# 12 Best Mind Map Apps and AI Mind Map Makers in 2026 (Free Plans Checked)

> The 12 best mind map apps and AI mind map makers of 2026, with each free plan, free AI limit and paid price checked on each vendor's own pricing page.

- Source: https://www.taskade.com/blog/best-mind-mapping-apps
- Published: 2021-07-18
- Updated: 2026-10-19
- Author: Dawid Bednarski

A mind map app lets you put one idea in the center and grow branches around it, then move, merge and color those branches until the structure is clear. This guide compares the 12 best mind map apps and AI mind map makers of 2026 on the free plan, the free AI, the platforms and the price.

> **TL;DR:** The best mind map app in 2026 depends on where your map goes next. Taskade turns a map into tasks and a plan, [Xmind](https://xmind.com) is the strongest cross-platform map editor, and [Mapify](https://mapify.so) turns PDFs and videos into maps with AI. We checked each free plan, AI limit and price on 2026-10-19. [See Taskade plans](https://www.taskade.com/pricing)

## Quick answer: what is the best mind map app in 2026?

Taskade is the best mind map app for people who want the map to become a plan, because the same project opens as a mind map, a list or a board. Xmind is best for detailed maps on any device, MindMeister for live team mapping, and Mapify for AI maps from documents and videos. Coggle is the simplest free pick.

| If you want to... | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Turn a map into assigned tasks | Taskade | One project opens as a map, a list or a board |
| Build detailed maps on any device | Xmind | Desktop, phone and web apps with many map structures |
| Map live with a team in the browser | MindMeister | Real-time editing with unlimited collaborators, Free included |
| Map inside a team workshop | Miro | Mind maps next to sticky notes and diagrams |
| Get AI maps from PDFs and videos | Mapify | Built for file, web page and YouTube input |
| Stay on Apple devices | MindNode | Native on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro and Apple Watch |
| Pay the least for a simple map | Coggle | Unlimited public diagrams free, Awesome at $5 a month |

## What is the best AI mind map maker?

The best AI mind map maker turns a prompt, a PDF or a video into a map you can edit. Taskade, Mapify, Xmind, Whimsical and MindMap AI all generate maps with AI. Their free plans cap AI use in different ways: a one-time credit grant, a monthly credit count, or no free AI at all.

The free AI is the line most lists skip, and it decides whether you can try AI maps before you pay. This table shows what each free plan gave on 2026-10-19, in the vendor's own terms.

| Tool | Free AI | Resets | First paid AI amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taskade | No credits at start. Earn them with referrals and invites, or buy a pack | Not a monthly grant | Pro: 50,000 AI credits a month |
| Xmind | 50 Xmind AI credits | Not stated | Premium: 500 AI credits a month |
| MindMeister | AI create and edit (Beta), no limit stated | Not stated | Paid plans also include AI |
| Miro | 10 AI credits | Monthly | Starter: 25 per member a month |
| Whimsical | 10 AI credits per member | Not stated | Extra credits can be bought on any plan |
| Mapify | 30 AI credits | One time | Basic: 1,000 a month |
| MindNode | None (Apple Intelligence is a Plus feature) | n/a | MindNode Plus |
| EdrawMind | 500 AI tokens for trial | One time | Online Individual: 10,000 tokens a month |
| GitMind | Trials of AI features, no number shown | Not stated | Not shown on the pricing page |
| MindMap AI | 50 AI credits | Monthly | Basic plan |
| Coggle | No AI features on the plans page | n/a | n/a |
| Ayoa | No AI after the trial ends | n/a | Ultimate |

```mermaid
graph TD
    P[Your input] --> Q{What do you start from?}
    Q -->|A one-line topic| R[Prompt to map: Taskade, Xmind, Whimsical, MindMap AI]
    Q -->|A PDF or a document| S[File to map: Mapify, MindMap AI, Taskade]
    Q -->|A YouTube video| T[Video to map: Mapify, MindMap AI, Taskade]
    R --> U[Edit the branches by hand]
    S --> U
    T --> U
    U --> V[Share, export or turn the branches into tasks]
    style P fill:#0d1b2a,color:#7dd3fc,stroke:#38bdf8,stroke-width:1.5px
    style Q fill:#2a1225,color:#ff8fa3,stroke:#ff2d60,stroke-width:2px
    style R fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style S fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style T fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style U fill:#0d1a0e,color:#86efac,stroke:#22c55e,stroke-width:1.5px
    style V fill:#1a140a,color:#ffb74d,stroke:#e65100,stroke-width:1.5px
```

To make a map with AI step by step, read [how to make a mind map with AI](https://www.taskade.com/blog/ai-mind-mapping). To turn a file into a map, the [PDF to mind map guide](https://www.taskade.com/blog/pdf-to-mind-map) compares the file-first tools.

## How we picked these 12 apps

We kept apps that are real mind map editors first: fast branch creation, a large canvas, and export. AI generation was a plus, not a requirement. We read each vendor's pricing page on 2026-10-19, and we quote the free plan limits in the vendor's own words. We did not score the apps.

Each pick had to meet four checks:

1. A free plan or a free version, so you can try it before you pay (every pick passes)
2. Keyboard-first branch creation, so a map grows as fast as you think
3. Export or sharing that works outside the app
4. A current pricing page that states the free plan limits

The notes for each app answer the questions buyers ask most about a mind map maker: ease of use, collaborative editing for remote teams, integrations, customization and value for money.

