Comparison

Xmind vs ThinkSpace

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Xmind

This app is a comprehensive tool for mind mapping and brainstorming, helping users organize thoughts, manage projects, and visualize information. It offers various structures, templates, and customization options to enhance creativity and productivity. Collaborate in real-time and export your work in multiple formats.

Highlights
  • 30+ Templates
  • 9 Structure Types
  • Audio Notes
  • ZEN Mode (iPad only)
  • Real-time Collaboration
  • Multiple Export Formats
  • Task Integration
Read full description

Xmind is a full-featured mind mapping and brainstorming tool, now supercharged with AI. One map takes you from inspiration to execution—turn ideas into action faster than ever, across all platforms. Whether you're brainstorming ideas, structuring thoughts, or managing projects, Xmind gives you a seamless experience for clarity, creativity, and collaboration. XMIND AI • Create with AI: Generate a full mind map from any text, link, or document in seconds. • Photo to Map: Snap a photo of your notes or a whiteboard, and AI turns it into a structured mind map. • Draw to Map: Sketch your ideas by hand, and AI converts them into a clean mind map. • Grow Ideas: Select any topic and let AI expand it into a full branch of related ideas. • AI Task Breakdown: Turn any goal into actionable tasks and to-dos automatically. VISUALIZE INFORMATION WITH MIND MAP BEING SIMPLE & EASY • Templates: Kick-start any mind map with 30 well-designed templates. • Skeleton & Smart Color Theme: Create one-of-a-kind maps with countless combinations of preset structures and color themes. • Structure: Choose from 9 structures - Mind Map, Logic Chart, Brace Map, Org Chart, Tree Chart, Timeline, Fishbone, Tree Table and Matrix. Mix multiple structures in one map to handle complex projects with ease. • Insert: Enrich a topic with image, audio note, equation, label, hyperlink, topic link, drawing, and more. • Equation/LaTeX: Jot down mathematics and chemical equations with LaTeX. • Audio Note: Capture information fast and never miss a word. FOCUS ON CONTENT, AND STAY ORGANIZED & PRODUCTIVE • Outliner: Outline thoughts hierarchically and keep it going in mind map. • ZEN Mode: A full-screen, distraction-free mode to help you focus. (iPad only) • Multiple Organizers: Connect topics with Relationships, group ideas with Boundary, conclude with Summary. • Pitch Mode: Present your map as a slideshow with auto-generated transitions and layouts in one click. • Multitasking: Open and edit 2 files side by side, e.g. GoodNotes/Notability and Xmind at once. • Filters: Tag topics with marker & label, highlight by tags to get inspired. ALWAYS BEING SO STYLISH, KEEP MIND MAPPING WITH FUN • Smart Color Theme: Build an aesthetically appealing map effortlessly. • Hand-drawn Style: Switch your map into a hand-drawn look in one click. • Colored Branch: Stimulate creativity with more rainbow color schemes. • Illustrations: Visualize your map with 350+ illustrations. • Sticker: Find your favorite from 400+ brand-new collections. SAVE & SHARE MIND MAP WITH EASE • Real-time Collaboration: Work with your team on the same map simultaneously. Share, edit, and stay in sync—no matter where you are. • Import: MindManager, FreeMind, Lighten, MindNode, Markdown, OPML, TextBundle, and Word (DOCX Only). • Export: PDF, PNG, Markdown, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OPML, TextBundle. • Set Password: Encrypt your Xmind files for security. THE LIGHT WAY TO MANAGE PROJECTS • Task Integration: Create and manage tasks directly in your map—set priorities, track progress, and manage duration, all in one place. SUBSCRIBE TO XMIND • Products: All Platforms Xmind Pro/Premium (Annually), All Platforms Xmind Pro/Premium (Monthly) • Type: Auto-Renewable Subscriptions • Price: $59.00/$99.00 Annually • Cancel Subscription: Go to "Settings" > "iTunes & App Store" > Apple ID > Subscriptions, then tap your Xmind plan to cancel. If not cancelled more than 24 hours before the period ends, it renews automatically. • Apple ID for automatic renewal subscriptions will be automatically charged for an additional year/month in iTunes account 24 hours prior to the expiration of each billing cycle. • Terms of Service (including subscription rules): https://www.xmind.com/terms/ • Privacy Policy: https://www.xmind.com/privacy/ NEED HELP? Let us know if you have any feedback, or if we can help in any way at support@xmind.com.

About

ThinkSpace

This app is a powerful thinking tool that supports creative workflows with an intuitive interface and various thinking methods. It offers features like handwritten notes, unlimited canvases, idea generation frameworks, and real-time collaboration to aid brainstorming and idea structuring.

Highlights
  • Handwritten sticky notes
  • Unlimited canvas sizes
  • Idea generation frameworks
  • Real-time sharing
  • Mind mapping
  • Diagram creation
  • AI brainstorming
Features
Read full description

Information piles up. AI has all the answers. But a week later, nothing stays in your head. ThinkSpace is a thinking canvas where you turn what you explore with AI into your own map — with your own hands. Only the maps you build yourself stay with you. In ThinkSpace, a map you grow — one that stays with you — is called a design map. It is not a static diagram you draw once. It keeps evolving as you add new information, AI conversations, and results from what you tried — a living model of your own understanding. ■ Great for topics like - Integrating papers and books into an understanding you can explain in your own words - Visualizing nursing pathophysiology diagrams and how what you learn connects - Bringing a story's world, characters, timeline, and ideas into one structure - Writing out tangled feelings and worries to sort out your inner thoughts - Designing your career in the AI era, social media strategy, or product concepts - Connecting visions and goals to concrete actions and reviews - Working through complex problems at work: causes, solutions, validation, results ■ Start from a purpose-built map No need to stare at a blank canvas wondering where to begin. - Concept map - Problem-solving map - Pathophysiology map - Career map for the AI era - Worldbuilding map - Social media strategy map - Habit-building map - Product design map - Vision map and more — start from a foundation that fits your topic. ■ Turn AI chats into a growing map Ask AI from a card and add the answers to your map. Instead of just reading responses, break them down, relate them, and rebuild them as your own understanding. Looking over the map sparks new questions — dig into them with AI again. Your AI inputs are never used for training. ■ Key features - Infinite canvas: place cards anywhere and work with unorganized thoughts as they are. - Handwriting and text: Apple Pencil supported. Write like sticky notes and move them as you think. - Mind maps, flows, groups, relation lines: express radial thinking, procedures, cause and effect. - Ask AI and break answers into cards: turn answers into understanding you can explain. - Extract key-point cards from text: turn long notes and web pages into material for thinking. - AI brainstorming: generate a skeleton that widens your view. You fill in evidence and conclusions. - Capture web pages, images, screenshots: place research inside your own topic. - Search and reuse cards: find past fragments and recombine them in other maps. - Link canvases: connect big themes and subtopics into layers of thought. - Export to image, PDF, and text: output maps for reports, submissions, and sharing. - Local-first: data is saved on your device first. Edit offline, export anytime. - Sync across devices (Pro): grow the same maps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Turn AI answers into understanding you can explain. Turn scattered information into a map that leads to your next decision and action. Grow your own way of thinking with ThinkSpace. ■ Pro access - Unlimited canvases - Unlimited cards and groups - Expanded AI usage limit - Full feature access ——— Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The renewal fee is charged to your iTunes account within 24 hours before the period ends. You can turn off auto-renewal anytime in your App Store account settings. ——— Terms of Service: https://thinkspace-public.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/terms-en.html Privacy Policy: https://thinkspace-public.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/privacy-policy-en-v2.html

Screenshots

Xmind4 screens
ThinkSpace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Xmind at 4.8 against ThinkSpace's 4.3. Xmind also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 54%) and ratings volume (7K vs 273). ThinkSpace's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Xmind sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month and ThinkSpace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Xmind holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Xmind has 7K ratings behind it against 273, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Xmind's written reviews are positive against 54% of ThinkSpace's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Xmind ships an update every 10 days, ThinkSpace monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Xmind versus ThinkSpace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXmindThinkSpace
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (7K ratings) — better4.3 (273 ratings)
Positive reviews75.6% of reviews — better53.6% of reviews
Number of ratings7K — better273
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size639 MB238 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperXmind Ltd.Naoya Enokida

Customer experience

Xmind

All ratings6,964 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews549 reviews
Positive75.6%
Neutral6.6%
Negative17.9%

ThinkSpace

All ratings273 ratings
Positive82.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative12.1%
Written reviews220 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral9.5%
Negative36.8%

