Simple Surface AlternativesMind Mapping & Project Management Tools like Simple Surface

Simple Surface is described as 'If you're planning anything bigger or more complicated, you need a surface! Simple Surface is an agile management tool. Quickly and easily create a surface and spread your ideas out. Add structure. Move things around. Zoom in and out. Use the the space' and is a Mind Mapping tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Simple Surface, not only websites but also apps for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iPad and iPhone apps. The best Simple Surface alternative is Xmind, which is free. Other great sites and apps similar to Simple Surface are Freeplane, FreeMind, Lucidchart and TheBrain.

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Simple Surface alternatives are mainly Mind Mapping Tools but may also be Project Management Tools or Team Collaboration Tools.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Simple Surface.
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If you're planning anything bigger or more complicated, you need a surface! Simple Surface is an agile management tool. Quickly and easily create a surface and spread your ideas out. Add structure. Move things around....

More about Simple Surface
Simple Surface alternatives page was last updated Mar 16, 2020
  1. Xmind icon
     390 likes

    Xmind is a versatile tool for mind mapping and brainstorming available across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms. Widely adopted with over 100 million downloads and a 4.8-star rating, it offers extensive language support and automatic settings adaptation.

    117 Xmind alternatives
    Curated features for you to generate ideas, inspire creativity, and bring efficiency both in work and life.

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    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 iconSimple Surface Icon

    Xmind VS Simple Surface

    Is Xmind a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
    • Xmind is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Simple Surface.

    • Xmind is the most popular free alternative to Simple Surface.

    • Xmind is Freemium and ProprietarySimple Surface is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Xmind is Privacy focusedSimple Surface is not according to our users
  2. Freeplane icon
     248 likes

    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.

    80 Freeplane alternatives
    Freeplane screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    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.  Portable
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Hierarchical Structure
    9. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    10.  Conditional styles
    11.  Shared Nodes
    Freeplane iconSimple Surface Icon

    Freeplane VS Simple Surface

    Is Freeplane a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
    • Freeplane is the most popular Open Source alternative to Simple Surface.

    • Freeplane is Free and Open SourceSimple Surface is Freemium and Proprietary
  3. FreeMind icon
     472 likes

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

    106 FreeMind alternatives
    Example: Computer

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Top FreeMind Features

    1.  Mind Mapping
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Brainstorming
    4.  Simple installation
    5.  Hierarchical Structure
    6.  Distraction-free Writing
    7.  Mind Map view
    8.  Shortcut keys
    9.  Java based
    10.  Knowledge Management
    11.  Minimap
    Discontinued

    Last version from 2016. See https://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/files/

    FreeMind iconSimple Surface Icon

    FreeMind VS Simple Surface

    Is FreeMind a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
  4. Lucidchart icon
     534 likes

    Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform that promotes teamwork through diagramming, collaboration, and data visualization. It serves millions worldwide, offering flowcharts, UML, real-time collaboration, Visio support, and browser access. Designed for innovation and understanding, it integrates easily into work...

    46 Lucidchart alternatives
    Lucidchart Templates and Examples: With hundreds of template examples to choose from, you can start diagramming in no time.

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Top Lucidchart Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Flow Chart
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Export to PDF
    5.  General-purpose diagramming
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Support for @mentions
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  AI-Powered
    10.  Charts
    11.  Scalable UI
    12.  Online collaboration
    Lucidchart iconSimple Surface Icon

    Lucidchart VS Simple Surface

    Is Lucidchart a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
    • Lucidchart is the most popular SaaS alternative to Simple Surface.

    • Lucidchart is Freemium and ProprietarySimple Surface is also Freemium and Proprietary
  5. TheBrain icon
     138 likes

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

    127 TheBrain alternatives
    TheBrain screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

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

    TheBrain Features

    1.  Visual timeline
    2.  Visual-thinking
    3.  Visual bookmarks
    4.  Brainstorming
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  Portable
    7.  Interactive map
    TheBrain iconSimple Surface Icon

    TheBrain VS Simple Surface

    Is TheBrain a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
  6. MindMeister icon
     139 likes

    MindMeister is the market-leader in online mind mapping. Unlike traditional mind mapping tools, MindMeister allows for real-time brainstorming sessions between an unlimited number of users and requires only a standard web browser.