Apps we left out, and why:

| App | Why it is not on this list |
|---|---|
| [ClickUp](https://clickup.com) | Its pricing page lists Mind Maps as "Not included" on the Free Forever plan |
| [Lucidchart](https://www.lucidchart.com) | A diagram tool first, with mind maps as one shape library |
| [Canva](https://www.canva.com) | A design tool. Its mind map pages are templates, not a map editor |
| [MindManager](https://www.mindmanager.com) | No free plan, only a 30-day trial. It is on the [Mac list](https://www.taskade.com/blog/best-mind-map-apps-mac) |
| [Scapple](https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scapple) | We could not confirm the current price on the vendor page |

## At a glance: 12 mind map apps compared

The 12 picks split into three groups: map editors (Xmind, MindNode, EdrawMind, Coggle), team canvases (MindMeister, Miro, Whimsical), and AI-first makers (Mapify, MindMap AI, GitMind). Taskade and Ayoa add tasks to the map. All prices below came from each vendor's pricing page on 2026-10-19.

| Tool | Best for | Free plan | Paid from | AI maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taskade | Turning a map into a plan | 2 members, 3 Taskade Genesis apps, 1 agent | $10/mo billed annually ($20 monthly) | Yes, with AI credits |
| Xmind | Cross-platform map editing | 10 online maps, 50 AI credits | US $4.92/mo (Pro, yearly) | Yes, limited on Free |
| MindMeister | Live team mapping | 3 mind maps | EUR 6.50/user/mo (12-month) | Yes (Beta) |
| Miro | Maps in team workshops | Unlimited boards, 3 newest editable | $8/member/mo (Starter, yearly) | Yes, 10 credits a month free |
| Whimsical | Fast, clean maps and diagrams | Unlimited boards, 50 objects a month | $10/editor/mo yearly ($12 monthly) | Yes, 10 credits free |
| Mapify | AI maps from PDFs and videos | 30 one-time AI credits | $5.99/mo yearly ($9.99 monthly) | Yes, the core feature |
| MindNode | Mac, iPhone and iPad | Mapping, import, export | $2.99/mo or $24.99/yr | Plus only |
| EdrawMind | Many layouts and exports | 100 topics, 500 trial AI tokens | $4.90/mo billed annually ($7.90 monthly) | Yes |
| GitMind | Low-cost AI mapping | 10 maps or whiteboards | $4.08/mo yearly ($9 monthly) | Yes, limits not shown |
| MindMap AI | Maps from prompts, files and audio | Unlimited manual maps, 50 AI credits a month | $4.99/mo yearly ($9.99 monthly) | Yes, the core feature |
| Coggle | Simple free maps | 3 private, unlimited public diagrams | $5/mo (Awesome) | No |
| Ayoa | Neurodiverse thinkers | 10 mind maps, personal use | $13/mo yearly ($17 monthly) | Ultimate only |

Platforms matter as much as price, because a map you cannot open on your phone stops growing. This table shows where each app runs, from the vendor pages.

| Tool | Web | Windows | Mac | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taskade | Yes | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Xmind | Yes | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android |
| MindMeister | Yes | Browser | Browser | iOS, Android |
| Miro | Yes | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Whimsical | Yes | Browser | Browser | Not shown |
| Mapify | Yes | Browser | Yes | iOS, Android |
| MindNode | No | No | Yes | iPhone, iPad |
| EdrawMind | Yes | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android |
| GitMind | Yes | Yes | Yes | iOS, Android |
| MindMap AI | Yes | Browser | Browser | iOS, Android |
| Coggle | Yes | Browser | Browser | Browser |
| Ayoa | Yes | Browser | Browser | iOS, Android |

## 1. [Taskade](https://www.taskade.com/ai/mindmaps): Best for Turning a Mind Map Into a Plan

Taskade is an AI workspace where a mind map is one view of a project, so each branch can become a task with an owner and a date. AI builds the first map from one prompt. The Mind Map view is on every plan. Free covers 2 members and starts with no AI credits. Pro is $10 per month billed annually.

![Taskade AI turns a one-line prompt into a mind map](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/mind-map-generator-v2.gif)

**Best for:** teams and solo planners who brainstorm on a map and then have to deliver the work.

**Strengths:**

- **One project, several views.** The same project opens as a [mind map](https://www.taskade.com/learn/projects/mindmap-view), a list or a board. A branch you add in the map shows up as a task in the list.
- **AI that drafts and expands.** Describe a topic in the [AI mind map generator](https://www.taskade.com/ai/mindmaps) and Taskade AI drafts the branches. Select a branch and ask AI to expand it, or start from a [mind map maker](https://www.taskade.com/generate/mind-maps/mind-map-maker) prompt.
- **Work next to the map.** Assign a branch, set a due date and chat in the project. An [AI agent](https://www.taskade.com/agents) or an [automation](https://www.taskade.com/automate) can take the next step.

![A Taskade mind map with branches that AI expands](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/taskade-ai-mind-map-3.gif)

**Watch out for:**

- Taskade has fewer map layouts and styling choices than Xmind or EdrawMind.
- AI generation uses AI credits. On Free, you earn free AI credits with referrals and invites, and you can upgrade any time.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free for 2 members, 3 Taskade Genesis apps and 1 agent. Pro is $10 a month billed annually ($20 monthly) for up to 10 people, with 50,000 AI credits a month. Gantt Chart and Org Chart views are on Pro and up. Source: [Taskade pricing](https://www.taskade.com/pricing).

