The SpiderScribe Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about SpiderScribe 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.
SpiderScribe
The Insider’s Guide
Free-form online mind maps that mix notes, files and places
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among whiteboard and mind map tools, read from SpiderScribe’s own pages.
Made by SpiderScribe · checked Nov 13, 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 SpiderScribe’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on SpiderScribe’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 23 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade
SpiderScribe is a browser-based mind mapping and brainstorming tool. Maps are free-form: text notes, images, files, calendar events and location maps can be connected in any arrangement, then kept private or shared and edited together in real time.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about SpiderScribe, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating on record, and you build every map by hand.
- 1
Best for free-form mind maps in the browser
SpiderScribe makes mind maps that join notes, images, files and map locations, with a free Personal plan and Pro at $5 a month.
- 2
Paid plans start at $5 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $5 per month.
- 3
There is a free plan
Personal plan for non-commercial use: unlimited public maps, 3 private maps and 3 MB of files and images.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Web and iOS.
- 5
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.
- 6
Mixed content
A map can hold text notes, images, files, calendar events and location maps side by side.
- 7
Real-time collaboration
Private maps can be shared and edited by several people at once; public maps can be viewed without signing in.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 23 of 98
That is against the other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of SpiderScribe you could make: mind mapping. What surrounds it you could not. The 3 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
SpiderScribe at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $5 per month
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial on all paid plans
- Runs on
- Web, iOS
- Made by
- SpiderScribe
- Category
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for free-form mind maps in the browser
SpiderScribe makes mind maps that join notes, images, files and map locations, with a free Personal plan and Pro at $5 a month. The free plan is for non-commercial use with 3 private maps, and the plans page is dated, with a Flash plugin mentioned and the only phone app named a version for iPad.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | Pro is $5 a month, at the edge of the category's cheapest quarter, though the page does not say how it is billed. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free Personal plan for non-commercial use with 3 private maps and 3 MB of files, plus a 30-day trial, card not stated. |
| Features | C | Free-form maps with mixed content, real-time sharing and drawing, but it is one kind of map tool and the listing mentions a Flash plugin requirement. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record, and you build every map by hand. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Web plus an iPad app named SpiderScribe Jr., and one integration, 5pm. |
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 SpiderScribe is for
- Fits if you want free-form maps that mix notes, files and places
- Works for classes and small teams who share maps
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Brainstorming that mixes notes, files and map locations
- Small teams that want one flat monthly price
- Students and teachers using the Education plan
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$5
A month to start. There is a free plan too
SpiderScribe has a free plan. Paid plans start at $5 per month.
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.
The free plan
Personal plan for non-commercial use: unlimited public maps, 3 private maps and 3 MB of files and images.
Trying it first
30-day free trial on all paid plans
Read from spiderscribe.net on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Web and iOS
Free-form online mind maps that mix notes, files and places. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: real-time collaboration, mind mapping, diagrams.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Web
- iOS
What it works with
- 5pm
SpiderScribe is made by SpiderScribe.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
23/98
Other whiteboard and mind map tools it is graded above
SpiderScribe's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 23 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 19.
It stands best on value for money (B, above 59 of 98) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $5 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 14 of the 69 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. 22 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 99 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. SpiderScribe’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 59 of 98
- CFree plan and trialAbove 10 of 98
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 98
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 98
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 98
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 88 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. SpiderScribe 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
The plain part of SpiderScribe you could make: mind mapping. What surrounds it you could not. The 3 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 56 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools grade higher. It costs $60 a year.
What you could make
- Mind mapping: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A diagram editor.
- A real app for iOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
What this rests on. SpiderScribe’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
MindMeister, Coggle, Mindomo, Milanote and MindMup
The 5 tools SpiderScribe is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
MindMeister
Free plan · from €6.50/mo
Browser-based mind mapping with real-time collaboration.
- Only MindMeister lists an Android app.
- SpiderScribe also covers diagrams.
- MindMeister also covers templates and presentations.
- 2.4GPA
Coggle
Free plan · from $5/mo
Collaborative mind maps and flowcharts in the browser.
- Only SpiderScribe lists an iOS app.
- Coggle is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Coggle also covers Markdown.
- 2.6GPA
Mindomo
Free plan · from $7/mo
Mind maps, outlines and Gantt charts with real-time editing.
- Only Mindomo lists macOS, Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Mindomo lists a browser extension.
- SpiderScribe also covers diagrams.
- 2.8GPA
Milanote
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Visual boards for organizing creative projects.
- Only Milanote lists macOS, Windows and Android apps.
- Only Milanote lists a browser extension.
- SpiderScribe also covers diagrams.
- 2.2GPA
MindMup
Free plan · from $6/mo
Web mind mapping with a free tier and simple paid plans.
- Only SpiderScribe lists an iOS app.
- MindMup also covers notes and presentations.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
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 SpiderScribe free?
SpiderScribe has a free plan. Personal plan for non-commercial use: unlimited public maps, 3 private maps and 3 MB of files and images.
How much does SpiderScribe cost?
SpiderScribe lists 4 plans. Personal: $0.
What platforms does SpiderScribe work on?
SpiderScribe is available on Web and iOS.
Does SpiderScribe have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. SpiderScribe is listed for Web and iOS.
Does SpiderScribe have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. SpiderScribe is listed for Web and iOS.
Is SpiderScribe open source?
SpiderScribe is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does SpiderScribe integrate with?
SpiderScribe's listing names 5pm. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does SpiderScribe have a free trial?
Yes. 30-day free trial on all paid plans.
Who makes SpiderScribe?
SpiderScribe is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to SpiderScribe?
The closest alternatives to SpiderScribe in our directory are MindMeister, Coggle, Mindomo, Milanote and MindMup.
How does SpiderScribe compare with other whiteboard and mind map tools?
SpiderScribe's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 23 of the 98 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 19.
Is SpiderScribe good value for money?
ToolGPA grades SpiderScribe B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $5 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 14 of the 69 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of SpiderScribe?
The plain part of SpiderScribe you could make: mind mapping. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from SpiderScribe’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from SpiderScribe's own pages on 13 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 SpiderScribe. Prices change, so check spiderscribe.net before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
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.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- SpiderScribe, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/spiderscribe
- 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, "SpiderScribe: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/spiderscribe
Know someone choosing between whiteboard and mind map tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/spiderscribe/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded whiteboard and mind map tools after SpiderScribe, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 99 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 SpiderScribe’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. SpiderScribe is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by SpiderScribe. Prices and plans change: check spiderscribe.net before you buy.