OSI-licensed open source
Mind mapping software lays out ideas as a branching diagram for brainstorming, note taking and planning. Open-source tools give you files you own, no subscriptions and, for some, libraries you can embed in your own apps.
The tools below span desktop applications (Freeplane, Minder, Heimer), a Markdown-to-mind-map tool (Markmap), JavaScript libraries for developers (Mind Elixir, jsMind) and an open-source whiteboard with mind maps (Drawnix). Every licence was read from the repository this run.
Tools, licences and pricing checked against vendor and repository pages on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeplane | Power users who want a feature-rich desktop mind mapper | Free, open source | GPL-2.0 |
| Minder | Linux desktop users, especially elementary OS | Free, open source | GPL-3.0 |
| Markmap | Developers who write notes in Markdown | Free, open source | MIT |
| Mind Elixir | Embedding mind maps in web apps | Free, open source | MIT |
| jsMind | Lightweight embedded mind maps | Free, open source | BSD-3-Clause |
| Heimer | Simple cross-platform desktop mapping | Free, open source | GPL-3.0 |
| Drawnix | Whiteboarding with mind maps and diagrams | Free, open source | MIT |
Best for: Power users who want a feature-rich desktop mind mapper · Free, open source
Freeplane is a free open-source application for mind mapping, knowledge management and project management.
Best for: Linux desktop users, especially elementary OS · Free, open source
Minder is a mind-mapping application for elementary OS.
Best for: Developers who write notes in Markdown · Free, open source
Markmap builds mind maps from plain text by visualizing Markdown.
Best for: Embedding mind maps in web apps · Free, open source
Mind Elixir is a framework-agnostic JavaScript mind map core.
Best for: Lightweight embedded mind maps · Free, open source
jsMind is a mind mapping library built in JavaScript.
Best for: Simple cross-platform desktop mapping · Free, open source
Heimer is a simple cross-platform mind map, diagram and note-taking tool written in Qt.
Best for: Whiteboarding with mind maps and diagrams · Free, open source
Drawnix is an open-source whiteboard that combines mind map, flowchart and freehand tools in one app.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Full-featured desktop mind mapper | Freeplane |
| Mind maps from Markdown | Markmap |
| Embed in a web app | Mind Elixir, jsMind |
| Whiteboard plus diagrams | Drawnix |
| Simple Linux or cross-platform app | Minder, Heimer |
Quick answers to common questions
Freeplane is the most feature-rich desktop option on this list.
Yes, Markmap converts Markdown into interactive mind maps.
Mind Elixir and jsMind are JavaScript libraries designed for embedding.
No. The Mindmapp repository is archived, and WiseMapping uses its own licence that is not an OSI licence.
List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this guide.