## 2. [Xmind](https://xmind.com): Best Cross-Platform Mind Map Editor

Xmind is a mind map editor for Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android and the web, with many map structures and themes. The free plan allows 10 online maps and 50 Xmind AI credits. Pro starts at US $4.92 per month on the yearly plan, and a monthly option is also offered.

![The Xmind home page, from an earlier visit](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/xmind-1024x576.jpeg)

**Best for:** people who build large, detailed maps and want the same file on every device they own.

**Strengths:**

- **Many map structures.** Xmind offers mind maps, logic charts, tree charts, timelines, fishbone diagrams and more, so one tool covers most visual thinking jobs.
- **Apps everywhere.** Native desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux sit beside phone apps and a web app. Xmind is one of the few picks here with a Linux app.
- **Present from the map.** Pitch mode turns a map into slides, and the free plan includes 5 Pitch slides to try it.

**Watch out for:**

- The free plan caps you at 10 online maps and 3 sheets per map, so a heavy user reaches the limit fast.
- The pricing page marks text-to-map as unavailable on Free in one table, but its FAQ says Free users with credits can make AI maps. Expect limited AI on Free.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with 10 online maps and 50 Xmind AI credits. Pro is US $4.92 a month and Premium is US $8.25 a month on the yearly plan. Premium includes 500 AI credits a month. A free trial applies to yearly plans only. Source: [xmind.com/pricing](https://xmind.com/pricing).

## 3. [MindMeister](https://www.mindmeister.com): Best for Live Team Mind Mapping in the Browser

MindMeister is a browser mind map tool built for real-time team editing, with apps for iPhone and Android. The free plan allows 3 maps with unlimited collaborators and includes AI create and edit in beta. Personal costs EUR 6.50 per user per month on a 12-month plan, and there is no monthly billing.

![The MindMeister map editor with style options, from an earlier visit](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/mind-meister-scaled.jpg)

**Best for:** teams that map together in a meeting and want everyone editing the same map at once.

**Strengths:**

- **Collaboration on the free plan.** Free allows unlimited collaborators, even people with no paid account, so a team can try live mapping before anyone pays.
- **AI from text or files.** AI create and edit (Beta) builds a map from a prompt or an uploaded file, then refines it.
- **Outline and focus modes.** Switch a map to an outline, or focus on one branch when you present.

**Watch out for:**

- Free stops at 3 maps and has no file export, attachments, printing or version history.
- Prices are in euros for most of Europe and depend on your region. Plans run on 6-month or 12-month billing only.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with 3 maps. Personal is EUR 6.50 per user per month on 12-month billing, or EUR 7.50 on 6-month billing. Pro is EUR 10.50 and Business EUR 15.50 per user per month on 12-month billing, before VAT. Source: [mindmeister.com/pricing](https://www.mindmeister.com/pricing).

## 4. [Miro](https://miro.com): Best for Mind Maps Inside Team Workshops

Miro is a whiteboard for team workshops that includes a mind map tool next to sticky notes and diagrams. The free plan keeps unlimited boards, but only the 3 newest stay editable, with 10 AI credits a month. Starter is $8 per member per month billed yearly and includes 25 AI credits per member each month.

![The Miro Mind Map launch page, from an earlier visit](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/image-298-1024x575.png)

**Best for:** facilitators who run brainstorms, retros and planning sessions on one big shared canvas.

**Strengths:**

- **A map in context.** Put a mind map next to sticky notes, frames, flowcharts and a timer, so the whole workshop lives on one board.
- **Built for groups.** Voting, timers and cursors make Miro a strong pick for live sessions with many people.
- **AI on the canvas.** Miro AI can draft map branches and cluster sticky notes, and the free plan includes 10 AI credits a month.

**Watch out for:**

- The free plan keeps only the 3 most recent boards editable, so older maps turn read-only.
- Miro is a whiteboard first, so focused solo mapping has more steps than in a map-only editor.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with unlimited boards, 3 editable, and 10 AI credits a month. Starter is $8 per member per month billed yearly, with 25 AI credits per member a month. Business is $20 per member per month billed yearly. Annual billing saves 20% against monthly. Source: [miro.com/pricing](https://miro.com/pricing/).

## 5. [Whimsical](https://whimsical.com): Best for Fast, Clean Maps and Diagrams

Whimsical draws clean mind maps, flowcharts and wireframes on one canvas, and Whimsical AI can generate a first map. The free plan allows unlimited boards with 50 board objects a month and 10 AI credits per member. Pro is $10 per editor per month billed yearly, or $12 monthly.

**Best for:** product and design teams that want a tidy map, a flowchart and a wireframe in the same place.

**Strengths:**

- **Speed.** Whimsical is known for keyboard shortcuts and auto-layout that keep a map tidy as it grows, with little manual alignment.
- **Several visual formats.** Mind maps, flowcharts, wireframes, sticky notes and docs share one workspace, so a map can sit next to the flow it leads to.
- **AI first drafts.** Whimsical AI generates a mind map or a flowchart from a short prompt, and you can buy extra credits on any plan.

