GeneratorsComparison bar

Animated Comparison Bar Chart Generator

Put two things side by side, category by category. Export as PNG, SVG, GIF or MP4.

Exports asMP4GIFPNGSVG

Free to try · No design skills · Ready in about two minutes

Overview

What this tool is for

Most comparisons people actually need to make come down to two things set against each other, not several categories plotted generically: your product against a competitor's, this year against last, before a change against after it. The mechanics are the same as a grouped bar chart, paired bars sitting next to each other across categories, but the framing is narrower: exactly two things, compared directly, category by category.

That narrower framing is the point. Two consistently coloured bars per category let a reader see which side wins on which category at a glance, without hunting through a legend built for three or more series.

Reochart animates each pair in together and keeps the two sides' colours consistent across every category, so the head-to-head reads instantly. Export as MP4, GIF, PNG or SVG, on your brand on Pro.

reochart.com/editor
Data
Organic3
Email2
Paid2
Social1
+ Add row
MP4GIFPNGSVG
Export

How it works

How a comparison bar chart works

1

Each category gets exactly two bars, one per side, sharing a zero baseline so their lengths are directly comparable. A legend names the two sides, and their colours stay fixed across every category.

2

Order categories by whatever tells the clearest story, usually the size of the gap between the two sides, so the biggest differences are easy to find.

Examples

Example charts

Real charts made in Reochart, each with its own data and theme. Hover to play the animation.

Your product vs a competitor, feature by feature.
This year vs last year, by quarter.
Before vs after a redesign.

Good fit

When to use it

  • Your product vs a named competitor
  • This year vs last year
  • Before vs after a change
  • Any head-to-head with exactly two sides

Reach for something else

When not to use it

  • You are comparing three or more things, use the general grouped bar chart instead.
  • The story is signed gains and losses across categories rather than two named sides, a diverging bar chart shows that more directly.
  • You have more than about eight to ten categories, the paired bars start to blur together.
  • You need a feature checklist with checkmarks rather than numeric values, a comparison table fits that better.

Compare

Which chart to use

Comparison bar vs the alternatives.

Chart typeBest forAvoid when
Comparison barExactly two things, head-to-headThree or more things to compare
Grouped barThree or more series per categoryA simple two-sided comparison
Diverging barSigned gains and losses by categoryTwo positive values side by side

Your data

What data you need

One row per category, one column for each of your two sides. Name each side, the names become the legend. Paste from a sheet or import a CSV.

CategorySide ASide B
Speed4.63.8
Support4.83.5
Price4.14.4

Step by step

How to make one

1
Paste or import

Drop your numbers in, or import a CSV.

2
Pick a style

Choose the chart, theme and animation speed.

3
Make it yours

Tune colours, labels and add your brand.

4
Export anywhere

Download MP4, GIF, PNG or SVG.

Best practices

Get it right

Do
  • Give the two sides distinct, consistent colours across every chart you publish.
  • Use the same unit for both sides in every category.
  • Order categories by size of the gap, or by a natural sequence that carries its own meaning.
Don't
  • Compare more than about eight to ten categories at once.
  • Let one side's colour imply a value judgement unless that is a deliberate choice.
  • Start the axis anywhere other than zero.

Watch out

Common mistakes to avoid

!
Mixed units

Comparing dollars in one row and percentages in another invites confusion. Keep one shared unit across the whole chart.

!
Too many categories

Beyond eight to ten, paired bars blur together. Trim to the categories that matter most.

!
Inconsistent colours

If the 'us' colour changes between posts, a reader following along loses the thread. Lock one colour per side.

!
No source or date

A comparison with no date behind it reads as an unsupported claim, especially against a named competitor.

Why Reochart

Built for sharing, not just charting

  • No design skills required
  • Animated MP4 and GIF exports
  • PNG and scalable SVG too
  • Your brand colours and logo (Pro)
  • Paste from a sheet or import a CSV
  • Presentation and feed ready in minutes

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I compare more than two things at once?

This page is built specifically around exactly two. For three or more, the general grouped bar chart generator supports additional series.

How do I make it obvious which side is which?

Give the two sides distinct, consistent colours and name them clearly, the names become the legend.

Can I use this for a before-and-after comparison?

Yes, the mechanic is the same either way. If signed change itself is the point, the before and after chart generator may fit even better.

Should the axis start at zero?

Yes, in almost every case. Starting anywhere else exaggerates the gap between the two sides relative to the real numbers.

Can I make it animated?

Yes. Charts animate by default, and you can export the animation as an MP4 or GIF, or grab a static PNG or SVG if you prefer.

Can I export as SVG?

Yes. Pro exports a crisp, scalable SVG vector, alongside MP4, GIF and PNG. Every export renders at 1080p.

Is Reochart free?

Yes. The free plan lets you make every chart type except the animated bar chart race, and export an animated MP4 with a small watermark, no card needed. Pro adds the bar chart race, removes the watermark, and adds GIF and SVG, your brand colours and logo, longer videos and CSV import.

Make your chart now

Drop in your numbers and export something worth sharing, in about two minutes. Free to start.