In this MindNode review, you’ll realize why this is a content creator’s must-have tool. It’s a free app with a paid option but it’s worth it.

I totally get it. 

Just like me, you’re getting frustrated capturing the amazing ideas popping out inside your head. Crumpled papers with handwritten notes scattered on the floor. Your desk, in chaos. 

You want to be organized because nothing makes any sense to you anymore. 

I can relate to that.

Though I’ve gone through leading a student council and other organizations in the past, organizing my ideas has been my big issue. 

My desk has never been cleaned up or arranged as to how an office should look like. To keep it decently looking, at least, I have a few notebooks placed to capture thoughts. The rest of my stuff disheveled. 

To capture them, I had to have a small notebook on my bag or pieces of old grocery receipts to jot them down. But you know, they’re a bit bulky to bring with me all the time. 

Yet, I needed them. So, I had no choice. 

Chaos is an understatement as to how I describe my inner world even until now. 

That is why I needed solutions. 

I needed solutions to organize my thoughts and see a big idea as I slowly connected the dots. I needed something that could help me see the overall picture. 

That’s how I ended up using MindNode, which eventually pushed me to write this review and share the wonderful experience with this tool. 

Before anything else, I’d like to invite you to an amazing journey as a content marketer with a lot of free stuff for you. 

Whether you’re about to start a blog or have been running a blog, it’s a great chance for you to grow and become phenomenal. 

What are you going to get from this?

• Free “Becoming A Legendary Content Marketer” eBook
• Free 1-week email masterclass
• Free opportunity to get featured on my podcast 
• Free 30-day Tailwind App to boost your traffic to 200%
• And more upcoming!

If you want to claim all of these, click here to start your amazing freebies. 

Now that we’re all set. Are you ready? Let’s dive into it. Shall we? 

What Is MindNode?

Developed by Markus Müller-Simhofer in 2011, MindNode is a free mind mapping software that’s available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac launched under IdeasOnCanvas GmbH, which is a Vienna-based company.  

According to its official website and about App Store’s description, it is one of the multi-awarded brainstorming applications to date. 

Not only did it achieve the “App of the Day” award, but it also garnered the “Editor’s Choice” award.

Hence, it is indeed one of the best mind mapping tools you can find out there. Especially for content creators. 

That’s what they say. 

How about my experience?

While I sat on the couch beside my work desk last night, I checked it out and downloaded it. 

From the beginning, it already gave me a smooth-sailing experience with mapping my crazy ideas, giving me a clear picture of where I’m going. 

The sign-up was easy as I went through a short tutorial on how to use MindNode the best. 

After a few minutes or so, I was able to immerse myself in its wholesomeness and enjoyed the flow of ideas. 

It was incredible. 

As I mentioned earlier, MindNode helped me realize the bigger picture of what I’m actually doing for my blog over the past few years by connecting the dots. My failures and small successes. The dots that were once elusive, now clear.

I couldn’t even perfectly describe the experience in words. It was just…amazing. *tears up*

How Does It Work?

After logging in, you see a wide blank space on the screen with a few tools on the top left side and below. 

On the top left side, you see 4 icons i.e. MindNode recent notes, exports, outlines, and an option for MindNode Plus (the paid version). 

Below, a subnode icon (most left) followed by edit node option, stickers, tags, themes, and styles. Sadly, these tools are only available on a paid version.

Just to show you, I made a quick YouTube video tour of how it looks like when you work on the nodes and its subnodes.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2BmY7SUWnc&t=35s” width=”800″]

Free Tools I Used For My Site

To use MindNode effectively, it’s best to get familiar with these to help you enjoy it without spending a dime (unless you unlock MindNode Plus). 

Node 

There are two types of nodes: main node and subnode. Your main node contains the main idea and your subnodes with sub-ideas.

Purple Plus Sign

Click on it to add a node or a subnode. When you add a sub-node, it gives various colors to help segment the ideas. The same thing with the sub-subnodes, which follows the color of the main node.

