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Head-to-head · Data Storytelling Tools

Datawrapper vs Understand

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Datawrapper #2 in Data Storytelling Tools 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Datawrapper
Understand #5 in Data Storytelling Tools 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Understand

Datawrapper 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 scoreDatawrapper · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Understand
  • Most featuresUnderstand · 4 of 4

Datawrapper scores higher on our rubric for data storytelling tools: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Datawrapper is the better fit for professional charts, maps, and newsroom publishing. Understand is the better fit for connected scrollytelling for analytics teams.

  • Datawrapper fits best

    Professional charts, maps, and newsroom publishing

  • 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 Datawrapper 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Understand 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #2 in Data Storytelling Tools #5 in Data Storytelling Tools
Best for Professional charts, maps, and newsroom publishing Connected scrollytelling for analytics teams
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $21/user/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 2 integrations 14 integrations
Features Datawrapper 0/4 · Understand 4/4
Interactive visualizations Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Narrative annotations Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Presentation flow Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Live data refresh Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Share mode Not checked yet Both
Data source limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Interactive charts, maps, and tables with responsive web embeds
  • Imports common file formats and connects to Google Sheets
  • Collaboration, branding, exports, and API automation in one tool
  • 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
  • Advanced chart types begin on the Business plan
  • PDF and SVG exports require the Pro plan
  • Self-hosting and SAML single sign-on require Enterprise
  • 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

Datawrapper is a web-based tool for creating, publishing, and exporting charts, maps, and tables. It is designed for journalists, researchers, educators, organizations, and teams that need professional data visualizations for websites,…

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. DatawrapperData Storytelling Tools 9.1Free plan
  2. UnderstandData Storytelling Tools 8.8Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Datawrapper — where it wins

    • Interactive charts, maps, and tables with responsive web embeds
    • Imports common file formats and connects to Google Sheets
    • Collaboration, branding, exports, and API automation in one tool

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced chart types begin on the Business plan
    • PDF and SVG exports require the Pro plan
    • Self-hosting and SAML single sign-on require Enterprise

  • 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.
  • Datawrapper9.1/10 · Free plan

    A versatile choice for interactive data publishing, collaboration, and newsroom-ready exports.

    Visit DatawrapperFull 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