MindMeister vs Xmind

MindMeister is a browser-first mapper from MeisterLabs GmbH, with data hosted in Germany and prices in euros per user. Xmind is a downloadable desktop app with local files, cloud sync and mobile apps, priced in dollars per month. MindMeister allows unlimited collaborators even on its free plan, while Xmind keeps unlimited collaborative maps for Premium. Xmind has the higher free map cap, 10 against 3, and one subscription covers several devices. The decision is team sharing against personal multi-device use.

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Both are reviewed in full in our mind mapping software ranking: MindMeister and Xmind.

1. 01

   Seat price against monthly sticker

   MindMeister charges 6 euros for Personal, 10 euros for Pro and 15 euros for Business, per user per month excluding VAT. Xmind shows Pro at $4.92 and Premium at $8.25 per month, taken from a monthly or yearly toggle. Xmind looks cheaper on the sticker. The billing bases and currencies differ, so a like-for-like total depends on team size and billing period.

   Edge: Xmind

2. 02

   What the free plan really gives

   MindMeister's free plan allows 3 mind maps, 500 Meister AI credits per user each month and unlimited collaborators. Xmind's free plan allows 10 manually created online maps, 3-day version history, up to 5 Pitch slides and 50 AI credits at sign-up. Solo users get more maps at Xmind, and teams get more sharing at MindMeister. The pages we read show no trial for either vendor's free plan, since both are simply free.

   Depends on the buyer

3. 03

   Sharing a map with colleagues

   MindMeister opens collaboration to unlimited collaborators on every plan, and Business adds group sharing. At Xmind, Free allows 3 sheets per collaborative map and Pro offers basic collaboration on 50 maps. Unlimited collaborative maps and sheets arrive only with Premium. Teams who need sharing from day one pay less to start at MindMeister. Sharing beyond that is a plan decision at Xmind rather than a default.

   Edge: MindMeister

4. 04

   Where the files are kept

   Xmind provides a downloadable desktop app with files stored locally, plus cloud sync through a web app at app.xmind.com. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and one Pro or Premium subscription covers 5 computers and 5 mobile devices. MindMeister describes an online mapper with data hosted in Germany, and the homepage does not mention a local-file app. Xmind also names real-time team collaboration and integrations with other tools among its functions.

   Edge: Xmind

5. 05

   AI credits and history

   MindMeister gives 500, 2,000 and 5,000 monthly AI credits across Free, Personal and Pro, and unlimited on Business. Version history runs 7 days on Personal, with unlimited history from Pro. Xmind gives 50 AI credits at sign-up on Free and 500 a month on Premium, with 30-day history there. MindMeister is the more generous on both counts. Credits are monthly, so heavy users should count them.

   Edge: MindMeister

6. 06

   Trial, refunds and who runs it

   Xmind offers a 7-day Premium trial on yearly plans only, refunds yearly web purchases within 7 days and does not refund monthly plans. Its terms name Supermind Pte. Limited and Singapore law, with no registered country shown. MindMeister is a service of MeisterLabs GmbH in Vaterstetten, Germany, and its pricing page names no trial or refund terms. The comparison on support terms is therefore thin.

   Depends on the buyer

Which one can I try on a paid tier before committing?

Xmind offers a 7-day free trial of Premium, valid only on yearly subscriptions. MindMeister's pricing page names no free trial for paid plans. Its free plan stays at 0 euros with 3 maps.

Does either allow Word or PowerPoint exports?

MindMeister's homepage lists export to PDF, Word and PowerPoint, and its Pro plan adds Microsoft exports. The Xmind pages we read do not list export formats. Check the Xmind app before relying on it.

Are there discounts for schools or charities?

Xmind says discounts for non-profits, government and NGOs go through sales@xmind.com, and its Education plan is linked but not priced. MindMeister's pricing page mentions a yearly saving of up to 16 percent. The pages we read show no charity discount for MindMeister.

• MindMeister pricing: euro tiers, 3-map free plan, credit amounts, version history, unlimited collaborators, group sharing and the 16 percent yearly saving.
• MindMeister homepage: hosting in Germany and PDF, Word and PowerPoint export.
• MeisterLabs imprint: MeisterLabs GmbH at Zugspitzstrasse 2, Vaterstetten.
• Xmind pricing: dollar prices, free-plan limits, 5 computers and 5 mobile devices, 7-day trial, refund terms and discount contact.
• Xmind home: the desktop app with local files and cloud sync at app.xmind.com.
• Xmind terms: Supermind Pte. Limited as operator and Singapore governing law.