Atlist vs StoryMapJS
Atlist
atlist.comStoryMapJS
storymap.knightlab.comSide by side
| Figure | Atlist | StoryMapJS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $15/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Map Creation Software | 8.2 (#10) | 7.2 (#23) |
| Intended users | Atlist describes its free plan as for personal map use and its Plus offering as for teams and creators. | Knight Lab describes StoryMapJS as a tool for journalists and storytellers whose stories depend on place. |
| Publishing | Paid plans support embedding maps on websites and sharing them by public URL; maps can also be password protected. | The publishing tool provides HTML that authors can copy into their own website to embed a StoryMap. |
| Purpose | Atlist creates custom Google Maps that can be shared or embedded, including store locators, world maps, itineraries and data visualizations. | StoryMapJS helps connect places in a story into a media-rich narrative. |
| Support | The Help Center offers guides for creating and publishing maps, and lists email support at [email protected]. | Knight Lab points users to a StoryMapJS support forum and a private support request form. |
Plans
In their own words
Atlist
Atlist is a web tool for creating interactive Google Maps for store locators, world maps, itineraries and data visualizations. Maps can use styled markers, groups, polygons, circles, lines, region shapes and routes. Marker pop-ups may contain HTML, buttons and photo galleries. Spreadsheet imports are supported, and a connected Google Sheet can automatically supply new markers. Visitors can search for nearby markers by location or address, browse a customizable marker list and filter by tags. Paid plans allow public URLs, website embedding and password protection. Workspaces support collaboration; the first member outside a paid plan is free, while additional members cost $5 per month. Atlist says it provides Google Maps Platform API access, so users do not need their own API key or Google Account. Maps can be created and viewed in mobile browsers, but there is no iOS or Android app. The free plan provides five maps and 50 markers per map, without sharing or embedding. Paid plans start at $15.00 per month; Basic costs $15.00 monthly and Pro costs $25.00 monthly.
StoryMapJS
StoryMapJS is a free, open-source web tool for building narratives tied to place. A story is arranged as slides, each representing a segment and carrying a map location that readers can follow. Slides can contain photos, video, sound, tweets, and other embedded media. Authors search for locations by name and adjust the position by dragging a map pin. Stories may use ordinary cartographic maps or large images, including gigapixel maps. Basemap choices include OpenStreetMap Standard and Cooper Hewitt Watercolor, with Mapbox maps also supported. OpenStreetMap Standard is listed as a no-cost option; Mapbox and Stadia basemaps may have usage-based fees. The publishing tool supplies HTML for embedding a finished StoryMap on another website. The authoring tool asks permission to store files in the user’s Google Drive. StoryMapJS runs on the web, supports custom data import and built-in location data, and offers interactive output, web embedding, HTML export, and brand customization. Knight Lab describes it for journalists and storytellers whose work depends on place.