TalkingMaps vs Understand
TalkingMaps
talkingmaps.eu
Understand
understandhq.comSide by side
| Figure | TalkingMaps | Understand |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $15/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 6 |
| Spec score · Data Storytelling Tools | 7.3 (#20) | 8.6 (#3) |
| API | The maker documents auto-generated REST API documentation at /api/docs. | The pricing page offers an API add-on for creating stories at scale and shows a Python-style understand_sdk example. |
| Data sources | Map layers can use GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoPackage, WMS, WFS, WMTS, XYZ tiles, vector tiles, Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF and 3D Tiles. | The product advertises imports from files, Google services, SQL databases, OLAP cubes and APIs. |
| Sharing | Published stories can be public, shared through private links, or embedded in another website with an iframe. | Stories can be shared publicly, embedded, exported as PDF, or distributed through Slack and email notifications. |
Plans
Understand
- StarterFree
- More Understand AI$15 a month
- Growth$25 a month
- Advanced connectors$99 a month
- API$199 a month
- Enterprise-readyPriced on request
In their own words
TalkingMaps
TalkingMaps has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Understand
Understand turns static charts and complex dashboards into data stories for sharing insights and supporting decisions. Each story is built from cards that appear as viewers scroll through it, a format the product calls scrollytelling. Users can import data from files, Google, SQL databases, OLAP cubes, or APIs. Understand AI can analyze and summarize stories and identify anomalies. Stories can be shared publicly or embedded; Growth also supports email and Slack notifications. The service describes scheduled story updates and mobile-friendly viewing. A white-label option lets users embed stories in another product with custom branding and a custom domain. Enterprise-ready options include private cloud or single-tenant deployment, SSO, and access control. The free Starter plan includes one editor, unlimited stories, CSV upload and manual entry, public sharing, and scrollytelling. Growth costs $25.00 per editor per month with annual billing. A 14-day trial is listed, and the terms limit website use to individuals aged 13 or older.