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iThoughts alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave iThoughts: no more updates or bug fixes, and can't buy new licences. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces iThoughts, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. MindNode currently ranks first.

iThoughts has been discontinued. toketaWare ceased trading on 30 January 2024; the apps get no further updates or support.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Freeplane logoFreeplaneOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.3
  1. Freeplane logo

    1. FreeplaneTop pick

    Best for: Power users who want a free, scriptable mind mapper on any desktop OS

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from iThoughts

    Free, open-source and able to open FreeMind-format exports.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Attributes, formulas, LaTeX and conditional styles
    • Groovy scripting and add-ons
    • Runs on any OS with Java

    Cons

    • Dated, crowded interface
    • Steep learning curve
    • No cloud sync or real-time collaboration
    Visit Freeplane Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Freeplane a good iThoughts alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.freeplane.org(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Any OS with current Java
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.freeplane.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Portable use
    Can run from a USB drive
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.freeplane.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best iThoughts alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

MindNode logo

Best iThoughts alternative for most people

MindNode

Actively developed Apple-native mind mapping app with a free tier.

Freeplane logo

Best iThoughts alternative for a free option

Freeplane

Free, open-source and able to open FreeMind-format exports.

SimpleMind logo

Best iThoughts alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

SimpleMind

One-off purchase like iThoughts, on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android.

Freeplane logo

Best iThoughts alternative for open source

Freeplane

Free, open-source and able to open FreeMind-format exports.

Xmind logo

Best iThoughts alternative for Mac

Xmind

Imports common mind map formats and runs on every major platform.

MindManager logo

Best iThoughts alternative for Windows

MindManager

Reads MindManager files exported from iThoughts, with business features.

Xmind logo

Best iThoughts alternative for Linux

Xmind

Imports common mind map formats and runs on every major platform.

SimpleMind logo

Best iThoughts alternative for iPhone and Android

SimpleMind

One-off purchase like iThoughts, on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android.

Xmind logo

Best iThoughts alternative for working in the browser

Xmind

Imports common mind map formats and runs on every major platform.

iThoughts alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to iThoughts?

MindNode ranks first right now. Actively developed Apple-native mind mapping app with a free tier. SimpleMind and Xmind follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to iThoughts?

Yes. MindNode (free plan + paid), SimpleMind (free plan + paid), Xmind (free plan + paid) and Freeplane (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to iThoughts?

Yes: Freeplane.

Which iThoughts alternatives work on Linux?

Xmind and Freeplane run on Linux.

Why do people switch from iThoughts?

The complaints we hear most: no more updates or bug fixes; can't buy new licences; may stop working after future OS updates.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces iThoughts, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.