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Head-to-head · Data Storytelling Tools

Understand vs Datastory

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Understand #5 in Data Storytelling Tools 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Understand
Datastory #6 in Data Storytelling Tools 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Datastory

Understand leads on 0 checks, Datastory 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 scoreUnderstand · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Understand
  • Most featuresUnderstand · 4 of 4

Understand scores higher on our rubric for data storytelling tools: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Understand is the better fit for connected scrollytelling for analytics teams. Datastory is the better fit for AI-assisted, source-rich data stories.

  • Understand fits best

    Connected scrollytelling for analytics teams

  • Datastory fits best

    AI-assisted, source-rich data stories

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 Understand 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Datastory 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #5 in Data Storytelling Tools #6 in Data Storytelling Tools
Best for Connected scrollytelling for analytics teams AI-assisted, source-rich data stories
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 14 integrations 4 integrations
Features Understand 4/4 · Datastory 0/4
Interactive visualizations ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Narrative annotations ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Presentation flow ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Live data refresh ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Share mode Both Not checked yet
Data source limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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.
  • AI recommends charts and provides data insights
  • Supports annotations, sources, methodology, embeds, and exports
  • Combines data catalogs, collaboration, branding, and responsive charts
Cons
  • 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.
  • Starter is limited to 15 data visualizations
  • Team collaboration and custom theming require Professional
  • Data integration and modelling are reserved for Enterprise
Our verdict

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 →

Datastory is a cloud-based data storytelling platform for journalists, researchers, analysts, NGOs, government agencies, consultants, and teams. Users can upload CSV data, work with spreadsheets or the Open Data Catalog, and create…

Read the review →
  1. UnderstandData Storytelling Tools 8.8Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. DatastoryData Storytelling Tools 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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.

  • Datastory — where it wins

    • AI recommends charts and provides data insights
    • Supports annotations, sources, methodology, embeds, and exports
    • Combines data catalogs, collaboration, branding, and responsive charts

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter is limited to 15 data visualizations
    • Team collaboration and custom theming require Professional
    • Data integration and modelling are reserved for Enterprise

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