Comparison

Elemental vs Xmind

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

Head to head
About

Elemental

This free utility allows users to easily draw chemical structures and reactions on their mobile devices. It offers features like property calculation, file sharing via email and Dropbox, and a built-in periodic table. Users can also export structures as image files or MOL/RXN formats.

Highlights
  • Draw chemical structures and reactions
  • Calculate cheminformatics properties
  • Tweet chemical structures
  • Dropbox integration
  • Open MOL/RXN files
  • Email structures as files/images
  • Built-in Periodic Table
Features
Read full description

Elemental from Dotmatics the FREE Chemistry Sketch Utility Elemental is now a Universal App that support iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Elemental is the Dotmatics chemistry sketch utility provided at no charge within many Dotmatics products. We are happy to provide this as a FREE app on the iTunes store. - Tap to draw chemical structures - Calculate cheminformatics properties - Tweet a Molecule! - Dropbox upload support & file association back from the Dropbox App - Open MOL/RXN files from E-mails (tap and hold an attachment) - Copy images to camera roll/clipboard - Double tap to undo - Sketch chemical reactions - Built-in Periodic Table - Email your structure as a MOL/RXN file and PNG image - Emails also contain MW, MolFormula and predicted LogP Draw molecules with ease! Suggestions are really welcome at this time. We intend to add a heap of features over the coming months and to keep this app FREE.

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

Elemental1 screens
Xmind4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Xmind at 4.8 against Elemental's 2.2. Xmind also leads on ratings volume (7K vs 18). Elemental's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Xmind sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Elemental asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Xmind holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Xmind has 7K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Elemental's written reviews are positive against 76% of Xmind's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elemental ships an update every 3 weeks, Xmind every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on July 6, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Elemental versus Xmind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElementalXmind
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (18 ratings)4.8 (7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.4% of reviews75.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings187K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB639 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDotmatics LimitedXmind Ltd.

Customer experience

Elemental

All ratings18 ratings
Positive27.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative72.2%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive73.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative22.8%

Xmind

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

Bugs and requests

Elemental

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

None

Elemental

No in-app purchases

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 Elemental free?
Elemental is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Xmind free?
Xmind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Elemental or Xmind?
Xmind is rated higher. Elemental averages 2.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Xmind averages 4.8 from 7K ratings.
Do Elemental or Xmind have ads?
Neither Elemental nor Xmind shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elemental or Xmind?
Elemental ships an update every 3 weeks, and Xmind every 10 days. Most recently, Elemental was updated on July 6, 2026 and Xmind on September 27, 2026.

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