# iThoughts - Mind Map — user reviews > 53 indexed App Store user reviews of iThoughts by toketaWare ltd, rated 4.69/5 from 397 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ithoughts-mind-map/id866786833/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ithoughts-mind-map/id866786833.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 343 · 4★ 21 · 3★ 10 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 17 ## What do users think of iThoughts? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - ⭐ Exceptional long-term reliability and stability - 👨‍💼 Outstanding developer support and responsiveness - 🎯 Powerful query and search functionality - 📊 Excellent export capabilities (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, OPML) - 🔄 Seamless cross-device synchronization - 💪 Feature-rich and deeply customizable - 🎨 Intuitive and user-friendly interface - 📈 Continuous updates and improvements - 🔗 Strong interoperability with other formats - ✨ Outline view functionality - 📱 Works excellently on iPad and iPhone - 🏆 Superior to competing mind mapping apps - 💰 Excellent value for price - 🎓 Effective for learning and academic use - 📋 Versatile for multiple use cases (notes, planning, task management) **Cons** - 🐛 Data loss issues in some cases - 😕 Confusing interface for non-technical users - ❌ Limited formatting options compared to competitors - 🔍 Help documentation could be clearer - 💻 Desktop version requires separate purchase - 📱 Some iOS-specific limitations - 🎨 Limited icon and emoji customization - ⌨️ Navigation shortcuts differ from competitors **Commonly reported bugs** - Maps not syncing between devices after updates - Data disappearing from app without explanation - Maps not saving properly (intermittent bug) - Unable to delete maps (stuck in Recents and iCloud) - Data loss during app updates - Lost productivity due to sync issues - File management quirks with iOS file system integration **Most requested features** - Handwriting support with Apple Pencil for iPad Pro - ePDF format with expand/collapse capability - HTML export with interactive expand/collapse - Keyboard shortcut to collapse inserted pictures - Gantt chart view for tasks - Better task filtering options on iOS - Auto-syncing to other file formats (FreeMind, XMind) - More icon and emoji options with color customization - Built-in alarms for reminders - Face ID/Touch ID unlock for encrypted files - 3D visualization capability - Sum/calculation functionality for nodes - Print selection only feature ## Newest reviews (17 of 53) ### 5/5 — Best Mindmap app *2021-12-19, version 7.22* A well thought out snd feature filled app that cleanly and quickly helps capture the user's thoughts. Can be backed up to several different services. Been a user since 2012 and still happy. ### 5/5 — The best mind mapping app! Or app period 😄 *2021-11-09, version 7.21* The developer has hidden so many features in this great tool of an app. I’ve been using it daily for years. It can be simple, or if you want to dive in and learn, it has very advanced features. I use it for creating speaking outlines and note taking. I love that you can drag and drop images 😍 right on to the map. I’ll illustrate my images in Concepts, then just drag and drop them onto the map. The powerful search feature makes it so useful for note taking. This is my favorite app on ipadOS and Mac. ### 5/5 — An great app that keeps getting better *2021-10-25, version 7.21* I have used this app since it was released for the original iPad. The developer had created a great mind mapping experience then, and has improved the app ever since while keeping the user experience pristine. The app feels more powerful and not more difficult or complex to use. It continues to respect operating system conventions and new features added to the OS. It has matured greatly over the several years of development that has taken place. Buy it. You will be grateful you did. Very few apps can stay great for so many years and continue to respect its long-time users. This truly is a one in a million kind of app because it takes someone who uses his app day in and day out to reach this point. If there is one feature I would like to come back, it would be the auto-synching to other file formats (Ex. Before, you could have a free mind or Xmind document exported that would stay in sync with the iThoughts mind map, and a fresh pdf exported each time the map was updated). Fortunately, a desktop version was released though for both windows and Mac. ### 5/5 — Best app on platform *2021-07-31, version 7.19* IThoughts remains the one of the best apps for the platform. The perfection is in the details. This is clearly a labor of love for the developer and all the small details are done right which adds up to a great experience. This is the