QuickChart Inc.
QuickChart Inc. provides open-source APIs and no-code tools that render Chart.js configurations into static chart images, QR codes, and word clouds for use in emails, PDFs, and platforms where JavaScript cannot execute, serving individual developers, automation platforms, and Fortune 500 enterprises.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersMenlo Park, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What QuickChart Inc. does
QuickChart Inc. (legally structured as Alioth LLC and headquartered in Menlo Park, California) provides open-source APIs and no-code tools for generating chart images, QR codes, and word cloud visualizations as static image files. Founded in 2015 and launched in 2018 by Ian Webster, a former Googler, the company builds on top of the Chart.js open-source library (defaulting to Chart.js v2.9.4) to render Chart.js configurations server-side into PNG, SVG, or WebP outputs that function in environments where JavaScript and SVG are stripped — most notably email clients, PDFs, static documents, and chat platforms. The technology stack spans a REST API (URL-based GET and POST), an on-demand rendering infrastructure that evicts chart definitions from memory immediately after rendering, global caching across multiple cloud providers (Cloudflare, DigitalOcean), client libraries in seven programming languages (JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, C#, Java, Go), and a no-code Chart Maker tool.
The company's core offering comprises three APIs — a Chart Image API, a QR Code API (with bulk batch support and deep customization including dot/finder pattern styles), and a Word Cloud API — supplemented by Short URL/Template infrastructure, a Google Sheets plugin for dynamic data binding, and a Salesforce Apex component for embedding chart images in CRM. In 2024 the company added agent-oriented endpoints (OpenAPI spec at /openapi.json, /llms.txt summary, /natural/config for text-to-chart config generation, and configuration validation endpoints) to position the product for LLM-mediated workflows.
QuickChart distributes through a freemium product-led growth model. The Community tier is free (rate-limited to 60 charts/minute and 1,000/month) under the GNU AGPLv3 license. The Professional tier is priced at $40/month for 100,000 images with dedicated infrastructure and priority support, and the Enterprise tier offers custom pricing with unlimited volume, worldwide CDN, SLA guarantees, dedicated account management, custom branding, and on-premises deployment. A commercial license is sold separately for organizations that need to self-host without AGPL obligations. Distribution is primarily self-serve via quickchart.io and through marketplace listings on Zapier and Make; enterprise sales operate via contact/quote. The company is privately held and bootstrapped, with no disclosed institutional funding rounds; it advertises adoption by Samsung, Microsoft, Cisco, Google, Cloudflare, Airbus, Farmers Insurance, and universities and hospitals, while highlighting that the platform has rendered over 4 billion cumulative chart images and processes 300+ million charts per month.
QuickChart Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- QuickChart Inc.
- Legal name
- Alioth LLC
- Website
- https://quickchart.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- QuickChart Inc. provides open-source APIs and no-code tools that render Chart.js configurations into static chart images, QR codes, and word clouds for use in emails, PDFs, and platforms where JavaScript cannot execute, serving individual developers, automation platforms, and Fortune 500 enterprises.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where QuickChart Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Menlo Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
QuickChart Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Hosted API / SaaS Subscriptions: QuickChart operates a hosted SaaS API offering three tiers. The Community (free) tier provides limited chart rendering (rate-limited). The Professional tier ($40/month) offers 100,000 images/month, dedicated servers, CDN, URL shortener, and no watermarks. The Enterprise tier is custom-priced with unlimited images, worldwide CDN, SLA, and dedicated account manager. All tiers are billed on a recurring subscription basis (monthly or annual). A commercial license is also available for on-premises/private use.
- Commercial Open-Source License: Purchasing a hosted license also grants permission to modify QuickChart for private and on-premises commercial use. The open-source code is dual-licensed under GNU AGPLv3 (free) and a commercial license (paid, for private deployments).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Community (Free) - Open-source chart and QR code rendering for developers |
| Subscription | Monthly | Professional - $40/month - Full commercial usage with dedicated infrastructure |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise - Custom pricing - Unlimited usage with SLA and account management |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
QuickChart Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
QuickChart is a SaaS API platform that generates chart images, QR codes, and word clouds on demand for embedding in emails, PDFs, reports, chat, and applications where JavaScript-rendered charts cannot run. It is built on the open-source Chart.js library and offers a hosted commercial tier with higher rate limits, commercial licensing, and enterprise features such as SLAs, alongside a no-code Chart Maker tool for non-developers.
