SimpleViz: A user-friendly, web-based tool for publication-ready data visualization in bioinformatics

Mol Cells. 2025 Jul;48(7):100222. doi: 10.1016/j.mocell.2025.100222. Epub 2025 May 8.

Abstract

Large-scale datasets are central to bioinformatics research, creating a demand for intuitive visualization tools that transform complex data into accessible graphics. Existing visualization software often comes with high costs or requires coding expertise, limiting accessibility for many researchers. To address this gap, we introduce SimpleViz, a free, web-based platform that enables the creation of professional-quality figures without the need for programming skills. SimpleViz offers gene-level analysis of RNA-seq data and core visualization types such as box/violin/dot plots, volcano plots, principal component analysis plots, and heatmaps, with extensive customization options for detailed adjustments and built-in statistical comparisons. Developed on a Shiny interface, SimpleViz simplifies the process of data upload, visualization generation, and customization, ensuring that users can produce tailored visuals suited for publication. With plans for continuous improvement based on user feedback, SimpleViz provides an adaptable, accessible solution that meets evolving data analysis needs in biomedical research.

Keywords: Bar/violin/dot plot; Data visualization; Principal component analysis plot; Volcano plot.

MeSH terms

  • Computational Biology* / methods
  • Data Visualization*
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Software*
  • User-Computer Interface