Recently, web browser based applications have become very popular in many domains. However, the specific requirements of interactive Information Visualization (InfoVis) applications in terms of graphics performance and interactivity have not yet been investigated systematically in this context. In order to assess browser-based application platforms, we provide a systematic comparison of server-based rendering, Java applets, Flash, and Silverlight from several points of view. We aim to aid InfoVis developers in choosing the appropriate technology for their needs.