indispensable mindmap solution across mobile and desktop. ### 5/5 — IThoughts on the iPad and IPhone - AMAZING! *2021-06-18, version 7.19* This is simply an amazing product!! You can use mindmapping to organize anything!! And this is simply the best mindmapping app for the iPad and iPhone. When it comes to dynamically organizing and retrieving information, this app has no equal. I use it everyday. I don’t know what I would do without it. ### 5/5 — Brilliant, fast, user friendly for us “out side the box” thinkers *2021-06-11, version 7.19* Been using this for Years, and each upgrade better. I am able to map projects and open and close branches for tighter focus on multitasked work flow. And can printout and export the maps/plans/and priorities to others. I teach and consult and provide strategic solutions in multi disciplinary environments. Adapting strategies from different global cultures and different technologies for my clients. i can assist in developing grants for nonprofits at no cost to me, By outlining collaborative networks of resources, for sustainable change. None of this would be as agile and flexible as ToketaWare makes it, without iThoughts!!! Virginia….Global Legacy. 🌈 ### 5/5 — Still the best *2021-02-18, version 7.15* The fact that this app doesn’t show up among the first when you search for mind maps is pretty mind boggling. It’s the best. So easy and fast to use and is actively being updated. I never pay for apps and I bought the full version of this for my ipad, iPhone, and computers both windows and Mac. The developer is very responsive to any needs to questions. Super nice guy. I will always remain loyal to this app and have been using it for 8 years. ### 5/5 — Can this be fixed? HOPE SO! *2021-02-02, version 7.15* Uh oh! iPhone updated this app today, and I lost the map I was working on! I have updated iThoughts dozens (100’s?) of times over the years, and haven’t lost any data before. Pls fix this so it doesn’t happen again. This is one of my all time fave apps—and I use it every day. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Not a joke. A masterpiece. *2021-01-09, version 7.13* I’ve built two business, sent two kids to college, moved three times and moved one business. All from within this app. Map your entire inner self here and let your actions flow out to your favorite task manager. FLATTEN anybody doubting your prowess when you pull out your entire position in one fluid map. ToketaWare has never let me down. So excited for them to push this to 3D! *hint hint* ### 5/5 — Productivity and Learning has never looked better *2020-11-23, version 7.13* This is a beautiful and easy to use app on the surface. Beneath the aesthetic surface is an extremely deep, feature rich, customizable mind mapping software. I love it. I purchased it on ios and Windows cause I love it so much. If I had a mac I would purchase it there as well. ### 5/5 — If you can’t see it, you cannot learn it. *2020-09-27, version 7.12* I am enroll in a Master’s Program of Public Administration at Florida International University and I have used this application to Map and Brainstorm in every single course.. Political Sciences, Philosophy, Math, History and much more. I have attained a higher understanding of academic material as mapping concepts give your brain to put together an image of the simple to intricate process. Also, it allows one to see a clear picture of the structure of a process, while keeping also present those small details that are also crucial variables to a structure. BUY IT YOU WONT RERET IT, AND SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS APP. THANK YOU GUYS THIS IA A WONDERFUL APPLICATION ### 5/5 — Simple and worth it *2020-09-18, version 7.12* I’ve used this for outlining school papers, writing stories, and several other things. I highly recommend getting this app, for iOS and iPadOS. It does its job, has no flaws, and lets you customize everything so much without being overbearing about it. ### 5/5 — Great Program *2020-07-28, version 7.12* Have used this software for a number of years. Is great for capturing a wide variety of thoughts. Is even better at supporting the organization and presentation of those ideas. Editing and incorporating small and large changes is simple and straight forward. I greatly admire that toketaware is a single individual rather than a software factory. It is a product that comes from a mind that appears to regularly employ critical thinking to improve the functionality of the software. Anyone that purchases this software will be rewarding the creativity that the Internet makes possible. ### 5/5 — Solid tool! *2020-07-17, version 7.11* I have been using IThoughts on my ipads and my Mac for many years. It has steadily added features and incorporated new IpadOs features that have