StoryMapJS

What StoryMapJS is

StoryMapJS is a free, open-source web tool for building narratives organized around place. It is made for journalists and storytellers whose work depends on location, and it runs in a web browser. A StoryMap is arranged as slides, with each slide representing part of the story and carrying a map location that readers can follow. Authors can add photos, video, sound, tweets, and other embedded media to those slides. Places can be found by searching their names, then adjusted by dragging the map pin to a more precise position. Stories can 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 offered as a no-cost option, while Mapbox and Stadia basemaps may bring usage-based fees. The publishing tool supplies HTML that can be copied into another website for embedding. StoryMapJS asks authors to authorize storage in their Google Drive account. Knight Lab, which lists the project from Evanston and dates it to 2013, provides a support forum and private support request form.

Who it suits

StoryMapJS suits journalists and storytellers whose work depends on place. It also fits authors who need slides, embedded media, interactive maps or large-image maps, and HTML embedding on their own website.

Limits

The Free plan is listed as free, with no usage limits stated. Mapbox and Stadia basemaps may involve usage-based fees, while OpenStreetMap Standard is a no-cost option.

Getting started

1. Open the StoryMapJS website
2. Authorize StoryMapJS to store files in your Google Drive account
3. Create slides and attach locations by searching for places
4. Add photos, video, sound, tweets or other embedded media
5. Choose a basemap or large-image map
6. Use the publishing tool to copy HTML into your website

Verdict

Pick StoryMapJS for a place-centered narrative that combines mapped locations with rich media and web embedding. Look elsewhere if you need a non-web application or want to avoid authorizing Google Drive storage and potentially usage-based basemap charges.