SimpleMind

Active

Country: Netherlands (NL)
Founded: 2009
Developer: ModelMaker Tools (Netherlands)
Pricing: Freemium (free lite version; one-time Pro purchase per platform)
Open source: No
Platforms: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

Indexes

Mind Mapping

Overview

SimpleMind is a cross-platform mind mapping application that enables users to organize thoughts, capture ideas, and generate new concepts through visual hierarchical maps. It supports free-form layouts and auto-layouts, allowing placement of topics anywhere or structured arrangements, with features for adding images, notes, links, and checkboxes. Targeted at individuals for brainstorming, note-taking, and learning, it stands out with its intuitive interface, no-subscription one-time purchases per platform, and consistent updates over 15 years.

Key Features

Intuitive Mind Mapping - Easily add, reorganize, and restructure topics with drag-and-drop functionality.
Free-Form Layout - Place topics anywhere manually for flexible organization.
Auto Layouts - Seven additional auto-layout schemes for structured brainstorming.
Customization - Add images, icons, labels, notes, links, checkboxes, and apply 15+ style sheets.
Sharing - Export mind maps as PDF or other formats.
Crosslinks and Relations - Create connections between non-hierarchical topics with various line types.
Autofocus - Block distractions to focus on specific map sections.
Outline View - Switch to hierarchical text outline for editing.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	Free	Limited functionality on iOS and Android: basic mapping, free-form/auto layouts, images/icons/labels/checkboxes, PDF export, no ads.
Pro	One-time purchase per platform	Full functionality on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android: all free features plus advanced layouts, more styles, crosslinks, notes, cloud sync.
30-Day Trial	Free	Full Pro functionality trial on macOS and Windows, no ads.

Platforms & Requirements

Available on macOS, Windows, iOS (iPad/iPhone), and Android; requires separate Pro purchase per platform for full features. Minimum requirements not specified in sources; supports cross-device map opening with Pro via cloud sync. No web or Linux version mentioned.

Integrations & Ecosystem

Cloud sync for cross-device access (e.g., open maps on phone, tablet, desktop)
Export to PDF
Links to documents and webpages
Import/export mind map files (.smmx format across platforms)

Alternatives

App	Difference
XMind	Offers more templates and presentation modes but requires subscriptions for some features.
MindMeister	Web-based with real-time collaboration, subscription model unlike SimpleMind's one-time purchase.
FreeMind	Open-source and free but lacks mobile apps and modern UI polish.
Lucidchart	Stronger diagramming beyond mind maps with team collaboration, higher pricing.

Reputation

SimpleMind receives positive feedback for its intuitive interface, flexible free-form layouts, and usable free version without ads or registration. Users appreciate the one-time purchase model and cross-platform consistency, with high ratings like 4.5/5 on the App Store from thousands of reviews. Criticisms include needing separate purchases per platform and limited advanced collaboration features compared to web-based competitors.

Sources (9)