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Scapple

Freeform mind-mapping app for writers, on Mac and Windows

Free trial · from $20.99 one-timeWhiteboardsChecked Oct 6, 2026
Visit literatureandlatte.com

What is Scapple?

Scapple is a freeform mind-mapping app from Literature & Latte, the company behind Scrivener. It behaves like a sheet of paper: notes are typed anywhere on the page and joined with lines or arrows, with no central topic and no enforced hierarchy. It is sold as a one-time license, separately for macOS and for Windows, and notes can be dragged into a Scrivener project for further work.

Scapple is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $20.99 one-time, per platform (macOS or Windows). See every plan

Good for

  • Writers working out plots, arguments or research before drafting
  • People who find a mind map with one central topic too rigid
  • Scrivener users who want to carry rough notes into a project
  • Buyers who prefer a one-time license to a subscription

Worth knowing

  • Scapple is offered for macOS and Windows only; the vendor lists no web, iOS or Android version.
  • Each license covers a single platform, so running Scapple on both a Mac and a Windows PC means buying two.
  • Minor updates are free, but the vendor says a future major version such as Scapple 2 would be a paid upgrade.
  • The Windows version (1.4.2, December 2022) is behind the macOS version (1.5.4, November 2025).

Key features

Notes anywhere on the page
Double-clicking any spot on the page creates a note there. Notes can be moved and rearranged at any time, and the page keeps growing so there is always more room.
Connections without a hierarchy
Dragging one note onto another joins them with a line or an arrow. No note is the center of the map, notes can stay unconnected, and connections can carry labels.
Stacks and background shapes
Related notes can be stacked into columns, and background shapes group a set of notes visually. The appearance of individual notes can be customized.
Export and printing
Boards can be printed or exported. The release notes refer to PDF and PNG output on the Mac and to plain text, rich text and OPML export.
Hand-off to Scrivener
Notes can be dragged from a Scapple board into Scrivener, the vendor's long-form writing app, to be developed into a draft.
Household license
A license bought from the vendor covers every computer the buyer owns and mainly uses, plus the computers of family members living in the same house.

Scapple pricing

Starts at
$20.99 one-time, per platform (macOS or Windows)
Free plan
None
Free trial
30-day free trial of the full version; only days on which the app is used count toward the 30
Standard Licence$20.99one-time, per platform (macOS or Windows)The full version for one platform, under a household license that covers the buyer's own computers and those of family in the same home.
Educational Licence$16.79one-time, per platform (macOS or Windows)The same full version at 20% off for students and academics, who need an institutional affiliation to qualify.

Read from literatureandlatte.com on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Scapple before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Ways to pay less

  • Education20% off for students and academics

    The vendor's store sells an Educational Licence to students and academics with an institutional affiliation: $16.79 instead of $20.99 in US pricing, on macOS or Windows.

    Stated on literatureandlatte.com

Works with

Scapple alternatives

All Scapple alternatives comparedAll whiteboard and mind map tools

Common questions

Is Scapple free?

No, Scapple is a paid product, but you can try it first. 30-day free trial of the full version; only days on which the app is used count toward the 30.

How much does Scapple cost?

Scapple lists 2 plans. Standard Licence: $20.99 one-time, per platform (macOS or Windows). Educational Licence: $16.79 one-time, per platform (macOS or Windows). Prices were read from literatureandlatte.com on Oct 6, 2026.

What platforms does Scapple work on?

Scapple is available on macOS and Windows.

Does Scapple offer any discounts?

Scapple publicly lists the following: 20% off for students and academics.

Does Scapple have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Scapple is listed for macOS and Windows.

Does Scapple have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Scapple is listed for macOS and Windows.

Is Scapple open source?

Scapple is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.

What does Scapple integrate with?

Scapple's listing names Scrivener, iCloud and MathType. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Does Scapple have a student discount?

20% off for students and academics. The vendor's store sells an Educational Licence to students and academics with an institutional affiliation: $16.79 instead of $20.99 in US pricing, on macOS or Windows.

Who makes Scapple?

Scapple is made by Literature & Latte Ltd. It dates from 2013.

What are the alternatives to Scapple?

The closest alternatives to Scapple in our directory are MindNode, SimpleMind, Xmind, Freeplane and Milanote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Scapple.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.