Best mind mapping tools
Mind map and concept map apps for brainstorming, studying and planning, from collaborative web tools to native desktop apps and open-source projects.
25 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All mind mapping tools
- Alternatives to Xmind
Popular cross-platform mind mapping app with many layouts, themes and AI help.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web - Alternatives to MindMeister
Collaborative online mind mapping tool hosted in Germany, from the makers of MeisterTask.
Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android - Alternatives to Freeplane
Free, open-source desktop mind mapping app with deep customisation and scripting.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to MindManager
Business mind mapping and visual planning software for Windows, Mac and the web.
PaidWindows, macOS, Web - Alternatives to Coggle
Simple collaborative mind maps and flowcharts in the browser with a free tier.
Free plan + paidWeb - Alternatives to SimpleMind
Cross-platform mind mapping app sold as a one-off purchase per platform.
Free plan + paidmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android - Alternatives to MindNode
Clean, Apple-native mind mapping and outlining app for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS - Alternatives to Mindomo
Mind mapping, concept mapping and outlining tool popular in education, online and offline.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension - Alternatives to MindMup
Low-cost online mind maps that can be stored in Google Drive, with a desktop app.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to MindView
Mind mapping and project planning software from MatchWare, strong on Microsoft Office export.
PaidWindows, macOS, Web - Alternatives to WiseMapping
Free online mind mapping tool that's also open source and self-hostable.
FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted, Windows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to TheBrain
Networked knowledge mapping app that links ideas, notes and files, now free on desktop.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web - Alternatives to Scapple
Freeform brainstorming app for jotting notes anywhere and connecting them with lines.
PaidmacOS, Windows - CmAlternatives to CmapTools
Free concept mapping software from the IHMC research institute, used widely in education.
FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS - Alternatives to Mapify
AI tool that summarises PDFs, YouTube videos, web pages and prompts into mind maps.
Free plan + paidWeb, Browser extension, iOS, Android, macOS - Alternatives to Ayoa
Mind mapping, whiteboards and task management in one app, from the makers of iMindMap.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android - Alternatives to EdrawMind
Wondershare's mind mapping app with AI, templates, Gantt and slides, on desktop and web.
Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, Web, iOS, Android - Alternatives to MindGenius
Mind mapping software built around project planning, online and on desktop.
PaidWeb, Windows - Alternatives to GitMind
AI mind mapping and whiteboard app with a free tier, on desktop, mobile and the web.
Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension - Alternatives to Markmap
Open-source tool that turns Markdown outlines into interactive mind maps.
Open sourceWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux - ItAlternatives to iThoughts
iThoughts
DiscontinuedFormer mind mapping app for Mac, iOS and Windows whose developer has stopped trading.
PaidmacOS, iOS, Windows - Alternatives to FreeMind
Classic free, open-source Java mind mapping app that inspired Freeplane.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to Bubbl.us
- Alternatives to ConceptDraw MINDMAP
Desktop mind mapping for macOS and Windows, part of the ConceptDraw OFFICE suite.
PaidmacOS, Windows - Alternatives to Minder
Our picks by need
Best for most people
XmindBest for a free option
FreeplaneBest for open source
WiseMappingBest for self-hosting
WiseMappingBest for Mac
MindManagerBest for Windows
SimpleMindBest for Linux
MindomoBest for iPhone and Android
MindMeisterPopular comparisons
Common questions
What are the best mind mapping tools?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading mind mapping tools right now are Xmind, MindMeister, Freeplane, MindManager and Coggle.
Are there free mind mapping tools?
Yes. Xmind (free plan + paid), MindMeister (free plan + paid), Freeplane (open source), Coggle (free plan + paid) and SimpleMind (free plan + paid) have a free option, out of 19 free or freemium apps we track.
Which mind mapping tools are open source?
Freeplane, WiseMapping, Markmap, FreeMind and Minder.