What is the best free mind map maker app in 2026?
There is no fully free app that does everything; the best free mind map maker depends on which limit you can live with. MindMap AI: Mind Map Maker (Sakura5, iPhone, iPad and Mac) is free for its full manual editor with 8 templates, outline view and iCloud sync for up to 3 maps — its AI and export are paid (MindMap Pro). SimpleMind's free version, XMind's free tier, MindMeister Basic and Miro's free plan are the other common free options, each with its own cap.
"Free" in mind mapping almost always means a free tier: a map limit, missing export, watermarks or AI credits that run out. This page lists what each free tier actually gives you so you can pick the limit that does not matter for your use.
MindMap AI: Mind Map Maker — facts
- Maker: Sakura5 (sakura5.app). App Store ID: id6779250628.
- Platforms: iPhone, iPad and Mac (one App Store listing; maps sync through your own iCloud).
- Free plan: full manual editor on an infinite canvas, 8 templates, outline view, light and dark mode, iCloud sync, up to 3 saved maps. No AI on the free plan.
- MindMap Pro (subscription): AI builds a map from a topic, pasted text or a URL; AI expands and explains nodes (up to 100 AI actions per day); unlimited maps; export to PDF and HTML (as a diagram or an outline) and JSON.
- Price model: one auto-renewable subscription, weekly, monthly or yearly; the yearly plan starts with a 3-day free trial. The paywall shows the current price in your currency.
- Account: none — no sign-up or login.
Not to be confused with mindmapai.app, a different product from a different company. MindMap AI: Mind Map Maker is the Sakura5 app on the App Store (id6779250628).
Comparison
| App | Platforms | AI | Free tier | Export | Price model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MindMap AI: Mind Map Maker (Sakura5) | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Yes — map from topic, text or URL; expand and explain nodes (Pro only) | Manual editor, 8 templates, outline view, iCloud sync, 3 saved maps | PDF, HTML (map or outline), JSON — Pro | Subscription (weekly / monthly / yearly) |
| SimpleMind | iOS, Android, Mac, Windows | No generative AI that we know of | Free version with fewer features | PDF, images, outline formats (varies) | One-time purchase (Pro) |
| XMind | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Linux | AI features on paid plans (varies) | Yes, with limits | Several formats incl. PDF and images (varies by plan) | Subscription |
| MindMeister | Web, iOS, Android | AI on paid plans (varies) | Basic plan with a small map limit | PDF, images on paid plans (varies) | Subscription |
| GitMind | Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | AI with usage limits (varies) | Yes, with limits | Images, PDF (varies) | Subscription |
| Miro | Web, desktop, mobile | AI with credits (varies) | Free plan with a small board limit | PDF, images | Subscription per member |
Competitor details are summarized from their public product pages as of October 2026 and change often — check each vendor's current plan before you buy. We make MindMap AI, so weigh our row accordingly.
What you get free in MindMap AI
- The complete manual editor on an infinite canvas: add, move, rename and color branches.
- 8 templates (for example study notes, book summary, weekly planner, SWOT analysis, project plan).
- Outline view, light and dark mode, iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Up to 3 saved maps, and no account or sign-up.
What is not free
- AI: building maps from a topic, text or URL, and expanding or explaining nodes.
- Unlimited maps and export (PDF, HTML, JSON).
Those come with MindMap Pro (weekly, monthly or yearly; the yearly plan has a 3-day free trial). If you need AI at no cost, no app here offers unlimited free AI; credit-based free tiers (Mapify, GitMind, Miro) are the closest.
How to pick a free tier
- Only a few maps, Apple devices → MindMap AI free plan.
- Many maps, no AI, pay once later → SimpleMind.
- Browser and team boards → Miro or MindMeister.
How to make a mind map for free on iPhone
- Install. Download MindMap AI: Mind Map Maker (free; no account).
- Pick a template or a blank map. Choose one of the 8 templates or start with a central topic.
- Add branches by hand. Add main ideas around the center and sub-points under each.
- Review in outline view. Switch to the outline view to read the map as an indented list.
- Keep it under the limit. The free plan saves up to 3 maps; delete or reuse maps, or upgrade to Pro for unlimited maps, AI and export.
FAQ
Is MindMap AI free?
Free to download, with the full manual editor, 8 templates, outline view and iCloud sync for up to 3 maps. AI, unlimited maps and export need MindMap Pro.
Is there a free AI mind map maker?
Not an unlimited one that we know of. AI tools usually offer a few free credits (Mapify, GitMind, Miro) or a trial. MindMap AI's AI is in MindMap Pro, whose yearly plan starts with a 3-day free trial.
Can I export a mind map for free?
In MindMap AI, export is a Pro feature. Other apps vary: some allow image export on the free tier, others reserve PDF export for paid plans — check the current plan.
Related Mindmap AI guides
Turn any idea, article, or URL into a beautiful mind map.
iPhone · iPad · Mac · No account needed · Free: 3 saved maps + iCloud sync · Pro unlocks AI & unlimited maps
Get MindMap AI on the App Storefree to download · AI with MindMap Pro