Mindmapping is a brainstorming technique that allows you to solve problems and explore ideas!
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a MM app that allows me to
(a) create mindmaps either with windows (10) or android
(b) open and edit the mindmap on w10 as well as android
(c) save/sync the mindmap on my local storage (NAS)
(update - added point d) not get stuck with solution. I.e. be able to export to commonly accepted mm formats or just be a free solution in itself (not freemium as Xmind that bills you 40€/6month for adding images and links... ?!)
It can also be a combination of different apps: e.g. Freemind on Windows 10 and another app on Android, that allows to edit freemind maps.
Purpose is to create confidential MindMaps that I can work with on multiple devices without having to upload them to the internet. This effectively excludes all subscription based apps.
It would also be great, if the tool is open source/ FOSS. But that's just a added bonus (devs need to eat as well). However, a free trial would then be great.
Does anyone know a solution?
I could not find a tool for android, yet, that can open for example a FreeMind Map. XMind for example allows to import mindmaps, but then they're transfered to XMind cloud.
Any help appreciated.
Thank you!
AKA_lias
So just to update everyone:
I've done some more digging. There are some viable solutions out there, but most have problems regarding closed eco-system. This seems to be a major problem in mm landscape. As the *.mm / *opml format seems to be regarded as "fallback" standard for export, but if you export from a proprietary app, you usually have loss of critical information when you re import in another app (no icons, nodes, lost positioning, coloring etc.).
Even the premier app - simplemind pro - has this issue when you export to *mm.
Thus one needs to stay with the same provider for truely usable cross device functionality.
However, there are some solutions that at least hint at future-proof export capabilty. From my point of view this is currently simple mind pro as well as mimind for android. The later not supporting *.mm export yet, but their offering is even free really good. XMind is as android app just a basic shadow of itself and nut really of value compared to simplemind/mimind.
Here's another overview a reddit user wrote a year ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/androidapps/comments/ati2os/advice_needed_looking_for_freeplane_mind_mapping/
Ahh and not to forget: there's a broweser based open source solution (m3 - mobile mind mapper) that runs in your browser cash and is absolutely cross platform: https://github.com/glenreesor/m3
Still, I hope that solutions such as DroidPlane or Z Mind add editing functionality to their capabilities.
Creating complex mind maps is a true committment - if its a topic that is relevant for years to you, you need to make a wise choice. Currently for android I only see simplemind pro. Still, when exporting, you will need to invest some time to regain your previous formatting etc.
Hope that helps, cheers
As long as your NAS is able to be connected to both Windows and Android devices, I see no reason why xMind would not work. It may take some additional steps when opening, etc. and it offers some additional features and support compared to Freemind, etc.
Xmind does not get the job done for multiple reasons:
(a) It cannot access my NAS (dont know why, any other app can)
(b) it can only work with xmind files which eliminates the possibility to work with open source formats (i get stuck in xmind eco system... or which other mm app can import word, excel or text bundle file formats as mind map?)
(c) its over priced. I dont need their cloud etc features - do they even offer cloud? And adding images, links and word export for 39 / 6 month? No sir.
I am sure there is a cheaper solution around (non subscription) to my use case. I cannot be the only one....?
Mindset I think it is the best app for MM. Its expensive though.
Sorry - couldn't find an app called Mindset? Would you mind linking it?
It’s Mindjet, not mindset (damn you auto correct). I think it is the oldest mind mapping software out there. It’s very versatile and encompasses most of the features of mind maps apps. One of the features I like is converting MMs to documents. So you have your main ideas as titles and sub ideas as points
I found this site which helped when I was looking for one to meet my needs. Good luck.
https://www.informationtamers.com/WikIT/index.php?title=Which_is_the_best_mindmapping_software%3F
really good resource - thank you for sharing!
It does not categorize tools in regard to compatibility (export/ import formats etc.) but's its still very valuable. Thumbs up
Try SimpleMind.