| Mar 2026 | 244 | 231 |
| Apr 2026 | 197 | 156 |
| May 2026 | 257 | 189 |
| Jun 2026 | 257 | 206 |
| Jul 2026 | 199 | 264 |
| Aug 2026 | 139 | 246 |
| Sep 2026 | 164 | 274 |
Side by side
| Attribute | Matplotlib | Streamlit |
|---|---|---|
| Description | 2D plotting library. | Framework for turning Python scripts into interactive data apps. |
| Category | Python data visualization libraries | Python data visualization libraries |
| License | PSF-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Latest release | v3.11.2 () | 1.65.0 () |
| Last commit | ||
| Repository created | ||
| Open issues | 1,059 | 985 |
| Install | pip install matplotlib | pip install streamlit |
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.
-
Matplotlib
2D plotting library.
-
Streamlit
Framework for turning Python scripts into interactive data apps.