Best Data Storytelling Tools in 2026
Updated
In short: Datawrapper is ranked #1 of 22 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Understand and BStreams. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Understand. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Understand at $15/mo.
A data story combines visual evidence with a way to guide an audience through it. Compare interactive visualizations and narrative annotations with presentation flow and share mode, then consider data source limits and live data refresh. Free plan availability and paid-from pricing are included as well. Datawrapper and Understand open the ranking, followed by Infogram and Flourish; ArcGIS StoryMaps is also among the first entries. Think about the sources you work with, how current the data needs to be, and how you want people to move through the presentation as you compare the options.
22 data storytelling tools ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Datawrapper iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$21/mo
- 2 Understand iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$15/mo Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 3 BStreams No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4€21.08/mo Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 4 Flourish No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free
- 5 Infogram No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free
- 6 ArcGIS StoryMaps No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 7 Datastory No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$15/mo
- 8 Observable No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$2,225/mo
- 9 Storyline JS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 10 Evidence No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7$2,500/mo Interactive visualizations: Yes
- 11 Toucan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5€445/mo
- 12 Graphtelling No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 13 Juicebox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 14 MachEye No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 15 Mapji No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 16 Mimasa AI No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 17 TimelineJS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 18 Unmapped No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 19 MotionMap No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Interactive visualizations: Yes
- 20 TalkingMaps No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Interactive visualizations: YesNarrative annotations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
- 21 ChartWeave No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Interactive visualizations: Yes
- 22 DataStories iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9 Interactive visualizations: YesPresentation flow: Yes
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which data storytelling tool is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Datawrapper is ranked #1 of 22 with a score of 7.9. Understand is second and BStreams third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 22 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Understand has the lowest first paid tier we found: $15/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.