Freeplane
Focus: concept map and open source. Shares mind map and brainstorming with Xmind. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Rated 4.4 (Xmind: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.4Visit
Desktop App
Xmind
A mind mapping app for every platform with a free plan.
Rating
4.5 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Web, Windows, macOS
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Xmind?
Xmind is a mind mapping and brainstorming app that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS and Android, with a web app too. The free plan lets you create up to 10 online maps, use basic themes and stickers, make up to 5 pitch slides and export one map at a time, with 3 days of version history and 50 AI credits at sign-up. The Pro plan adds more online maps with basic collaboration, custom themes, links, numbering and attachments, unlimited pitch slides and watermark-free bulk export to PNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown and Office formats.
Pros: what Xmind does well
- Apps for every major platform plus the web
- Up to 10 online maps on the free plan
- 50 AI credits at sign-up
Cons: where it falls short
- Watermark-free export needs Pro
- Only 5 pitch slides on the free plan
Who Xmind is for
People who want to plan, brainstorm or study with mind maps on any device.
Who can skip it
People who prefer plain outlines or lists.
Xmind alternatives
Not sold on Xmind? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
MindNode
Focus: ideas, visual thinking and macOS. Shares mind map and brainstorming with Xmind. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Rated 4.7 (Xmind: 4.5).
Mac AppFree planmacOS, iOS
4.7Visit
AFFiNE
Focus: open source, whiteboard and docs. Also in Note-Taking and Knowledge Management, like Xmind. A web app, not a desktop app. Rated 4.3 (Xmind: 4.5).
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.3Visit
Coggle
Focus: mind maps, flowcharts and diagrams. Shares brainstorming with Xmind. A web app, not a desktop app. Same 4.5 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb
4.5Visit
Markmap
Focus: markdown, visual notes and open source. Shares mind map with Xmind. A web app, not a desktop app. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Same 4.5 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
Dynalist
Focus: outliner, bullet notes and lists. Shares planning with Xmind. A web app, not a desktop app. Rated 4.4 (Xmind: 4.5).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
Free alternatives to Xmind
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
SiYuan
Focus: second brain, block editor and backlinks. Also in Note-Taking and Knowledge Management, like Xmind. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Xmind: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
Logseq
Focus: Open Source, PKM and Note-Taking. Also in Note-Taking and Knowledge Management, like Xmind. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (Xmind: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Rnote
Focus: handwritten notes, pdf annotation and infinite canvas. Also in Note-Taking and Brainstorming, like Xmind. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (Xmind: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeLinux, Windows
4.6Visit
Trilium Notes
Focus: notes, knowledge base and self-hosted. Also in Knowledge Management and Note-Taking, like Xmind. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Adds Offline. Rated 4.6 (Xmind: 4.5).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Joplin
Focus: notes, markdown and open source. Also in Note-Taking and Knowledge Management, like Xmind. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
nb
Focus: notes, bookmarks and command line. Also in Note-Taking and Knowledge Management, like Xmind. Free (Xmind: Freemium). Adds Offline. Same 4.5 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Linux
4.5Visit
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