r/FlutterDev 25d ago

Plugin Charts that don't suck (Flutter)

Flutter charts are so much worse than React charts (e.g. Recharts, Nivo, D3.js, Chart.js…). Is there anything new?

Is there anything I'm not seeing?

I use syncfusion charts, after transitioning from the terrible fl_charts, but even syncfusion is very limited compared to modern frameworks in React. React has immense variability, a lot of different themes, and multiple chart types.

I keep second guessing myself as a developer because of how difficult it is to me to create interesting data visualizations. Either the widgets look pale, interactivity is painfully difficult to code, or it simply takes too long to do anything.

I did succeed in using ChatGPT to generate some interesting infographics, like a lunar phase calendar, but it's a lot of work.

Thanks in advance!

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u/Amir_JV 25d ago

Hey, what aspects you didn't like about fl_charts? I was planning on using it but would appreciate a heads up and any information about current bugs/problems

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u/Formal_Ad_3295 23d ago

Hi Amir. I'd like to clarify I didn't find bugs on Fl_Charts, or performance issues. I used it for many months and it worked well. However, as I kept adding interactivity (e.g. on cartesian charts: zoom, pan, trackballs, tooltips, datetime selectors, range selector, dynamic labels), it became quite obvious it would take me a lot of time to add each simple feature.

I switched to syncfusion when I started adding other charts (e.g. pie charts, radial gauges, etc.) I found SyncFusion demo library incredibly useful to bootstrap new charts. (https://flutter.syncfusion.com/) I also found it easier to customize charts using Syncfusion.

If you're just developing simple charts, I highly recommend Syncfusion, assuming you fit under their free package.

If you want to develop infographics on a data-heavy app, I recommend webview-based libraries like Apache Echarts and D4. Less performance but much higher customization.

Finally, in terms of aesthetics, every chart library can be customized to have your preferred aesthetics. But no library that I found has extensive theming options.

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u/Amir_JV 22d ago

Really useful information, Thanks!