Best Open-Source Mind Map Software 2026: 6 Options Compared

Open-source mind mapping offers desktop apps, a web app, and developer libraries, so the best one depends on whether you want to draw maps or build with them. Freeplane and FreeMind are Java desktop programs that run on Windows, macOS and Linux and are both GPL-licensed. FreeMind is the older, simpler of the two, while Freeplane is a fork that adds more features and keeps developing. Minder is a Linux app aimed at elementary OS, packaged as a Flatpak and for several distributions. My Mind is a small MIT-licensed web application you can use online or serve locally. Markmap works from the other direction: you write Markdown and it draws the map, with a VS Code extension for developers. Mind Elixir is a JavaScript library to embed a mind map editor in your own site, so it is for builders rather than note-takers. If you want a normal desktop experience, choose Freeplane. If you take notes in Markdown, use Markmap. If you need mind mapping inside a product, use Mind Elixir. The trade-off is polish and collaboration: none of these has the real-time sharing of paid web apps, so share exports when you need a team to review.

Freeplane

GPL-2.0 Java application for any OS with a current Java runtime. Feature-rich and still developed, though the interface is dense.

Price: Free (Free and open source per its site; runs on any OS with a current Java runtime) (Freeplane pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux (Java). GPL-2.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 4.4k GitHub stars · latest release release-1.13.3 (Jul 14, 2026) · last commit Oct 24, 2026

Best for: Power users on a desktop.

FreeMind

GPL-2.0-or-later, written in Java for Windows, macOS and Linux. Simpler and older than Freeplane, with fewer features but an easy learning curve.

Price: Free (Free software and open source per its wiki) (FreeMind pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux (Java). GPL-2.0-or-later (open source) (license source).

Best for: Straightforward desktop mind maps.

Worth knowing: Wiki states GNU GPL V2+.

Minder

GPL-3.0 app for Linux, packaged as a Flatpak on Flathub and for several distributions. No Windows or macOS builds are mentioned.

Price: Free (Open source and distributed free through Flathub and distro packages; no price stated) (Minder pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Linux. GPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 1.2k GitHub stars · latest release 2.0.9 (Apr 19, 2026) · last commit Oct 26, 2026

Best for: Linux users, especially on elementary OS.

Worth knowing: Aimed at elementary OS; Flatpak and several distro packages. No Windows or macOS build mentioned.

Markmap

MIT-licensed tool that turns Markdown into mind maps, with a web REPL and VS Code extension. The site does not say free in so many words, and shows no price.

Price: Free (Turns Markdown into mind maps; web REPL and VS Code extension; the page shows no price) (Markmap pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web, VS Code, JavaScript library. MIT (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 13.2k GitHub stars · latest release v0.18.0 (Dec 19, 2024) · last commit Sep 12, 2026

Best for: Writers who outline in Markdown.

My Mind

MIT-licensed web app at my-mind.github.io, or run locally on a web server; free to use with optional donations.

Price: Free (README says it is free to use; an optional donate button exists) (My Mind pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web. MIT (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 3.4k GitHub stars · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: A simple browser mind map with no account.

Worth knowing: Web app at my-mind.github.io or served locally from localhost.

Mind Elixir

MIT-licensed, framework-agnostic JavaScript mind map library installed with npm. A developer tool, not a finished app.

Price: Free (Open-source JavaScript mind map core installed with npm; no paid plans shown) (Mind Elixir pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web (JavaScript library). MIT (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 3.2k GitHub stars · latest release v5.15.1 (Aug 5, 2026) · last commit Oct 19, 2026

Best for: Embedding mind maps in your own product.

Worth knowing: A developer library rather than a ready-made app.

Which one to pick

• You want a full-featured desktop app: Freeplane
• You outline in Markdown: Markmap
• You want a quick map in the browser: My Mind
• You are building a product that needs mind maps: Mind Elixir