    140 MindMeister alternatives
    MindMeister desktop and mobile

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone

    MindMeister Features

    1.  Cloud Sync
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  Brainstorming
    5.  REST API
    6.  Convert PDF to Word document
    7.  Collaborative writing
    MindMeister iconSimple Surface Icon

    MindMeister VS Simple Surface

    Is MindMeister a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
  7. MindNode icon
     89 likes

    Visual brainstorming tool for quickly capturing and organizing your thoughts and ideas on desktop and mobile.

    86 MindNode alternatives
    MindNode screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Apple Messages

    MindNode Features

    1.  Mind Map view
    2.  Minimap
    3.  Support for Large File
    4.  Brainstorming
    MindNode iconSimple Surface Icon

    MindNode VS Simple Surface

    Is MindNode a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
  8. Coggle icon
     59 likes

    Coggle is a simple, beautiful, powerful way of structuring information. It's designed to help you understand things, and then share your knowledge by arranging your document in the same way that your mind works.

    102 Coggle alternatives
    Coggle screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Cloud Sync
    2.  Real time collaboration
    3.  Online Editing
    4.  Data export/import
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Support for MarkDown
    7. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    8.  Export to PDF
    9.  Brainstorming
    10.  Flow diagram visualisation
    11.  Creativity
    Coggle iconSimple Surface Icon

    Coggle VS Simple Surface

    Is Coggle a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
  9. SimpleMind icon
     47 likes

    Mind mapping helps you organize your thoughts, remember information and generate new ideas. We've created a beautiful, intuitive app, so you can mind map wherever you are and whenever you want.

    95 SimpleMind alternatives
    SimpleMind screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Mind Map view
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Brainstorming
    4.  Kanban Board
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Hierarchical Structure
    9.  No registration required
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  Quick search
    12.  Sync with iCloud
    SimpleMind iconSimple Surface Icon

    SimpleMind VS Simple Surface

    Is SimpleMind a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
  10. Visual Understanding Environment icon
     84 likes

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

    86 Visual Understanding Environment alternatives
    Visual Understanding Environment screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Visual Understanding Environment Features

    1.  Java IDE
    2.  Non linear presentation
    3.  Concept Mapping
    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 iconSimple Surface Icon

    Visual Understanding Environment VS Simple Surface

    Is this a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
  11. TiddlyMap icon
     32 likes

    TiddlyMap is a TiddlyWiki plugin that turns your favourite personal note taking software in a wiki-concept-map hybrid! Yes, you will be able to do both: drawing maps and putting down knowledge in a wiki way.

    73 TiddlyMap alternatives
    TiddlyMap screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Self-Hosted

    TiddlyMap Features

    1.  Cross browser support
    2.  Browser-based
    TiddlyMap iconSimple Surface Icon

    TiddlyMap VS Simple Surface

    Is TiddlyMap a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
    • TiddlyMap is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Simple Surface.

    • TiddlyMap is Free and Open SourceSimple Surface is Freemium and Proprietary
  12. MindManager  icon
     86 likes

    MindManager is a tool for creating mind maps, charts, and diagrams to organize ideas, projects, and processes. It supports freeform thinking and idea organization, meeting management, strategy planning, and data organization.

    86 MindManager alternatives
    MindManager  screenshot 1

    License model

    Platforms

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

    MindManager Features

    1.  Brainstorming
    2.  Knowledge Management
    3. Microsoft Teams icon  Microsoft Teams Integration
    MindManager  iconSimple Surface Icon

    MindManager VS Simple Surface

    Is MindManager a good alternative to Simple Surface?
     
    • MindManager is the most popular commercial alternative to Simple Surface.

    • MindManager is Paid and ProprietarySimple Surface is Freemium and Proprietary
12 of 54 Simple Surface alternatives