Coggle vs SpiderScribe (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 SpiderScribe if

• Fits if you want free-form maps that mix notes, files and places
• Works for classes and small teams who share maps

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you stay free, as the free plan is non-commercial with 3 private maps and 3 MB
• Watch out: the plans page says the web app needs a browser with the Flash plugin
• Watch out: the pages do not say how the monthly prices are billed
• Skip it if you want a phone app, as only an iPad one is named

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.

SpiderScribe

• The plans page says the web app needs a browser with the Flash plugin enabled.
• The free Personal plan is for non-commercial use and allows 3 private maps.
• The pages do not say whether the monthly prices are billed monthly or yearly.
• The only mobile app named on the site is SpiderScribe Jr. for iPad.

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.

SpiderScribe

Free-form maps

Stencils can be connected in any way rather than in a fixed tree, so a map can be a loose web of related items.

Mixed content

A map can hold text notes, images, files, calendar events and location maps side by side.

Real-time collaboration

Private maps can be shared and edited by several people at once; public maps can be viewed without signing in.

Drawing mode

Sketching a rough circle, rectangle or triangle adds a text, file or picture stencil, and drawn lines connect them.

Export, print and embed

Maps can be printed, exported to images and embedded in a website or blog with an embed wizard.

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.

SpiderScribe

• Personal$0

  Non-commercial use only: unlimited public maps, 3 private maps, 3 MB of files and images.

• Pro$5

  per month, billing basis not stated

  One user with full sharing, unlimited public and private maps, 2 GB of files and images.

• Education$19

  per month, billing basis not stated

  For academic institutions: unlimited users, 10 GB of storage, custom subdomain and central administration.

• Business$25

  per month for the whole team, billing basis not stated

  Unlimited users, 10 GB of storage, custom subdomain and central team administration.