Zooming 

Spread your fingers on the screen to zoom in and out the nodes. This feature helps you see the main idea with tons of subnodes connecting together. 

It’s like seeing an outline through a portable mind map. 

MindNode Features – Free & Paid

Now, let’s talk about its features. What does it do to you and your business? 

As a content creator, I consider MindNode as a must-have, again, to organize my grand-scale ideas. I tried it once and I fell in love with it. No BS. If I did, I’m confident you will, too.

In general, this tool aids you to transform your grand-scale ideas into actionable steps. Instead of seeing chaos, you achieve clarity. 

You suddenly see this indescribable, euphoric feeling when you finally see the purpose of your craziness. You realize that in each node you see commonalities.

If you take a look at the features list, you can see various complicated ideas arranged. That allows you to see the dots as clearly and as conveniently as possible. 

Though I only use some of them, MindNode did an amazing job. Kudos.

If they manage to convince me it works for a few features, how much more when you have access to the following?

Visual Tags

1. Add more context to your thoughts 

2. Prioritize ideas and bring focus to a related group of ideas 

Quick Entry

3. Capture your thoughts as conveniently as possible

Tasks

4. Keep track on your progress

5. Stay on top of your process (transforming nodes into tasks)

6. Easily sync deadlines, plans, or list via Apple Reminders app

Outline

7. See a different perspective on things

8. Creates an outline

9. Display your mind map in a minimalist layout

Focus Mode

10. Blocks any forms of distractions

11. Finish your thought one branch at a time

Themes

12. Select a theme that fits your thoughts

13. Adjust the theme you see fit

Stickers

14. 250+ stickers added to give visual aids to your mind map

Smart Layout

15. Concentrate on getting your thoughts out

16. Keep your thoughts as organized as possible and easy to read

Notes

17. Add more information to every node, keeping things relevant and accessible

Dark Mode

18. Keep working without straining your eyes

External Screen Support

19. Connect your iOS device for more space

20. See your mind map on an external, bigger screen

Customizable Panels

21. Display your action panels

Share

22. Export your mind map to different text formats

iCloud Sync

23. Have a copy available to have your mind map on your hand all the time (iPhone to Mac)

Aren’t these features amazing? 

How Much Does MindNode Cost?

When you take a peek on the pricing plan, you will notice that out of 20, only 4 of them are available on a free version. 

That means, only these comprise the free MindNode version:

1. Create and edit nodes
2. Fold and reorganize
3. View as an outline
4. Import and Export

Five features may appear a little bit unfair, however, they already help a lot in your content creation process. 

When I tried it last night, I enjoyed it so much that I felt overwhelmed seeing my goals and visions displayed on the screen. 

But if you choose to enjoy what MindNode can do for you at its best, that brings us to the cost you have to pay, which is $2.49 per month or $19.99 per year. 

As you can see, you’re saving more money when you pay it annually. To see it clearly, let’s do the math. 

$2.49/month x 12 months = $29.88

You pay around $10 more than its annual plan. 

If you’re going to ask me, which is better between the two, I’ll recommend paying the annual fee and enjoy MindNode all year long. 

If you don’t have a budget and you simply want the free features, that’s also fine. I’m already enjoying the free features as well. 

MindNode $2.49/Mo Plan VS $9.99/Mo Plan

There’s also one thing you need to know about MindNode.

Aside from having it available on App Store for free and for $2.49/month (paid version), the company has also made the app available on Setapp with the same subscription model. 

What is Setapp and why do you care about it?

It’s like paying a monthly subscription for Netflix. 

Setup is just that. It’s a desktop launcher for your Mac app collection of membership. 

Let’s say you own a Setapp account, you’re paying $9.99/month to unlock and enjoy using the whole set of features. Simple.

They claim that once you log in to your MindNode account via Setapp, you get the chance to use a fully-unlocked version wherein 190 beautifully designed tools are made available. 

How does this differ from the $2.49/month plan? 

Nothing. 

What MindNode offers you with $2.49/month is the same as with $9.99/month via Setapp.

