Have you decided that you want to build a dashboard instead of embedding it on your app? Are you unsure of which user interface components to use to get the job done?
There are many different options on the market for those who want to build dashboards and create their own reports. They’re not all created equal, though.
Listed below are the top eight UI components you can use to achieve the best results from your dashboard.
1. ComponentOne Studio
ComponentOne Studio from Grape City is one of the most well-known, high-end control suites for those looking to build their own dashboard. It provides a wide range of individual controls, including controls for the following:
- Grids
- Charts
- Data visualization
- Calendars
- Schedule widgets
- Data input
- Text editing
- Menus
- Toolbars
- Ribbon controls
- Navigation
- Layout
- Report and document viewers
Separate platform versions of ComponentOne Studio also exist for frameworks like ASP.NET MVC, LightSwitch, SharePoint, Silverlight, Windows Phone, Windows Forms, and Windows Runtime.
Users generally are satisfied with the scope of ComponentOne Studio and the many features and controls it offers. However, some find that there are so many features and controls that it can be hard to find what you need when using it.
2. DevExpress
DevExpress’s .NET UI Controls are similar to those provided by ComponentOne Studio. They cover a variety of .NET, mobile, and web development stacks and provide the following views and features:
- Data views
- Grid views
- Card views
- Calendars and schedulers
- Rich text editor
- Spell checker
- Reports
- Spreadsheets
- Charts
- Gauges
- Document automation
- Image galleries
You can also license the .NET Controls packages individually for Silverlight, ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC, Windows Forms, Windows 8 XAML, and WPF.
Like ComponentOne Studio, DevExpress offers many features and is relatively easy to use. However, users have also found when they do run into a challenge, it can be difficult to get the support they need.
3. Infragistics
Infragistics offers control collections for the following frameworks:
- Silverlight
- ASP.NET
- ASP.NET MVC
- Windows Forms
- WPF
When it comes to mobile development, Infragistics also offers options for specific development stacks.
For example, Android Controls include data grids, charts, gauges, and barcode scanning. iOS Controls include the same ones, but they’re optimized for Xcode and Objective C.
Infragistics also offers Xamarin.Forms UI controls, which integrate the controls provided by the Android and iOS offerings with Xamarin tools for C# and XAML.
Developers who have used Infragistics find it relatively user-friendly and appreciate the number of examples it provides. However, they’ve also noted that the examples can be overly simplistic and not relevant to actual development situations.
4. Syncfusion
The Syncfusion Essential Studio control offers hundreds of controls for platforms like LightSwitch, Silverlight, ASP.NET MVC, ASP.NET Web Forms, the UWP, Windows Forms, and WPF.
Examples of controls it provides include charts, grids, schedulers, Gantt controls, diagrams, maps, gauges, menus, docking controls, and ribbons.
What about developing for mobile? Syncfusion also offers packages for iOS and Android, as well as Windows Phone and WinRT. Like Infragistics, Syncfusion’s Essential Studio for Zamarin option provides data visualization components for Xamarin.Forms and libraries handling XLSX, DOCX, and PDF files.
Many developers find Syncfusion to be relatively easy to use and to have an intuitive design. However, some users have complained about the platform’s support offerings and have struggled to get help when they need it.
5. Telerik DevCraft
Telerik DevCraft provides a variety of controls, including barcodes, charts, diagrams, maps, editors, gauges, calendars, and multiple template and styling controls. One of the primary differences between Telerik DevCraft and other component collections on this list, though, is the support platforms breakdown.
When it comes to web development, Telerik DevCraft’s control collections are broken down into different packages for the following frameworks:
- ASP.NET AJAX
- ASP.NET MVC
- PHP
- JavaServer Pages (JSP)
- Silverlight
Telerik DevCraft also offers control packages for desktop application developers, specifically those using WPF or Windows Forms.
As for mobile development, Telerik DevCraft provides controls products for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Xamarin.Forms, PhoneGap, and UWP.
Telerik DevCraft users generally like the grid, graph, and reporting features offered. However, they’re frustrated by the lack of documentation and code examples it provides, which can create unnecessary roadblocks during the development process.
6. Karamasoft
Karamasoft offers a UI Suite for ASP.NET UI components. The UI Suite features the following solutions:
- UltimateAjax
- UltimateCalendar
- UltimateEditor
- Ultimate Email
- UltimateMenu
- UltimatePanel
- UltimateSearch
- UltimateSitemap
- UltimateSpell
- UltimateTabstrip
Users appreciate the variety of components that come with Karamsoft’s solutions. However, they’ve also noted that the installation process can be challenging and time-consuming, especially because the package consists of ten different files for every component.
7. SoftArtisans
SoftArtisans offers options for ASP.NET and SharePoint document handling. Specific products include OfficeWriter, PowerPointWriter, and FileUp.
OfficeWriter promises users the ability to generate full-fidelity Excel and Word reports. Meanwhile, FileUp allows users to create secure and reliable applications, and PowerPoint Writer, as the name suggests, lets users design in PowerPoint and simplify the process of merging data into PowerPoint presentations.
Developers generally find SoftArtisans solutions to be easy to use. They like that it comes with a relatively small learning curve -- allowing them to utilize it fully soon after installation -- and that it allows them to get more out of frequently used programs like PowerPoint and Excel.
8. Xceed
Xceed provides developers with a vast library of solutions for data handling, document manipulation, and layout controls. This collection focuses primarily on Silverlight, Windows Forms, and WPF development.
Xceed users seem to be particularly impressed with the platform’s grid and chart components, making it a good choice for those who plan to use these elements in their dashboard development process.
They also find it easy to use, although they do note that it comes with fewer features compared to some of the other solutions on this list. This lack of features could be a positive or negative, depending on your specific needs (too many features can be overwhelming, as we noted with solutions like ComponentOne Studio).
The Hidden Alternative: Yurbi
While the idea of developing your own dashboards might seem exciting, it can turn quite daunting due to the complexity and time involved. It's an intricate process that comprises of several UI components, each of which needs to be designed, coded, tested, and maintained.
Instead of venturing down this demanding path, consider leveraging Yurbi's embedded analytics. This approach provides enhanced value, allowing you to reap the benefits of sophisticated analytics without the hassle of building and maintaining the platform yourself. Check out our blog post on the reasons for and against deciding to build your own.
Moreover, Yurbi's additional advantages underline its appeal. Our pricing model, for instance, stands out as a business-friendly solution. Unlike most other providers, we don't charge per-user fees. Instead, we provide straightforward, flat-rate pricing. It means that as your business grows, your costs don't need to skyrocket with it.
Furthermore, Yurbi offers self-service and ad-hoc reporting capabilities, secure data access, and a host of other features designed to enhance your data analytics and reporting.
Why not see for yourself just how beneficial Yurbi can be for your business analytics needs? We invite you to try out a free live demo session. If you prefer a more personalized approach, feel free to schedule a meeting with our team.
We're eager to help you explore the right analytics solutions for your business. Discover the Yurbi difference today!