**Watch out for:**

- The free plan allows 50 board objects a month, so a large map can use up the month in one session.
- Free exports carry a watermark, and version history stops at 7 days.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with unlimited boards, 50 board objects and 50 doc blocks a month, and 10 AI credits per member. Pro is $10 per editor per month billed yearly, or $12 monthly. Business is $20 billed yearly, or $24 monthly. Annual billing saves 17%. Source: [whimsical.com/pricing](https://whimsical.com/pricing).

If you move from Whimsical or Miro, Taskade imports both: see [import from Whimsical](https://www.taskade.com/learn/import/whimsical) and [import from Miro](https://www.taskade.com/learn/import/miro).

## 6. [Mapify](https://mapify.so): Best AI Mind Map Maker for PDFs and Videos

Mapify turns PDFs, web pages and YouTube videos into mind maps with AI. The free plan gives 30 AI credits one time, 5 PDF or document maps and 5 YouTube maps. Basic is $9.99 per month, or $5.99 per month billed yearly, with 1,000 AI credits a month.

**Best for:** students and researchers who read long documents and want the structure before the details.

**Strengths:**

- **File and video input.** Drop in a PDF, a document, a web page or a YouTube link, and Mapify returns a summary map with the key points as branches.
- **Many places to use it.** Mapify runs on the web, as a browser extension, and on iOS, Android, iPadOS and macOS, so you can map a page while you read it.
- **Clear credit amounts.** The pricing page states the credits on each plan, so you know what a month of AI maps costs.

**Watch out for:**

- The 30 free credits are one time, not monthly. Most people use them up in the first week.
- Mapify is an AI summarizer first. Manual editing and team features are lighter than in Xmind or MindMeister.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with 30 one-time AI credits, 5 PDF or document maps and 5 YouTube maps. Basic is $9.99 a month or $5.99 a month billed yearly, with 1,000 AI credits a month. Pro is $19.99 a month or $11.99 billed yearly. Source: [mapify.so/pricing](https://mapify.so/pricing).

For the same job inside Taskade, the [PDF to mind map converter](https://www.taskade.com/convert/pdf/pdf-to-mind-map) and the [YouTube to mind map converter](https://www.taskade.com/convert/youtube/youtube-video-to-mind-map) turn a file or a video into a project you can edit.

## 7. [MindNode](https://mindnode.com): Best for Mac, iPhone and iPad

MindNode is a mind map and outline app made only for Apple devices, including Vision Pro and Apple Watch. The free version covers mind mapping, import and export. MindNode Plus is $2.99 per month or $24.99 per year and adds outlining, themes, collaboration and Apple Intelligence features.

![The MindNode website with a sample map, from an earlier visit](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/image-303-1024x575.png)

**Best for:** Apple users who want a map app that looks and feels like it ships with macOS.

**Strengths:**

- **Native on every Apple device.** MindNode runs on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro and Apple Watch, with sync between them.
- **Clean, calm design.** Maps look polished with little effort, which makes MindNode a favorite for personal planning, writing and study notes.
- **The lowest paid price here.** MindNode Plus costs $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year, which works out to about $2.08 a month.

**Watch out for:**

- There is no Windows, Android or web app, so a mixed-device team cannot share one MindNode map.
- Outlining, themes, collaboration and Apple Intelligence all need Plus. The free version is for basic maps.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free version with mind mapping, import and export. MindNode Plus is $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year. MindNode Plus also includes MindNode Classic, the older app. Source: [mindnode.com/pricing](https://mindnode.com/pricing).

## 8. [EdrawMind](https://www.edrawmind.com): Best for Many Map Layouts and Export Formats

EdrawMind offers many map layouts, presentation mode and wide export options on desktop, phone and the web. The free plan allows 100 topics and gives 500 trial AI tokens. The online Individual plan is $7.90 monthly, or $4.90 per month billed annually at $58.80 a year.

![The EdrawMind website on desktop, tablet and phone, from an earlier visit](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/wondershare-edrawmind-ai-scaled.jpg)

**Best for:** people who make maps for documents, reports and slides and need the right export format.

**Strengths:**

- **Layouts and themes.** EdrawMind lists 22 layouts on its plan table, from radial maps to fishbone and timeline styles, plus preset themes.
- **Export to most formats.** Paid plans export to Word, HTML, PowerPoint, Excel, SVG and more, which helps when a map has to go into a report.
- **Every platform.** EdrawMind runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web.

**Watch out for:**

- The free plan stops at 100 topics, and paid plans are the ones that remove the export watermark.
- Desktop licenses are sold on a separate site, and the prices there differ from the online plans.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with 100 topics and 500 AI tokens for trial. Online Individual is US $7.90 billed monthly, or US $4.90 a month billed annually at US $58.80 a year, with 10,000 AI tokens a month (about 100 maps, by the vendor's estimate). A 7-day free trial is offered. Source: [edrawmind.com/pricing.html](https://www.edrawmind.com/pricing.html).

## 9. [GitMind](https://gitmind.com): Best Low-Cost AI Mind Map App

GitMind is a mind map and whiteboard app with AI features on the web, Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. The free plan allows 10 mind maps or whiteboards. The paid plan is $9 per month, or $4.08 per month billed annually, which makes it the cheapest yearly AI-first plan here.