The price wouldn’t be viable if you only subscribed to one app though. Paying $9.99/month with MindNode included might appear cheaper if you subscribed to a lot of apps using the same platform. 

But when it comes to differences between these offers, there’s none to point out because both of these plans have the same features. 

In other words, it doesn’t mean that those who only pay $2.49/month don’t get as much as those who pay $9.99/month, alright? 

It’s just that the company sees the opportunity by doing this move. It’s how the subscription models work. 

The two companies collaborated for MindNode distribution just like how movie companies work together with Netflix for the same reason.

Using the same analogy, that doesn’t mean that the movies shown on theaters aren’t better than on Netflix or vice versa. 

Are you getting my point?

MindNode Pros & Cons

When it comes to the pros and cons, I honestly couldn’t think of the cons here except for the need for more free features for the sake of fun and creativity. Perhaps, the stickers to add more colors to my nodes?

Although the free version is limited, it’s enough to enjoy the joy it brings when you slowly see your ideas come into place. Those ideas that once thought as unrelated slowly become goals. 

On the other hand, the paid version makes your brainstorming process even easier and more creative. Am I making sense to you? 

Overall, based on my experience with MindNode, I have no qualms on using the tool again for my next projects, though I’m already content with the free version. 

What Others Say About MindNode?

According to a user named Eric, he shared MindNode as a beautiful and powerful mind mapping software on G2 forums. 

He said, “It does exactly what you need and doesn’t try to do more. That way it doesn’t get in your way and it allows you to just flow with your ideas.” 

In addition to that, the same forum site provided a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on the software with 27 reviews posted, 16 of them are 5 stars. 

On the other hand, MacUpdate reported a not-so-great report on the application with only 2.5 out of 5-star rating. Why? 

Most of them mentioned that they prefer paying an upgrade that’s going to earn their ownership of the application and not renting it. 

One of them explained that when MindNode was released back in 2011, the options were different. 

The users have the option to pay the upgrades. But when the newer version came out, the company shifted to a subscription model. 

“It’s not about being cheap, it’s about owning [the] software and not wanting to rent it,” a MindNode user wrote. 

They also mentioned the concerns of those who have registered on the app before when the newer version was launched. 

Based on their statements, the former users will have to pay a lower upgrade price compared to those who recently used the app. 

As for the current users, it’s free to download with In-App purchase or unlock the full-version within 14-days. 

Because of the new options, unfortunately, it’s expensive for most of the former users. So, they chose to unsubscribe and say goodbye despite the fun.

Regardless of the opposing views, this great brainstorming tool remains the top choice for most content creators. In fact, one of them wrote, “I use this app routinely and recommend it without hesitation.”

Conclusion – Is MindNode A Great Mind Mapping Software?

Based on personal, as well as other users’ experiences, there’s no doubt that MindNode is a great mind mapping software. 

By far, it’s the best application I will use over and over again during my content creation process. 

It’s a great, a must-have brainstorming tool, especially to those who struggle to organize their ideas and see a different perspective on them. 

It’s a great way to see ideas displayed on the screen and see how they flow and connect. For me, it helps me keep on track and review my progress in the long run.

Not only that, but I can also make sure I don’t miss any points whenever I outline a blog post idea wherever I go. 

Though some features aren’t available on the free version, it’s enough to keep its promise: to give clarity to your chaotic brainstorming. 

Paying subscription fees is optional. It’s up to you whether you want to avail of these enticing features or not. In that regard, there are pros and cons. 

For some, MindNode is expensive and for others it’s affordable. 

Overall, trying this amazing app is up to your decision. If I were you, I highly recommend checking it out. Trust me. You’ll never regret it. 🙂

If you like my MindNode review post, feel free to share it with your friends and family. Especially those who struggle to organize their grand-scale ideas. 

If you have something to add or share, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. I’ll be delighted to keep in touch with you. 🙂

[hubspot type=form portal=7343047 id=4b80b8d2-89f7-409d-b86e-ef2e5ed7fb3f]