Comparison

SimpleMind vs MindExplore

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

Head to head
About

SimpleMind

Organize your thoughts, capture ideas, and generate new concepts with this intuitive mind mapping tool. Create unlimited mind maps, customize their appearance, and add rich content like notes, images, and links. Share your maps in various formats or sync them across devices.

Highlights
  • Unlimited mind map creation
  • Customizable appearance and style sheets
  • Add notes, images, icons, and links
  • Collapse/expand branches and outline view
  • Free-form layout and auto layouts
  • Export in PDF, Image, and OPML formats
  • Sync across devices via cloud services
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 • Easy to use. • Create as many Mind Maps as you want. • Change the overall appearance by selecting one of the many style sheets. • Add notes. • Collapse and expand branches. • Outline view. • Brainstorm. • Continuously fine-tuned based on customer feedback. • Upgrade to Pro functionality is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. Private by Design • No ads. • No tracking. • No need to sign up for an account. • We do not have access to your Mind Maps. ○ Pro Functionality Create • Place topics anywhere you want in the free-form layout. • Use various auto layouts. • Reorganize and restructure topics. • Connect any two topics with a crosslink. • Label relations. Tools to help you maintain overview • Collapse and expand branches. • Block out distractions with autofocus. • Visually group topics with group borders. • Outline view. • Search and filter. Enrich your Mind Map • Images and photos. • Notes. • Icons. • Link to a mind map, contact, file or webpage. • Checkboxes. Style your mind map • Change the overall appearance by selecting one of the many style sheets. • Create your own style sheets. • Style every detail, exactly how you want it. Share Mind Maps • PDF, Image and more. • Outline text. • Create a slideshow to present your Mind Map (tablet only). • Print. • Exchange as OPML, for example with AI apps. Safely store and sync your Mind Maps • You control where your Mind Maps are stored. • Sync Mind Maps across devices using iCloud, Dropbox or other clouds. • SimpleMind is designed to open your Mind Maps across platforms. • SimpleMind for Mac, and companion apps for other platforms, are sold separately.

About

MindExplore

Features
Read full description

MindExplore—Your Pathway to Purposeful Success Clarify Your True Priorities: Use proven decision-making frameworks like Ikigai, the Eisenhower Matrix, and the Pareto Principle to pinpoint and pursue what genuinely matters. AI-Powered Self-Improvement Tools: Explore S.W.O.T., the Wheel of Life, creativity boosters like SCAMPER and Idea Trees, memory-enhancing techniques (e.g., Memory Palace), and more. Boost Personal & Professional Impact: Focus on the tasks that yield the greatest returns, leveraging time-tested methods for optimal growth and productivity. Enhance Problem-Solving & Communication: Break down challenges using 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, and Six Thinking Hats, while honing your communication skills with tools like Active Listening and Empathy Mapping. Stay Organized & Motivated: Implement strategies like the Pomodoro Technique and storytelling methods to maintain momentum and achieve consistent progress. Start making smarter choices with MindExplore—discover your priorities, harness AI-driven insights, and take charge of your self-improvement journey. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SimpleMind4 screens
MindExplore4 screens

Verdict

The call

SimpleMind and MindExplore are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 MindExplore sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, MindExplore every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
SimpleMind versus MindExplore: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleMindMindExplore
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (982 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings982 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB59 MB
Age rating+44+
Developerxpt Software & Consulting B.V.Ming Hei Tsui

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

MindExplore

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SimpleMind

One-time1
  • Unlock Pro Functionality$10.99
1 purchases

MindExplore

Subscriptions1
  • 1 Month Subscription$1.991 Month

Questions

Is SimpleMind free?
SimpleMind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MindExplore free?
MindExplore is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SimpleMind or MindExplore have ads?
Neither SimpleMind nor MindExplore shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleMind or MindExplore?
SimpleMind ships an update every 2 months, and MindExplore every 5 weeks. Most recently, SimpleMind was updated on November 11, 2026 and MindExplore on October 30, 2026.

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