QuickChart alternative: Cuelark Render vs QuickChart

Pick QuickChart if you need full Chart.js with plugins or a self-hosted open-source renderer. Pick Cuelark Render for free static chart images with no license question, plus OG images, PDFs, screenshots and an MCP server from the same API.

QuickChart compared with Cuelark Render
Feature	QuickChart	Cuelark Render
Free tier	Community plan $0, rate limited, GNU AGPL v3 license	Free, 120 requests/min per IP, use the images anywhere
Paid plan	Professional $40/month: 10,000 images/month, full commercial usage	No paid plans yet
Chart format	Full Chart.js configs, including plugins	Chart.js-style JSON for bar, line, area, pie and doughnut, plus a simpler format; no plugins or JS callbacks
QR codes	Yes	On qr.cuelark.com (separate site, also free)
Other renders	Charts and QR codes	Charts, OG/social images, HTML to PDF and screenshots
MCP server for AI assistants	Not listed on the pricing page	Yes, https://render.cuelark.com/mcp
Open source / self-host	Yes (open source)	No

QuickChart facts are from their pricing page, checked November 10, 2026. Prices change, so check there before you buy. QuickChart is a trademark of its owner; Cuelark is not affiliated with it.

A real example from the same API

This PNG is rendered by /v1/chart from the JSON below. It works with JavaScript off. Open the Chart image API to try your own data.

{
  "type": "bar",
  "title": "Signups by day",
  "labels": [
    "Mon",
    "Tue",
    "Wed",
    "Thu",
    "Fri"
  ],
  "datasets": [
    {
      "label": "Signups",
      "data": [
        12,
        19,
        8,
        15,
        22
      ]
    }
  ]
}

When QuickChart is the better choice

You need Chart.js plugins, mixed chart types, custom fonts or gradients.
You want to self-host the renderer on your own servers.
You need an SLA (QuickChart Enterprise).

When Cuelark Render is the better choice

You want free images without reading an AGPL license.
You also need social cards, PDFs or screenshots from one API.
You want an AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) to make charts through MCP.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cuelark Render's chart API really free?

Yes. Chart and OG images are free, with a per-IP rate limit (120 requests/minute). There is no AGPL license on the images you get.

Can I paste a full Chart.js config with plugins?

Not the way QuickChart accepts them. Cuelark takes Chart.js-style JSON for bar, line, area, pie and doughnut charts, or a simpler format, without plugins or JavaScript callbacks. QuickChart is the better fit for full Chart.js.

Can I self-host Cuelark Render?

No. QuickChart is open source and can be self-hosted. That is a real reason to pick them.

What else can the same API do?

OG and social images, HTML or URL to PDF, and website screenshots, plus an MCP server for AI assistants. QuickChart's pricing page lists charts and QR codes.