Product overview
QuickChart is a unified API-as-a-product platform for programmatic data visualization. The core offering consists of three main APIs: the Chart Image API (built on Chart.js, generating PNG/SVG/WebP chart images), the QR Code API (generating QR codes with extensive customization), and the Word Cloud API (creating tag/word cloud visualizations). These are supplemented by a no-code Chart Maker tool for visual chart template creation, official client libraries in 7 programming languages (JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, C#, Java, Go), a Short URL/Template system for URL management and dynamic chart variations, and an Agent-Friendly API with OpenAPI specs for LLM/agent integration. The Google Sheets plugin enables dynamic data binding from spreadsheets. The entire platform is built on the open-source Chart.js library and is dual-licensed (GNU AGPLv3 open source + commercial license).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Chart Image API Generates chart images (PNG, SVG, PDF) from URL-encoded Chart.js configurations. Used by software developers building applications, dashboards, reports, and bots that need to render charts in environments where JavaScript does not run, such as email, PDF, and chat.
- QR Code API Generates QR code images with customizable colors, sizes, and error correction levels. Used by developers and businesses for marketing materials, ticket generation, and contactless interactions.
- Word Cloud API Generates word cloud images from input text data. Used by content analysis, social media monitoring, and text visualization applications.
- Chart Maker Browser-based no-code tool that lets non-developers create charts via a visual interface. Targets business users, marketers, and content creators who need charts without writing code.
Companies that use QuickChart Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
QuickChart Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
QuickChart Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and core infrastructure.
- Chart.jscoreQuickChart is built directly on Chart.js, the most popular open-source frontend charting library. It renders any Chart.js configuration into an image. The service supports all Chart.js chart types, plugins, and customization options.
- ZapiermajorQuickChart offers a Zapier integration that allows users to create charts as an action within Zapier workflows. Users can generate bar charts and other chart types from data in spreadsheets, CRMs, and other connected apps.
- Make (formerly Integromat)majorQuickChart provides a no-code integration with Make (formerly Integromat), a visual platform for gluing and scripting platforms together. Users can create charts as part of automated workflows within the Make platform.
- AirtableminorQuickChart integrates with Airtable, a cloud collaboration platform. Users can embed dynamic charts in Airtable bases using the Chart Maker and no-code chart generation tools.
- Google SheetsmajorQuickChart provides a Google Sheets integration via a Chart.js plugin (googleSheets) that dynamically pulls data from Google Sheets spreadsheets at chart render time. Also supports Google Sheets via Google Apps Script integration for inserting charts in Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
- BubbleminorQuickChart's Chart Maker supports embedding dynamic charts in Bubble (a no-code web application builder) through the no-code chart API templates.
- AppSheetminorQuickChart's Chart Maker and no-code chart API can be used to embed dynamic charts in AppSheet (Google's no-code app builder) applications.
- ThunkableminorThunkable has published a tutorial for using QuickChart's Chart Maker to create no-code charts within the Thunkable no-code mobile app builder platform.
- Cloudflarecore infrastructureCloudflare is used for hosting, load balancing, and anonymous analytics. Listed as a subprocessor in the Privacy Policy and displayed as a customer logo on the pricing page.
- DigitalOceancore infrastructureDigitalOcean is listed as a subprocessor for cloud hosting in the Privacy Policy. QuickChart's infrastructure is distributed across multiple cloud providers.
- Stripecore infrastructureStripe handles all payment processing and billing. Credit card information is not stored on QuickChart's servers. Listed as a subprocessor in the Privacy Policy.
- Google AnalyticsminorGoogle Analytics is used for anonymous web usage analytics. Listed as a subprocessor in the Privacy Policy. Users can opt out via the Google Analytics opt-out link.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
QuickChart Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Observable: Observable is a notebook-based data visualization platform with built-in chart creation, image export, and a JS-first developer community. It overlaps with QuickChart's developer audience building data-driven charts and offers a competing path for producing static and interactive visualizations.
