Comparison

Xmind vs MindNode

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

MindNode

Visualize and organize your thoughts with an infinite canvas for mind mapping and a linear structure for outlining. Collaborate in real-time with others and access your projects across all your Apple devices. A free editor is available, with an optional subscription for advanced features.

Highlights
  • Infinite canvas mind mapping
  • Linear outlining view
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Notes and visual tags
  • Import and export options
Features
Read full description

Your brain doesn't think in straight lines. MindNode doesn't force it to. Capture scattered thoughts, connect them in a mind map, and turn them into a clear outline, plan, or project structure. DESIGNED FOR EVERY KIND OF THINKER • Personal Productivity: organize your week, track life goals, and plan your next vacation • Students & Educators: create study guides, summarize lectures, and plan your essay structure • Business Professionals: visualize project roadmaps, prepare meeting agendas, and plan strategy • Creatives & Writers: outline your novel, plan your content calendar, and brainstorm campaigns THINK: EXPLORE AND CAPTURE • Mind Maps: branch, cluster, and grow ideas freely on an infinite canvas • Outline View: switch to a structured, hierarchical list whenever a linear flow helps • Live Collaboration: brainstorm with others in real time and always stay in sync CLARIFY: STRUCTURE AND REFINE • Visual Tags: categorize ideas and spotlight what matters • Connections: draw links between nodes that go beyond hierarchy • Notes: tuck extra detail into any node, hidden until you need it • Focus Mode: dim everything except the work in front of you • Folding: collapse whole branches for a cleaner view ACT: FROM THOUGHT TO IMPACT • Tasks: turn ideas into actions, synced with Apple Reminders • Apple Shortcuts: automate your recurring workflows • Document Linking: connect nodes across separate documents • Import and Export: OPML, Markdown, PDF, SVG, PNG, and more EXPRESS: MAKE IT YOUR OWN • Themes: choose a curated look or build your own, with automatic light and dark mode • Layouts and Shapes: arrange nodes your way and pick from a range of node shapes • Images, Stickers, and Emoji: enrich your maps with over 250 custom stickers and more AI, A THINKING PARTNER, NOT A REPLACEMENT MindNode treats AI as a sparring partner for your thinking, never a substitute for it. You stay in control of every idea. • Suggest a starting structure or expand a branch with a tap • Turn a finished map into a written draft, or summarize a long document • Powered by Apple Intelligence where available, with its privacy protections built in ON ALL YOUR DEVICES • Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro, native on each • On Vision Pro, gather your thoughts as colorful pills floating in space and connect them by hand • Automatic iCloud sync, with offline changes merged when you reconnect • Localized in 13 languages, with VoiceOver and Dynamic Type support PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your ideas stay yours. Documents are stored encrypted in your own iCloud, not on our servers, and even live collaboration is end-to-end encrypted, so only you and the people you invite can read your work. MindNode is a small independent team in Europe, owned by its founder and answerable to its users, not investors. FREE • Capture ideas as mind maps, edit, rearrange, fold, and view them as an outline • Sync across all your Apple devices, and export your ideas in open formats so you are never locked in MINDNODE PLUS • Adds outline editing, Notes, Visual Tags and Connections, Tasks, Focus Mode, Apple Shortcuts, Document Linking, SVG export, AI, and full theming, across every platform • Available monthly or yearly QUESTIONS? We value excellent customer support. When you contact us, you will always reach a human. We're always happy to help: support@mindnode.com Terms of Service: https://mindnode.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://mindnode.com/privacy

Screenshots

Xmind4 screens
MindNode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Xmind at 76% against MindNode's 48%. Xmind also leads on ratings volume (7K vs 305) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). MindNode's advantage is device support (5 vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 MindNode 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 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Xmind has 7K ratings behind it against 305, 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 48% of MindNode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Xmind ships an update every 10 days, MindNode fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Xmind versus MindNode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXmindMindNode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (7K ratings) — better4.6 (305 ratings)
Positive reviews75.6% of reviews — better47.8% of reviews
Number of ratings7K — better305
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size639 MB207 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperXmind Ltd.IdeasOnCanvas GmbH

Customer experience

Xmind

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

MindNode

All ratings305 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews247 reviews
Positive47.8%
Neutral19.0%
Negative33.2%

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

MindNode

From 305 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful brainstorming features
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🌟 Excellent for organizing thoughts and ideas
  • 🌍 Seamless cross-device sync

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Restrictive file management
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Lack of folder organization
  • 🔙 Missing key features from classic version
  • 🐛 Bugs and stability issues

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

MindNode

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Text rendering issues
  • Syncing problems across devices
  • Incompatibility with older hardware

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add folder structure for organizing mind maps
  • Restore manual layout and positioning options
  • Bring back Apple Watch support
  • Improve export and integration with other apps
  • Provide more customization options for themes and formatting

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

MindNode

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Xmind free?
Xmind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MindNode free?
MindNode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Xmind or MindNode?
Xmind is rated higher. Xmind averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7K ratings, while MindNode averages 4.6 from 305 ratings.
Do Xmind or MindNode have ads?
Neither Xmind nor MindNode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Xmind or MindNode?
Xmind ships an update every 10 days, and MindNode fortnightly. Most recently, Xmind was updated on September 25, 2026 and MindNode on September 23, 2026.

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