The best Google My Maps alternatives in 2026
Google My Maps is useful for quick pins. But if you need video, rich text per location, multi-language content, or a public map with real SEO, you need something built for storytelling. Here's how the main alternatives compare.
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At a glance
Key capabilities across all tools
| Tool | Free tier | Video | Rich text | Multi-language | EU-hosted | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ViaPlot ★ | Free – €9/mo | |||||
| Google My Maps | Free | |||||
| StoryMapJS | Free (open source) | |||||
| ArcGIS StoryMaps | ~€100/user/year | |||||
| Mapotic | Free – paid plans available | |||||
| uMap | — | Free (self-host or community instance) | ||||
| BatchGeo | Free / $99/year Pro |
★ = ViaPlot (this site) | — = depends on deployment
Why ViaPlot stands out
Most mapping tools were built for data visualisation. ViaPlot was built for storytelling — and that difference shows in every feature.
Individual verdicts
ViaPlot
Interactive map storytelling with photos, video, and rich text
Best for
Creators, bloggers, educators, and teams who need rich media and collaboration
The most complete storytelling tool in this list. Built from the ground up for narrative maps rather than data visualisation. The best Google My Maps alternative if you need video, audio, multi-language, and a public SEO page.
Google My Maps
Free custom maps inside the Google ecosystem
Best for
Quick pin-drop maps shared privately within a Google Workspace
The default choice for anyone already in the Google ecosystem, but fundamentally limited for storytelling. No video, no rich text, no embed, no SEO. Fine for internal use; not great for sharing publicly.
StoryMapJS
Slideshow-style narrative maps from KnightLab
Best for
Journalists and educators who want a guided, linear story
Pioneered map storytelling for newsrooms. The slideshow format is compelling but rigid, and the tool's reliance on the Google Drive API has caused reliability issues. A solid choice for simple linear narratives, but showing its age.
ArcGIS StoryMaps
Esri's enterprise narrative mapping platform
Best for
Organisations already on the ArcGIS platform with GIS data to visualise
Best-in-class if you're already paying for ArcGIS Online. For everyone else, it's expensive, complex, and requires an Esri account. The classic templates were retired in early 2026, pushing many users to find alternatives.
Mapotic
Collaborative thematic maps for communities
Best for
Community POI maps with strong category filtering (hiking, heritage, local guides)
A solid community mapping tool with a good filtering sidebar. Let down by plain-text-only descriptions and no video or audio support. Good for category-heavy maps; limited for rich storytelling.
uMap
Open-source maps on OpenStreetMap, self-hostable
Best for
Developers, researchers, and OSM contributors who want full control and open-source
Extremely flexible for technical users — GeoJSON import, custom tile layers, Overpass queries. Not beginner-friendly and media support is minimal (image URLs only, no uploads). The right choice if you need open-source and self-hosting.
BatchGeo
Paste a spreadsheet, get a map — fast
Best for
Sales teams and analysts who need to quickly visualise address lists
The fastest way to turn a CSV into a map. Not a storytelling tool — media per pin is limited to an external image URL. Free maps are public and BatchGeo-branded. Good for internal data work, not for public-facing stories.
Try the alternative built for storytelling
ViaPlot is launching soon. Join the waitlist for early access and locked-in pricing.