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4.7 star rating
0
Productivity
Mac
What are the best mind mapping tools for Mac?
15
Options
Considered
487
User
Recs.
Jan 30, 2024
Last
Updated
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12
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Considered
Best mind mapping tools for Mac
Price
Platforms
Collaborative
73
XMind
-
Windows, Linux, Mac, Web, Mobile
-
--
Scapple
14.99
-
-
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Freemind
-
-
-
--
MindMup
FREE
Web
-
48
MindNode
Free+
Mac, iOS
-
See Full List
73
XMind
My Rec
ommendation
for
XMind
My Recommendation for
XMind
All
19
Experiences
1
Pros
11
Cons
6
Specs
Top
Con
•••
Expensive
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Extremely flexible
XMind is capable of displaying information in a multitude of ways (classic mindmaps, charts, timelines, decision trees, etc), it can add labels, clip-art, notes, files, audio recordings, it can then take the project and export it in a variety of ways including an synced gantt chart.
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egberts's Experience
I'm quite comfortable with XMind after evaluating several other variants. Absolutely love that I can go back and forth between macOS Macbook Pro and iPhones. The only downside is that your cell phone data link must be online before you can start this app otherwise it is feature rich enough for the simple job that I needed.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Web, Mobile
Top
Con
•••
Subscription based payment
no perpetual plan available
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Top
Pro
•••
Clean, easy to use UI
XMind's interface is uncluttered and easy to overview. It allows for quick, intuitive navigation and use. For example, Enter adds more items to a node, Tab adds a child node, all commonly used shortcuts works as expected, etc.
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Top
Con
•••
For iOS devices, data link must be online before XMind can start
When you turn off the cellular data link to be able to work in quiet mode, the XMind cannot start up until the cellular data link was turned back on. This impacts iOS devices.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
A wide variety of templates available
XMind has preset templates available that allow getting started quickly. There are templates for project planning, status reports, dashboards, organizational charts, swot analysis, timelines, decision trees, weekly plans, among others.
See More
Top
Con
•••
FreeMind files sometimes don't work
XMind claims it can read FreeMind files, but certain .mm file saves from Freeplane or MindMup generate an error on open.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Built-in Gantt view
XMind has a build-in Gantt chart view and with the pro version, XMind allows synchronizing it.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Newer versions become heavyweight and bloated
Even though there are more features, starting with version 8 application is very unstable. A lot of users still prefer version 7.5 or 6.5.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Audio recording (pro)
See More
Top
Con
•••
Used to offer their NOT-free products
See More
Top
Pro
•••
XMind Plus & Pro adds more export options
XMind Plus & Pro can export to Word, PowerPoint, PDF, SVG & MindManager.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Cross-platform
Works on Windows, OS X and Linux.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Very good performance
The app is incredible complete, flexible, and fast.
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Top
Pro
•••
Can copy entire hierarchy to/from Word with a simple copy/paste action
XMind allows quickly copying over structure of the mindmap as a tab-indented list starting at the node selected. It can also take a tab-indented list and create a mindmap from it.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Local Network Sharing
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Task management (pro)
See More
Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
190
9
--
Scapple
My Rec
ommendation
for
Scapple
My Recommendation for
Scapple
All
16
Experiences
3
Pros
8
Cons
5
Top
Pro
•••
Minimal
Stays out of your way, it's great for getting work done and not getting sucked into formatting or other fancy features. The UI is almost entirely in the menu bar and right click/ contextual menu on the MacOS. Window decorations only include zoom level and a quick way to save or name and tag your scapple mind map file.
See More
Top
Con
•••
It looks abandoned
Despite being a great software as it is, there' s been no updates for more than a year: neither bug fixes nor new feature implementations.
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WiseCizin's Experience
It's a great free-form tool. You just write. You can put an idea or fragment anywhere, connect it with anything else and use shapes and colors to add further information to your documents.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Trial version available
See More
Top
Con
•••
There's no iOS version, so you're stuck with desktop computing
See More
ColorfulTonacacihuatl's Experience
Easy to use, minimalist, aesthetic, just what you need. Works perfectly with Scrivener
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Easy to use
You can start using this on a minimal level very easily and very functionally and learn as you go along.
See More
Top
Con
•••
No linking between documents
That's a bummer and makes it more of a brainstorming than a mind mapping tool.
See More
BraveAnitunTabu's Experience
Good app
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Cheap and trial policy is awesome
The trial period is based on actual usage, not just the date of 1st time you try it.