![A GitMind map with comments from collaborators, from an earlier visit](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/gitmind-ai-scaled.jpg)

**Best for:** students and solo users who want AI help on a map without a large monthly bill.

**Strengths:**

- **A low yearly price.** At $4.08 a month billed annually, GitMind costs less than most AI map tools while it keeps a full map editor.
- **Maps and whiteboards together.** One account holds both mind maps and freeform whiteboards, and a shared space (GitMind calls it a planet) holds up to 5 members on Free.
- **Apps on most devices.** GitMind runs on the web, Windows, Mac, iOS, iPadOS and Android, plus a Chrome extension.

**Watch out for:**

- The pricing page does not state how much AI the free plan includes. The home page says the free AI features come as limited trials.
- The free plan caps images at 30 per mind map and exports in the regular format only.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with up to 10 mind maps or whiteboards and 1 planet with up to 5 members. The paid plan is $9 billed monthly, or $4.08 a month billed annually, with unlimited maps and HD export. Source: [gitmind.com/pricing](https://gitmind.com/pricing).

## 10. [MindMap AI](https://mindmapai.app): Best for Maps From Prompts, Files and Audio

MindMap AI generates maps from prompts, PDFs, videos, audio and web pages, and manual editing stays free. The free plan gives unlimited manual maps and 50 AI credits a month. Basic is $9.99 per month, or $4.99 per month billed annually at $59.88 a year.

**Best for:** people who want to try AI maps every month on a free plan and keep editing by hand.

**Strengths:**

- **A monthly free AI grant.** 50 AI credits reset each month, which the vendor estimates at about 3 to 4 maps from prompts.
- **Many input types.** Prompts, PDFs, videos, audio and web pages all turn into maps, which makes MindMap AI a flexible first-draft tool.
- **Unlimited manual maps.** Projects and manual edits are not capped on Free, so the AI limit is the only free limit to plan around.

**Watch out for:**

- Free users cannot buy add-on credits. To get more AI maps, you move to a paid plan.
- MindMap AI is newer than Xmind or MindMeister, with fewer layout and team features.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with unlimited manual maps and 50 AI credits a month. Basic is $9.99 billed monthly, or $4.99 a month billed annually at $59.88 a year. A lower-priced Go plan is offered in selected countries. Source: [mindmapai.app/pricing](https://mindmapai.app/pricing).

## 11. [Coggle](https://coggle.it): Best Simple Free Mind Map Maker

Coggle is a simple browser mind map tool with real-time sharing and full change history. The free plan allows 3 private diagrams and unlimited public diagrams. The Awesome plan is $5 per month, and Organisation is $8 per member per month. Coggle shows no AI features on its plans page.

**Best for:** teachers, students and anyone who wants a free map in a browser tab with no setup.

**Strengths:**

- **A generous free plan.** Public diagrams have no listed cap, and image uploads are unlimited, so open notes and class maps cost nothing.
- **Real-time collaboration.** Several people can edit one diagram at once, and full change history lets you step back to any earlier version.
- **Simple by design.** Coggle has few menus, so a new user makes a first map in minutes.

**Watch out for:**

- Only 3 diagrams can be private on Free. Anything else you make is public.
- There are no AI features and no desktop or phone apps. Coggle runs in the browser.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free Forever with 3 private diagrams and unlimited public diagrams. Awesome is $5 a month and removes the private diagram cap. Organisation is $8 per member a month and adds SAML single sign-on and bulk export. The page shows no annual price. Source: [coggle.it/plans](https://coggle.it/plans).

## 12. [Ayoa](https://www.ayoa.com): Best for Neurodiverse Thinkers

Ayoa is a mind map and task app created by Chris Griffiths, with design choices for people with dyslexia, ADHD and autism. The free plan allows 10 mind maps for personal use, and AI stops when the trial ends. Ultimate is $17 per month, or $13 per month on a 1-year plan.

![The Ayoa home page with whiteboards and task boards, from an earlier visit](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/image-300-1024x575.png)

**Best for:** visual thinkers who want organic, hand-drawn style branches and a task board in the same app.

**Strengths:**

- **Organic maps.** Curved, colorful branches look closer to a paper mind map than the boxes most apps draw.
- **Neurodiversity features.** Ayoa has design options for dyslexia, ADHD and autism, a focus no other app in this list states as plainly.
- **Maps and tasks.** Mind maps, whiteboards and task boards share one app, so an idea can move to a to-do list.

**Watch out for:**

- On Free, whiteboards and task boards become view-only, and AI ends with the 7-day trial.
- The monthly price is high at $17. The 2-year and 3-year plans cut it to $9.15 and $6.10 a month.

**Price (checked 2026-10-19):** Free with up to 10 mind maps for personal use. Ultimate is $17 billed monthly, $13 a month on a 1-year plan, $9.15 a month on a 2-year plan, or $6.10 a month on a 3-year plan. Source: [ayoa.com/pricing](https://www.ayoa.com/pricing/).

## Best free mind map app

Coggle and Xmind give the most for free: Coggle has unlimited public diagrams, and Xmind has 10 maps plus 50 AI credits. MindMap AI gives the most free AI each month. Taskade is free for up to 2 members, with the Mind Map, List and Board views on every plan.

| Need | Best free pick | Free limit to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited simple maps | Coggle | Only 3 private diagrams |
| A full desktop editor | Xmind | 10 online maps |
| Free AI every month | MindMap AI | 50 AI credits a month |
| Live team mapping | MindMeister | 3 maps, no export |
| A map that becomes tasks | Taskade | 2 members, no starting AI credits |
| Open source and offline | [Freeplane](https://docs.freeplane.org) | Desktop only, needs Java |

Freeplane is the one fully free pick: its documentation calls it free and open source software that runs on any system with a current version of Java, from a local install or a USB drive. It has no cloud sync, no team editing and no AI, so it suits solo maps you keep on your own computer.

