XMind

4.0 stars

"very useful MindMapping tool, one of the best available"

May 2, 2011  |   By gregoirealex

Version: XMind 3.2.1

Pros

Free version is already very useful
Stable
Lots of nice features

Cons

Still a few things to fix but nothing serious

Summary

An excellent deal if you're looking for a free Mind Mapping tool

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2.0 stars

"tested free version. very good, except for export"

December 20, 2010  |   By thamcore

Version: XMind 3.2.1

Pros

even the free version has most bells and whistles you'll ever need

Cons

export is extremely poor. when you export the map looses all its structure, no tabs, no indents, just a long list of all the items. It is so bad that I don't dare buying the paying version

Summary

Normally, if a like a free program, even if the paying version is not different from the free version, I pay or donate for it so that the makers can keep up their good work.

But in the case of Xmind the export is so bad I would not dare buying the pro version.
It is possible that exporting with the paying version is much better, but then Xmind is shooting in its own foot, by not giving the potential buyer a better idea of what the program really looks like.
It is OK for me if Xmind keeps most exporting choices for the pro version, but their should be at least one that gives at least an impression of what it can do.

Updated on Dec 21, 2010

I contacted XMIND.
EXTREMELY POSITIVE POINT: their customer service is EXCELLENT and very FAST! This is so rare nowadays that I'd like to add a star for this.
They offered me a one month trial of the PRO (= paying version).
I tried it out.
I can export the map perfectly now to pdf and jpg etc...
However, when I want to export the content it puts it all in one huge list. The map looses all its structure, no tabs, no indents, just a long list of all the items.
Since a mindmap's goal is to structure your ideas it is a pity that the structure is lost when you want to export the outline.

conclusion:
good program
1. if you do not to export the content in an ordered way other than the map itself
2. if you use it intensively enough to pay for a yearly subscription instead of buying the software

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2.0 stars

"This product may use"

September 17, 2010  |   By kuromitsu_s

Version: XMind 3.2

Pros

I want to use this product on business

Cons

I dont know yet

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3.0 stars

"Don't upgrade; just use the free edition"

August 21, 2010  |   By LuthersMill

Version: XMind 3.1.1

Pros

Not nearly as good or robust as SmartDraw but it will get the job done. Especially when you consider "free". Easy to use; intuitive. You can link pages and create "relationships" which I have not seen in other mind mapping software.

Cons

So, you create a wonderful mind map. Now what can you do with it. You can look at it. That's about it unless you upgrade to the PRO edition. Only then can you export/share/email your maps. I upgraded. Didn't like. They do no provide refunds.

Summary

Fine for free but don't upgrade. It's just not worth it.

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5.0 stars

"Sweetness in a program"

February 20, 2010  |   By gmontelaro

Version: XMind 3.1.1

Pros

Easy to use, can learn in about 45 minutes, Very intuitive

Cons

Yo no se' senior

Summary

Its perfect for planning out anything your can think of!

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5.0 stars

"free version is better than anything else out there"

February 2, 2010  |   By MarlowK

Version: XMind 3.1.1

Pros

Contextualized menus, drag and drop, very intuitive overall. Compared to other free mind maps, this is head and shoulders better!

Cons

Really none that I can think of.

Summary

I don't understand how this can be free. And you get SO much more with the PRO version. I don't need it, but I'd readily shell out $49 for software as good as this.

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