# Plotly.js vs Plotly (Python)

## Key differences

- Plotly (Python) and Plotly.js have a similar number of GitHub stars (18.8K vs 18.4K).
- Plotly.js had more development activity over the last 12 months: 1,549 commits vs 739.
- Both are released under the MIT license.
- Plotly.js is written primarily in JavaScript, Plotly (Python) in Python.
- Plotly (Python) is the older project: its repository was created in 2013, Plotly.js's in 2015.

| | Plotly.js | Plotly (Python) |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Powerful declarative library with support for 20 chart types. | Interactive web based visualization built on top of plotly.js |
| GitHub stars | 18,355 | 18,822 |
| Commits (12 months) | 1,549 | 739 |
| Contributors | 263 | 303 |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | Python |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Install | `npm install plotly.js` | `pip install plotly` |

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