SimpleMind vs Brainstorm!
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Brainstorm!
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AI & SCAMPER method facilitator for brainstorming sessions. Write your brainstorming topic and answer the AI-generated questions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Brainstorm! at none against SimpleMind's 1. Brainstorm! also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. SimpleMind sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Brainstorm! asks for nothing beyond the download.
SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, Brainstorm! every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimpleMind | Brainstorm! |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (981 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 981 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 36 MB | 95 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | xpt Software & Consulting B.V. | maxim oulitzky |
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
Brainstorm!
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SimpleMind
- Unlock Pro Functionality$10.99
Brainstorm!
No in-app purchases