To start without a blank page, copy one of the [7 free mind map templates](https://www.taskade.com/blog/7-free-mind-map-templates-by-taskade) or a [mind map template](https://www.taskade.com/templates/mindmap). For a group session, the [brainstorming mind map generator](https://www.taskade.com/generate/mind-maps/brainstorming-mind-map) drafts the first branches.

## Free vs paid: when to upgrade a mind map app

Upgrade a mind map app when you hit one of three walls: the map count (Xmind 10, MindMeister 3, Coggle 3 private), the free AI amount, or export. Each wall sits at a different place in each app, so the right first paid plan depends on which wall you hit first.

| App | The free wall you hit first | What the first paid plan fixes | First paid price (2026-10-19) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xmind | 10 online maps, PNG export only | 50 online maps on Pro (unlimited on Premium), SVG, PDF, Markdown and OPML export | US $4.92/mo (Pro, yearly) |
| MindMeister | 3 maps, no file export | More maps, file export and printing | EUR 6.50/user/mo (12-month) |
| Coggle | 3 private diagrams | Unlimited private diagrams | $5/mo (Awesome) |
| Mapify | 30 one-time AI credits | 1,000 AI credits a month | $5.99/mo yearly |
| Whimsical | 50 board objects a month, watermarked exports | Unlimited objects, no watermark | $10/editor/mo yearly |
| Taskade | No starting AI credits, 3 Taskade Genesis apps | 50,000 AI credits a month, up to 10 people | $10/mo billed annually |

Stay on a free plan if you map alone a few times a month and only need an image of the map. Pay when the map has to be edited by a team, exported as a file another app can open, or drafted by AI every week.

## Export and portability: can you take your map with you?

A mind map is portable when it exports as a text format that keeps the tree, such as Markdown, OPML or a FreeMind `.mm` file. An image or a PDF keeps the look but drops the structure, so another app cannot edit it. On 2026-10-19 the vendor pages listed these export options.

| App | Exports on Free | Exports on paid plans |
|---|---|---|
| Taskade | Markdown and CSV (each branch becomes a row) | Adds Image, Text and PDF |
| Xmind | PNG, one map at a time | PNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown, OPML, Word, Excel and more |
| Coggle | PDF, image, `.mm`, text and Microsoft Visio | Same, plus bulk export on Organisation |
| MindMeister | No file export | File exports, printing and Microsoft Office exports |
| Whimsical | Exports carry a watermark | No watermark |
| EdrawMind | Watermarked exports | Word, HTML, PowerPoint, Excel, SVG and more |

```
 PORTABLE (keeps the tree)          LOOKS ONLY (flat copy)
 ─────────────────────────          ──────────────────────
 Markdown   .md    edit anywhere    PNG / image   share a picture
 OPML       .opml  outliners        PDF           print or attach
 FreeMind   .mm    map apps         SVG           scale a picture
 CSV        .csv   spreadsheets

 Test before you commit: build a 3-level map, export it,
 import it into a second app, and note what is lost.
```

Taskade exports Markdown and CSV on every plan, Free included, so a map can move to another tool or come back later. The steps are in [export and print projects](https://www.taskade.com/learn/import/exporting).

## Best mind map app by job

The best mind map app depends on the job the map does. Students need cheap AI summaries of long reading, meeting leads need live editing, writers need an outline view, and project leads need branches that turn into tasks. This table matches each job to a pick from the list above.

| Job | Best pick | Runner-up | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study notes from a textbook or a lecture video | Mapify | MindMap AI | File and video input, monthly or one-time free AI |
| Live brainstorm in a meeting | MindMeister | Miro | Unlimited collaborators on Free |
| Plan a book, an essay or a talk | Xmind | MindNode | Many map structures, Pitch slides, Markdown and OPML export |
| Plan a project with owners and dates | Taskade | Ayoa | Branches become tasks on a list or a board |
| A workshop with sticky notes and voting | Miro | Whimsical | The map sits next to frames and timers |
| A quick free map to share with a class | Coggle | GitMind | Unlimited public diagrams, no setup |

For a bigger list of idea tools beyond mind maps, see the [best brainstorming apps](https://www.taskade.com/blog/best-brainstorming-apps).

## Best mind map app for Mac and Windows

On Mac, MindNode is the most native choice and Xmind the most complete cross-platform one. On Windows, Xmind, EdrawMind and GitMind have desktop apps with free plans. Taskade has desktop apps for both, plus Linux. See the full [Mac list](https://www.taskade.com/blog/best-mind-map-apps-mac) for apps with a one-time price.

| Platform | First pick | Second pick | Third pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac | MindNode | Xmind | Taskade |
| Windows | Xmind | EdrawMind | GitMind |
| Linux | Xmind | EdrawMind | Taskade |
| iPhone and iPad | MindNode | Mapify | Xmind |
| Android | Xmind | MindMeister | GitMind |
| Browser only | Coggle | Whimsical | MindMeister |

