Free Data Visualization Tools for Students Compatible with Ubuntu 18.04

Are you looking for free data visualization tools compatible with Ubuntu 18.04 for your college projects? This article introduces several open-source and web-based tools that cater to your needs. Whether you prefer a web-based interface or an easy-to-set-up local environment, we’ve got you covered.

1. Google Data Studio

- A free web-based tool that allows you to create interactive dashboards and reports. It integrates well with various data sources like Google Sheets and Google Analytics. Compatibility with Ubuntu 18.04 is ensured through a browser.

2. Microsoft Power BI

- While Power BI Desktop is primarily for Windows, you can use Power BI Service, the web version, on Ubuntu through a browser. Microsoft offers a free tier for students and educators. This makes it an excellent choice for those who might require cloud-based tools for their projects.

3. Apache Superset

- An open-source data exploration and visualization platform that can be installed on Ubuntu. Its feature-rich and supports a variety of data sources. This tool is particularly useful for users who want a fully customizable environment for data visualization.

4. Metabase

- Another open-source tool that allows you to create visualizations and dashboards easily. You can run it on your local machine or set it up on a server. Metabase is known for its user-friendly interface and ease of installation on Ubuntu.

5. Grafana

- While primarily used for monitoring and observability, Grafana can visualize data from various sources and is open-source. It works well on Ubuntu, making it a versatile choice for data enthusiasts.

6. R with ggplot2 or plotly

- If you are familiar with R, you can use libraries like ggplot2 or plotly for powerful data visualization. R and its libraries are easily installed on Ubuntu. This option is ideal for those who are already familiar with R and want to enhance their data analysis and visualization skills.

7. Python with Matplotlib or Seaborn

- If you prefer Python, libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn can be used for creating a wide range of visualizations. Jupyter Notebook can also be used to create interactive visualizations. These tools are excellent for those who are more comfortable with Python and want to leverage its robust data analysis capabilities.

Moreover, it's worth mentioning that Tableau does offer a free version, which I used during my college days. The desktop version is available on Windows, but it is also available on Mac. The student version is a slim version of the original, but it's sufficient for starting projects and learning the basics of data visualization.

The article also highlights the Tableau for Students download link for those who want to explore the full feature set of a commercial data visualization tool without any cost to students under certain conditions.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned data professional, these tools should provide you with a good range of options for data visualization on Ubuntu 18.04. Choose the one that best suits your needs and start exploring the world of data visualization today!