A mind map is a diagram that starts with one idea in the middle and branches outward. People use it to plan an article, break down a project, take notes, or untangle a problem. You can do it on paper. A tool earns its place when you want to rearrange branches, share a map, or keep dozens of them.
The question that matters is what the free plan stops you doing. Some cap how many maps you can have. Some block clean exports. So this guide compares five mind mapping tools by exactly that, using the official pricing pages we read on 18 October 2026.
Quick answer: For the most free maps, Xmind’s free plan allows 10 online maps, but its free exports aren’t watermark-free. For private maps with free export, Coggle allows 3 private diagrams and lets you download PDFs and images. For an Apple-only setup, MindNode has a free plan. For a team whiteboard, Miro gives you 3 editable boards free.
The five tools side by side
| Tool | Free plan | Paid price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| MindMeister | Up to 3 mind maps; no file exports | Prices not shown on the page we read | Web, iOS, Android |
| Xmind | Up to 10 online maps, 3 sheets per map; exports not watermark-free | Pro $4.92 per month, Premium $8.25 per month (billing period not stated) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Coggle | 3 private diagrams, unlimited public ones | Awesome $5 per month | Not stated on the page |
| MindNode | Free plan with mind mapping, import and export | Plus $2.99 per month or $24.99 per year | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro, Apple Watch |
| Miro | 3 editable boards | Starter $8 per member per month billed yearly | Not stated on the pricing page |
Prices are in US dollars except MindMeister, which showed euros. Where a platform column says “not stated”, the pricing page didn’t list it and we haven’t guessed.
MindMeister: simple, but the free plan can’t export
MindMeister’s free plan is €0 forever and lets you make up to 3 mind maps. It includes unlimited collaborators, templates, presentations, focus mode, a MeisterTask integration and iOS and Android apps. What it leaves out matters: version history, attachments, file exports and custom branding. The page says paid prices are per user, exclude VAT and vary by region, and doesn’t show amounts. Good for: trying mind mapping with other people, as collaborators are unlimited.
Xmind: the most free maps, with a catch
Xmind’s free plan allows up to 10 manually created online maps with 3 sheets per map. But the plan’s PNG export is one map at a time, and the pricing table says watermark-free export is “No” on the free plan. Pro ($4.92 a month) adds watermark-free export and more maps; Premium ($8.25) adds real-time collaboration and unlimited collaborative maps. The page shows a Monthly/Yearly toggle and “up to 50% off” for yearly billing, but doesn’t say which billing period the displayed prices use. One subscription covers up to 5 Mac/PC devices and 5 mobile devices. Good for: one person who wants a desktop-style app on any system.
Coggle: free private maps that export
Coggle’s Free Forever plan allows 3 private diagrams and unlimited public diagrams. It includes real-time collaboration, image uploads, full change history, PDF and image downloads, and export to .mm, text and Visio. Awesome is $5 a month for unlimited private diagrams. Good for: a few private maps with clean exports.
MindNode: the Apple option
MindNode runs on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro and Apple Watch. Its free plan includes mind mapping, import and export. MindNode Plus is $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year and adds outlining, collaboration, themes and more; there’s a free trial, but the page doesn’t say how long. MindNode is also included in Setapp. Good for: anyone in the Apple ecosystem who wants a tidy, quiet mapping app.
Miro: when it’s a whiteboard, not just a map
Miro’s free plan has 3 editable boards. You can create and share unlimited boards, but only the three most recent stay editable. It also includes 10 AI credits a month. Starter is $8 per member a month billed yearly, and Business is $20. The pricing page doesn’t describe its mind map feature in detail, though it links to a Mind Maps use case. Good for: a team that wants maps, sticky notes and diagrams on one canvas.
How to pick
- Alone or with others? Alone: Xmind, Coggle or MindNode. With others: MindMeister, Miro or Coggle.
- Do you need to export? Check before you build. MindMeister’s free plan can’t export files, and Xmind’s free exports carry a watermark.
- What device? Apple only: MindNode. Windows or Linux: Xmind. Browser: MindMeister, Coggle or Miro.
- How many maps will you really make? If three is enough, several free plans work.
How to build a mind map in five minutes
- Write the main idea in the middle, in a few words.
- Add three to six main branches for the biggest parts of the topic.
- Add sub-branches under each. Use one or two words per branch.
- Move, group or merge branches that overlap.
- Circle the one or two branches you’ll act on first.
Want more ideas? Read how mind mapping can help you organize and how to use mind mapping for better productivity and idea generation. If your map turns into a project, see our guide to tools for managing multiple projects.
What we left out
Our earlier list had 12 tools. We cut it to five, the ones whose official pages we could read. Whimsical, Lucidspark, Milanote, Mindly, Ayoa, ConceptDraw MINDMAP and FreeMind are not included, because we didn’t verify their current plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free mind mapping tool? It depends on what you need. Xmind allows the most free maps (10), Coggle allows 3 private maps with free exports, and MindNode’s free plan includes import and export.
Is there a free mind mapping app? Yes. All five tools here have a free plan.
What is idea mapping? It’s another name for mind mapping or similar diagrams: you put ideas on a page and link related ones. The tools above all do this.
Do I need a mind mapping tool? Not to start. A sheet of paper works. A tool helps when you want to rearrange, share or save maps.
Updated 18 October 2026: we cut this list from 12 tools to five whose free plans and prices we could check, and added what each free plan leaves out.
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