Best ArcGIS StoryMaps Alternatives in 2026
The top ArcGIS StoryMaps alternatives are Flourish, Datawrapper and Infogram: 15 data storytelling tools our editors would look at instead of ArcGIS StoryMaps, in our ranking order.
ArcGIS StoryMaps: A map-led storytelling tool for interactive geographic and 3D presentations. Where it falls short: public accounts have feature and usage limits.
Switching from ArcGIS StoryMaps? For most data storytelling tools buyers the best ArcGIS StoryMaps alternative is Flourish, built for broad interactive stories and scrollytelling. On a budget, Datawrapper starts at $21/user/mo.
Why People Look for an ArcGIS StoryMaps Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFlourish9.3
Broad interactive stories and scrollytelling
Visit Flourish - Lowest priceDatawrapper9.1
Paid plans from $21/user/mo
Visit Datawrapper - Best free optionFlourish9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Flourish
All 15 ArcGIS StoryMaps Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forBroad interactive stories and scrollytelling
- Better than ArcGIS StoryMaps:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.9
A flexible browser-based toolkit for interactive charts, maps and scrollytelling.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Flourish -
Best forProfessional charts, maps, and newsroom publishing
- Better than ArcGIS StoryMaps:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.9
A versatile choice for interactive data publishing, collaboration, and newsroom-ready exports.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Datawrapper -
Best forBranded interactive reports and infographics
- Better than ArcGIS StoryMaps:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.9
A broad web-based toolkit for branded, interactive reports and infographics.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Infogram -
Best forConnected scrollytelling for analytics teams
A focused scrollytelling platform for turning connected data into guided visual stories.
- Live data refresh
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Understand -
Best forAI-assisted, source-rich data stories
AI-assisted data storytelling with interactive publishing, sources, and collaboration.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Datastory -
Best forOpen-source geospatial storymaps
A broad, self-hosted toolkit for interactive geospatial stories, maps, and multimedia.
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
- Interactive visualizations
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit TalkingMaps -
Best forFree map-first story experiences
A free, map-first storytelling tool with broad geospatial imports and publishing options.
- Live data refresh
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Mapji -
Best forLive collaborative dashboards and stories
A browser-based workspace for collaborative, embeddable data stories and live dashboards.
- Live data refresh
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit BStreams -
Best forDevelopers building custom data stories
A flexible data-storytelling workspace for developers who want code-first control.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Observable -
Best forEnterprise narrative apps over warehouse data
A strong fit for guided, branded data narratives over enterprise warehouse connections.
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
- Interactive visualizations
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Juicebox -
Best for3D map narratives and animated scenes
A focused choice for animated, narrated map narratives with 3D scene support.
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
- Interactive visualizations
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Unmapped -
Best forAutomated executive presentation storytelling
Mimasa AI turns governed data into refreshable, decision-oriented presentation decks.
- Live data refresh
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Mimasa AI -
Best forDevelopers making annotated line-chart stories
A focused open-source tool for annotated, embeddable time-series line-chart stories.
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
- Interactive visualizations
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Storyline JS -
Best forPredictive and explainable analytics stories
A broad analytics platform for turning complex datasets into explainable predictive stories.
- Presentation flow
- Interactive visualizations
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit DataStories -
Best forAI-powered narrated enterprise insights
AI-powered narrated insights for organizations that need search, stories, and embedded analytics.
- Live data refresh
- Narrative annotations
- Presentation flow
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit MachEye
ArcGIS StoryMaps Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to ArcGIS StoryMaps?
Flourish: #1 in our Data Storytelling Tools ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A flexible browser-based toolkit for interactive charts, maps and scrollytelling.
Is there a free alternative to ArcGIS StoryMaps?
Yes. Flourish, Datawrapper, Infogram, Understand and Datastory have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to ArcGIS StoryMaps?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Datawrapper starts lowest, at $21/user/mo.
Why do people look for ArcGIS StoryMaps alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from ArcGIS StoryMaps?
Export your data from ArcGIS StoryMaps (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel ArcGIS StoryMaps.
How to Switch from ArcGIS StoryMaps
- Export your data from ArcGIS StoryMaps (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel ArcGIS StoryMaps.
ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Interactive visualizations | Narrative annotations | Presentation flow | Share mode | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | ArcGIS StoryMaps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.9 | |
| 1 | Flourish | Yes | 9.3 | |||||
| 2 | Datawrapper | Yes | $21/user/mo | 9.1 | ||||
| 3 | Infogram | Yes | 9.0 | |||||
| 4 | Understand | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.8 | |
| 5 | Datastory | Yes | 8.6 | |||||
| 6 | TalkingMaps | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.5 | |
| 7 | Mapji | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.3 |
| 8 | BStreams | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Both | 8.2 | |
| 9 | Observable | Yes | $22/user/mo | 8.0 | ||||
| 10 | Juicebox | Yes | Yes | Yes | Both | 7.9 | ||
| 11 | Unmapped | Yes | $29/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Link | 7.8 |
| 12 | Mimasa AI | Yes | $29/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 13 | Storyline JS | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Embed | 7.6 |
| 14 | DataStories | No | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |||
| 15 | MachEye | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
Head-to-Head
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Flourish
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Datawrapper
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Infogram
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Understand
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs Datastory
- ArcGIS StoryMaps vs TalkingMaps
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update