The driver should have SPI or I²C interface and allow dimming.

SPI

• MAX7219 : LCSC.com : €2.07 (Digikey >€7)
  • has an internal 8x8bit RAM buffer
• 74HC595 + 74HC138: 8 outputs, cheap, standard part, PWM-dimming using /OE-pin, Digikey €0.33/pce.  This has the disadvantage that next to SPI, extra control lines for the 74HC138 are required.
• 2x 74HC595 : One 74HC595 as row controller (only one row should be on at a time).  The other 74HC595 is used as column controller.  Using the same device twice reduces BoM length.
  • no RAM buffer, so each row must be written at least 25 times per second to keep persistence of vision.
• TLC5925 | STP16CPC26 | CAT4016 | MAX6969: 16 outputs, integrated current source, Digikey €1/pce.  This might be useful for dual color LED matrices.  Here only 8 outputs are needed.

I²C

• PCA9685 : LED driver, Digikey €1.80/pce, hard to solder by hand : TSSOP
• HT16K33 : popular on led matrices, LCSC.com : €0.33, not available on Digikey.

To avoid that the 74HC595 has to source the current for the LED array, transistors will be used, as switches.  Three transistor types could be used : PNP, NPN and PMOS:

• PNP would require base transistors.  There's little room for those.
• PMOS is more expensive than NPN.
• NPN is used here as a switchable diode.  There's at least 0.7V over the NPN.  In this application it doesn't matter.  It helps for spreading heat over more components, avoiding hotspots.