## Mind map app vs AI mind map maker vs whiteboard

A mind map app is built for branches. An AI mind map maker writes the first draft of the branches for you. A whiteboard puts a map next to sticky notes and diagrams. Pick the one that matches what happens after the map.

```
                 MIND MAP APP          AI MIND MAP MAKER        WHITEBOARD
                 (Xmind, MindNode,     (Mapify, MindMap AI)     (Miro, Whimsical)
                  Coggle, EdrawMind)
 ─────────────── ───────────────────── ──────────────────────── ────────────────────
 starts from     a blank center topic  a prompt, PDF, video     a blank canvas
 best output     a detailed, styled    a fast summary map       a map next to notes,
                 map you edit by hand  of a long source         flows and frames
 after the map   export, print, pitch  edit, then export        vote, cluster, share

 Taskade sits across all three: AI drafts the map, you edit it by hand,
 then the same project turns into a list or a board of assigned tasks.
```

If your map has to stay a map, choose a map editor. If you start from a long source, choose an AI maker. If the map is one part of a team session, choose a whiteboard. For notes that grow as a tree of headings instead, the [best outliner apps](https://www.taskade.com/blog/best-outliner-apps) cover the outline side, and an [AI outline generator](https://www.taskade.com/ai/outlines) drafts one from a prompt.

## How to choose a mind map app

Five questions pick the right app in under a minute: who edits the map, which devices you use, where the input comes from, how much AI you need, and what happens to the map next. The diagram below walks the same questions in order.

```mermaid
graph TD
    A[Start: you need a mind map app] --> B{Do several people edit at once?}
    B -->|Yes, in a workshop| C[Miro or Whimsical]
    B -->|Yes, in a focused map| D[MindMeister]
    B -->|No, mostly me| E{Apple devices only?}
    E -->|Yes| F[MindNode]
    E -->|No| G{Do you start from PDFs or videos?}
    G -->|Yes| H[Mapify or MindMap AI]
    G -->|No| I{Does the map become a plan with owners and dates?}
    I -->|Yes| J[Taskade]
    I -->|No| K[Xmind, EdrawMind or Coggle]
    style A fill:#0d1b2a,color:#7dd3fc,stroke:#38bdf8,stroke-width:1.5px
    style B fill:#2a1225,color:#ff8fa3,stroke:#ff2d60,stroke-width:2px
    style E fill:#2a1225,color:#ff8fa3,stroke:#ff2d60,stroke-width:2px
    style G fill:#2a1225,color:#ff8fa3,stroke:#ff2d60,stroke-width:2px
    style I fill:#2a1225,color:#ff8fa3,stroke:#ff2d60,stroke-width:2px
    style C fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style D fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style F fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style H fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style J fill:#0d1a0e,color:#86efac,stroke:#22c55e,stroke-width:1.5px
    style K fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
```

Then check the two numbers that bite later: the free plan limit (maps, topics or objects) and the free AI amount. Both tables are above. If you are new to the method itself, [what is mind mapping](https://www.taskade.com/blog/what-is-mind-mapping) explains why the format works, and the [mind map guide](https://www.taskade.com/blog/mind-map-ultimate-guide) shows how to build a good one by hand.

## Limitations: when Taskade is not the right fit

Taskade is not the right pick if you want a print-ready map with many layout styles or a one-time license. Xmind, EdrawMind and MindNode do those jobs better. Taskade AI also needs AI credits, and Free starts with none.

| You need | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Many map structures and themes | Xmind or EdrawMind | More layouts, more styling, more export formats |
| A native Apple-only app | MindNode | Built only for Apple devices, including Apple Watch |
| A one-time license, no subscription | [SimpleMind](https://simplemind.eu) or MindManager | Both sell a one-time desktop license |
| Free AI maps every month | MindMap AI | 50 AI credits a month on Free |
| A map inside a large workshop canvas | Miro | Sticky notes, voting and timers on the same board |

Taskade fits best when the map is the start of the work. If the map itself is the final product, a dedicated map editor gives you more control over how it looks.

## Why we built Taskade differently

Most mind map apps stop at the map. In Taskade the map is the plan: switch the same project to a list or a board, assign each branch, and let an AI agent work from it. Every view reads the same project, so nothing is copied between tools.

![One Taskade project shown as a board, a list, a mind map and an org chart](https://www.taskade.com/static_images/blog/taskade-project-views-1.gif)

*Org Chart is on paid plans. Mind Map, List and Board are on every plan.*

```mermaid
graph TD
    A[One prompt: plan a product launch] --> B[Taskade AI drafts the mind map]
    B --> C[You edit, merge and expand branches]
    C --> D[Switch the project to Board view]
    D --> E[Assign each branch and set a due date]
    E --> F[An AI agent drafts the follow-up work]
    style A fill:#0d1b2a,color:#7dd3fc,stroke:#38bdf8,stroke-width:1.5px
    style B fill:#2a1225,color:#ff8fa3,stroke:#ff2d60,stroke-width:2px
    style C fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style D fill:#11111b,color:#cdd6f4,stroke:#00d4aa
    style E fill:#0d1a0e,color:#86efac,stroke:#22c55e,stroke-width:1.5px
    style F fill:#1a140a,color:#ffb74d,stroke:#e65100,stroke-width:1.5px
```

Three parts make this work, and we call them Workspace DNA. Memory: the project keeps every branch, comment and file. Intelligence: [AI agents](https://www.taskade.com/agents) read the project and draft the next step. Execution: [automations](https://www.taskade.com/automate) move the work along, and [AI project tools](https://www.taskade.com/ai/projects) turn a plan into a working project.