- Highcharts: Highcharts is a popular commercial JavaScript charting library that ships with an Export Server for rendering charts to PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF. It is comparable to QuickChart in delivering charts that work in JS-stripped environments (email, PDFs) and serves an overlapping enterprise developer audience.
- ECharts: Apache ECharts is a powerful open-source JavaScript visualization library widely used in dashboards and analytics products. It competes with Chart.js (QuickChart's foundation) for developer adoption and offers server-side rendering paths that overlap with QuickChart's chart image generation model.
- FusionCharts: FusionCharts is a commercial JavaScript charting library with an export server that produces chart images in PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF. It overlaps with QuickChart in the charting-library-to-image-output pipeline and competes for the same embedded charting use case, though it is library-first rather than API-first.
Direct peers
- Datawrapper: Datawrapper is a chart creation tool used by journalists and newsrooms to produce publication-ready, embeddable static chart images. It overlaps with QuickChart's 'no-code chart maker' and Chart Maker flows and targets similar embedding in emails and web pages where interactive charts are impractical.
- Image-Charts: Image-Charts is a hosted chart image generation API that monetizes the same Google Image Charts gap that QuickChart addresses. Both products render Chart.js-style configurations into PNG/SVG via a URL-based REST API for embedding in emails, PDFs, and chat platforms, serving the same developer and no-code audiences with a comparable freemium + paid tier model.
- chart-img: chart-img is a chart image generation API that converts Chart.js configs and other chart definitions into static images. It targets the same use case (JS-free chart embedding in email and documents) and the same developer persona, positioning it as a close head-to-head substitute for QuickChart.
Broad incumbents
- Plotly: Plotly offers a broad data visualization platform spanning open-source charting libraries (Plotly.py, Plotly.js), Dash apps, and Chart Studio. While broader than QuickChart and not a pure image API, it competes for the same developer mindshare around programmatic chart generation and offers static image export.
- Canva: Canva is a broad design platform that includes chart and infographic creation for non-technical users. While its strengths are general visual design rather than programmatic chart APIs, its Chart Maker-style flows overlap with QuickChart's no-code path for marketers and non-developers.
Others
- Chart.js: Chart.js is the open-source JavaScript charting library on which QuickChart is built. It is the technical substrate that defines QuickChart's chart vocabulary; while not a competitor, its roadmap, popularity, and version trajectory directly shape QuickChart's product capabilities and risk profile.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
QuickChart Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceQuickChart Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
QuickChart Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
QuickChart Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
QuickChart Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
QuickChart Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about QuickChart Inc.
What does QuickChart Inc. do?
QuickChart is a SaaS API platform that generates chart images, QR codes, and word clouds on demand for embedding in emails, PDFs, reports, chat, and applications where JavaScript-rendered charts cannot run. It is built on the open-source Chart.js library and offers a hosted commercial tier with higher rate limits, commercial licensing, and enterprise features such as SLAs, alongside a no-code Chart Maker tool for non-developers.
Is QuickChart Inc. a public or private company?
QuickChart Inc. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was QuickChart Inc. founded?
QuickChart Inc. was founded in 2015.
Where is QuickChart Inc. based?
QuickChart Inc. is headquartered in Menlo Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does QuickChart Inc. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hosted API / SaaS Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are commercial Open-Source License.
Who are QuickChart Inc.'s main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Observable, Highcharts, ECharts and FusionCharts. Direct peers are Datawrapper, Image-Charts and chart-img. Broad incumbents are Plotly and Canva. Chart.js is listed as an others.
Does QuickChart Inc. have an API?
Yes. QuickChart provides a REST API that renders chart images, QR codes, and word clouds. The main chart endpoint accepts Chart.js configurations and returns PNG, SVG, or WebP images. The API supports GET requests (URL parameters) and POST requests (JSON body). Features include URL shortener, templates, devicePixelRatio for retina support, and various chart customizations. The API is publicly available with rate limits for free tier (60 charts/min, 1000/month) and higher limits for paid tiers. Discovery files available at https://quickchart.io/openapi.json for OpenAPI spec and validation endpoints for chart/QR configs. Developer documentation is at quickchart.io/documentation.