Coggle vs Mindly (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Coggle if

• Fits if a group wants to build one mind map together, each in their own browser
• Works for the odd map on the free plan, if your diagrams can be public

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you're staying free and want things private, with only 3 private diagrams
• Skip it if you want an app on your phone or desktop, as none is listed; phones get a home-screen web app
• Too light for detailed flowcharts, where the extra shapes and line controls cost $5 a month
• Watch out: the homepage lists monthly prices only, and SAML sign-on is on Organisation at $8 a member
• Not for you if you want to start from templates, as none are on offer

Pick Mindly if

• Fits if you map ideas mostly on a phone or tablet
• Works for people who find a full-screen map too cluttered

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a computer app, as no desktop version is named
• Skip it if you want a free plan, since only a trial of unstated length exists
• Watch out: the App Store rating is 2.0, from 7 ratings only
• Watch out: the subscription is bought through the app stores, and no one-time purchase is described
• Watch out: the vendor's site cites 4.6 for the older Mindly app, not this one

Coggle

• The free plan allows only 3 private diagrams; other diagrams made on it are public.
• More item shapes, line style and path controls, file attachments and high-res image uploads need the Awesome plan.
• No native desktop or mobile apps are listed; on a phone Coggle is saved to the home screen as a progressive web app.
• The homepage lists only monthly prices, and on-premise instances are arranged through Coggle for Enterprise without a public price.

Mindly

• The App Store lists iPhone and iPad only, and the site links Google Play; no desktop app is named.
• There is no free plan; the app is free to download and the subscription starts with a trial of unstated length.
• The subscription is bought through the app stores; the pages read do not describe a one-time purchase.
• The Mindly 2 App Store listing shows a 2.0 average from 7 ratings, while the vendor's site cites 4.6 for the earlier app.

Coggle

Branching mind maps

Maps grow from one or several central items, branches can be joined into loops, and layout can be auto-arranged. Floating text and images annotate a map outside the tree.

Real-time collaboration

Invite people by email to edit a diagram at the same time, with changes appearing instantly. Awesome adds editing through a secret link with no login needed.

Full change history

Every change to a diagram is saved. You can look through the history and make a copy from any point to go back to an earlier version.

Flowcharts

Shapes and connected items for flowcharts and process maps are free. More shapes and control over connection paths and line styles need Awesome.

Images, icons and Markdown

Drag in images with no upload limit, pick from over 1,600 icons, and format item text with Markdown. Calculations can be added to diagrams.

Import, export and embedding

Download a diagram as a PDF or image, export it as .mm, text or a Microsoft Visio file, import .mm and text files, and embed a mind map in another page.

Mindly

Progressive focus

Maps open one idea at a time, so a branch can be explored step by step without the whole map on screen.

Real-time collaboration

Mindly 2 lets teammates, classmates or clients work on the same map together.

Online sharing

Interactive maps can be published and opened by anyone in a browser.

Images, emojis and files

Nodes can carry images, emojis and supporting files.

Visual clipboard

A clipboard for quickly reorganizing and restructuring parts of a map.

Coggle

• Free Forever$0

  3 private diagrams, unlimited public diagrams, real-time collaboration, full change history, shared folders, and PDF and image download.

• Awesome$5

  per month

  Unlimited private diagrams, more item shapes, line style and path controls, file attachments, high-res image uploads, and collaboration by link or QR code.

• Organisation$8

  per member / month

  Everything in Awesome plus SAML single sign-on, consolidated billing, bulk export, user and data management, and branded diagrams.

• Coggle for EnterpriseCustom

  By arrangement: on-premise instances behind a firewall, Active Directory authentication, site licenses and enterprise support.

Mindly

• Monthly Subscription$3.99

  per month, in-app purchase

  Access to all Mindly features on all platforms, as the App Store listing describes it.

• Yearly Subscription$34.99

  per year, in-app purchase

  Same access as monthly. Works out to about $2.92 a month.