See More
Top
Con
•••
No mobile or web app available
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Flexible
It gives you the freedom to use visual thinking without the hierarchical rigidity of a mind map.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Price
The price is not fair.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
It feeds seamlessly into Scrivener - a great long-form writing app
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Customizable
You can customize your styles, background and font as you wish.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
It exports into a variety of formats
See More
Hide
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14.99
Recommend
37
4
--
Freemind
My Rec
ommendation
for
Freemind
My Recommendation for
Freemind
All
13
Pros
11
Cons
2
Top
Con
•••
Severely outdated
Latest version is over 5 years old.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Good documentation
See More
Top
Con
•••
Boring visual appearance
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Intuitive UI with drag and drop support
For the most part, navigating the editor is pretty intuitive - moving around is done by clicking and dragging the background, clicking on nodes will expand/collapse them, dragging and dropping in files will add them, etc. It also offers shortcuts for power users. For example, ctrl + up/down will rearrange ideas up/down, alt +up/down will zoom in/out, etc.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Can copy entire hierarchy to/from Word with a simple copy/paste action
Freemind allows quickly copying over structure of the mindmap as a bulleted, tab-indented list starting at the node selected. It can also take a bulleted, tab-indented list and create a mindmap from it.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Fullscreen mode available with a patch
A user-contributed patch is available that adds fullscreen mode to FreeMind.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Supports media files, recognizes URLs and commands
Freemind accepts drag-and-drop for any kind of file, URL or command as part of the mindmap. Files it recognizes, like images, will be displayed. Other files will open in a separate, appropriate application. URLs, links to folders, and executable commands pasted in will be recognized and turned in to clickable links.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Revision control
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Supports node and map encryption
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Free and open source
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Cross-platform desktop and mobile
Works on Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS and Android.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Lots of export options, including html with folding
Freemind offers many choices when exporting. It allows exporting the project as Java Applet, Flash file, Open Office Writer document, picture (png, jpg), PDF, SVG, multiple variants of (x)html, among other options.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Multi-user support
See More
Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
33
12
--
MindMup
My Rec
ommendation
for
MindMup
My Recommendation for
MindMup
All
3
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Con
•••
Consumes time
Takes a lot of time.
See More
Specs
Platforms:
Web
Top
Con
•••
Have to be online
See More
Hide
See All
FREE
Recommend
28
7
48
MindNode
My Rec
ommendation
for
MindNode
My Recommendation for
MindNode
All
14
Pros
11
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Trial version available
See More
Top
Con
•••
No collaboration
See More
Specs
Platforms:
Mac, iOS
Top
Pro
•••
Easy to use
See More
Top
Con
•••
Price
Currently $39.99 for Mac desktop (as of December 2017).
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Mobile support
In addition to an OS X client, an iPhone and iPad versions are available as well.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Can export projects as PDF for sharing
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Simple, zen-like UI
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Adding task to node, exporting to omnifocus/things
The best feature for think-action.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Can automatically format layout
Allowing you to focus on content, instead of how it's organized, and especially useful when huge mindmaps get out of hand, the Smart Layout function will organize the mindmap in a way that's more comprehensible.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Many export formats
PDF, Markdown, other mind mapping formats.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Todos / Tasks
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Keyboard shortcuts
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Sync support via iCloud and Dropbox
See More
Hide
See All
Free+
Recommend
48
27
--
Zenkit
My Rec
ommendation
for
Zenkit
My Recommendation for
Zenkit
All
9
Experiences
1
Pros
5
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Con
•••
It is not a mindmapping tool
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Free
See More
Yanis's Experience
Zenkit for a simple reason : You can use a mind map and turn it into a list or Kanban, best of both worlds !
See More
Specs
Platforms:
Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone
Collaborative:
Yes
Search:
Yes
Dark Theme:
Yes
See All Specs
Top
Con
•••
No Widget yet
See More
Top
Pro
•••
MindMap view
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Kanban view
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Powerful and simple to use tool with a clean design
Easy to use and easily understandable for everyone.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Many important data views
Data views include Mind-Map, Kanban-Board, Spreadsheet, List, and Calendar. Views can be switched easily.
See More
Hide
See All
Free / paid
Recommend
5
1
--
MindManager
My Rec
ommendation
for
MindManager
My Recommendation for
MindManager
All
5
Experiences
2
Pros
2
Cons
1
Top
Con
•••
Odd UI interaction conventions
Some conventions used to interact with the software are either questionable or simply going against what's commonly accepted. For example, right-click + drag will move around, holding down the right-click will open up the context-menu and left-click in an open space will start a new unconnected node. What this results in is constant accidental opening of context-menu then accidental creation of a new node trying to get out of the context-menu.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Mind mapping is a great method
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BestMacCleaner's Experience
Mind mapping is a great method to brainstorm and calibrate new ideas. Though you can perform the process with a pen and paper, this software can really keep your ideas safe and secure. It is easier to lose paper sheets than digital files. Plus, it saves time and makes the work look less bulky.
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Top
Pro
•••
Integrates with a good variety of tools
MindManager integrates with MS Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Word, SharePoint), Box.net and many other tools.
