Figma
Focus: Design, Prototyping and Teamwork. Also in Collaboration and Brainstorming, like MindMeister. Adds macOS and Windows. Rated 4.8 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.8Visit
Web App
MindMeister
Collaborative online mind mapping for brainstorming and planning.
Rating
4.5 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Web, iOS, Android
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is MindMeister?
MindMeister is an online mind mapping app for brainstorming, planning projects and taking notes, with real-time collaboration and mobile apps. The free plan includes up to three mind maps with sharing, and paid plans add unlimited maps, exports, themes and presentation mode.
Pros: what MindMeister does well
- Smooth real-time collaboration
- Clean, easy editor
- Works on web and mobile
Cons: where it falls short
- Free plan allows only three mind maps
- Exports need a paid plan
Who MindMeister is for
Students and teams who like to plan and brainstorm visually together.
Who can skip it
People who prefer linear notes or outlines.
MindMeister alternatives
Not sold on MindMeister? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Whimsical
Focus: flowcharts, wireframes and mind maps. Also in Brainstorming and Collaboration, like MindMeister. Adds macOS and Windows. Rated 4.6 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.6Visit
Lucidchart
Focus: diagrams, flowcharts and org charts. Also in Collaboration and Brainstorming, like MindMeister. Same 4.5 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb
4.5Visit
Miro
Focus: whiteboard, workshops and diagrams. Also in Brainstorming and Collaboration, like MindMeister. Adds macOS and Windows. Same 4.5 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.5Visit
Mermaid
Focus: diagrams as code, flowcharts and gantt charts. Also in Brainstorming and Project Management, like MindMeister. A framework, not a web app. Free (MindMeister: Freemium). Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.7 (MindMeister: 4.5).
FrameworkFreeWeb, macOS
4.7Visit
Milanote
Focus: moodboard, visual notes and boards. Shares planning with MindMeister. Adds macOS and Windows. Rated 4.6 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFree planWeb, iOS
4.6Visit
Free alternatives to MindMeister
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
tldraw
Focus: whiteboard, diagrams and sketching. Shares brainstorming with MindMeister. Free (MindMeister: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.6Visit
Witeboard
Focus: whiteboard, sketching and real-time. Shares brainstorming with MindMeister. Free (MindMeister: Freemium). Rated 4.4 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.4Visit
Gitea
Focus: git hosting, code review and issues. Also in Project Management and Collaboration, like MindMeister. Free (MindMeister: Freemium). Adds Linux, macOS and Windows. Rated 4.6 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb, Linux
4.6Visit
Huly
Focus: project management, issue tracker and team chat. Also in Project Management and Collaboration, like MindMeister. Free (MindMeister: Freemium). Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.4 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
TaskView
Focus: self-hosted, task management and project management. Also in Project Management and Collaboration, like MindMeister. Free (MindMeister: Freemium). Rated 4.3 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.3Visit
WeKan
Focus: kanban, boards and open source. Also in Project Management and Collaboration, like MindMeister. Free (MindMeister: Freemium). Rated 4.2 (MindMeister: 4.5).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.2Visit
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