# SimpleMind vs Brainstorm!

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleMind | Brainstorm! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (981 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplemind-mind-mapping/id305727658/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **981** | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 36 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [xpt Software & Consulting B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/304515490) | [maxim oulitzky](https://appshunter.io/developer/1548517117) |

## What reviewers say

### SimpleMind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplemind-mind-mapping/id305727658)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Pro Functionality | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Maps disappearing after device resets
- Inability to import/export certain file formats

**Requested features**

- 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!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainstorm-creative-ideas/id6450509444)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


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