Comparison

Mind Mapping vs Xmind

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

Head to head
About

Mind Mapping

Organize, prioritize, and generate new thoughts with a powerful mobile mind mapping tool. Seamlessly sync your creations with an online account and collaborate in real-time. Offers free basic features and premium plans for advanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Create mind maps
  • Sync with online account
  • Multi-touch support
  • Add icons, colors, and themes
  • View and edit notes, links, tasks
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Export maps
Features
Read full description

MindMeister is the one and only mobile mind mapping app you’ll ever need. Whether you’re using it in the boardroom, the classroom, the presentation hall, or the lunch meeting, MindMeister can help you organize, prioritize, and even generate new thoughts. Designed from the ground up as an extension to our award-winning, browser-based interface, the MindMeister app stores your mobile creations and seamlessly syncs them with your online account. Feature highlights in the free “Basic” plan: - Create up to three free mind maps - Seamlessly sync maps and folders with your free online account - Multi-touch support for drag & drop, zoom, pan - Add icons, colors, styles and map themes - View and edit notes, links, tasks and attachments on ideas - Draw connections between nodes - Play presentations - Share maps directly from the device - Real-time collaboration Additional features in the “Personal” plan: - Create and edit unlimited mind maps - Add files and images to topics - Export maps in PDF and PNG format - Priority support Additional features in the “Pro” plan: - Export maps in MS Word and MS PowerPoint format - Export slides as zip file NOTE: Requires a free account registration. The “Basic” version of MindMeister is free. You can try the “Personal” plan free for 1 week after signing up! If you enjoy your “Personal” trial, do nothing and your membership will automatically continue as an auto-renewing month-to-month subscription. If you subscribe via iTunes: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of your selected plan above. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings on the device. If you haven’t subscribed through iTunes, you can manage your subscription through MindMeister. Privacy policy: https://www.mindmeister.com/privacy Terms of use: https://www.mindmeister.com/legal

About

Xmind

This app is a comprehensive tool for mind mapping and brainstorming, helping users organize thoughts, manage projects, and visualize information. It offers various structures, templates, and customization options to enhance creativity and productivity. Collaborate in real-time and export your work in multiple formats.

Highlights
  • 30+ Templates
  • 9 Structure Types
  • Audio Notes
  • ZEN Mode (iPad only)
  • Real-time Collaboration
  • Multiple Export Formats
  • Task Integration
Read full description

Xmind is a full-featured mind mapping and brainstorming tool, now supercharged with AI. One map takes you from inspiration to execution—turn ideas into action faster than ever, across all platforms. Whether you're brainstorming ideas, structuring thoughts, or managing projects, Xmind gives you a seamless experience for clarity, creativity, and collaboration. XMIND AI • Create with AI: Generate a full mind map from any text, link, or document in seconds. • Photo to Map: Snap a photo of your notes or a whiteboard, and AI turns it into a structured mind map. • Draw to Map: Sketch your ideas by hand, and AI converts them into a clean mind map. • Grow Ideas: Select any topic and let AI expand it into a full branch of related ideas. • AI Task Breakdown: Turn any goal into actionable tasks and to-dos automatically. VISUALIZE INFORMATION WITH MIND MAP BEING SIMPLE & EASY • Templates: Kick-start any mind map with 30 well-designed templates. • Skeleton & Smart Color Theme: Create one-of-a-kind maps with countless combinations of preset structures and color themes. • Structure: Choose from 9 structures - Mind Map, Logic Chart, Brace Map, Org Chart, Tree Chart, Timeline, Fishbone, Tree Table and Matrix. Mix multiple structures in one map to handle complex projects with ease. • Insert: Enrich a topic with image, audio note, equation, label, hyperlink, topic link, drawing, and more. • Equation/LaTeX: Jot down mathematics and chemical equations with LaTeX. • Audio Note: Capture information fast and never miss a word. FOCUS ON CONTENT, AND STAY ORGANIZED & PRODUCTIVE • Outliner: Outline thoughts hierarchically and keep it going in mind map. • ZEN Mode: A full-screen, distraction-free mode to help you focus. (iPad only) • Multiple Organizers: Connect topics with Relationships, group ideas with Boundary, conclude with Summary. • Pitch Mode: Present your map as a slideshow with auto-generated transitions and layouts in one click. • Multitasking: Open and edit 2 files side by side, e.g. GoodNotes/Notability and Xmind at once. • Filters: Tag topics with marker & label, highlight by tags to get inspired. ALWAYS BEING SO STYLISH, KEEP MIND MAPPING WITH FUN • Smart Color Theme: Build an aesthetically appealing map effortlessly. • Hand-drawn Style: Switch your map into a hand-drawn look in one click. • Colored Branch: Stimulate creativity with more rainbow color schemes. • Illustrations: Visualize your map with 350+ illustrations. • Sticker: Find your favorite from 400+ brand-new collections. SAVE & SHARE MIND MAP WITH EASE • Real-time Collaboration: Work with your team on the same map simultaneously. Share, edit, and stay in sync—no matter where you are. • Import: MindManager, FreeMind, Lighten, MindNode, Markdown, OPML, TextBundle, and Word (DOCX Only). • Export: PDF, PNG, Markdown, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OPML, TextBundle. • Set Password: Encrypt your Xmind files for security. THE LIGHT WAY TO MANAGE PROJECTS • Task Integration: Create and manage tasks directly in your map—set priorities, track progress, and manage duration, all in one place. SUBSCRIBE TO XMIND • Products: All Platforms Xmind Pro/Premium (Annually), All Platforms Xmind Pro/Premium (Monthly) • Type: Auto-Renewable Subscriptions • Price: $59.00/$99.00 Annually • Cancel Subscription: Go to "Settings" > "iTunes & App Store" > Apple ID > Subscriptions, then tap your Xmind plan to cancel. If not cancelled more than 24 hours before the period ends, it renews automatically. • Apple ID for automatic renewal subscriptions will be automatically charged for an additional year/month in iTunes account 24 hours prior to the expiration of each billing cycle. • Terms of Service (including subscription rules): https://www.xmind.com/terms/ • Privacy Policy: https://www.xmind.com/privacy/ NEED HELP? Let us know if you have any feedback, or if we can help in any way at support@xmind.com.

