Open Source Xmind AlternativesTop Mind Mapping Tools and other similar apps like Xmind

The best open source alternative to Xmind is FreeMind. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Xmind and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Xmind are LibreOffice - Draw, Freeplane, TreeSheets and Obsidian Canvas.

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Xmind alternatives are mainly Mind Mapping Tools, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Diagram Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows + Free. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Xmind.
Xmind iconXmind
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Cross-platform mind mapping and brainstorming app with support for multiple languages, collaboration, diagram templates, cloud sync, and export options.

More about Xmind
More about Xmind
Xmind alternatives page was last updated Jun 10, 2025
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  1. FreeMind icon

    FreeMind

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

    106 FreeMind alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Example: Computer
    Discontinued

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

    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

    FreeMind VS Xmind

     
    Comments about FreeMind as an Alternative to Xmind
    Guest
    Negative Sep 22, 2017
    4

    Awkward to use, can't paste material from other apps

    Guest
    Positive Nov 20, 2018
    1

    The GUI is a little outdated, but powerful free alternative to XMind. I also defined custom shortcuts (which is possible in the app), which made life a lot easier! If you just want to make a MindMap, and do not mind the way it looks, this is the free alternative to XMind you're looking for!

    Xmind Icon
    FreeMind icon

    • Most users think FreeMind is a great Xmind alternative.

    • FreeMind is the most popular Open Source alternative to Xmind.

    • FreeMind is Free and Open SourceXmind is Freemium and Proprietary
  2. LibreOffice - Draw icon

    LibreOffice - Draw

     303 likes
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    Draw lets you produce anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan, and gives you the means to communicate with graphics and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, Draw is a an excellent package for producing technical drawings, general posters, and much else.

    95 LibreOffice - Draw alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    LibreOffice - Draw screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Export to PDF
    2.  Portable
    3.  Sequence Diagrams
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Support for Layers
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Auto Layout
    9.  WYSIWYG Support
    10.  RAW Photo Editors
    11.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    12.  Import CSV Data

    LibreOffice - Draw VS Xmind

     
    Comments about LibreOffice - Draw as an Alternative to Xmind
    Golfy038
    Negative Mar 21, 2023
    3

    Even if Draw is a great tool, it's as easy to create mind map than real dedicated tools. You have to draw each symbols (size, position, text) and links by yourself.

    Xmind Icon
    LibreOffice - Draw icon
    • LibreOffice - Draw is Free and Open SourceXmind is Freemium and Proprietary
    • LibreOffice - Draw is LightweightXmind is not according to our users
  4. Freeplane icon

    Freeplane

     251 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.

    80 Freeplane alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Java
    Freeplane screenshot 1

    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 VS Xmind

     
    Comments about Freeplane as an Alternative to Xmind
    Guest
    Negative Sep 22, 2017
    3

    Hard to move and reconnect nodes, awkward UI

    Xmind Icon
    Freeplane icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Freeplane is a great Xmind alternative.

    • Freeplane is Free and Open SourceXmind is Freemium and Proprietary
  5. TreeSheets icon

    TreeSheets

     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

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    TreeSheets screenshot 1

    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 Xmind

     
  6. Obsidian Canvas icon

    Obsidian Canvas

     29 likes
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    A plugin to make your canvas work like a mindmap.

    15 Obsidian Canvas alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Obsidian Canvas screenshot 1

    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 Xmind

     
  7. Visual Understanding Environment icon

    Visual Understanding Environment

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

    87 Visual Understanding Environment alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Visual Understanding Environment screenshot 1
    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 Xmind

     
  9. TiddlyMap icon

    TiddlyMap

     33 likes
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    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Self-Hosted
    TiddlyMap screenshot 1

    TiddlyMap Features

    1.  Cross browser support
    2.  Browser-based

    TiddlyMap VS Xmind

     
    Comments about TiddlyMap as an Alternative to Xmind
    Guest
    Positive Dec 4, 2016
    2

    It allows you to describe complex topics in a wiki way. It does not require a central topic.

    Xmind Icon
    TiddlyMap icon
    • TiddlyMap is Free and Open SourceXmind is Freemium and Proprietary
  10. Minder icon

    Minder

     15 likes
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    What is Minder? Minder is a mind-mapping application with many features that make it ideal for capturing, organizing and visualizing your ideas. Minder has automatic node layout features.

    16 Minder alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Minder screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Mind Mapping
    2.  Built-in themes
    3.  Export to CSV
    4.  Export to PDF
    5.  Export to SVG
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Hierarchical Structure

    Minder VS Xmind

     
    Comments about Minder as an Alternative to Xmind
    mbnoimi
    Positive Nov 30, 2020
    1

    It's open source product under active development.

    Golfy038
    Positive Mar 21, 2023
    0

    Minder works only for Linux, but it has many advantages : if many sub-nodes are converted to tasks, then main node would have a pie with each ended tasks. It could export as PDF, CVS, PNG, MM, MarkDown, Text and others formats.

    Xmind Icon
    Minder icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Minder is a great Xmind alternative.

    • Minder is Free and Open SourceXmind is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Minder is LightweightXmind is not according to our users
  11. vym icon

    vym

     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

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    vym screenshot 1

    vym Features

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

    vym VS Xmind

     
  12. WiseMapping icon

    WiseMapping

     32 likes
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    Wise Mapping is the web mind mapping tool that leverages the power of Mind Maps HTML5 and SVG. Users will be able to create and read their mind maps from everywhere whenever its needed. Once you have your mind map created the features that distinguish WiseMapping appears: Embed...

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • BR flagBrazil

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Java
    WiseMapping screenshot 1

    WiseMapping VS Xmind

     
  13. ThinkComposer icon

    ThinkComposer

     40 likes
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    Create deep visual documents, adaptable and multi-level diagrams, flowcharts, concept maps, mind maps and models.

    165 ThinkComposer alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • ES flagSpain
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Editing a Business Process diagram
    Discontinued

    It hasn't been updated since 2015.

    ThinkComposer Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Fluxograms

    ThinkComposer VS Xmind

     
  14. Mindolph icon

    Mindolph

     5 likes
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    • Create and manage your own files in separate workspaces with saving in your local storage, which means you have full control of your knowledge compared to cloud solutions.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • JavaFX
    • Java
    Mind map in light mode

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  No Coding Required
    5.  Built-in viewer
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Full-Text Search

    Mindolph VS Xmind

     
12 of 25 Xmind alternatives