Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MindManager VS Freeplane

Compare MindManager VS Freeplane and see what are their differences

MindManager logo MindManager

With MindManager, flexible mind maps promote freeform thinking and quick organization of ideas, so creativity and productivity can live in harmony.

Freeplane logo Freeplane

Freeplane is a powerful and free software for building mind maps.
  • MindManager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-17
  • Freeplane Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-17

MindManager features and specs

  • Visual Organization
    MindManager allows users to create detailed visual maps that help in organizing thoughts, plans, and projects in a coherent and visually engaging way.
  • Collaboration Features
    The tool offers robust collaboration features allowing multiple users to work on the same mind map in real-time, which is beneficial for team projects.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    MindManager provides support for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices, ensuring that users can work across different platforms seamlessly.
  • Integration Capabilities
    It integrates well with other productivity tools like Microsoft Office, Project Management Software, and various cloud services, enabling more streamlined workflows.
  • Task and Project Management
    The software includes advanced task management features such as Gantt charts, timelines, and workflow diagrams, which are useful for project planning and management.

Possible disadvantages of MindManager

  • Cost
    MindManager is relatively expensive compared to other mind mapping tools, which might be a deterrent for individual users or small businesses.
  • Complexity
    New users may find it complicated to use initially due to its wide range of features and tools, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, requiring a significant amount of system memory and processing power, which might be an issue on older or lower-end computers.
  • Limited Mobile Functionality
    While MindManager is available on mobile devices, its functionality is somewhat limited compared to the desktop version, which can hinder productivity on the go.
  • Customization Limitations
    Although it offers many features, some users report that there are limits to customization, particularly in terms of visual styles and templates.

Freeplane features and specs

  • Open Source
    Freeplane is open-source software, which means it is free to use and has a large community of developers contributing to its improvement and maintenance. Users can also customize the software according to their needs.
  • Cross-Platform
    Freeplane is a cross-platform application that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, providing flexibility and convenience for users irrespective of their preferred OS.
  • Feature-Rich
    Freeplane offers a robust set of features for mind mapping, including node styling, advanced formatting, scriptable tasks, and the ability to integrate with third-party tools, making it suitable for both simple and complex projects.
  • Extensive Customization
    The software allows extensive customization options for creating and managing mind maps. Users can adjust the appearance, functionality, and integrate with other tools as needed.
  • Active Community and Support
    Freeplane has an active user community and abundant online resources, such as forums, tutorials, and documentation, which helps users get support and improve their mind mapping skills.

Possible disadvantages of Freeplane

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features, Freeplane can have a steep learning curve, especially for new users who are not familiar with mind mapping tools. It requires time and effort to become proficient.
  • Overwhelming Interface
    Freeplane's user interface can be overwhelming for beginners as it is packed with numerous options and tools. This might make it less user-friendly compared to more simplistic mind mapping tools.
  • Lack of Real-Time Collaboration
    Freeplane does not support real-time collaboration features, which can be a limitation for teams that need to work on mind maps simultaneously.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported occasional stability issues and bugs, which can interrupt workflows and require restarts or workarounds.
  • Limited Integration Options
    While Freeplane can be integrated with some third-party tools, it lacks the seamless integration capabilities found in some commercial alternatives, which might be a drawback for users who rely heavily on interconnected productivity tools.

MindManager videos

3 Things we love in MindManager 2020!

More videos:

  • Demo - MindManager 2019 for Windows - Demo
  • Review - Introducing MindManager 2020

Freeplane videos

Freeplane Quickstart Guide

More videos:

  • Review - user review: freeplane 127_08 mindmapping tool quick test of hot keys and SVG export
  • Review - user review: freeplane-1.2.7_07 mindmapping tool

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MindManager and Freeplane)
Brainstorming And Ideation
Idea Management
78 78%
22% 22
Digital Whiteboard
86 86%
14% 14
Mind Maps
63 63%
37% 37

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare MindManager and Freeplane

MindManager Reviews

Best mind map software of 2021
As an enterprise-focused program MindManager is capable of integrating with Microsoft Office and indeed the overall interface will be very familiar to Word and PowerPoint users, right down to the built-in text editor and spreadsheet program.

Freeplane Reviews

  1. More features than Freemind, more active development

    Freeplane began as a fork of the Freemind project. While maintaining comparability with Freemind file format, it has far outpaced in features and development. As of 3/5/2022, the latest Freeplane update (1.9.3) is 3/5/2022 vs Freemind was last updated (1.0.1) 2/5/2016. Active, helpful community.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing MindManager and Freeplane, you can also consider the following products

Xmind - Xmind is a brainstorming and mind mapping application.

MindMeister - Create, share and collaboratively work on mind maps with MindMeister, the leading online mind mapping software. Includes apps for iPhone, iPad and Android.

FreeMind - FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java.

Coggle - Coggle is a simple, beautiful, powerful way of structuring information.

Visual Understanding Environment - Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) is a mind-mapping and concept-mapping tool.

vym - VYM (View Your Mind) is a tool to generate and manipulate maps which show your thoughts.