I've collected a table of existing open source plotting packages I've found, with emphasis on 3d plotting and plotting libraries. Most of these libraries are hosted on SourceForge. I've only put programs that I was able to compile and run on my system.
| Package | URL | Platform | Features | Language(s) | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Un*x | Windows | OS X | 3d | library | ||||
| gnuplot | http://gnuplot.sourceforge.net/ | yes | yes | yes | ? | yes | yes? | ? | a long-standing open-source plotting package. it is used as the plotter for octave |
| PLplot | http://plplot.sourceforge.net/ | yes | yes | ? | ? | yes | yes | C, X | simple and fast |
| MayaVi | http://mayavi.sourceforge.net/ | yes | ? | yes | ? | yes | no? | VTK | very pretty plus lots of capabilities. can't be used as a library [?] |
| MeTa->phi | http://metaphi.sourceforge.net/ | yes | ? | no? | yes | yes | ? | openGL, SDL | very pretty and seemingly fast |
| g2 graphical library | http://g2.sourceforge.net/ | yes | yes | yes | no? | no | yes | C | 2d plotting library |
| xplot | http://mathdev.sourceforge.net/ | yes | yes | yes | ? | yes | ? | openGL | buggy behavior on first investigation. no 2d? |
| GLPlot | http://glplot.sourceforge.net/ | yes | no | no | no | yes? | yes | multiple | Many dependencies...wouldn't compile on my system! Gnome based |