Comparison

SimpleMind vs MindNode

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

Head to head
About

SimpleMind

Organize thoughts, capture ideas, and generate new concepts with a powerful mind mapping tool. Its intuitive interface allows for free-form or auto-layout creation, with options to add media, documents, and synchronize across devices. Share your mind maps in various formats or present them as slideshows.

Highlights
  • Free-form and auto layout options
  • Add images, notes, icons, and links
  • Voice memos and video integration
  • Cloud synchronization across devices
  • Export to PDF, Image, Reminders, Calendar
  • Customizable styling and themes
  • Collapse/expand branches for overview
Features
Read full description

Mind mapping helps you organize your thoughts, remember information and generate new ideas. We've created a beautiful, intuitive app, so you can mind map wherever you are and whenever you want. Free Functionality • Everything you need to get started with mind mapping. • No ads. • No data collection. • No need to sign up for an account. • Upgrade to full functionality is a one-time single purchase. Highlights • Easy to use. • Continuously fine-tuned based on customer feedback. • Trustworthy and reliable: 15+ years of updates and improvements. • Used in a wide range of applications: business, education, legal and medical. • Tools to help you maintain overview. Create ○ place topics anywhere you want in the free-form layout ○ or use auto layout - great for brainstorming ○ reorganize and restructure using drag, rotate, re-arrange or reconnect ○ use checkboxes, progress bars, auto-numbering ○ connect any two topics with a crosslink ○ label relations ○ virtually unlimited page size and number of elements ○ supports multiple Mind Maps on one page Add media and documents ○ images and photos ○ notes ○ icons (stock, emojis or custom) ○ link to a topic, mind map, contact, file or webpage ○ voice memos ○ videos Seamless synchronization using clouds ○ sync mind maps with your iPads and iPhones ○ sync mind maps across platforms. For example with Mac - as a separate purchase ○ sync using iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, 坚果云 - Nutstore and Nextcloud Share your Mind Map ○ for example as PDF or Image ○ outline, can be imported in word processors ○ create a slideshow to present your Mind Map (Tablet only) ○ print ○ export to Reminders or Calendar Style your mind map ○ change the appearance by selecting one of the 15+ style sheets ○ create your own style sheets ○ style every detail, exactly how you want it ○ change borders, lines, colors, background color, the checkbox color, and much more Maintain overview ○ collapse and expand branches ○ hide or show branches or topics ○ block out distractions with autofocus ○ highlight branches by displaying branch borders ○ visually group topics with group borders ○ organize your Mind Maps in folders ○ outline view ○ search

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

SimpleMind4 screens
MindNode4 screens

Verdict

The call

SimpleMind and MindNode both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 77% of SimpleMind's written reviews are positive against 48% of MindNode's. SimpleMind also leads on ratings volume (981 vs 305) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). MindNode's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and device support (5 vs 3). On price, rating, 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. SimpleMind sells 1 one-off in-app purchase 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for SimpleMind against 4.6 for MindNode. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 981 and 305 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 77% of SimpleMind's written reviews are positive against 48% of MindNode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, MindNode fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SimpleMind versus MindNode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleMindMindNode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (981 ratings)4.6 (305 ratings) — better
Positive reviews77.2% of reviews — better47.8% of reviews
Number of ratings981 — better305
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB207 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerxpt Software & Consulting B.V.IdeasOnCanvas GmbH

Customer experience

SimpleMind

All ratings981 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral3.1%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews1,390 reviews
Positive77.2%
Neutral8.5%
Negative14.3%

MindNode

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

User reviews

SimpleMind

From 981 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🚀 Smooth and responsive
  • 💡 Versatile for various use cases
  • 🔒 Secure with no data collection
  • 💰 Good value for one-time purchase

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezing
  • 🔗 Issues with syncing/sharing across devices
  • 🔒 Confusing in-app purchase model
  • 🎨 Limited customization options

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

SimpleMind

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Maps disappearing after device resets
  • Inability to import/export certain file formats

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved syncing and cloud integration
  • More customization options for appearance and layout
  • Keyboard shortcuts and power user features
  • Better support for Apple Pencil and handwriting

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

1 purchases

SimpleMind

One-time1
  • Unlock Pro Functionality$10.99
2 purchases

MindNode

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

Questions

Is SimpleMind free?
SimpleMind 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, SimpleMind or MindNode?
MindNode is rated higher. SimpleMind averages 4.5 out of 5 from 981 ratings, while MindNode averages 4.6 from 305 ratings.
Do SimpleMind or MindNode have ads?
Neither SimpleMind nor MindNode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleMind or MindNode?
SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, and MindNode fortnightly. Most recently, SimpleMind was updated on September 23, 2026 and MindNode on September 23, 2026.

Other comparisons