extended what I can use mindmaps to do. The developer is responsive to suggestions, as well as very forward-thinking and innovative. This app is very powerful and deep, and consequently well worth the money. ### 5/5 — Heck of a Value *2020-06-13, version 7.11* I’ve been using this for years and remain very impressed with the quality of this app. Not only is it easy and intuitive to use, but the developer is consistently adding valuable features, improving the interface, fixing bugs, and otherwise making the program better and better all the time. It is truly one of the best apps available for mind mapping. None of the other apps are even close. ### 5/5 — Powerful. Full featured. Dependable. Clarity using. *2020-03-13, version 7.7* At the end of this review i share that I wish iThoughts did ‘sums.’ It does do sums. Years ago Tom Peters wrote a book called ‘In pursuit of T he Wow Factor.’ This app has it for me. As demanding a lot for my main app, I am many times saying “Wow” while using iThoughts. I’m back. Now that iThoughts uses iCloud, the sync is great & I have come back home to iThoughts. It just works & gives me the flexibility I need in a simple but full featured project useful app. The only wish is that it would do sums I do projects, several at one time. The app I use must have all the features listed above in the title to be helpful/supportive in my work (I also use this for journaling.). I have tried MANY mind mapping, databases, and advanced calendars. I have found that iThoughts is the one app I always come back to for one of the reasons listed above. The customer service is most supportive & timely. ### 5/5 — The very best app there is *2020-02-09, version 7.6* I have used ithoughts since it first appeared as a mind map option and finding it totally surpassed the others. It continues to do so and more importantly is that support actually replies and helps to solve a problem DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON OTHER OPTIONS ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Disappointing *2023-01-19, version 7.26* I paid for this in 2017 on the recommendation of a friend. I used it several times to make charts or whatever you want to call them. I don't use this app very often but I think the content that I add should be available to me whether it's two months later or two years. Nothing I put on here is still here. Why, I don't know. Where it is, where it went I have no idea, in fact I doubt that it's retrievable. They've made changes such as locations that I don't remember being there before. It makes it very confusing to me. I'm not a technical type person, I don't need this for work. It was for personal use. I guess I'll be deleting it. Wasted $12 on it. The most expensive app I've ever purchased. Live and learn I guess. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t save *2020-08-14, version 7.12* I create a map, there’s no “save option” and it does NOT auto save, like the day it will on their website (for IOS users). I want my money back!!! Update: a developer contacted me and gave me useless advice repeating the same unhelpful info on their website. Thank you but I’m not a Luddite. But... I figured out a way around the bug myself. If you create a new map, using the little plus sign from the “Recents” tab, whatever you make will sometimes NOT SAVE. This isn’t always the case, it’s an intermittent bug. Today it will save, yesterday it wouldn’t. To get around this, you have to go to the “Browse” tab, go to “on my iPhone” and then click the plus icon to create a new map. This will work and it will save. ALSO, there’s another bug. Today when I try to delete a map I made, nothing happens. It won’t delete. It just stays there, in “Recents” and in the iCloud Drive storage. This app has more bugs than 5 day old roadkill. ### 1/5 — 2 YEARS OF FILES JUST GONE ONE DAY. *2019-03-31, version 6.2* I really loved this app. It was more or less a daily part of my life. I took notes, and outlined execution paths on proprietary commercial projects, made daily to do lists, captured formative ideas in areas of research, saved quotes, and info snippets from many books, and did many other things mind mapping is suited to. Then one day I clicked on the icon, and all I got was an introduction mindmap for new customers. My files were gone. I don’t understand where they went. I will reluctantly have to pull my files from my second iPad, and find an alternative. Would the developer please reach out to me, and explain how this happened, and if file recovery is possible? I can’t afford to waste time by having years of work vaporize like this. **Developer response:** Sorry about this. If you email me direct then I'll investigate. support@toketaware.com ### 2/5 — My maps no longer sync among devices *2022-01-17, version 