GazePlotter

Overview

GazePlotter is a free tool for visualizing and analyzing eye-gaze data without code. It is best suited to researchers who want to inspect data from several eye-tracking systems and keep processing on their own device. Its range of views and export formats is compelling, but timing-dependent results are only as reliable as the imported data.

It runs as an offline-capable Progressive Web App in a browser and is open-source software under the GNU GPL v3 license. The maker says data is processed locally rather than sent to a server. Researchers can also use its exported metrics in R, Python, SPSS, JASP or jamovi. For more options, see Eye Tracking Software.

Key features

Visualizations and metrics

GazePlotter offers scarf plots, AOI comparisons, transition matrices, AOI timelines, recurrence plots, scanpaths, scanpath similarity, metric timelines and metric correlations. Its metrics cover dwell time, fixation duration and counts, latency, AOI transitions, recurrence, scanpath similarity and eye-movement types. This makes it useful for exploring gaze patterns from multiple angles without writing analysis code.

A meaningful limitation applies to OGAMA imports: sequence order is preserved, but actual timing is not. Dwell time and time to first fixation therefore cannot be calculated accurately from those files. If dependable temporal measures are central to a project using OGAMA data, GazePlotter is not the right choice for that analysis.

Imports, privacy and exports

Imports include Tobii Pro Lab, SMI BeGaze, Gazepoint, Pupil Cloud, Varjo, OGAMA and custom CSV files; file types are detected automatically. The broad input support should suit researchers consolidating data from different sources, while local browser processing is a practical advantage for work that should remain on-device.

Workspaces can be saved as JSON, figures exported as PNG or JPG, and segmented data, events and metrics exported as CSV. ScanGraph export is also supported. Long or wide CSV metric exports can feed common statistical tools, so GazePlotter can serve as a visualization and preparation step rather than a closed analysis destination.

Open source and support

The GNU GPL v3 license makes this an open-source option. The maker directs users to GitHub to report bugs, request visualizations or contribute code, which may suit technically engaged researchers but is a less formal support route than a dedicated commercial service.

Pricing

Free: free. The tool requires no registration or subscription, and there is no separate free trial because the plan is free. This removes a purchasing barrier for individual researchers and teams evaluating the workflow; no paid tier or seat-based restriction is part of the plan.

Platforms

GazePlotter supports web browsers, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Its offline-capable PWA design extends its usefulness beyond desktop browser sessions, including mobile devices.

Who it's for

GazePlotter is a strong fit for researchers and non-programmers who need to visualize gaze data, compare AOIs, calculate supported metrics and export results for further analysis. Its broad imports, local processing and no-cost access make it especially practical for exploratory work across compatible data sources. It is a weaker fit when OGAMA is the source and accurate timing-based measures are essential.

Pros and cons

Pros: A broad set of gaze visualizations and metrics supports varied analysis without code.

Pros: It imports several named eye-tracking formats and custom CSV, with automatic file-type detection.

Pros: Local processing, offline capability and open-source licensing give users control over deployment and data handling.

Pros: JSON, image, CSV and ScanGraph exports provide routes for saving work and continuing analysis elsewhere.

Cons: OGAMA imports do not retain actual timing, making temporal measures such as dwell time inaccurate.

Cons: Support is directed through GitHub for bugs, requests and contributions rather than a dedicated support channel.

Alternatives

Labvanced is worth considering if a freemium tool with a free trial better suits the workflow; its free plan includes 300 MB storage, 10 recordings and one active recruiting link.

GazeRecorder is another free option across Android, iOS, web and Windows, but its stated free plan is for non-commercial use only.

Hawkeye may suit readers who want a freemium option limited to iOS and web; its free plan allows one project and five sessions, while Starter Plan costs $39.99 a month, billed monthly.

RealEye is a paid alternative with a free trial and Android, iOS and web support; its Basic annual plan is $325 a month, billed $3,900 annually.

OGAMA is a free, open-source Windows alternative.

OpenGazer is a free, open-source gaze tracker for Linux that requires a webcam and Linux build dependencies.

PyGaze is a free, open-source eye-tracking toolbox distributed as a Python package and source downloads for Linux, macOS and Windows.

SR Research Data Viewer is a paid option for Linux, macOS and Windows; it requires a license key and offers a temporary restricted demo mode, with free upgrades.

Verdict

Choose GazePlotter if you want a capable, free way to visualize and export gaze analyses without code, especially with local processing and multiple input formats. Look elsewhere if accurate temporal analysis of OGAMA files is a requirement, since those files do not preserve the timing needed for it.