Xmind, for most people mapping on their own: it runs on Windows, Mac, iPad and phones, the free plan does classic mind maps, and Pro is US$4.92 a month billed yearly. MindMeister is the one to map with a team in the browser, free for 3 maps, then Personal at $3.50 and Pro at $5.50 a user a month. Miro suits a mind map that is one part of a bigger workshop board, free for 3 editable boards and $8 a member a month on Starter billed yearly. Whimsical mixes mind maps, flowcharts and wireframes, free to try and $10 an editor a month on Pro. For no subscription at all, Freeplane is a free, open-source desktop app. Rule: if you map alone, pick Xmind; if you map in meetings, pick MindMeister or Miro.
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The mind mapping app on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad and phones. The free plan covers classic mind maps; Pro is US$4.92 a month billed yearly, adding advanced features and online maps.
A browser-based mind mapping tool built for collaboration. Free for 3 mind maps; Personal is $3.50 and Pro $5.50 a user a month, with Pro aimed at small teams brainstorming together.
Miro is an online whiteboard where a mind map can sit beside sticky notes, diagrams and docs. Free for 3 editable boards; Starter is $8 a member a month billed yearly; eligible startups can get up to $1,000 in credits.
Whimsical does mind maps, flowcharts, wireframes and docs in one clean tool. Free to evaluate; Pro is $10 an editor a month and Business $20, cheaper when billed yearly.
Freeplane is a free and open-source desktop mind mapping application, the successor to FreeMind, with documentation and installers for Windows, Mac and Linux.
A July 2026 hands-on test of MindMeister, Ayoa, MindNode, Xmind and QuikFlow with prices, including Xmind free for up to 10 mind maps and MindMeister free for 3.