How many maps the free plans allow
Most online mind map tools cap the number of maps on the free plan. The caps on the official pages:
| Free maps | Tools |
|---|---|
| No limit stated | Freeplane, FreeMind, markmap, draw.io, MindNode |
| 10 maps | Xmind (manually created online maps), GitMind (mind maps or whiteboards), Ayoa |
| 3 maps | MindMeister, MindMup, Mindomo |
| 3 private maps | Coggle, with unlimited public diagrams |
Three maps is enough to try a tool. For school notes or a growing collection, a desktop app without a cap is the safer start.
Export and watermarks
Check export before you build a big map. Coggle's free plan downloads PDF and image files and exports .mm, text and a Microsoft Visio format. GitMind lists regular format export without a watermark. Mindomo's free plan exports only to its own .mom and .pmom formats and text, with no printing.
Xmind's free plan exports PNG one map at a time and keeps watermark removal for paid plans; MindMup's presentation mode includes a watermark on the free plan; MindMeister lists file exports under its paid plan.
Open source and offline
Desktop apps keep your maps as files on your computer. Freeplane runs on any system with a current Java and even from a USB drive. FreeMind is another free Java app; the newest release its site names is a 2016 beta.
If you write notes in Markdown, markmap turns a Markdown outline into a mind map, and draw.io can build a mind map from a text list with Mermaid. Draft the outline in our Markdown editor first.
Mind maps for study and planning
- Studying: put the topic in the center and one branch per chapter. Short words beat sentences.
- Writing: map the main points of an essay or post, then turn the branches into headings.
- Brainstorming with others: MindMeister and Mindomo list unlimited collaborators on their free plans. For sticky notes and free drawing, see our list of free online whiteboards.
Free writing tools on this site
- Online notepad: collect ideas before you map them.
- Markdown editor: write an outline that markmap or draw.io can turn into a map.
- Word counter: check the length of the text you write from your map.
- Focus timer: work in focused blocks with breaks.
We opened each tool's official pricing page, website, docs or repository on the date in the table and wrote down only what it says. An empty cell means the page does not say it.
Frequently asked questions
Which mind map software is completely free?
Freeplane and FreeMind are free and open source desktop apps. markmap and draw.io are open source too. MindNode says it is free to use, with outlining, themes and collaboration in the paid Plus subscription.
How many maps can I make on a free plan?
Xmind allows up to 10 manually created online maps, GitMind up to 10 mind maps or whiteboards and Ayoa up to 10 mind maps. MindMeister, MindMup and Mindomo allow 3. Coggle allows 3 private diagrams and unlimited public ones.
Can I export a free mind map as PDF or image?
Coggle's free plan includes PDF and image downloads. Xmind's free plan exports PNG one map at a time. Mindomo's free plan exports only to its own formats and text.
Is there a free mind map app for Mac and iPhone?
MindNode is free to use on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro and Apple Watch through the App Store. Xmind also lists macOS and iOS, and Freeplane runs on a Mac with Java installed.
Can I turn notes into a mind map?
Yes. markmap visualizes Markdown as mind maps, and draw.io generates a mind map from a text list written in Mermaid syntax.