StoryMapJS
StoryMapJS is a free, open-source web tool for building narratives organized around places.
What StoryMapJS is
StoryMapJS is a free, open-source web tool for building narratives organized around places. Authors arrange story segments as slides, each tied to a map location that readers can follow. Slides can contain photos, videos, sound, tweets, and other embedded media. Locations can be found by searching names and adjusted by dragging the map pin. Stories may use cartographic basemaps or large images, including gigapixel maps. OpenStreetMap Standard and Cooper Hewitt Watercolor are available, and Mapbox maps are supported; OpenStreetMap Standard is listed as no-cost, while Mapbox and Stadia may charge according to usage. The publishing tool supplies HTML for embedding a StoryMap on another website. The authoring tool requests permission to store files in the user's Google Drive account. Knight Lab describes StoryMapJS for journalists and storytellers whose work depends on place, with a support forum and private support request form.
Good
- Free and open source
- Slides connect story segments to locations
- Supports photos, video, sound, and tweets
- Offers map and gigapixel-image stories
- Provides HTML for website embedding
Watch out
- Google Drive authorization is requested
- Mapbox and Stadia may involve usage fees
- Security certifications are not described
- Web-based authoring only
Who it suits
StoryMapJS suits journalists and storytellers whose narratives depend on geography. It is useful when a project needs embedded media, interactive maps, and web embedding.
Verdict
StoryMapJS focuses on place-led storytelling through slides, maps, and embedded media. It offers a no-cost OpenStreetMap option and HTML publishing, while some map providers may add usage charges.
Plans and prices
From StoryMapJS's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | No price or usage limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from StoryMapJS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Embedded media
- Slides can include photos, videos, sound, tweets, and other embedded media.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Gigapixel maps
- StoryMapJS supports stories based on large images as well as cartographic maps.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Google Drive
- The authoring tool asks users to authorize StoryMapJS to store files on their Google Drive account.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Knight Lab describes StoryMapJS as a tool for journalists and storytellers whose stories depend on place.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Location editing
- Authors can search for places by name and fine-tune a location by dragging its map pin.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Map providers
- Available basemaps include OpenStreetMap Standard and Cooper Hewitt Watercolor, and the tool also supports Mapbox maps.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Publishing
- The publishing tool provides HTML that authors can copy into their own website to embed a StoryMap.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- StoryMapJS helps connect places in a story into a media-rich narrative.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Security and trust
- The authoring tool requests permission to store files in Google Drive; the page does not describe security certifications or compliance standards.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Slides and locations
- A StoryMap uses slides for story segments, with map locations that readers can follow.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- Knight Lab points users to a StoryMapJS support forum and a private support request form.checked 3 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2013checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Evanston, Illinois, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Map provider costs
- Mapbox and Stadia basemaps may involve usage-based fees, while OpenStreetMap Standard is listed as a no-cost option.checked 3 Oct 2026
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