Open Source TheBrain Alternatives

The best open source alternative to TheBrain is Joplin. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to TheBrain and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to TheBrain are Logseq, Zotero, Freeplane and Turtl.

TheBrain alternatives are mainly Mind Mapping Tools but may also be Note-taking Tools or Todo List Managers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of TheBrain.

This page was last updated

TheBrain

127

Freemium • Proprietary
Mind Mapping Tool

Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad

TheBrain helps you organize all your Web pages, contacts, documents, emails and files in a context-driven visual map.

Learn more about TheBrain

Joplin
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
AppImageHub
Snapcraft
Google Chrome
Flathub
Homebrew
Chocolatey
Termux
Firefox
Cloudron
593 alternatives to Joplin
Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, can be copied, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.
Suggest and vote on features
Joplin Features
1. Support for MarkDownJoplin supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
3. End-to-End EncryptionJoplin has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. Privacy focusedJoplin is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Joplin.
6. Works OfflineJoplin can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Ad-freeJoplin doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Joplin.
9. LightweightJoplin consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Local Storage
Android Sync
Tagging
Encrypted Notes
WebDAV Support
Write files in markdown
Synchronization
Multiplatform
Plugin system
Export to HTML
Joplin vs TheBrain opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Joplin is a simple markdown viewer for note taking. TheBrain can do much much more is a knowledge management, TheBrain has feature like Associative Mapping, Events and Reminders, Mind Map View, Reports, Collaboration, Notes, Web Links, Timeline View, Tags, etc
Negative comment•
6

cachorromuzkiz
its not similar at all.... the brain uses a graphic experience of a mindmap.
Negative comment•
2

Guest
Joplin is a note taking and to-do application. The Brain is a knowledge manager.
Negative comment•
6
Logseq
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
iPad
Self-Hosted
89 alternatives to Logseq
Logseq is a platform for knowledge sharing and management. It focuses on privacy, longevity, and user control. Notice: the backend code will be open-sourced as soon as we’re sure that the backend service meets the security standards.
Suggest and vote on features
Logseq Features
1. Support for MarkDownLogseq supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Works OfflineLogseq can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Ad-freeLogseq doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeLogseq supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Privacy focusedLogseq is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
6. Full-Text SearchLogseq lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
7. Spell CheckingLogseq can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
8. Pomodoro TimerPractice the Pomodoro Technique in Logseq to stay focused and productive.
9. No TrackingLogseq will not track you or use your personal data.
Bidirectional links
Graph view
Outliner
Local Storage
Backlinks
Knowledge base
Knowledge Management
Note organization
Hyperlinks
Wiki
Zotero
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Research Manager
Document Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
iPhone
iPad
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Safari
Microsoft Office Word
Google Drive - Docs
LibreOffice
Firefox
71 alternatives to Zotero
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, share research and cite your research sources directly in your favourite word processor, with 300 MB free online storage.
Suggest and vote on features
Zotero Features
1. Ad-freeZotero doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. PDF annotationZotero support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsZotero can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
5. Support for MarkDownZotero supports MarkDown for document formatting.
6. Privacy focusedZotero is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
7. Full-Text SearchZotero lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Zotero simultaneously.
9. File TaggingZotero can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
Browser integration
LibreOffice Integration
Microsoft Office integration
Knowledge Management
Export to LaTeX
Cross-references
Library Management
WebDAV Support
Google docs integration
Compatible with Microsoft Office
Freeplane
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mind Mapping Tool
Project Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Java
81 alternatives to Freeplane
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Freeplane Features
1. Support for scriptingFreeplane supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. PortableFreeplane can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Works OfflineFreeplane can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Freeplane.
5. Support for LaTeXFreeplane supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
Knowledge Management
Summary Nodes
Project Tracking
Conditional styles
Shared Nodes
Turtl
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
Firefox
180 alternatives to Turtl
Whether it's bookmarks or passwords, files or shopping lists...Turtl organizes it all and makes it easy to find later. Sync across your devices. Leave nothing behind.
Suggest and vote on features
Turtl Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionTurtl has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Support for MarkDownTurtl supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. Privacy focusedTurtl is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Turtl simultaneously.
Encrypted Notes
Sync on many devices
To do lists
Data portability
AES Encryption
Save Attachments
WebExtenion
Android Sync
List management
Password encryption
Discontinued
The last update is from 2019.
FreeMind
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mind Mapping Tool
Project Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
111 alternatives to FreeMind
FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java. The recent development has hopefully turned it into high productivity tool. We are proud that the operation and navigation of FreeMind is faster than that of MindManager because of one-click "fold /...
Suggest and vote on features
FreeMind Features
1. Works OfflineFreeMind can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with FreeMind.
Brainstorming
Simple installation
Distraction-free Writing
Mind Map view
Shortcut keys
Java based
Knowledge Management
Minimap
Discontinued
Last version from 2016. See https://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/files/

FreeMind vs TheBrain opinions
Some users think FreeMind is a great alternative to TheBrain, some don't.
Guest
Absolutely Indescribable!
Positive comment•
0
Athens
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Self-Hosted
Software as a Service (SaaS)
78 alternatives to Athens
The problem with notetaking apps like Evernote or Apple Notes is that once you write a note, after a week you never look at it again. Without any organization, you're stuck praying that search will work for your future self.
Suggest and vote on features
Athens Features
Block reference
Bidirectional links
Knowledge base
Graph view
Outliner
Backlinks
Knowledge Management
Tagging
Discontinued
Athens is no longer being maintained: https://twitter.com/tangjeff0/status/1591139758457389056
MindForger
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
81 alternatives to MindForger
MindForger aims to mimic human mind - learning, recalling, recognizing, associations, forgetting - in order to achieve synergy with your mind to make your searching, reading and writing more productive.
Suggest and vote on features
MindForger Features
1. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with MindForger.
2. Support for MarkDownMindForger supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. Works OfflineMindForger can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. LightweightMindForger consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Dark ModeMindForger supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Outliner
ThinkComposer
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mind Mapping Tool
Windows
214 alternatives to ThinkComposer
Create deep visual documents, adaptable and multi-level diagrams, flowcharts, concept maps, mind maps and models.
Suggest and vote on features
ThinkComposer Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsThinkComposer can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Fluxograms
Discontinued
It hasn't been updated since 2015.
WebCrate
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Bookmark Manager
Online
Deta
121 alternatives to WebCrate
Group, organize and share links from around the web with WebCrate. It's more than just a bookmarking tool.
Suggest and vote on features
WebCrate Features
1. Ad-freeWebCrate doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Dark ModeWebCrate supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Privacy focusedWebCrate is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Progressive Web App
FOSS
Active Development
Bookmarking
Bookmarks