# Matplotlib vs Toyplot

## Key differences

- Matplotlib has 52× as many GitHub stars as Toyplot (23.4K vs 449).
- Matplotlib had more development activity over the last 12 months: 2,119 commits vs 26.
- Matplotlib is downloaded 57376× as often on PyPI (44.6M vs 778 per week).
- Matplotlib is licensed under PSF-2.0; Toyplot under BSD.
- Matplotlib is written primarily in Python, Toyplot in Jupyter Notebook.
- Matplotlib is the older project: its repository was created in 2011, Toyplot's in 2014.

| | Matplotlib | Toyplot |
|---|---|---|
| Description | 2D plotting library. | The kid-sized plotting toolkit for Python with grownup-sized goals. |
| GitHub stars | 23,407 | 449 |
| Commits (12 months) | 2,119 | 26 |
| Contributors | 438 | 9 |
| License | PSF-2.0 | BSD |
| Language | Python | Jupyter Notebook |
| Status | Active | Maintained |
| Install | `pip install matplotlib` | `pip install toyplot` |

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