Shiny for Python vs Streamlit
A data-driven comparison of two Python data visualization libraries: popularity, development activity, licensing and installation. Updated .
Shiny for PythonPython version of the Shiny reactive framework for interactive data apps.
StreamlitFramework for turning Python scripts into interactive data apps.
Key differences
- Streamlit has 26× as many GitHub stars as Shiny for Python (45.9K vs 1.8K).
- Streamlit had more development activity over the last 12 months: 2,413 commits vs 217.
- Streamlit is downloaded 80× as often on PyPI (4.7M vs 58K per week).
- Shiny for Python is licensed under MIT; Streamlit under Apache-2.0.
- Streamlit is the older project: its repository was created in 2019, Shiny for Python's in 2021.
By the numbers
- Shiny for Python
- Streamlit
Show data as a table
| Metric | Shiny for Python | Streamlit |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 1,756 | 45,895 |
| PyPI downloads / week | 58,020 | 4,656,116 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 217 | 2,413 |
| Contributors | 48 | 319 |
| Forks | 138 | 4,404 |
Development activity
Commits per month to each default branch, last 12 complete months.
- Shiny for Python
- Streamlit
Show data as a table
| Month | Shiny for Python | Streamlit |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 3 | 125 |
| Nov 2025 | 5 | 146 |
| Dec 2025 | 5 | 187 |
| Jan 2026 | 7 | 181 |
| Feb 2026 | 7 | 208 |
| Mar 2026 | 11 | 231 |
| Apr 2026 | 16 | 156 |
| May 2026 | 19 | 189 |
| Jun 2026 | 6 | 206 |
| Jul 2026 | 78 | 264 |
| Aug 2026 | 39 | 246 |
| Sep 2026 | 21 | 274 |
Side by side
| Attribute | Shiny for Python | Streamlit |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Python version of the Shiny reactive framework for interactive data apps. | Framework for turning Python scripts into interactive data apps. |
| Category | Python data visualization libraries | Python data visualization libraries |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Python | Python |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Latest release | v1.8.0 () | 1.65.0 () |
| Last commit | ||
| Repository created | ||
| Open issues | 413 | 985 |
| Install | pip install shiny | 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.
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Shiny for Python
Python version of the Shiny reactive framework for interactive data apps.
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Streamlit
Framework for turning Python scripts into interactive data apps.