Free FreeMind Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to FreeMind for Linux and since it's discontinued a lot of people are looking for a replacement. The best free Linux alternative is Freeplane, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to FreeMind and many of them are free and available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Linux alternatives to FreeMind are Xmind, TreeSheets, Obsidian Canvas and Mindomo.

filter to find the best alternatives

FreeMind alternatives are mainly Mind Mapping Tools, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Project Management Tools you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to FreeMind.
FreeMind iconFreeMind
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  • ...

Free and open source, Java-based mind-mapping app for the desktop featuring a hierarchical editor that emphasizes folding.

More about FreeMind
FreeMind alternatives page was last updated Jun 17, 2025
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  1. Freeplane icon
     252 likes
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    Freeplane is a powerful and free software for building mind maps. It is a redesigned version of the well known FreeMind , and is created by one of FreeMind's key developers.

    79 Freeplane alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Java

    Top Freeplane Features

    1.  Mind Mapping
    2.  Knowledge Management
    3.  Summary Nodes
    4.  Project Tracking
    5.  Support for scripting
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Portable
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Hierarchical Structure
    11.  Full-Text Search
    12. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX

    Freeplane VS FreeMind

     
    Comments about Freeplane as an Alternative to FreeMind
    Top Positive Comment
    ab1
    Jan 17, 2022
    2

    Freeplane can open even old .mm files from FreeMind.

    Most Recent Comment
    luupr
    Positive Jun 17, 2025
    0

    FreeMind seem unmaintained and Freeplane is directly compatible but much more professional.

    RemovedUser
    Mar 15, 2022
    0

    Their interface is slow under my Linux because of using Java

    Show more comments
    3 of 7 comments
    FreeMind Icon
    Freeplane icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Freeplane is a great FreeMind alternative.

    • Freeplane is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to FreeMind.

    • Freeplane is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to FreeMind.

    • Freeplane is Free and Open SourceFreeMind is also Free and Open Source
  2. Xmind icon
     395 likes
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    Cross-platform mind mapping and brainstorming tool offering multi-language support, real-time collaboration, visual templates, markdown and audio notes, cloud sync, device compatibility, file export, and regular feature updates for diverse productivity needs.

    119 Xmind alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • SG flagSingapore

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Mind Mapping
    2.  Brainstorming
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Knowledge Management
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Handwritten Notes
    7.  Import/Export OPML Feeds
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  Real time collaboration
    10.  Hierarchical Structure
    11.  Portable
    12.  No Tracking

    Xmind VS FreeMind

     
    • Most users think Xmind is a great FreeMind alternative.

    • Xmind is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to FreeMind.

    • Xmind is Freemium and ProprietaryFreeMind is Free and Open Source
    • Xmind is Privacy focusedFreeMind is not according to our users
  3. TreeSheets icon
     141 likes
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    A "hierarchical spreadsheet" that is a great replacement for spreadsheets, mind mappers, outliners, PIMs, text editors and small databases.

    50 TreeSheets alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Mind Mapping
    3.  Nested Notes
    4.  List management
    5.  Freeform notes
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Outliner
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  Kanban Board
    12.  No registration required

    TreeSheets VS FreeMind

     
    Comments about TreeSheets as an Alternative to FreeMind
    Guest
    Positive Feb 14, 2020
    0

    Multi layered, rapid single page layout and design tool with comprehensive hot-key support.

    FreeMind Icon
    TreeSheets icon
    • Most users think TreeSheets is a great FreeMind alternative.

    • TreeSheets is Free and Open SourceFreeMind is also Free and Open Source
    • TreeSheets is LightweightFreeMind is not according to our users
  4. Obsidian Canvas icon
     29 likes
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    A plugin to make your canvas work like a mindmap.

    15 Obsidian Canvas alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Visual Pinboard
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  File Tagging
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Built-in viewer
    10.  Infinite canvas

    Obsidian Canvas VS FreeMind

     
  5. Mindomo icon
     154 likes
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    Mindomo is the easiest online software for creating mind maps, concept maps, outlines and various other types of diagrams. The following features make it the perfect choice both for business and education:

    129 Mindomo alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • RO flagRomania
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Firefox

    Top Mindomo Features

    1.  Gantt-charts
    2.  Real time collaboration
    3.  Cloud Sync
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Built-in Note Taker
    6.  Online collaboration
    7.  Sorting by folder
    8.  Planning
    9.  Outliner
    10. Google Drive icon  Google Drive integration
    11.  Export to PDF
    12.  Backup to Google Drive

    Mindomo VS FreeMind

     
    • Almost everyone thinks Mindomo is a great FreeMind alternative.

    • Mindomo is the most popular SaaS alternative to FreeMind.

    • Mindomo is Freemium and ProprietaryFreeMind is Free and Open Source
  6. Whimsical icon
     31 likes
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    Whimsical is a collaborative visual workspace for creating flowcharts, wireframes, virtual sticky notes, and more!.

    56 Whimsical alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online

    Top Whimsical Features

    1.  Mind Map view
    2.  Real time collaboration
    3.  Visual planning
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  No Coding Required
    7.  AI-Powered
    8.  UX Design
    9.  Flow Chart
    10.  Visual-thinking
    11.  Flow diagram visualisation

    Whimsical VS FreeMind

     
  7. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) is a mind-mapping and concept-mapping tool. It is also a non-linear presentation program.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Discontinued

    The project seems no longer developed. Last version, 3.3.0, released in October 2015, can be still downloaded from the official website and from GitHub.

    Visual Understanding Environment Features

    1.  Java IDE
    2.  Non linear presentation
    3.  Concept Mapping

    Visual Understanding Environment VS FreeMind

     
  8. vym icon
     28 likes
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    VYM (View Your Mind) is a tool to generate and manipulate maps which show your thoughts. Such maps can help you to improve your creativity and effectivity. You can use them for time management, to organize tasks, to get an overview over complex contexts, to sort your ideas etc.

    90 vym alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak

    vym Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Concept Mapping
    3.  Inline editing

    vym VS FreeMind

     
  9. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Mind mapping software with AI for generating ideas, infinite canvas, over 10 import/export formats, personalized layouts, real-time collaboration, Gantt charts, and encryption. Perfect for brainstorming, project planning, and knowledge management across platforms.

    80 Wondershare EdrawMind alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CN flagChina

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet

    Wondershare EdrawMind Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Hierarchical Structure
    4.  Real time collaboration
    5.  AI-Powered

    Wondershare EdrawMind VS FreeMind

     
9 of 22 FreeMind alternatives