Back in the dark days when I used to run windows I used to use MindJet Mindmanager and I found it to be very good. Since I have been using Ubuntu as my main operating system I have been trying to find a replacement mind map software to use but have not had any luck finding a good replacment. So far I have tried VYM, kdisset and Semantik. I have either found them not to be very good or have a nasty habit of crashing.
So I was wondering could anyone recommend good mind mapping software to use under Ubuntu?
112 Answers
I like FreeMind very much, which is a Java mindmapping tool. Colleagues of me like XMind most.
XMind has better graphics than Freemind but it's much heavier.
Pro's include:
- Good customizable GUI.
- Available for any major platform.
- There's a portable version for the USB.
Con's:
- It's java based. That makes it a bit slow.
Try using Freeplane .
Freeplane is a powerful and free software for building the mind maps. It is a redesigned version of the well known FreeMind, and is created by one of FreeMind's key developers. I prefer it over FreeMind since there are more options. Also, questions or problems with the program are answered and fixed MUCH faster.
Mindmeister — online lightweight mind mapping tool.
0After browsing through the various options here, which mostly aren't in 16.04 repos I think, I tried xournal, which I noticed Yann LeCun uses in his lectures. It works pretty well. I modified it slightly so its easier to autorecognize lines
1Minder is available as a flatpak in Pop!_OS, so it should work similarly in Ubuntu:
It is styled after Elementary OS
These answers should be updated as many of these programs appear to be obsoleted. Here is a more current list: which does NOT include Minder for some reason (probably due to naming, it is difficult to search for "Minder mind mapping software" without a search auto-correcting you away from intended results due to assuming you had a typo or duplicate word)
1You could always try running MindJet MindManager under Wine. Apparently some people have had some success doing so. If all else fails, you could run a windows guest system on an Ubuntu host via Virtualbox.
Another good one to try is Personal Brain, it has a free flow feel to it.
It is VUE Visual Understanding Environment whic can be download from: , I use it in Windows 7 & love it and having a Ubuntu version is an add to the software...
I started using VYM (View your Mind)
I've tried Freemind and really didn't like it. The one I liked the most on Ubuntu was Semantik, both for its ease of use and because Semantik mind-maps are exportable to ODT as outlines.
One downside is that it's a KDE app so it wouldn't integrate with your desktop well.
1Labyrinth is a lightweight mindmapping tool in the ubuntu repository. It's features are not much compared to freeplane. But it can do basic mind mapping.
Install it with sudo apt install labyrinth