7.22* I would have rated this app 5 stars until the latest version released. Now my maps no longer sync. I tried to follow along with the help screes to deal with this “improved” version of the app. The attempt at humor with “This is the really confusing part” was not helpful. After an hours work (LOST PRODUCTIVITY) I have no idea how to fix this problem. And your help page says “Don’t call the developer” as a bit of another joke. So what do I do?! You should have presented an option to stick with what we had before wading into this mess. I will be happy to go back to 5 stars when you sort this out!! ### 3/5 — Cool, but frustrating *2017-08-13, version 4.8* I chose this app because they had a limited free version I could try and I was able to turn things into tasks. But...the app is very complicated and the help is not terribly helpful. Example, I am trying to create a many to one relationship. Help refers to a "summary" relationship and "uncle to nephews" but these are not found on any toolbar that I can access in the app. I have become so frustrated that I can't manage to nicely ask the developer to explain what they mean. Good effort, but not very easy to figure out. Make sure you have the patients to figure out everything in iThoughts2go before you spend your money on this app. **Developer response:** Sorry about this - if you contact me direct then I'll walk you through the process (support@toketaware.com) ### 4/5 — Awesome, but could use a few tweaks *2018-02-27, version 5.4* I love the features on this mindmapping software/app. First I love that I can view it on my iPad or iPhone and it also syncs with my computer (although that is a separate expense which is high in my opinion). Secondly it is user friendly. I have also used XMind recently and that is not nearly as user friendly as this app is. Also XMind’s help files are not nearly as helpful. I do wish there were more formatting options like icons - xmind has more of them. Flags, emojis, task progress, stars, people, arrows, symbols, and months/weeks, priorities (numbers) that are all very colorful (being able to choose the colors of the icons would be great also - xmind can’t do that). In addition on the Mac it is easier to navigate XMind with a tab for children topics (sub-topics) and enter for sibling topics. I wish that were the case with iThoughts software. ### 5/5 — I’ve been a user for 7 years, still my favorite app *2023-10-30* I am a HUGE fan of this app. I’ve been using iThoughts (or it’s earlier versions like iThoughtsHD) for over 7 years now. Without a doubt, this app is my favorite iOS app of all time - over all categories. I use this app for everything from taking notes on books that I’m reading to planning out features for apps that I want to build. Basically, I create a mind map and review it from time to time for pretty much anything that I want to deeply understand. And the support is beyond 1st class. Over the years, I’ve written the developer with questions or suggestions, and I’ve ALWAYS gotten a personalized response - and typically within 1 day. If there was a Pulitzer Prize for iOS apps - this developer would get my one and only nomination. ### 5/5 — Great Mind Mapping Tool that continues to impress! *2023-07-07* I’ve been using this for years and I continue to see constant improvements. The Screen Query Language capabilities that let you write filters (like show all topics/tasks with a due date of today; show all due during the next week; show all due before today, show all that are due this next week that are less than 50% complete, etc.). Works like a charm. Outline view (and use of Export via Email so you get an hierarchical list of the entire map ready for copy paste from the email into anything) is so very helpful! I’d like to see ePDF format supported (so ability to expand and collapse topic structures within PDF reader) as well as HTML Web Page format that supports same expand/collapse capability (today the HTML is somewhat limited to an image snapshot of current ithoughts map view). Support is always timely and you hear back directly from the developer. Worth every penny! Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. **Developer response:** Sorry about this. If you email me direct (support@toketaware.com) then I can walk you through the process of importing/exporting ConceptDraw (CDMZ) maps. ### 5/5 — Still Stands Up *2023-02-16* After all these years, iThoughts still seems to be the best mind mapping app for me. I looked at MindNode, for example, and, while their UX might be a little better, it’s just as cumbersome to work with big mind maps, but it also seems a lot less functional and that’s where iThoughts shines! As an example, iThoughts doesn’t support tags but IThoughts supports powerful queries that let you search for ‘#email’ in a note and I’ll take that efficiency every day of the week. ### 5/5 — I use the app regularly *2023-01-20, version 7.26* I purchased IThoughts in 2019 but didn't use it much before we went remote at work the next year. It's a useful tool for organizing complex or heavy pdf files. I use the export to word or ppt feature a lot. You con customize the look of mind maps. I recommend this app for iPad users over other apps with similar features. I also appreciate the "research" and search options. ## Most praised reviews (6 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — I’ve been a user for 7 years, still my favorite app *2022-12-29, version 7.26* I am a HUGE fan of this app. I’ve been using iThoughts (or it’s earlier versions like iThoughtsHD) for over 7 years now. Without a doubt, this app is my favorite iOS app of all time - over all categories. I use this app for everything from taking notes on books that I’m reading to planning out features for apps that I want to build. Basically, I create a mind map and review it from time to time for pretty much anything that I want to deeply understand. And the support is beyond 1st class. Over the years, I’ve written the developer with questions or suggestions, and I’ve ALWAYS gotten a personalized response - and typically within 1 day. If there was a Pulitzer Prize for iOS apps - this developer would get my one and only nomination. ### 5/5 — pls add a shortcut to close the inserted picture！！！ *2022-11-06, version 7.25* iThoughts is a very powerful mind mapping software, especially when used with the Logitech K380 keyboard. After inserting a picture in the theme, press the spacebar to quickly open, but there is no shortcut key to directly shrink the picture, I hope to add a function: press the spacebar to quickly reduce the picture. ### 5/5 — Deceptively Powerful App. Great stuff. *2022-07-08, version 7.25* This is a deceptively powerful app. Spend some time exploring how a "mind map" can be exported as a .opml file then opened in Pages, Word or Omni Outliner. This then can be used to produce a précis. The tasks function is also pretty great when exported through email. This app can be a powerful task management tool and or a writing tool. Highly recommended. ### 5/5 — Good for Dungeons and Dragons (or other TTRPG) *2022-06-23, version 7.24* I use iThoughts for my Dungeons and Dragons campaign. I can start with a bubble (an NPC, location, random encounter) and if I need to adapt on the fly, I can expand the bubble and see my notes. This helps me reduce the panic of creating something on the fly when there are multiple directions the session can go to. (Will the party go north? What if they enter the caves to the south?) Having some encounters ready to expand with key details embedded has been extremely helpful, and this app is much easier to navigate than digging through traditional notes and documents. ### 5/5 — Outline View *2022-05-29, version 7.24* I just love the Outline View that was incorporated into the newest update. I didn’t know I wanted this view until I saw how I could use it in my workflow. The developer continues to improve and update the app. If you swim in markdown and like to mind map, this is the only app you’ll ever need. ### 5/5 — Best Mind-Map Experience for an IPadPro! *2022-01-16, version 7.22* I’ve evaluated los of mind mapping software for the ipad and this is truly the best. Very easy to move from a PC or Mac Mindjet MM user interface to this one. HELP guide is indeed helpful to learn the ins and outs but it is all there. Exporting via Export and Share menu choices actually work quite well. When you choose to export say to a PDF, it prompts you for sending via email for instance and when you choose so, you get a fully hierarchical bulleted listing of the map as well as a graphic (high resolution) of the mind map visual as well. Support is excellent. The author is very responsive and you usually get a response next business day with useful guidance and help. The price is right. I’ve been using mind mapping apps since 1998 as it is a key tool for capturing meeting notes, brainstorming, and kicking off visualizations that are easier to grasp for broader audiences. This one is worth the try. Fully compatible with MMAP, Freemind and other legacy mind mapping software and exports of course to MMAP when needed. You won’t regret using this on your iPadPro. As for the Apple Pencil, well, that works as well on this as it does on most other apps. Pencil is more of a drawing and artistry tool. Using your finger and keyboard shortcuts is far faster. **Developer response:** Sorry about this. If you email me direct (support@toketaware.com) then I can walk you through the process of importing/exporting ConceptDraw (CDMZ) maps. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*