Bubbl.us vs MindMup (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, MindMup grades higher than Bubbl.us: 2.2 against 2.0 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
MindMup grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
MindMup
Web mind mapping with a free tier and simple paid plans
Which one is for you
Pick Bubbl.us if
- Fits if you want a throwaway mind map without making an account
- Works for a team that wants one licence payment point and manager roles
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you need prices up front: none could be read from its page
- Tight if you rely on an unsigned map, because it lives only in your browser and clearing browser data can lose it
- Skip it if you want a phone or desktop app, as none is listed
- Watch out: the trial length is not stated in the help centre
- Watch out: refunds are decided case by case by email
Pick MindMup if
- Fits if you want a plain mind map on the web and a free start
- Works for a class that opens a map by Guest Pass without logins
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you stay free, with 3 maps and view-only sharing
- Watch out: real-time collaboration is marked coming soon on the pricing page
- Watch out: the AI credits are marked coming soon too
- Watch out: only annual prices were readable, and Team and Organization seat rules are not stated
- Skip it if you want a desktop or phone app, as the desktop app is marked coming soon
How we grade them
| 2.0GPABubbl.usFair | 2.2GPAMindMupFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CNo price could be read, which the ladder puts in the middle. Team pricing is by licence count and quoted on a separate page. | CPersonal is $6 a month billed annually, a little above the category's cheaper quarter of $5. Team is $9 and Organization $15, and the page does not say if they are per seat. |
| Free plan and trial | CA map can be started with no account, but the listing says it is kept only in the browser unless you register. Paid plans have a trial of unstated length. | CThe Starter plan is free but capped at 3 mind maps with view-only sharing and a watermarked presentation mode. |
| Features | CBubbles, layouts, attachments, live shared editing, export to image or PDF and revision history on premium. The listing records no plan limits at all. | CMap layouts, notes, presentation mode, version history and sharing. Gaps the listing shows: real-time collaboration, comment threads and the AI credits are marked coming soon. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating on record. You build each map by hand. | CNo store rating on record. You build maps from scratch in the editor. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWeb only, with no apps and no integrations listed. | BWeb only, with Google Drive, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365 sign-in listed. |
| Best for | a quick mind map with no sign-up | a simple web mind map with Google Drive storage |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Bubbl.us and MindMup. How we grade
Where they differ
- Bubbl.us also covers templates.
- MindMup also covers notes, diagrams and presentations.
At a glance
| Bubbl.us | MindMup | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | Not published | $6 per month, billed annually (Personal) |
| Free plan | A mind map can be started without an account, but the work is saved only in the browser unless you register. | Starter plan: up to 3 mind maps, view-only sharing, 10 AI credits, and presentation mode with a watermark. |
| Free trial | Free trial on paid plans; the end date is shown on the payment page and its length is not stated in the help center | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Made by | LKCOLLAB LLC | Mindmup, Inc. |
| Price read from | Not confirmed | mindmup.com |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Bubbl.us
- Plan names, limits and prices could not be read: the pricing page loads its figures with JavaScript and nothing printed from it, so none are listed.
- A map made without signing in is saved only in your browser and can be lost if the browser data is cleared.
- Team pricing is by number of licenses, with volume discounts, and is quoted on a team pricing page.
- The help center describes refunds only as a case-by-case request by email, with a reminder email three days before each charge.
MindMup
- The free Starter plan stops at 3 mind maps and view-only sharing.
- Real-time collaboration, comment threads, the desktop app and AI credits are marked as coming soon on the pricing page.
- The page shows only the annual-billed prices; it says yearly saves up to 40% but its monthly-billed prices could not be read.
- The page does not say whether the Team and Organization prices are per seat.
Key features
Bubbl.us
- Bubble-based editing
- Maps are built from bubbles and connections, with text formatting, colors and file attachments.
- Layouts
- Bubbles can be arranged in different layouts, with an option to reset the layout and connect bubbles.
- Real-time sharing
- Several people can edit a map at the same time, and a map can be embedded in a blog.
- Export and print
- Maps can be saved as images or PDFs, or printed.
- Team accounts
- Team subscriptions give each member premium features, one payment point, transferable licenses, custom sign-in domains and manager roles.
- Revision history
- Premium access includes revision history and the ability to copy a map or turn it into a template.
MindMup
- Mind map layouts
- Standard mind maps, org charts, fishbone diagrams and argument visualization, with styling controls for maps and nodes.
- Notes and sticky notes
- Notes attach to nodes for outlines and drafts, and the text can be exported to another editor.
- Sharing and publishing
- Maps can be shared with members or teams, published as interactive maps, or opened to a class with a Guest Pass that needs no login.
- Presentation mode
- A map turns into a presentation in one click. The free plan adds a watermark.
- Version history and restore
- The comparison lists version history, restoring deleted maps for 30 days and manual backup and restore.
- Google Drive and SSO
- Maps can be stored in Google Drive, and organizations can use Google or Microsoft sign-on.
Plans
Bubbl.us
Pricing could not be confirmed. See bubbl.us.
MindMup
StarterFree
Up to 3 mind maps, notes, view-only sharing and publishing, 10 AI credits (AI marked as coming soon).
Personal$6
per month, billed annually
Unlimited mind maps, image and file attachments, advanced sharing, high-resolution exports and 100 AI credits.
Team$9
per month, billed annually (seat basis not stated)
Unlimited teamspaces, Guest Pass access and 200 AI credits per seat. Real-time collaboration is marked as coming soon.
Organization (SSO)$15
per month, billed annually (seat basis not stated)
Required Google or Microsoft SSO, advanced security settings, priority support and 300 AI credits per seat.
Ways to pay less
Bubbl.us
- Education
50% off for students, faculty and nonprofits
Bubbl.us says students, faculty and nonprofit organizations get 50% off, requested through a form linked from the Plans page.
MindMup
- Annual discount
Yearly billing saves up to 40%
The pricing page offers a pay-yearly option that it says saves up to 40% against paying monthly.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Bubbl.us or MindMup?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Bubbl.us has no price we could confirm, and MindMup starts at $6 per month, billed annually (Personal).
Which has a free plan, Bubbl.us or MindMup?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Bubbl.us and MindMup have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.