Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Data Storytelling Tools

ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Understand

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ArcGIS StoryMaps #4 in Data Storytelling Tools 8.9/10 Free plan · 21-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 4 features Explore StoryMaps
Understand #5 in Data Storytelling Tools 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Understand

ArcGIS StoryMaps leads on 0 checks, Understand on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreArcGIS StoryMaps · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresUnderstand · 4 of 4

ArcGIS StoryMaps scores higher on our rubric for data storytelling tools: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

ArcGIS StoryMaps is the better fit for geographic and 3D narrative storytelling. Understand is the better fit for connected scrollytelling for analytics teams.

  • ArcGIS StoryMaps fits best

    Geographic and 3D narrative storytelling

  • Understand fits best

    Connected scrollytelling for analytics teams

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ArcGIS StoryMaps 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Understand 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #4 in Data Storytelling Tools #5 in Data Storytelling Tools
Best for Geographic and 3D narrative storytelling Connected scrollytelling for analytics teams
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 21 days 14 days
Free trial length 21 days 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Phone, Live chat, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 14 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ArcGIS StoryMaps 3/4 · Understand 4/4
Interactive visualizations ✓ ✓
Narrative annotations ✓ ✓
Presentation flow ✓ ✓
Live data refresh Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Share mode Both Both
Data source limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines maps, 3D scenes, multimedia, and narrative text
  • Supports ArcGIS web maps, web scenes, and Living Atlas content
  • Offers sharing, embedding, collections, and audience analytics
  • Sequential cards turn analysis into guided, interactive stories.
  • Connects to spreadsheets, databases, OLAP cubes, APIs, and files.
  • AI analysis, scheduled updates, sharing, and notifications support distribution.
Cons
  • Public accounts have feature and usage limits
  • Paid access is tied to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise user types
  • Its focus is geographic storytelling rather than general-purpose visualization
  • Starter supports only a single editor.
  • Growth pricing starts at $25 per editor monthly with annual billing.
  • The scrollytelling format may not suit every data presentation need.
Our verdict

ArcGIS StoryMaps is a web-based tool for creating digital stories and briefings with maps, geographic data, multimedia, text, and embedded content. It is designed for teams, educators, communicators, and organizations that need to explain…

Read the review →

Understand is a data storytelling platform for individuals, teams, and organizations that need to turn data into guided visual stories. It combines sequential scrollytelling cards with interactive charts, narrative annotations,…

Read the review →
  1. ArcGIS StoryMapsData Storytelling Tools 8.9Free plan · 21-day trial
  2. UnderstandData Storytelling Tools 8.8Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ArcGIS StoryMaps — where it wins

    • Combines maps, 3D scenes, multimedia, and narrative text
    • Supports ArcGIS web maps, web scenes, and Living Atlas content
    • Offers sharing, embedding, collections, and audience analytics

    Where it doesn't

    • Public accounts have feature and usage limits
    • Paid access is tied to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise user types
    • Its focus is geographic storytelling rather than general-purpose visualization

  • Understand — where it wins

    • Sequential cards turn analysis into guided, interactive stories.
    • Connects to spreadsheets, databases, OLAP cubes, APIs, and files.
    • AI analysis, scheduled updates, sharing, and notifications support distribution.

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter supports only a single editor.
    • Growth pricing starts at $25 per editor monthly with annual billing.
    • The scrollytelling format may not suit every data presentation need.
  • ArcGIS StoryMaps8.9/10 · Free plan · 21-day trial

    A map-led storytelling tool for interactive geographic and 3D presentations.

    Explore StoryMapsFull verdict →
  • Understand8.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A focused scrollytelling platform for turning connected data into guided visual stories.

    Visit UnderstandFull verdict →

More comparisons

All data storytelling tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update