Mind map software:
the free and paid alternatives

Browser-based mind mapping tool from Meister (MeisterLabs) for individuals and teams, with real-time collaboration, presentations, AI map generation (beta), MeisterTask integration and iOS/Android apps.

Best for

Teams brainstorming together in the browser, linked to MeisterTask

Pricing

From $6.50 per user per month (Personal) · Free plan

Mind mapping software with desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile and web apps; offers AI map generation, Pitch presentations, Gantt/task features and real-time collaboration on the Premium plan.

Best for

Individuals wanting a desktop mind mapping app with AI

Pricing

From $10.00 per month (Pro) · Free plan

Online collaborative whiteboard for teams covering diagrams, mind maps, workshops, prototypes and AI features; the free plan allows 3 editable boards.

Best for

Teams running workshops and visual collaboration on a shared whiteboard

Pricing

From $8 per user per month (Starter) · Free plan

Web-based mind map and flowchart tool with real-time collaboration; the free plan includes 3 private diagrams and unlimited public diagrams, and paid plans add unlimited private diagrams.

Best for

Individuals and small groups making simple collaborative mind maps

Pricing

From $5 per month (Awesome) · Free plan

Cross-platform mind map and whiteboard app with AI features, operated by Wangxu Technology; the free Basic plan allows up to 10 mind maps or whiteboards.

Best for

Individual users wanting low-cost cross-platform AI mind mapping

Pricing

From $9 per month (Monthly) · Free plan

Apple-only mind mapping app by IdeasOnCanvas GmbH, not renamed or acquired. The current app (formerly 'MindNode Next') is MindNode; the old one is 'MindNode Classic'. Also on Setapp.

Best for

Apple users wanting a native Mac/iPhone/iPad mind mapping app

Pricing

From $2.99 per month (MindNode Plus) · Free plan

Online workspace combining boards (flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps) and docs for teams; the free plan caps creation at 50 board objects and 50 doc blocks per month.

Best for

Product teams sketching flows, wireframes and docs together

Pricing

From $10 per user per month (Pro) · Free plan

Mind mapping, concept map and outline tool from Expert Software Applications with cloud, desktop and mobile apps, AI credits and education plans; the free plan allows 3 diagrams.

Best for

Educators and students making mind maps and concept maps

Pricing

From $7 per month (Premium) · Free plan

Mind mapping tool by Wondershare/Edrawsoft with online, desktop and mobile versions plus AI tokens; the free plan has 100MB storage, a 100-topic limit and watermarked exports.

Best for

Users wanting template-heavy mind mapping with AI on any platform

Pricing

From $7.9 per month (Individual) · Free plan

Mind mapping app for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android sold as a one-time purchase per platform (no subscription), with a free limited edition.

Best for

Individuals preferring a one-time-purchase offline mind mapping app

Pricing

From $10.99 one-time (SimpleMind Pro (iPad & iPhone)) · Free plan

AI tool that turns PDFs, documents, YouTube videos, web pages and prompts into mind maps, operated by Supermind Pte. Limited; credit-based plans, free tier gives 30 one-time credits.

Best for

Students and researchers summarising content into mind maps with AI

Pricing

From $9.99 per month (Basic) · Free plan

Online AI whiteboard from Shenzhen Pixso Technology with mind maps, diagrams and docs; offers annual, monthly and lifetime plans, and a free plan with 3 editable boards.

Best for

Budget-conscious teams wanting an AI whiteboard with lifetime pricing

Pricing

From $12 per user per month (Starter) · Free plan

Visual board tool for organising notes, images, links and files, aimed at creative work; the free plan allows 100 notes/images/links and 10 file uploads.

Best for

Creatives organising ideas, moodboards and projects visually

Pricing

From $12.50 per user per month (Pay per person) · Free plan