Top Data Visualization Tools That Employers Are Looking For

Understanding a ton of numbers, facts, and random data is not always the most intuitive. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the widespread use of cloud-native software, data visualization tools have become important ways to communicate better and understand large quantities of data.

We all know the most common data visualization tools such as Google Charts or Microsoft Excel. Let us introduce you to these different artificial intelligence (AI) programs that you can use to make your presentations and projects stand out. 

What is a Data Visualization Tool?  

First, we should get a better understanding of what data visualization is. Data visualization is the representation of information in the form of a chart, diagram, picture, etc. Data visualization tools provide a user-friendly way to see and understand information and be able to recognize trends, outliers, or patterns in the data. 

How successfully an individual communicates with their intended audience will depend on the data visualization tools they choose. In general, people are able to comprehend, analyze, and communicate data better when they are able to visualize it in a concrete way. 

Not only is data better understood when it’s more than just numbers and text, but the effectiveness of visualized data can be very beneficial for a company. Top-quality infographics are 30x more likely to be read than plain text and individuals who are presented data with visuals in addition to text and numbers versus data only presented in words or numbers are about 30% more likely to comprehend the information. 

Employers Prefer Experience with These Data Visualization Tools

Here are the most useful data visualization tools you can use that today’s employers are looking for:

1. Tableau

Source: Tableau Blog (https://www.tableau.com/about/blog/2021/3/what-is-tableau-business-science)

Tableau has the reputation of being the most popular data visualization tool amongst the Big Tech companies. It has been recognized for seven consecutive years by Gartner Magic Quadrant. 

This software company’s primary focus is on the business intelligence of each customer’s needs. They wanted to create a platform that everyone can use regardless of if they are an analyst, data scientist, student, teacher, executive, or sales representative. They have curated multiple different software products to meet each of their user’s needs. Users can create almost any type of visualization with this software, such as tables, mapping functionalities, and built-in geocoding. 

There are two versions of Tableau that are available, Tableau Desktop and Tableau Public. For full access to Tableau Desktop (all features included), there is a fee of $70 per month. However, there is still Tableau Public that is free to use. 

Not only does Tableau have visualization tools, but they also have integrated data sources that you can use that help with the transferring of your data, such as directly importing data from other files besides Excel files. Lastly, privacy is a critical component of this software. Tableau Desktop has privacy parameters that make all projects password protected. Restricted access is beneficial for companies that work with sensitive details. 

Some of the companies that utilize this software include Verizon, Charles Schwab, Hello Fresh, and Honeywell. 

2. Visme 

Source: Visme Blog (https://visme.co/blog/presentation-examples/)

Visme is an easy-to-use software that provides various visualization tools that you can use for any project. This software was created to help all users have the ability to make stunning graphs and data visualizations without learning about design.  

What makes Visme stand out from their competitors is that they emphasize connecting business intelligence with interactive design. There are multiple data widgets on this platform that one can use, such as a graph maker, chart templates, and visualization maps. In addition to creating basic numerical graphs, You are also able to create graphics for social media reports and revenue and goal projections. Visme also provides a range of ready-to-go templates that you can select from for your intended presentation or proposal. 

Visme has three different pricing plans, all of which are based on your needs. For full access to all of Visme’s software, there is a fee of $25 per month, the middle-tier plan that gives you access to most of the tools is $14 per month. Then for limited access, there is a basic version that is entirely free. They do offer unique pricing plans for students, educators, and non-profit organizations. 

3. Whatagraph

Source: Whatagraph Site (https://whatagraph.com/features)

Whatagraph is a data visualization tool geared towards digital marketing data such as social media, SEO, and email campaigns. What Whatagraph has over their competitors is that this software includes multi-channel marking data monitoring in real-time, cross-channel reporting, and automated report delivery. 

They pride their platform on having numerous integration tools that range from Twitter to Google Analytics. This wide range offers digital marketers and analysts to monitor more than one campaign at a time. Interface users can compile together reports from different data marketing sources. Each data report can be customized to a specific brand and programmed to auto-report on a specified day/date. 

The only disadvantage of this software is the cost. There are three tiers of subscription programs ranging from $119 per month up to $699 per month (billed annually), depending on what you need from this platform. You can try out this platform for free for seven days without having to commit to a payment plan. 

4. Infogram

Source: Infogram Blog (https://infogram.com/blog/infogram-templates/)

Infogram is a multi-purpose data visualization tool recently adopted by Prezi. You do not need to have a Prezi account to use it. Infogram has a low learning curve, making it easy to use for all those needing it. 

This tool is valuable for content creators, business owners, students, and journalists looking to present their data visually. There are over 30 types of charts and single graphs in their dashboard template library that you can choose from and customize. Infogram recently added social media templates and graphics to their platform, allowing more people to use their software to highlight data in presentations, projects, and reports. 

Personal plans start at $19 and then go up to $149 for company plans. However, there is a free version with limited access that you can use to try out this data visualization tool. 

5. Sisense

Source: Sisense Dashboard Examples (https://www.sisense.com/dashboard-examples/fun/)

The most analytical tool out of all of these data visualization tools is Sisense. This AI software helps individuals gain insights and intelligence about their business. 

Initially used for creating dashboards, Sisense was explicitly designed to help visualize large sums of data. The dashboard tools are intuitive and offer more elaborate data visualization widgets such as Sankey diagrams and creating analytics apps. This platform is beneficial for large corporations such as the technology and health industries. Sisense is easy to use and provides inexperienced analysts with customizable dashboard templates that can track metrics, evaluate performances, or analyze financial trends.

The only disadvantage of this platform is that it’s not free. You have to submit a custom inquiry to get a pricing quote for your company’s needs. However, this is easy to do, as all you need to do is fill out a form, and a member from the Sisense team will call you. 

Data drives the future. As a data scientist, you’ll harness the power of applied mathematics and computer science to glean valuable business insights from even the most unwieldy of data sets and then use data visualization to explain it to others. Learn more about how our online Data Science program powered by WOZ curriculum can prepare you for a career in Big Data.

Abigail Lindsey

Abigail Lindsey is a biochemical research technician who is currently working at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Therapeutics Discovery while pursuing a Master of Science (MS) in Biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University. She also has experience in the digital marketing and sales industry, as a photographer and graphic designer, sales representative, recruitment specialist, social media coordinator, and content writer.