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Head-to-head · Data Storytelling Tools

Flourish vs ArcGIS StoryMaps

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Flourish #1 in Data Storytelling Tools 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Flourish
ArcGIS StoryMaps #4 in Data Storytelling Tools 8.9/10 Free plan · 21-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 4 features Explore StoryMaps

Flourish leads on 0 checks, ArcGIS StoryMaps on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFlourish · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly ArcGIS StoryMaps
  • Most featuresArcGIS StoryMaps · 3 of 4

Flourish scores higher on our rubric for data storytelling tools: 9.3 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Flourish is the better fit for broad interactive stories and scrollytelling. ArcGIS StoryMaps is the better fit for geographic and 3D narrative storytelling.

  • Flourish fits best

    Broad interactive stories and scrollytelling

  • ArcGIS StoryMaps fits best

    Geographic and 3D narrative storytelling

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Side by side

Feature Flourish 9.3/10 Visit ↗ ArcGIS StoryMaps 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.9
Ranking #1 in Data Storytelling Tools #4 in Data Storytelling Tools
Best for Broad interactive stories and scrollytelling Geographic and 3D narrative storytelling
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 21 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 5 integrations 5 integrations
Features Flourish 0/4 · ArcGIS StoryMaps 3/4
Interactive visualizations Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Narrative annotations Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Presentation flow Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Live data refresh Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Share mode Not checked yet Both
Data source limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 50+ chart, map and interactive templates
  • Interactive stories, responsive embeds and scrollytelling
  • Live updates, collaboration, branding and export options
  • 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
Cons
  • Free public publishing includes Flourish attribution
  • Presenter requires an eligible Canva Business or Enterprise plan
  • Publisher and Enterprise use custom contracts and invoicing
  • 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
Our verdict

Flourish is a browser-based data visualization platform for individuals, newsrooms, organizations and teams. It supports uploaded files and datasets, interactive charts, maps, stories and scrollytelling without coding. Users can publish…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. FlourishData Storytelling Tools 9.3Free plan
  2. ArcGIS StoryMapsData Storytelling Tools 8.9Free plan · 21-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Flourish — where it wins

    • 50+ chart, map and interactive templates
    • Interactive stories, responsive embeds and scrollytelling
    • Live updates, collaboration, branding and export options

    Where it doesn't

    • Free public publishing includes Flourish attribution
    • Presenter requires an eligible Canva Business or Enterprise plan
    • Publisher and Enterprise use custom contracts and invoicing

  • 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

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