When a map grows into a repeatable process, [Taskade Genesis](https://www.taskade.com/wiki/genesis) takes the next step:

| What you do | What you get |
|---|---|
| Describe the app in one prompt on [/create](https://www.taskade.com/create) | A live app, such as a dashboard, a client portal, a form or a tracker, with its own database |
| Add an AI agent | An agent with your knowledge and tools, inside the app or on its own |
| Add an automation | 100+ integrations: triggers pull events in, actions push data out |
| Ask Taskade EVE in chat | Taskade EVE builds and edits the app for you |
| Clone a kit from the [Community Gallery](https://www.taskade.com/apps) | A ready-made app to change, share by link, or put on a custom domain (Pro and up) |

Free covers 3 Taskade Genesis apps, 1 agent and 2 members, and it starts with no AI credits. Pro is $10 a month billed annually. Compare every plan on the [pricing page](https://www.taskade.com/pricing).

You can also convert a [spreadsheet to a mind map](https://www.taskade.com/convert/spreadsheet/spreadsheet-to-mind-map) to start from data you already have. For the story of the format, read the [history of mind mapping](https://www.taskade.com/blog/mind-mapping-history), and for more idea tools, the [best brainstorming apps](https://www.taskade.com/blog/best-brainstorming-apps). The [mind mapping wiki entry](https://www.taskade.com/wiki/productivity/mind-mapping) covers the terms.

▲ Memory ■ Intelligence ● Execution. [Make your first AI mind map in Taskade](https://www.taskade.com/ai/mindmaps)

## Related reading

- [Free Xmind alternative](https://www.taskade.com/compare/free-xmind-alternative)
- [Free Miro alternative](https://www.taskade.com/compare/free-miro-alternative)
- [Free Whimsical alternative](https://www.taskade.com/compare/free-whimsical-alternative)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best mind map app in 2026?

It depends on what happens after the map. Taskade is best when the map has to become a plan, because the same project opens as a mind map, a list or a board. Xmind is the strongest cross-platform map editor, MindMeister is best for live team mapping in the browser, and Mapify is best for AI maps from PDFs and videos.

### What is the best AI mind map maker?

Taskade, Mapify, Xmind, Whimsical and MindMap AI all turn a prompt into a map you can edit. Mapify and MindMap AI are strongest at maps from PDFs, videos and web pages. Taskade is strongest when the AI map has to turn into tasks with owners and dates. Each free plan caps AI use in a different way.

### What is the best free mind map app?

Coggle and Xmind give the most for free. Coggle allows unlimited public diagrams and 3 private ones. Xmind allows 10 online maps and 50 Xmind AI credits. GitMind and Ayoa each allow 10 maps. Taskade is free for up to 2 members, with the Mind Map, List and Board views on the Free plan.

### Is there a mind map app with free AI?

Yes. On 2026-10-19 the free plans gave 50 AI credits a month on MindMap AI, 50 Xmind AI credits on Xmind, 30 one-time credits on Mapify, 10 a month on Miro and 10 per member on Whimsical. MindMeister includes AI create and edit in beta. On Taskade Free, you earn free AI credits with referrals and invites, and you can upgrade any time.

### What is the best mind map app for Mac?

MindNode is the most native Mac choice. It runs only on Apple devices, has a free version, and MindNode Plus costs $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year. Xmind is the best cross-platform pick if you also work on Windows or Android.

### What is the best mind map app for Windows?

Xmind, EdrawMind and GitMind all have Windows desktop apps and free plans. Xmind has the deepest map editor, EdrawMind has the most layouts and export formats, and GitMind has the lowest paid plan at $4.08 a month billed annually. Taskade also has a Windows app.

### What is the best mind map app for teams?

MindMeister and Miro are built for live team mapping: MindMeister in a focused map editor, Miro next to sticky notes and diagrams in a workshop. Taskade fits teams that want the map to turn into assigned tasks, with chat and video calls in the same project. Taskade Pro covers up to 10 people for $10 a month billed annually.

### Can I turn a mind map into a task list?

Yes. In Taskade, a mind map is one view of a project, so you switch the same project to List or Board view and every branch becomes a task. Both views are on every plan, Free included. Gantt Chart and Org Chart views are on Pro and up.

### How much does a mind map app cost?

On 2026-10-19 the paid plans in this list started at $2.99 a month (MindNode Plus) and went up to $17 a month (Ayoa Ultimate on monthly billing). Most yearly plans cost $4 to $10 a month. Taskade Pro is $10 a month billed annually, or $20 monthly.

### Can I export a mind map to another app?

Yes, if the app exports a text format that keeps the tree. On 2026-10-19 Coggle exported a FreeMind `.mm` file and text on Free, Xmind Pro added Markdown and OPML, and Taskade exported Markdown and CSV on every plan, Free included. An image or a PDF keeps the look, but another app cannot edit it.

### Does Taskade have a free mind map maker?

Yes. The Mind Map view is on every Taskade plan, Free included. Free covers 2 members, 3 Taskade Genesis apps and 1 agent. Free starts with no AI credits, so AI map generation needs free AI credits that you earn with referrals and invites, or a paid plan. Pro is $10 a month billed annually.