See More
PowerfulLongmu's Experience
Dies and looses hours of work after setting up auto save, it restores a version of the files from hours ago, to a place on my drive that breaks my links. And when I ask for support and send quality detailed message with core dumps- I get.... nothing ask again... nothing- windows version and mac versions are made by different people
See More
Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
18
4
--
MindMeister
My Rec
ommendation
for
MindMeister
My Recommendation for
MindMeister
All
7
Pros
5
Cons
2
Top
Pro
•••
Comments and votes
Users can create polls and have collaborators vote individual topics up or down, or comment on them.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Free option limited to 3 mind maps
A free XMind app/online account or MindMup account both provide unlimited mind maps.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Clear overview without losing any details
The mind mapping format provides with a clear overview of connections, hierarchies and relationships of notes. At the same time, it's possible to add more detailed notes, links, pictures and even whole files to the keywords, so that no important information gets lost.
See More
Top
Con
•••
The interface has only very basic features
For example, it lacks the possibility to define a long text under the node title showing it in a permanent way. The software is 1000 less powerful than Microsoft Visio. Meanwhile it should just be more specific.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Various layouts
User can switch between classical mind map layout, a layout where all topics are aligned on the left or the right, and org chart layout.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Notes can be shared and collaborated on in real-time
MindMeister allows sharing maps with an unlimited number of collaborators so it's possible to take notes and brainstorm together. Mind maps can be shared by inviting people either directly via email or by sending them a link to the map. Even people without a MindMeister account can access the maps and even edit them.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Web and mobile versions available
In addition to web software, MindMeister is available on iOS and Android mobile platforms as well.
See More
Hide
See All
$6 - $15 / mo
Recommend
3
2
--
XMind ZEN
My Rec
ommendation
for
XMind ZEN
My Recommendation for
XMind ZEN
All
1
Cons
1
Top
Con
•••
Subscription system
If you want to unlock all the features you have to do it using a subscription payment, no perpetual license option is provided.
See More
Hide
Get it
here
Recommend
10
1
--
Brainio
My Rec
ommendation
for
Brainio
My Recommendation for
Brainio
All
8
Experiences
3
Pros
4
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Desktop app
See More
MeticulousHozanek's Experience
Great product
See More
Specs
Platforms:
MacOS, Windows, Web, Linux
Collaborative:
Yes
Search:
Yes
Dark Theme:
Yes
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Cloud based
See More
CharmingMimas's Experience
Great UX
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Markdown support
See More
ProudCorymbus's Experience
Very impressive.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Split view
See More
Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
10
--
Coggle
My Rec
ommendation
for
Coggle
My Recommendation for
Coggle
All
6
Pros
6
Top
Pro
•••
Pretty diagrams
No effort to create beautiful diagrams.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Versioning support
Enter history mode to view all changes to a diagram over time, and make a copy from that point.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Lots of export options
Exports to PDF, image, plaintext and .mm files.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Allows easy color-coding of paths
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Supports Markdown (their own variant)
Markdown is a plain text formatting syntax designed so that it can optionally be converted to HTML using a tool by the same name.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Collaborative
Coggle allows inviting friends and colleagues to work collaboratively on notes and diagrams in real-time.
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Hide
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$0-$8/M
Recommend
15
8
--
GitMind
My Rec
ommendation
for
GitMind
My Recommendation for
GitMind
All
7
Experiences
2
Pros
3
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Free
Free maps, templates and layout style; Free cloud storage.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Not very professional
Compared to some priced apps, GitMind is not professional.
See More
CooperativeBeChuille's Experience
Last time I run out of time to prepare a conference and I didn't have access to laptop, I completed a well-organized mind map within several minutes. GitMind saved a lot of time and effort for me.
See More
Specs
Platforms:
Web
Exports:
JPG, PNG, PDF, Word, TXT, GitMind project
Import:
XMind file, GitMind project
Attachment:
image, hyperlink, comment
Top
Pro
•••
Quick and convenient
With one click, you can select the layout style and structure. Finish a mind map in a short time.
See More
Raja Nagendra Kumar's Experience
Too stable, too simple to start using and get used to. It is best it being free.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Collaboration
Collaborators can quickly access your mind map and add their own thoughts.
See More
Hide
See All
FREE
Recommend
8
Don't see your favorite option? Add it.
--
BigHairyGoal
My Rec
ommendation
for
BigHairyGoal
My Recommendation for
BigHairyGoal
Get it
here
Recommend
4
--
Big Hairy Goal
My Rec
ommendation
for
Big Hairy Goal
My Recommendation for
Big Hairy Goal
Get it
here
Recommend
3
--
Thortspace
My Rec
ommendation
for
Thortspace
My Recommendation for
Thortspace
FREE / PAID
Recommend
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