The Mind42 Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Mind42 in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Mind42
The Insider’s Guide
Free browser-based mind mapping with shared editing
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among whiteboard and mind map tools, read from Mind42’s own pages.
Made by Stefan Schuster · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Mind42’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Mind42’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 46 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade
Mind42 is a mind mapping editor that runs in the browser and is supported by advertising. Maps are private by default and can be shared by link for viewing or opened for joint editing with other signed-in users. The site says no new features are planned for the current version, only maintenance.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Mind42, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You build each map by hand, and the editor is not made for touch screens.
- 1
Best for free browser mind maps with a fixed layout
Mind42 is a free browser mind mapper, paid for by ads, with shared editing.
- 2
It is free
Mind42 has no paid plan at all. Free to use with advertising, with no stated limit on the number of mind maps.
- 3
It runs on Web
Web.
- 4
Automatic hierarchical layout
Maps use a strictly hierarchical layout, and the lines and positions are drawn automatically. Nodes cannot be placed freely.
- 5
Joint editing and publishing
Signed-in users can be invited to edit a map together, and a published map can be viewed by anyone with the link.
- 6
Export and import
Maps export to PDF for printing, and the Mind42 format can be exported and imported again, which is also the way to copy a map.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 46 of 61
That is against the other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Mind42 is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Mind42 at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Stefan Schuster, since 2007
- Category
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for free browser mind maps with a fixed layout
Mind42 is a free browser mind mapper, paid for by ads, with shared editing. Its layout is strictly hierarchical with no links between branches, the blog says only maintenance is planned for this version, and there are no mobile apps.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free to use with ads and no stated limit on the number of maps. An ad-free account exists, but no price is shown. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright, with no cap on the number of mind maps on the page. |
| Features | C | Mind maps with shared editing and PDF export. The listing shows gaps: no free node placement, no links between branches and no second main topic. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. You build each map by hand, and the editor is not made for touch screens. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Web only, with no apps and no integrations listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Mind42 is for
- Fits if you want a free browser mind map and can live with ads
- Works for plain hierarchical outlines shared with a classmate or colleague
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want branches linked across the map, as none are supported
- Skip it if you want a phone app, since the FAQ says the editor is not built for touch screens
- Watch out: the blog says no new features are planned, only maintenance
- Watch out: ads are shown, and the ad-free account has no price on the pages read
- Watch out: images can only be added by web address, not uploaded
Good to know
Good for
- Simple, tree-shaped mind maps made in a browser
- Anyone who wants a no-cost option and accepts advertisements
Worth knowing
- No mobile apps, and the FAQ says the editor is not built for touch screens or small phone screens.
- The layout is strictly hierarchical: no free positioning of nodes, no connections between branches and no second main topic.
- The blog archive says no new features are planned for the current version, only maintenance.
- The site shows advertisements and offers a paid ad-free account, but no price for it appears on the pages we read.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Mind42 is free to use.
Free to use with ads and no stated limit on the number of maps.
Free
$0
Full editor and sharing, supported by advertisements.
The free plan
Free to use with advertising, with no stated limit on the number of mind maps.
Read from mind42.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Free browser-based mind mapping with shared editing. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: real-time collaboration, mind mapping.
Mind maps with shared editing and PDF export.
- Automatic hierarchical layout
- Maps use a strictly hierarchical layout, and the lines and positions are drawn automatically. Nodes cannot be placed freely.
- Joint editing and publishing
- Signed-in users can be invited to edit a map together, and a published map can be viewed by anyone with the link.
- Export and import
- Maps export to PDF for printing, and the Mind42 format can be exported and imported again, which is also the way to copy a map.
- Images by web address
- Images are added from a public web address. There is no upload from the computer.
- Emoji as symbols
- The FAQ points to emoji as the way to add symbols that the editor does not provide.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Mind42 is made by Stefan Schuster, and has been around since 2007.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
46/61
Other whiteboard and mind map tools it is graded above
Mind42's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 46 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 53 of 61) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Mind42 has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 62 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Mind42’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 47 of 61
- AFree plan and trialAbove 53 of 61
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 61
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 61
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 61
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Mind42 is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Mind42 is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 46 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade.
What you could make
- Mind mapping: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
What this rests on. Mind42’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Coggle, MindMeister, MindMup, Bubbl.us and Xmind
The 5 tools Mind42 is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Coggle
Free plan · from $5/mo
Collaborative mind maps and flowcharts in the browser.
- Coggle is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Coggle also covers Markdown and diagrams.
- 2.2GPA
MindMeister
Free plan · from €6.50/mo
Browser-based mind mapping with real-time collaboration.
- Only MindMeister lists iOS and Android apps.
- MindMeister also covers templates and presentations.
- 2.2GPA
MindMup
Free plan · from $6/mo
Web mind mapping with a free tier and simple paid plans.
- MindMup also covers notes, diagrams and presentations.
- 2.0GPA
Bubbl.us
Free plan
Browser mind mapping that works without an account.
- Bubbl.us also covers templates.
- 3.0GPA
Xmind
Free plan · from $4.92/mo
Mind mapping app with AI, Gantt charts and a presentation mode.
- Only Xmind lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Xmind also covers templates, Gantt & timelines and presentations.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Mind42 free?
Yes. Mind42 is free to use.
How much does Mind42 cost?
Mind42 lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Mind42 work on?
Mind42 is available on Web.
Does Mind42 have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Mind42 is listed for Web.
Does Mind42 have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Mind42 is listed for Web.
Is Mind42 open source?
Mind42 is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Who makes Mind42?
Mind42 is made by Stefan Schuster. It dates from 2007.
What are the alternatives to Mind42?
The closest alternatives to Mind42 in our directory are Coggle, MindMeister, MindMup, Bubbl.us and Xmind.
How does Mind42 compare with other whiteboard and mind map tools?
Mind42's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 46 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 6.
Is Mind42 good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Mind42 A for value for money. Mind42 has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Mind42?
Mind42 is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Mind42’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Mind42's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Stefan Schuster. Prices change, so check mind42.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Mind42, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/mind42
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Mind42: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/mind42
Know someone choosing between whiteboard and mind map tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/mind42/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded whiteboard and mind map tools after Mind42, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 62 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, compared
- Microsoft Whiteboard Insider's GuideFree collaborative canvas built into Microsoft 365 and Teams3.4 GPA
- draw.io Insider's GuideFree diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose3.2 GPA
- tldraw Insider's GuideFree online whiteboard with a local desktop app3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Mind42’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Mind42 is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Stefan Schuster. Prices and plans change: check mind42.com before you buy.