Gephi
Free, open-source desktop app for visualizing and analyzing large networks, with a lighter web version.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Gephi
Gephi is an open-source desktop application for exploring network data: people and their connections, links between websites, citations, biological interactions and so on. You import nodes and edges from a spreadsheet or graph file, arrange them with layout algorithms such as ForceAtlas2, Fruchterman-Reingold or OpenOrd, then size and colour them by attributes. Built-in statistics cover community detection, centrality and clustering, and filters let you narrow a large graph interactively. Finished maps export as PNG, PDF or SVG. It started at a French university in 2008, is widely cited in academic research, and is run by a volunteer committee funded by donations. It is free under the GPL and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux as a Java app, with plugins for extra features. Gephi Lite is a simpler browser version for quick work. The desktop app has a steep learning curve and can feel clunky, and releases have historically been slow.
Best for: Researchers, journalists and analysts who need to map and measure large networks for free.
Pros and cons
What works
- Handles very large graphs with fast layout algorithms
- Built-in community detection and centrality metrics
- Exports publication-ready PNG, PDF and SVG
- Free and open source, with a browser-based Gephi Lite
Why people leave
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Java desktop app that can feel dated and unstable
- No real-time collaboration
Top Gephi alternatives
See all 3- 1
Cytoscape66.5Open-source network analysis platform with hundreds of apps, especially strong for biological data.
- 2
Kumu62.6Browser-based relationship mapping that is easier to share and collaborate on, free for public maps.
- 3
yEd Graph Editor52.6Free graph editor with good automatic layouts for smaller diagrams and hand-drawn networks.
Why people left Gephi
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Gephi, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers
Write a review of Gephi
Gephi: common questions
Is Gephi free?
Yes. Gephi is free, open-source software.
Is Gephi open source?
Yes.
What platforms does Gephi run on?
Gephi is available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Web.
What are the best alternatives to Gephi?
The highest-ranked Gephi alternatives right now are Cytoscape, Kumu and yEd Graph Editor. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.