Alternatives · Whiteboards
MindMeister alternatives
MindMeister compared with 8 alternatives: Xmind, MindNode, Mindomo, Coggle, Ayoa and 3 more.
MindMeister has a free plan. Paid plans start at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly. 7 of the 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| MindMeisterThis tool | Free plan · from €6.50/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Xmind | Free plan · from $4.92/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| MindNode | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Mindomo | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Coggle | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | Web |
| Ayoa | Free plan · from $13/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Freeplane | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| MindManager | Free trial · from $99/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| SimpleMind | Free plan · from $10.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from MindMeister
- Free plan · from $4.92/mo
Xmind
Mind mapping app with AI, Gantt charts and a presentation mode
- Xmind starts at $4.92 per month, billed yearly ($59 a year). MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- Only Xmind lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Xmind also covers Gantt & timelines.
Suits: People who think in mind maps and want an app on every device
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
MindNode
Mind mapping and outlining app for Apple devices
- MindNode starts at $2.99 per month, or $24.99 per year. MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- Only MindNode lists a macOS app.
- Only MindMeister lists a web app.
- Only MindMeister lists an Android app.
- MindNode is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: People who work across a Mac, an iPhone and an iPad
- Free plan · from $7/mo
Mindomo
Mind maps, outlines and Gantt charts with real-time editing
- Mindomo starts at $7 per month, prepaid yearly. MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- Only Mindomo lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Mindomo lists a browser extension.
- Mindomo also covers tasks and Gantt & timelines.
- MindMeister also covers templates and presentations.
Suits: Teachers and students using mind maps for assignments and study
- Free plan · from $5/mo
Coggle
Collaborative mind maps and flowcharts in the browser
- Coggle starts at $5 per month. MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- Only MindMeister lists iOS and Android apps.
- Coggle is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Coggle also covers Markdown and diagrams.
- MindMeister also covers templates and presentations.
Suits: Students and teams making quick collaborative mind maps
- Free plan · from $13/mo
Ayoa
Mind mapping with whiteboards and visual task boards
- Ayoa starts at $13 per user / month, billed annually ($155.99 a year). MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- Only Ayoa lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Ayoa also covers whiteboard, tasks, kanban boards and Gantt & timelines.
- MindMeister also covers templates and presentations.
Suits: Visual thinkers who want mind maps and tasks in one app
- Free
Freeplane
Free, open source mind mapping app for the desktop
- Freeplane is free. MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- Only Freeplane lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Only MindMeister lists a web app.
- Only MindMeister lists iOS and Android apps.
- Freeplane is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Power users who want formulas, scripts and rule-based formatting in a map
- Free trial · from $99/yr
MindManager
Mind mapping and diagramming software with Gantt charts
- MindManager starts at $99 per user / year (Essentials, web only). MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- MindMeister has a free plan. MindManager does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only MindManager lists macOS and Windows apps.
- MindManager can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- MindManager also covers kanban boards, Gantt & timelines and diagrams.
Suits: Project managers who plan with mind maps and Gantt charts in one file
- Free plan · from $10.99 one-time
SimpleMind
Mind mapping app sold as a one-time purchase per platform
- SimpleMind starts at $10.99 one-time (iPhone and iPad); $29.99 for Mac or Windows. MindMeister starts at €6.50 per user / month, billed yearly.
- Only SimpleMind lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only MindMeister lists a web app.
- SimpleMind can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- MindMeister also covers templates and presentations.
Suits: People who want to buy a mind mapping app once, not subscribe
Limits worth knowing in MindMeister
- The Free plan stops at 3 mind maps and has no file exports, printing, attachments or version history.
- Plans are billed in 6-month or 12-month cycles with no monthly option, and prices vary by region; the figures here are the vendor's EUR reference prices.
- Word and PowerPoint exports, custom branding and Google Workspace need Pro; SAML SSO needs Business and a request to the sales team.
- No desktop apps are listed: outside the iOS and Android apps, MindMeister runs in a browser.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to MindMeister?
The alternatives to MindMeister in this directory are Xmind, MindNode, Mindomo, Coggle, Ayoa, Freeplane, MindManager and SimpleMind. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with MindMeister.
Is there a free alternative to MindMeister?
Yes. Freeplane is free to use. Xmind, MindNode, Mindomo, Coggle, Ayoa and SimpleMind have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which MindMeister alternatives work on Windows?
The MindMeister listing does not include a Windows app. Xmind, Mindomo, Ayoa, Freeplane, MindManager and SimpleMind list one.
Which MindMeister alternatives work on macOS?
The MindMeister listing does not include a macOS app. Xmind, MindNode, Mindomo, Ayoa, Freeplane, MindManager and SimpleMind list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to MindMeister?
Freeplane is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.