When comparing Freemind vs iMindMap, the Slant community recommends Freemind for most people. In the question“What are the best mind mapping tools?” Freemind is ranked 7th while iMindMap is ranked 27th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Free and open source
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.
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.
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.
Pro Fullscreen mode available with a patch
A user-contributed patch is available that adds fullscreen mode to FreeMind.
Pro Good documentation
Pro Cross-platform desktop and mobile
Works on Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS and Android.
Pro Revision control
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.
Pro Supports node and map encryption
Pro Multi-user support
Pro Doesn't overwhelm with options by default
The application only surfaces the essential features by default and gives access to advanced features only when needed. For example, a you can perform 4 actions with a branch by default - add a new subtopic, add a new box topic, add a new relationship and adjust the branch's position.
Pro Allows auto-creating presentations from mind-maps
It's possible to have the application automatically create slides along with transitions for presentation purposes. It's then possible to adjust the outcome.
Cons
Con Unintuitive interface
The interface and shortcuts are unintuitive and difficult to customize.
Con Boring visual appearance
Con No American English language option
The software is only available in UK English.
