A lightweight, programmer-friendly alternative to StoryMapJS that strips away the editor and backend, leaving just the essentials for building narrative maps.
The original StoryMapJS is an excellent tool for non-programmers, providing a full authoring platform where users can create and edit story maps without touching code. However, this approach comes with trade-offs: opinionated design choices, hardcoded solutions, and a heavier technical stack.
SimpleStoryMapJS takes a different approach. It's "simple" from a programmer's perspective—just HTML, JavaScript, JSON, and CSS. No backend, no database, no build process. Just create a JSON file defining your story and you're done.
- Modern mapping libraries: Use MapLibre GL JS or other contemporary mapping tools instead of being locked into legacy solutions
- Flexible hosting: Take advantage of new technologies like PMTiles for efficient, serverless map tile hosting
- Direct control: Edit your story map configuration directly in JSON with full control over every aspect
- Free and open: Easier to use completely free mapping and tile hosting solutions
- Lightweight: Minimal dependencies, fast loading, easy to customize
SimpleStoryMapJS is ideal for developers who:
- Want full control over their story map implementation
- Prefer working directly with code rather than using a visual editor
- Need to integrate story maps into existing web applications
- Want to use modern mapping libraries and tile hosting solutions
If you're a journalist, educator, or non-technical user looking for a point-and-click solution, the original StoryMapJS is probably a better fit.