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Mermaid alternatives · Whiteboards

Mermaid alternatives with a Linux app

The Mermaid listing does not include a Linux app. 12 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools in this directory list a Linux app.

Mermaid has a free plan. Paid plans start at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year). 11 of them are free or have a free plan.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Mermaid

  1. draw.io

    Free diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose

    • draw.io is free. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only draw.io lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • draw.io is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • draw.io also covers templates.
    draw.io vs Mermaiddraw.io pricing and details

  2. Whimsical

    Whiteboard for flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps and docs

    • Whimsical starts at $10 per editor / month, billed annually ($120 a year). Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only Whimsical lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Whimsical also covers whiteboard, templates, documents and mind mapping.
    • Mermaid also covers presentations.
    Whimsical vs MermaidWhimsical pricing and details

  3. Xmind

    Mind mapping app with AI, Gantt charts and a presentation mode

    • Xmind starts at $4.92 per month, billed yearly ($59 a year). Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only Xmind lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Xmind also covers templates, Gantt & timelines and mind mapping.
    • Mermaid also covers diagrams.
    Xmind pricing and details

  4. tldraw

    Free online whiteboard with a local desktop app

    • tldraw is free. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only tldraw lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • tldraw also covers whiteboard.
    • Mermaid also covers presentations.
    tldraw pricing and details

  5. EdrawMind

    Mind mapping and diagram software with AI tools

    • EdrawMind starts at $35.10 per 6 months (semi-annual), $53.10 per year. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Mermaid has a free plan. EdrawMind does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only EdrawMind lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • EdrawMind can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    EdrawMind pricing and details

  6. Visual Paradigm

    Desktop and online modeling suite for UML, BPMN and architecture

    • Visual Paradigm starts at $6 per month (Modeler edition, subscription). Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only Visual Paradigm lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Visual Paradigm can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Visual Paradigm also covers mind mapping.
    Visual Paradigm pricing and details

  7. Mindomo

    Mind maps, outlines and Gantt charts with real-time editing

    • Mindomo starts at $7 per month, prepaid yearly. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only Mindomo lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Mindomo lists a browser extension.
    • Mindomo also covers tasks, Gantt & timelines and mind mapping.
    Mindomo pricing and details

  8. Cmap

    Free concept-mapping software from IHMC for school and research

    • Cmap is free. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only Cmap lists macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS apps.
    • Cmap also covers mind mapping.
    • Mermaid also covers presentations.
    Cmap pricing and details

  9. Kinopio

    Freeform canvas for notes, mind maps and moodboards

    • Kinopio starts at $8 per month, or $80 per year. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only Kinopio lists macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS apps.
    • Only Kinopio lists a browser extension.
    • Kinopio also covers notes, linked notes, whiteboard, tasks and mind mapping.
    Kinopio pricing and details

  10. Freeplane

    Free, open source mind mapping app for the desktop

    • Freeplane is free. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only Freeplane lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Mermaid lists a web app.
    • Freeplane is open source, according to its own site.
    Freeplane pricing and details

  11. yEd

    Free desktop graph editor with automatic diagram layout

    • yEd is free. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only yEd lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Mermaid also covers presentations.
    yEd pricing and details

  12. OpenBoard

    Free open-source interactive whiteboard software for classrooms

    • OpenBoard is free. Mermaid starts at $10 per user / month, billed annually ($120 a year).
    • Only OpenBoard lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Mermaid lists a web app.
    • OpenBoard is open source, according to its own site.
    OpenBoard pricing and details

Common questions

Which Mermaid alternatives have a Linux app?

draw.io, Whimsical, Xmind, tldraw, EdrawMind, Visual Paradigm, Mindomo, Cmap and 4 more list a Linux app.

Does Mermaid have a Linux app?

The Mermaid listing does not include a Linux app. It lists Web.

Which of these whiteboard and mind map tools are free?

draw.io, Whimsical, Xmind, tldraw, Visual Paradigm, Mindomo, Cmap, Kinopio and 3 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Mermaid: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.