# Xmind vs MindNode

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Xmind | MindNode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xmind-ai-mind-map-brainstorm/id1286983622/reviews)** | [4.6 (305 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindnode-mind-map-and-outline/id6446116532/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7K** | 305 |
| Positive reviews | **75.6% of reviews** | 47.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 639 MB | 207 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Xmind Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/441041993) | [IdeasOnCanvas GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/312220105) |

## What reviewers say

### Xmind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xmind-ai-mind-map-brainstorm/id1286983622)

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Xmind Pro (Monthly) | $10.00 | per month |
| Xmind Premium (Monthly) | $15.00 | per month |
| Mobile Only (6 Months) | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| Xmind Pro (Quarterly) | $29.00 | per 3 months |
| Mobile Only (Annually) | $29.99 | per year |
| Desktop (6 Months) | $34.99 | per 6 months |
| All Platforms (6 Months) | $39.99 | per 6 months |
| Desktop (Annually) | $54.99 | per year |
| Xmind Pro (Annually) | $59.00 | per year |
| Xmind Pro Annually | $59.00 | per year |
| Xmind Pro+ (Annually) | $65.00 | per year |
| Xmind Premium (Annually) | $99.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindnode-mind-map-and-outline/id6446116532)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $24.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*