User reviews

Xmind

From 7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🚀 Powerful features even in free version
  • 💡 Helpful for organizing thoughts and ideas
  • 🎨 Beautiful and customizable mind maps
  • 🔌 Seamless sync across devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and data loss issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Limited functionality in free version
  • 🔀 Syncing issues between desktop and mobile
  • 📝 Lack of advanced text editing features

ThinkSpace

From 273 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💡 Innovative freeform mind-mapping with infinite canvas
  • ✏️ Excellent Apple Pencil integration and handwriting support
  • 🎨 Flexible and creative brainstorming capabilities
  • 📋 Multiple thinking frameworks and templates included
  • 👍 Intuitive sticky note-like interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and app freezing
  • ⚠️ Data loss issues after subscription or app updates
  • 💸 Aggressive paywall with limited free tier
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection policies
  • 😕 Steep learning curve and unintuitive UI

Bugs and requests

Xmind

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Randomly deleting or losing parts of mind maps
  • Inability to open or edit files on certain devices
  • Inconsistent behavior when resizing or rearranging elements
  • Unreliable sync between desktop and mobile versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add folders/categories to organize mind maps
  • Improve handwriting and drawing tools
  • Allow changing font/formatting of individual words
  • Integrate with calendar and task management apps
  • Enhance presentation mode with more options

ThinkSpace

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • App crashes on launch or during use
  • Data disappears after upgrading to paid version
  • Canvas fails to load with many items
  • Text boxes become uneditable
  • Grouped items move unexpectedly when resizing
Show 15 more
  • Eraser tool causes crashes
  • Login freezes and network connection errors
  • Registration and account creation failures
  • Undo function doesn't work properly
  • Cards stick or behave erratically
  • Zoom tool tab not displaying
  • Export function unresponsive on Mac
  • Text wrapping and alignment issues
  • Sticky notes change size unexpectedly
  • Items disappear from canvas
  • Forced quit required to close app
  • Laggy performance with Apple Pencil writing
  • Sync failures between iPad and Mac
  • Auto-organize feature snaps items incorrectly
  • White background export issues

Requested features

19 requests
  • One-time purchase option instead of subscription
  • Dark mode theme
  • Better palm rejection for Apple Pencil
  • Folder/project organization system
  • Ability to delete canvases easily
Show 14 more
  • Improved text editing within cards
  • Better arrow/connector customization
  • Undo with multi-finger gestures (like Procreate)
  • Export to vector formats (SVG)
  • Zoom controls for Mac version
  • Better grouping and ungrouping functionality
  • Collaborative editing features
  • iCloud sync option
  • Highlighter tool
  • Custom colors and pen sizes
  • Canvas renaming functionality
  • Better keyboard shortcuts for Mac
  • Chromebook support
  • Auto-layout option for mind maps

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Xmind

Subscriptions12
  • Xmind Pro (Monthly)$10.001 Month
  • Xmind Premium (Monthly)$15.001 Month
  • Mobile Only (6 Months)$19.996 Months
Show 9 more
  • Xmind Pro (Quarterly)$29.003 Months
  • Mobile Only (Annually)$29.991 Year
  • Desktop (6 Months)$34.996 Months
  • All Platforms (6 Months)$39.996 Months
  • Desktop (Annually)$54.991 Year
  • Xmind Pro (Annually)7 Days trial$59.001 Year
  • Xmind Pro Annually1 Year trial$59.001 Year
  • Xmind Pro+ (Annually)$65.001 Year
  • Xmind Premium (Annually)7 Days trial$99.001 Year
2 purchases

ThinkSpace

Subscriptions2
  • ThinkSpace Pro Access$2.991 Month
  • ThinkSpace Pro Access$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Xmind free?
Xmind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ThinkSpace free?
ThinkSpace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Xmind or ThinkSpace?
Xmind is rated higher. Xmind averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7K ratings, while ThinkSpace averages 4.3 from 273 ratings.
Do Xmind or ThinkSpace have ads?
Neither Xmind nor ThinkSpace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Xmind or ThinkSpace?
Xmind ships an update every 10 days, and ThinkSpace monthly. Most recently, Xmind was updated on September 25, 2026 and ThinkSpace on September 19, 2026.

Other comparisons