Collection of Diagrams to Use in Your React App for Effective Data Visualization
Tags: react, javascript, webdev, programming
Published: 2023-10-13 09:10:17

Being a sought-after JavaScript framework for creating dynamic web apps, React has revolutionized the way developers build interactive UI. Whether you’re working on developing a data visualization dashboard, an [HRM system](https://dhtmlx.medium.com/human-resources-diagram-what-it-is-and-how-to-build-the-most-proper-one-for-your-team-14647559315d), or a hospital management platform, integrating diagrams can greatly enhance your users' experience.

In this article, I’ve curated a list of diagramming libraries you can test and integrate into your project. Here you’ll find React-based open-source toolkits, as well as commercial JavaScript solutions with well-documented integration guides and demos for React.

Feel free to share your experience with the mentioned libraries in the comments below or suggest brand-new solutions. Let’s create a truly useful collection!

#React Diagrams

![react-diagrams](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/50ywcx2wz8miatwqf2lv.jpg)

The [react-diagrams library](https://github.com/projectstorm/react-diagrams) is designed for visualizing flows and process-oriented diagrams. It’s written entirely in TypeScript and React with an HTML-first mindset. That is, in other words, users are provided with dynamic HTML nodes that allow them to manually embed different controls, including input fields and dropdowns.

The library is open source, so it can be extended, rewired, and embedded into fundamentally different software to suit your project needs.

#Beautiful React Diagrams

![beautiful-react-diagrams](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fzb284ru0qb0d44axhwm.png)

[beautiful-react-diagram](https://github.com/antonioru/beautiful-react-diagrams) is an open-source collection of React components to build elementary diagrams. The library provides several renderers for each component that can be styled by using CSS variables or removed by custom ones.

It also comes with a set of React hooks added by the development team to help their users speed up the development process. The collection includes callbacks, references, events, and components’ lifecycle.

#React Flow 

![react-flow-diagram](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/zub6siiaf5ew4dm2mcbn.png)

[React Flow](https://github.com/wbkd/react-flow) is a popular (with 17.6K stars on GitHub) library used for creating interactive node-based diagrams, mind maps, flow charts, and other diagram types. It supports selecting and dragging multiple nodes and edges, zooming, and panning.

Users are provided with built-in support for rendering nested nodes. The library only displays nodes in the viewport and those that have been changed. It also includes 3 plugin components for modifying the background, adding an interactive minimap, and attaching a panel with zoom-in and -out controls.

The library is free to use in non-commercial projects. However, users can opt for a paid Pro subscription, which starts from 129€ per month, thus keeping the library running and maintained under the MIT License. Having subscribed for React Flow Pro, users also gain access to such exclusive services, as additional diagram examples, individual technical support, and prioritized bug reports.

#DHTMLX Diagram

![dhtmlx-javascript-diagram](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6n0qvh0th9kicemhfblw.png)

The [JavaScript diagramming library](https://dhtmlx.com/docs/products/dhtmlxDiagram/) by DHTMLX allows integrating interactive diagrams and org charts into web apps, including those that are built with the React framework. With an intuitive UI, it enables easy drag-and-drop manipulations, zooming, and scrolling, making it a great option for creating flowcharts, org charts, mind maps, swimlanes, and mixed diagrams.

DHTMLX comes with a collection of 30+ predefined shapes and connectors. However, you’re free to attach custom elements using HTML and add images, icons, and text data. It also provides 2 smart algorithms to automatically arrange diagram shapes in radial or orthogonal modes.

One of the features you may find handy is the ability of 3 live editors for drawing diagrams, org charts, and mind maps without coding. These editors enable working with diagrams and dynamically adjusting their look via adaptable side panels. 

DHTMLX Diagram supports data exporting to JSON, PNG, and PDF formats. An annual license provides a year of official technical support and perpetual distribution rights and starts from $599 for an individual developer.

#JointJS+

![jointjs-flowchart](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4x7fz53bn2iiknmj2fq9.png)

[JointJS+](https://www.jointjs.com/react-diagrams) is a JavaScript library you can integrate into React apps for visualizing required data sets. It offers a set of standard shapes, like rectangles or circles, as well as additional nodes, e.g. for business process modeling (BPMN) and value stream mapping (VSM). However, users can create custom SVG shapes with HTML content from scratch.

The library provides numerous built-in features for working conveniently with shapes, including drag-n-drop support, inline text editing, and flexible connector behavior. Besides, it allows users to automatically arrange elements with the help of Grid, Stack, Force Directed, and Tree layouts.

JointJS+ supports integrations with 3rd party libraries. Thus, for example, it works with open-source Dagre and Graphlib JavaScript libraries. When it comes to export services, JointJS+ diagrams can be exported to PNG, PDF, SVG, and JPEG formats.

The JointJS+ license starts from $2,990 per developer and is suitable for commercial use. It provides access to 40+ diagram elements, 150+ pre-built demos, and basic technical support. The premium technical assistance is available for an additional fee.

#GoJS 

![gojs-mindmap](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/39bbyhilach4475smpm5.png)

GoJS is a JavaScript/Typescript library for implementing interactive diagrams. It includes complex nodes, connectors, and groups along with customizable templates and layouts so you can easily construct graphs of any complexity.

The library provides a [ReactDiagram component](https://gojs.net/latest/intro/react.html) for smooth integration into React-based apps.

GoJS delivers various handy features, including drag-and-drop, copy-and-paste, inline editing, undo/redo, and automatic layouts. It also provides 150 interactive samples to help developers get started with diagram types such as flowcharts, mind maps, org charts, BPMN, state charts, etc.

The licensing program depends on the number of users. For instance, an Individual License will set you back $3,495 including 1 year of technical support and 3 years of distribution.

#Syncfusion

![syncfusion-diagram](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/is2q2p0m77p8q5nqt8ua.png)

The [Syncfusion React Diagram component](https://www.syncfusion.com/react-components/react-diagram) supports building flowcharts, org charts, mind maps, and BPMN charts by coding or by using a visual interface. Like other commercial diagramming libraries, it comes with a set of user-friendly features, including selecting and dragging multiple shapes, interactive editing, and 6 different modes for arranging nodes automatically.

Syncfusion offers a collection of palettes with a set of reusable nodes and connectors that users can drag into their diagrams. Besides, it allows adding custom shapes or creating node UI templates to modify the appearance and ensure your diagram complies with your project requirements.

With the serialization functionality, you can save and load your diagram state if needed in JSON format. Besides, it’s possible to export diagrams to PNG, JPEG, SVG, and BMP formats.

The annual subscription starts at $4,740 for a small team of up to 5 developers. It includes official 24-hour support with unlimited bug requests and will automatically renew until you cancel it.

#jsPlumb

![jsplumb-chatbot](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gabtfye6e5tpin028qnn.png)

jsPlumb diagramming library provides a set of ready-made shapes and connectors for creating interactive flowcharts, chatbots, org charts, and other schemas. To draw diagrams in React apps, the jsPlumb Toolkit has several components to [integrate the library into existing React projects](https://docs.jsplumbtoolkit.com/toolkit/6.x/lib/react-integration).

With the Toolkit, you will be supplied with standard yet useful UI features, including drag-and-drop, zooming, panning, undo/redo, and layouts.

The jsPlumb project has an open-source Community edition. However, if you’re aimed at using jsPlumb for commercial purposes with a full feature set, you can choose the Toolkit edition with a starting price of $990 per developer.

# Final Thoughts

The featured diagramming libraries for React apps provide powerful feature sets to simplify data visualization, improve user experiences, and add visual appeal. You can choose the most suitable for your project and integrate it using well-documented guides and live examples.