StoryMapJS vs Visme

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.

Visme is a design tool for presentations and illustrations, with templates, brand-kit tools and real-time collaboration. It is available on the web and through desktop apps for Windows and macOS, as well as an iOS app. The free Basic plan costs nothing and provides 500MB of storage, with a limit of 50 slides or pages per project. Starter costs $12.25 a month, billed annually at $147/year, and includes 1GB of storage with unlimited projects and slides or pages per project. Pro costs $24.75 a month, billed annually at $297/year, and includes 10GB of storage with the same unlimited project and page allowances. Enterprise lists 10 or more users and 25GB of storage per user, but no price is listed. Visme is based in Rockville, Maryland, United States, and was founded in 2013. Its combination of presentation design, illustration tools, brand features and collaboration supports a range of shared visual work, while plan limits and storage allowances distinguish the tiers.