These are roughly arranged in order of ease of use. Avoid Google Sheets if you want ease of use. 2025 Update: AP Classroom and Bluebook for AP Physics and math exams now has Desmos.com built in, so that makes it the first choice for AP Classes. 

Desmos (Desmos.com)

• Create a free account, it allows you to save and access your graphs on any device with a connected internet browser. 
• Android and iOS apps are free
• There is an extensive library of simulations at teacher.desmos.com – you can copy them into your account and easily find them or modify them if necessary
• graph functions using math notation (number the variables if you are graphing more than one function y1, y2, etc. or use different variables, for example type a =5x+3, then a-3 will graph the line without the intercept

• Click on the circle to turn off a graph. Note that typing “m” and “b” give suggestion to insert a slider, or you can just type a numerical value for slope and intercept
• Click the plus sign and select table to graph data

• Label variables with a specific name (x₁, not x) and type in values, graph is constructed automatically

• Process data by typing the variable name at the top of the table with the mathematical operation “squared” or a sum, for instance. 

• Use the tilde (~) to get a best-fit (this is no longer necessary, after graphing data from a table a regressions function will display)

• Click the wrench to format the graph (including adding labels): 

• Click the export arrow to get a link to the graph or to save it as an image (this is not available in the AP Classroom version)

nplot

Go to Noragulfa.com/nplot (or click the link in the heading above).  This one is so simple. It’s my current favorite. The screen looks like the one below. Just read the instructions and do those things and it works flawlessly. Thanks Geoff Nunes!

Quick Graph 5.0

Go to: https://thephysicsaviary.com/Physics/Programs/Tools/Graphing/.  It looks like this:

Super easy, just click on the buttons on the lower right. 

Vernier Graphical Analysis 4

• This is a free app (you pay for more features, if needed). Download the standalone version for Windows or Mac. Use the Chrome web app for Chromebook, there are also apps for iOS and Android
• When you open it, you are given options to collect data, or just enter data manually
• Create an account and use Fayetteville HS as your school to download Logger Pro (only for computers, not Chromebook)
• When a sensor (such as a motion detector), a LabQuest, and Chromebook are properly connected, you will have a “Collect” button on your screen in Graphical Analysis. The “Sensor Setup” button allows you to “Zero” or “Reverse” the sensor, if needed.
• Save the data using the “file-name” button located  at the top left of your screen. (always save a Graphical Analysis file with a descriptive name in your Google Drive).
• Put a curve fit on a graph using the button on the lower left and “Apply Curve Fit” command.  
• Change the view so it just shows one graph, using the button on the upper right. Export your graph using the “file-name” button (top left). 
• Use control-c to copy and control-v to paste graphs into a document at any time 
• You can change graph options easily by clicking on and selecting “Graph Options”
  
• Additional options and help are available at the top right

• Click on the three dots on your data table to change the name of a data column or add additional data sets

you can also access options for a column of data by clicking the three dots

Google Sheets

• Enter data with a label and units at the top
• The horizontal axis variable must be on the left for the graph to format correctly automatically. There must be nothing other than numbers in the data cells, or the graph will not format correctly. 
• Select all data and the labels

• Click “Insert” and select “Chart”
• Select the chart type you want (note that mine has remembered that I always prefer “scatter plot” and has chosen it for me)
• If the graph doesn’t look right, scroll down and make sure these two options are selected (the first thing to check if the graph does not format correctly):

• Click on “Customize” if the default graph options don’t suit you:

• Click on a data point (on the actual dot on the graph) and the control panel changes:

• Scroll down and select “ Trendline”

• Use the dropdown to select the type of function you want to be your “trendline”

• Scroll down and click “Label” and change it to “Use Equation” and select “Show R^2” to see statistics

• Note that Error Bars can be added if desired

• Use the “=” symbol and cell references to enter a formula to manipulate data

• Click on the square and drag it down to fill the formula in adjacent cells

• You can also automatically do averages (again, scroll down to fill the formula in all the cells)

• Click on your graph at any time and use control-c to copy and control-v to paste. Screenshots can be taken on a Chromebook using”control-window switcher”