Freeplane vs ideaBraid
Freeplane
freeplane.orgideaBraid
ideabraid.comSide by side
| Figure | Freeplane | ideaBraid |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.25/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Spec score · Mind Mapping Software | 8.5 (#18) | 8.9 (#6) |
| Spec score · Mind mapping tools | 8.5 (#21) | 8.8 (#15) |
| AI assistance | Yes | Yes |
| AI providers | The AI setup documentation describes configuring OpenRouter, Gemini, or Ollama as providers. | Users can connect their own Anthropic or OpenAI API key or use a local Ollama model. |
| Export formats | Asciidoc,MediaWiki,Markdown,XBEL,Twiki,PDF,OPML,LaTeX,JPEG,PNG,SVG,XML,XHTML,HTML,Microsoft Excel 2003,Word 2003,Project 2003,OpenOffice,TaskJuggler,Freeplane 1.1 | PNG,SVG,PDF,Markdown,OPML,ICS,CSV |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Offline mode | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | windows,macos,linux | macOS,Windows,Linux |
| Presentation mode | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | Freeplane is a free and open source application for mind mapping and navigating mapped information, aimed at use at work, school, and home. | ideaBraid is a desktop mind-mapping app that turns ideas into plans. |
| Support | Freeplane is a non-commercial project that provides community discussions for feature and usage questions and separate places to report bugs and request features. | The maker offers support by email at [email protected] and says its small team replies fast. |
Plans
ideaBraid
- ReaderFree
- Editor License$59 a month
- Updates renewal$39 a year
- Editor License updates renewal$39 a year
- Editor License$59, paid once
In their own words
ideaBraid
ideaBraid is a desktop mind-mapping app that turns ideas into plans, combining a free-form canvas with seven layout modes such as org chart, timeline, fishbone, radial, and freehand. Map nodes can become tasks, with Board, Gantt, and Dashboard views for dates, assignees, and dependencies. AI commands can break down tasks, expand nodes, summarize branches, or follow freeform instructions. Users can connect an Anthropic or OpenAI API key or use a local Ollama model. Maps are saved as.mind files on the user's device; the maker describes this format as an open zip archive. The app imports Markdown, OPML, XMind, and FreeMind, and exports Markdown, OPML, ICS, CSV, SVG, PNG, and PDF. A browser Reader opens.mind files without installation or uploading them. The Reader is free, while the Editor License is a one-time 59.00 USD purchase and includes one year of updates. Optional updates renewal costs $39 a year. The app runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with offline mode and presentation mode.