FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java. The recent development has hopefully turned it into high productivity tool. We are proud that the operation and navigation of FreeMind is faster than that of MindManager because of one-click 'fold / unfold' and 'follow link' operations.

Freeplane is a free and open source software application that supports thinking, sharing information and getting things done at work, in school and at home. The software can be used for mind mapping and analyzing the information contained in mind maps. Freeplane runs on any operating system that has a current version of Java installed. It can be run locally or portably from removable storage like a USB drive.

2017. Freemind - free MindNode alternative
FreeMind is an open source mind-mapping software that competes with MindNode and other similar solutions. FreeMind uses the familiar system of points (or nodes, as they're known in FreeMind) branching out from a central topic, with further nodes splitting off each of these. However, FreeMind really comes into its own with its click-and-drag interface for quick editing, plus HTML support that makes sharing and navigating your maps a piece of cake. It's easy to use, with quick keyboard shortcuts for common tasks like creating new nodes and applying formatting to keep everything organized. It looks a little dated, and its system of menus is cumbersome, but take a little time to master its shortcuts and you'll find that it's an extremely useful little tool for planning projects, revising for exams, or sparking new ideas.
2014. Freeplane - a new open-source brainstorming tool
The new open source mind-mapping software Freeplane is a redesigned and extended version of FreeMind, that can be used to build regular, static mind maps. Freeplane goes further and provides smart tools to help you build better maps. So for instance conditional styling allows the program to automatically give nodes your preferred look and feel according to their hierarchical level in the map, as well as their content. That content can be very active. You can hide information within a node, present it on demand or automatically, organize it in folding branches, and use hyperlinks everywhere to help users navigate. Built-in calendar and reminder tools help you manage anything from simple to-do lists to entire projects. There’s DES encryption of individual nodes or the entire map. The program can be extended with scripts and some interesting addons. And once you’ve finished, the map may be shared as an image, an HTML page, via Flash and more.
2013. Freemind 1.0 adds real-time collaboration
The first version (by number, but not first in fact) of mind-mapping software FreeMind is released. Clones, collaboration and geographical maps are the major new functions. Now the nodes and its sub-nodes can be cloned. The two copies will then be synchronized then. Two or more people can now work simultaneously on the same map. Besides, now you can restore complete session. Location based mindmapping - is another new feature. The most important usability addition is the spell checker.