A StoryMapJS alternative that won't break when Google changes its APIs
StoryMapJS pioneered map storytelling for journalism. ViaPlot brings that vision forward — with a reliable platform, free-form exploration, direct media uploads, and an editor that doesn't require a Google account to function.
What is StoryMapJS?
StoryMapJS (also called KnightLab StoryMap) is an open-source tool built by Northwestern University's KnightLab in 2013. It creates a slideshow-style narrative where each slide is tied to a map location — popular with journalists and educators for its clean presentation format. It's free and requires no account, but it does depend on a Google account for storing your map data via the Google Drive API.
What it does well
The slideshow format is genuinely compelling for linear narratives — walking a reader through events in chronological order, step by step. It's free with no account required for basic use, and the output looks polished. It has a long track record in newsrooms and university courses.
Why people look for alternatives
- Relies on the Google Drive API for data storage — this has caused repeated outages and broken maps as Google has tightened API access over the years
- Slideshow-only format: you can't let viewers explore the map freely or jump to any pin
- No video hosting — embeds from YouTube/Vimeo only, no direct uploads
- No collaboration — one Google account owns the map, no role-based sharing
- No multi-language support
- The editor is effectively unchanged since 2013 and feels dated by modern standards
- Self-hosting the open-source version requires dev skills and ongoing maintenance
StoryMapJS vs. ViaPlot
A straight feature-by-feature comparison — no spin.
| Feature | StoryMapJS | ViaPlot |
|---|---|---|
| Free-form map exploration (non-linear) | ||
| Direct video upload + streaming | ||
| Direct audio upload | ||
| Photo galleries (multiple per pin) | 1 image per slide | Unlimited |
| Rich text editor (headings, lists, code) | Basic text | |
| No Google account required | ||
| Collaborator roles | ||
| Multi-language content | ||
| Custom embed code | ||
| Public SEO-optimised map page | ||
| Map analytics | ||
| EU-hosted / GDPR-compliant | ||
| Reliable hosted platform (no self-hosting) | Hosted version only | |
| Free tier |
“We had a StoryMapJS embed go dark mid-semester because of a Google API change. We needed something we could trust would still work next year.”
— University journalism instructor
Ready to try a modern alternative?
ViaPlot is launching soon. Join the waitlist to get early access and locked-in pricing.