Datawrapper vs Flourish for Journalists
Published March 2026 · Last updated March 2026
Use Datawrapper for clean, fast static charts and maps -- it is the newsroom standard used by Reuters and The Washington Post. Use Flourish for interactive data stories, animations, and richer visual templates. Both offer free tiers. Datawrapper is simpler to learn. Flourish has more creative options.
| Datawrapper | Flourish | |
|---|---|---|
| Chart Types | 20+ (focused selection) | 40+ (extensive templates) |
| Interactivity | Tooltips, responsive | Animations, scrollytelling, rich interaction |
| Learning Curve | Low (minutes to first chart) | Medium (more options to navigate) |
| Owner | Datawrapper GmbH (Germany) | Canva (acquired 2022) |
| Data Jurisdiction | Germany (EU) | Australia (Canva) |
| Free Option | Yes (watermark on charts) | Yes (watermark on visualizations) |
| Security Rating | Adequate | Adequate |
| Best For | Daily news charts, election maps, tables | Interactive stories, animated data, presentations |
When to use Datawrapper
Datawrapper is built for the daily pace of news. Paste your data, choose a chart type, customize labels and colors, and publish. The entire workflow takes minutes. Charts are clean, accessible, and load fast on mobile. Datawrapper is the standard at major newsrooms because it prioritizes clarity over flash. For election results, economic indicators, COVID tracking, and any chart that needs to be published quickly and read clearly, Datawrapper is the stronger choice.
When to use Flourish
Flourish is the better tool for visual storytelling. Its template library includes animated bar chart races, scrollytelling narratives, 3D maps, survey visualizers, and interactive timelines. When the goal is engagement rather than just information delivery -- a long-form investigation piece, an annual data report, or a presentation to stakeholders -- Flourish's richer interactivity justifies the additional complexity. Since Canva acquired Flourish in 2022, its template library has continued to expand.
The verdict
Datawrapper for daily charts. Flourish for data stories. Most data journalists end up using both depending on the project. If you are new to data visualization and need to start making charts today, begin with Datawrapper. If you are building an interactive feature for a long-form piece, Flourish gives you more creative tools. Both are legitimate professional choices used by major newsrooms worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Are Datawrapper and Flourish free for journalists?
Both offer free tiers. Datawrapper's free plan includes unlimited charts with a Datawrapper watermark. Flourish's free plan also includes a watermark on published visualizations. Both offer paid plans that remove watermarks and add team features. Many newsrooms use the paid tiers; individual journalists often start on free plans.
Which is better for embedding charts in news articles?
Datawrapper is the industry standard for embedded news charts. It produces clean, responsive embeds that load fast and work well in most CMS platforms. Reuters, The Washington Post, and many European newsrooms use Datawrapper. Flourish embeds are also responsive but tend to be heavier due to their interactive features.
Can I make maps with either tool?
Yes. Both support choropleth maps, symbol maps, and locator maps. Datawrapper has a straightforward map builder with built-in geographic data for countries and regions. Flourish offers more map types including 3D globe projections and animated map stories. For standard election or data maps, both work well.
Which tool is faster to learn?
Datawrapper. Its interface is streamlined for the most common chart types journalists need: bar charts, line charts, maps, and tables. You can paste data and publish a chart in under five minutes. Flourish has a steeper learning curve but more templates and customization options.
Do these tools keep my data?
Both store your data on their servers to render visualizations. Datawrapper stores data in the EU (Germany). Flourish stores data in the cloud (Canva's infrastructure since the 2022 acquisition). For sensitive datasets, consider exporting static images rather than using embedded visualizations that keep data on third-party servers.
Assessment by Mike Schneider at Fieldwork. Read our methodology or browse all tool ratings.