When is a pie chart better than a bar chart?

A pie chart is better when the main message is part-to-whole proportion.

When is a bar chart better than a pie chart?

A bar chart is better when exact comparison between categories matters.

Yes. The same dataset can often be shown as either chart type, but one may explain it better.

Choose the chart that makes your main question easiest to answer visually.

Pie charts are strongest when the message is about how parts relate to a whole.

If the question is about which category is bigger or how far apart two values are, bar charts are usually easier to read.

Many people choose a chart because it looks familiar, but the better choice depends on whether the story is proportion or comparison.

If the takeaway is unclear in one format, try the other. The better visual is the one the audience understands faster.