ArcGIS StoryMaps
ArcGIS StoryMaps: A map-led storytelling tool for interactive geographic and 3D presentations. Ranked #4 of 22 in Data Storytelling Tools by our editors (8.9/10); pricing: Free plan · 21-day trial; best for geographic and 3D narrative storytelling.
At a glance
- Editor score8.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 21-day trial
- Best forGeographic and 3D narrative storytelling
- Free planYes
- Interactive visualizationsYes
- Founded1969
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on ArcGIS StoryMaps
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 places, events, projects, or data through a narrative format. Users can create express maps with points, pop-ups, and arrows, or incorporate ArcGIS web maps, web scenes, and Living Atlas content. Stories can be published publicly or shared with organizations, groups, or specific audiences through links and website embeds.
Its main strength is the depth of its map-led storytelling workflow. Three-dimensional scenes, interactive maps, presentation-style briefings, themes, custom visual styling, and collections support more than a simple slideshow or static infographic. Multimedia blocks accommodate video, photos, audio, text, and embeds, while audience analytics provide visibility into published content. The product fits especially well where geographic context matters and where an organization already works with ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, web maps, or web scenes. It is available on the web and through self-hosted coverage.
ArcGIS StoryMaps uses a freemium model. The free public account supports content creation and sharing with usage limits. Creator provides the full ArcGIS StoryMaps storytelling capabilities and is included with ArcGIS Online, while Professional includes the same capabilities and everything in Creator. Professional Plus includes the full capabilities and everything in Professional. A 21-day free trial is also available. This structure suits ArcGIS users who want presentation and publishing tools around geographic content. Buyers seeking broad, non-geographic data storytelling without ArcGIS dependencies may prefer a more general-purpose option.
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ArcGIS StoryMaps pricing
All 4 ArcGIS StoryMaps plans and prices →
ArcGIS StoryMaps fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Interactive visualizations | Yes |
| Narrative annotations | Yes |
| Presentation flow | Yes |
| Live data refresh | Not verified |
| Share mode | Both |
| Data source limit | Not verified |
| Free trial | 21 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Phone, Live chat, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Living Atlas, ArcGIS web maps, ArcGIS web scenes |
| Pricing | Free plan · 21-day trial (source) |
| Website | storymaps.arcgis.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
ArcGIS StoryMaps integrations
ArcGIS StoryMaps lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- ArcGIS Online
- ArcGIS Enterprise
- ArcGIS Living Atlas
- ArcGIS web maps
- ArcGIS web scenes
Alternatives to ArcGIS StoryMaps
- FlourishA flexible browser-based toolkit for interactive charts, maps and scrollytelling.9.3
- DatawrapperA versatile choice for interactive data publishing, collaboration, and newsroom-ready exports.9.1
- InfogramA broad web-based toolkit for branded, interactive reports and infographics.9.0
See all ArcGIS StoryMaps alternatives →
ArcGIS StoryMaps vs the competition
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Flourish
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Datawrapper
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Infogram
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Understand
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Datastory
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs TalkingMaps
Compare ArcGIS StoryMaps with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
ArcGIS StoryMaps is ranked in 3 of our directories.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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