Screenshots

Mind Mapping4 screens
Xmind4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Xmind at 4.8 against Mind Mapping's 4.4. Xmind also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (7K vs 1.3K). On price, review sentiment, 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. Mind Mapping sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.49 per month and Xmind sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Xmind holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Xmind has 7K ratings behind it against 1.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 76% and 76% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mind Mapping ships an update monthly, Xmind every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Mind Mapping versus Xmind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMind MappingXmind
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (1.3K ratings)4.8 (7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.1% of reviews — better75.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1.3K7K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB639 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMeisterLabsXmind Ltd.

Customer experience

Mind Mapping

All ratings1,269 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative10.2%
Written reviews1,439 reviews
Positive76.1%
Neutral4.9%
Negative19.0%

Xmind

All ratings6,964 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews549 reviews
Positive75.6%
Neutral6.6%
Negative17.9%

User reviews

Mind Mapping

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Helpful for brainstorming and organizing ideas
  • 🚀 Cross-platform functionality
  • 🚀 Useful for personal and professional use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Syncing and compatibility issues between mobile and web versions
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model, limited free features
  • 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and inability to export maps
  • 🔧 Lack of customization options and advanced features

Xmind

From 7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🚀 Powerful features even in free version
  • 💡 Helpful for organizing thoughts and ideas
  • 🎨 Beautiful and customizable mind maps
  • 🔌 Seamless sync across devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and data loss issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Limited functionality in free version
  • 🔀 Syncing issues between desktop and mobile
  • 📝 Lack of advanced text editing features

Bugs and requests

Mind Mapping

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to edit initial topic
  • Disappearing text and formatting issues
  • Blank screens and crashes when adding new elements
  • Synchronization problems between devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline mode
  • More customization options for maps
  • Improved collaboration and sharing features
  • Better integration with other productivity apps
  • Support for handwritten notes and drawings

Xmind

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Randomly deleting or losing parts of mind maps
  • Inability to open or edit files on certain devices
  • Inconsistent behavior when resizing or rearranging elements
  • Unreliable sync between desktop and mobile versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add folders/categories to organize mind maps
  • Improve handwriting and drawing tools
  • Allow changing font/formatting of individual words
  • Integrate with calendar and task management apps
  • Enhance presentation mode with more options

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Mind Mapping

Subscriptions10
  • Monthly Personal Subscription2 variants$7.491 Month
  • Monthly Personal Trial7 Days trial$7.491 Month
  • Monthly Personal Subscription14 Days trial$7.491 Month
Show 7 more
  • Pro$12.491 Month
  • Monthly Pro Subscription$12.491 Month
  • Pro7 Days trial$12.491 Month
  • Yearly Personal Subscription2 variants$78.001 Year
  • Yearly Personal Subscription14 Days trial$78.001 Year
  • Pro$125.991 Year
  • Yearly Pro Subscription$125.991 Year
12 purchases

Xmind

Subscriptions12
  • Xmind Pro (Monthly)$10.001 Month
  • Xmind Premium (Monthly)$15.001 Month
  • Mobile Only (6 Months)$19.996 Months
Show 9 more
  • Xmind Pro (Quarterly)$29.003 Months
  • Mobile Only (Annually)$29.991 Year
  • Desktop (6 Months)$34.996 Months
  • All Platforms (6 Months)$39.996 Months
  • Desktop (Annually)$54.991 Year
  • Xmind Pro (Annually)7 Days trial$59.001 Year
  • Xmind Pro Annually1 Year trial$59.001 Year
  • Xmind Pro+ (Annually)$65.001 Year
  • Xmind Premium (Annually)7 Days trial$99.001 Year

Questions

Is Mind Mapping free?
Mind Mapping is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Xmind free?
Xmind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mind Mapping or Xmind?
Xmind is rated higher. Mind Mapping averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while Xmind averages 4.8 from 7K ratings.
Do Mind Mapping or Xmind have ads?
Neither Mind Mapping nor Xmind shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mind Mapping or Xmind?
Mind Mapping ships an update monthly, and Xmind every 10 days. Most recently, Mind Mapping was updated on September 24, 2026 and Xmind on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons