Freeplane vs Mindomo

Freeplane

• Power users who want formulas, scripts and rule-based formatting in a map
• Keeping mind maps as local files instead of in a cloud service
• Linux users, and anyone who wants a portable copy on a USB drive
• Former FreeMind users: Freeplane began as a fork of that project

Mindomo

• Teachers and students using mind maps for assignments and study
• People who want mind maps, outlines and Gantt charts in one tool
• Consultants whose clients need to edit as guests
• Working offline on Windows, macOS or Linux

Freeplane

• Freeplane is a desktop Java application: the documentation lists downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux and no web or mobile version.
• Some downloads need a separately installed Java runtime (versions 11 to 21 for the Linux packages); only certain Windows and macOS installers bundle Java.
• The bundled macOS builds require macOS 14 or later.
• AI features need the user's own OpenRouter or Gemini key or an Ollama service, and the docs warn that map content sent to a provider may leave the machine.

Mindomo

• The Free plan stops at 3 diagrams and 1 AI credit, cannot print, and exports only to Mindomo and text formats.
• Gantt charts are not in Premium; they need the Professional, Team or Business plan.
• Plans are prepaid for six months or a year and do not renew automatically; there is no month-to-month billing.
• Team and Business require at least 3 users, and SAML SSO and audit logs are limited to Business.

Freeplane

Keyboard-driven mind mapping

Enter adds a node, Tab adds a child, the arrow keys move between nodes and Space folds or unfolds a branch. Nodes can also be dragged into place with the mouse.

Styles and conditional styles

Styles set a node's formatting, and conditional styles apply one automatically when a node matches a rule based on its content, attributes, icons or level.

Formulas and Groovy scripts

A node whose text starts with = shows a computed result instead of the formula. Groovy scripts automate repeated edits and can change how the application behaves.

Add-ons

Scripts are packaged and shared as add-ons. The documentation lists examples such as Freeplane|GTD for task planning, Study Planner and several import and export tools.

AI integration and MCP server

An AI panel can summarize, rewrite, inspect and edit map content through OpenRouter, Gemini or an Ollama service. An optional local MCP server lets apps such as Claude Desktop work with maps.

Templates and protected maps

A new map can start from a standard or user-defined template, or be created password-protected so that it cannot be opened or read without the password.

Mindomo

Several diagram types

Mind maps, concept maps, org charts, timelines, fishbone diagrams, outlines and Gantt charts, with a switch that turns a mind map into an outline or back.

Mindomo AI

AI generates a map from a prompt, expands topics, adds notes, builds pros-and-cons or SWOT analyses and translates diagrams. Each action uses credits from a monthly allowance.

Real-time collaboration

Multiple users co-edit a diagram, chat and comment, with view-only, edit or copy permissions. Version history replays changes and restores earlier versions.

Tasks and Gantt charts

Topics become tasks with assignees, start and due dates, priorities and progress, and tasks sync to calendars through iCal. Gantt view needs Professional, Team or Business.

Offline desktop apps

Mindomo Desktop for Windows, macOS and Linux edits diagrams without a connection and saves them locally, with optional sync to the cloud.

Presenter mode and exports

A diagram can be presented as a slideshow, and paid plans export to PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Project, Markdown and other formats.

Freeplane

• Free$0

  The full application for Windows, macOS and Linux, including scripting, add-ons and the AI integration. AI use needs the user's own provider key.

Mindomo

• Free$0

  3 diagrams, unlimited collaborators, sharing and publishing, free templates, 1 trial AI credit and 3 export formats.

• Premium$7

  per month, prepaid yearly ($8.5 on a 6-month term)

  One user: unlimited diagrams, 50 AI credits a month, attachments, printing, 10 export formats, 1GB of storage, desktop app, Teams integration and API access.

• Professional$16

  per month, prepaid yearly ($17.5 on a 6-month term)

  One user plus 5 guests who edit with premium features. Adds Gantt charts, 60 AI credits a month, 20 export formats, 5GB of storage and business templates.

• Team$7

  per user / month, prepaid yearly ($8 on a 6-month term)

  Minimum 3 users. Premium features plus user management, team task management, calendar sync, Gantt charts and shared folders.

• Business$12

  per user / month, prepaid yearly ($14 on a 6-month term)

  Minimum 3 users. Team features plus guest editing for up to 5 guests, SAML SSO, audit logs and advanced security controls.

Freeplane

No public discounts listed.

Mindomo

• Annual discount

  Up to 20% off on the yearly term

  Mindomo's pricing page labels the yearly term as up to 20% off the 6-month one. Premium is $7 a month prepaid yearly against $8.5 on a 6-month term.

• Education

  Student and Teacher plans

  Education plans are $5 per user a month for students and $6 for teachers when prepaid yearly. They are limited to students, teachers and schools, and proof of eligibility may be requested.