Comparison

SimpleMind vs Brainstorm!

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

Brainstorm!

Features
Read full description

AI & SCAMPER method facilitator for brainstorming sessions. Write your brainstorming topic and answer the AI-generated questions.

Screenshots

SimpleMind4 screens
Brainstorm!4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SimpleMind sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Brainstorm! asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SimpleMind versus Brainstorm!: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleMindBrainstorm!
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (981 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings981 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB95 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerxpt 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

1 purchases

SimpleMind

One-time1
  • Unlock Pro Functionality$10.99
None

Brainstorm!

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleMind free?
SimpleMind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Brainstorm! free?
Brainstorm! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SimpleMind or Brainstorm! have ads?
Neither SimpleMind nor Brainstorm! shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleMind or Brainstorm!?
SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, and Brainstorm! every 3 days. Most recently, SimpleMind was updated on September 26, 2026 and Brainstorm! on September 20, 2026.

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