MindMap AI vs MindMup
Discover which mind mapping tool gives you more control, deeper insights, and better ways to turn ideas into action in 2025
Looking for a MindMup Alternative?
Mind mapping helps structure thoughts, outline ideas, and plan effectively.
While MindMup has built a loyal user base with its no-frills, education-friendly experience, MindMap AI brings an entirely new level of depth—offering intelligent automation, multi-format support, and visual thinking tools powered by cutting-edge AI.
If you're comparing MindMup vs MindMap AI, this guide breaks down which tool offers more control, smart features, and value for your creative workflow.
MindMap AI: Real-Time Brainstorming Companion
MindMap AI is an intelligent mind mapping tool designed to supercharge your thinking process with real-time AI support and effortless idea organization. Whether you're planning projects, analyzing research, or brainstorming new concepts, it helps you move from scattered ideas to structured insights with speed and clarity—powered by AI.
AI-Powered Mind Mapping
Automatically transform your notes, files, or voice recordings into intelligent, organized maps.
Smart Idea Expansion
Use Copilot Chat to explore, grow, and refine topics interactively.
Input Flexibility
Upload PDFs, CSVs, Markdown, videos, images, and audio files to generate maps instantly.
Version History & Clean Exports
Keep track of all map changes and export watermark-free even in the free plan.
Smarter Sharing
Share privately or publicly with easy links.
Rich Export Options
Download in multiple formats – PNG, PDF, SVG, Markdown, CSV, and more.
What is MindMup? A Quick Overview Before the Comparison
MindMup is a basic browser-based mind mapping tool commonly used for straightforward planning tasks and educational settings. It supports Google Drive integration, Office365 sign-in, and includes options to publish maps or turn them into simple storyboards.
However, it lacks advanced features like AI assistance, supports fewer file formats, and imposes limitations on the free plan—such as restricted map size and temporary storage.
MindMap AI vs MindMup: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
AI-Powered Features
| Feature | MindMap AI | MindMup |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered Mind Map Creation | ✅ | ❌ |
| AI Idea Expansion | ✅ | ❌ |
| AI Summarization | ✅ | ❌ |
| AI Topic Focus | ✅ | ❌ |
| AI-Driven Second-Order Connections | ✅ | ❌ |
| Retry Prompt for Free | ✅ | ❌ |
| Multi-Format Input Support (Text, PDFs, CSV, Images, Audio, Video, MD, HTML, XML, JSON, and Project File) |
✅ | ❌ |
Core Mind Mapping Features
| Feature | MindMap AI | MindMup |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Mind Maps & Topics for Free | Unlimited | Limited |
| Share as Private or Public Links | ✅ | Limited |
| Export to PNG, SVG, PDF, and Project File | ✅ | ✅ |
| Export to Markdown, CSV, and SVG HTML | ✅ | ❌ |
| Watermark-Free Exports in the Free Version | ✅ | ❌ |
| All-time Version History in the Free Version | ✅ | ❌ |
| No Cloud Storage Limit | ✅ | ❌ |
| Navigation & Layout | ✅ | ✅ |
| Icons, Images, & Hyperlinks | ✅ | ✅ |
| Customize Styles | ✅ | ✅ |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | ✅ | ✅ |
Accessibility & Platform Support
| Feature | MindMap AI | MindMup |
|---|---|---|
| Web App (No Installation Required) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Desktop App (Windows/Mac/Linux) | ❌ | ❌ |
| Mobile App (iOS/Android) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Chrome Extension | Coming Soon | ✅ |
Pricing & Value Comparison
| Plan Type | MindMap AI | MindMup |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Annual Paid Plans |
Basic: $45.00/year Pro: $90.00/year |
Personal Gold: $25.00/year Organizational Gold: $100.00/year |
| Lifetime Plans | ✅ | ❌ |
| Add-on Credits | ✅ | ❌ |
MindMap AI vs MindMup: Pros & Cons
MindMap AI
Pros
-
✓
AI-Powered Mapping
Automatically generate structured mind maps from text, documents, and media files.
-
✓
Copilot Chat
Collaborate with AI to refine, summarize, and expand ideas.
-
✓
Multi-Format Support
Convert PDFs, CSVs, images, audio, video, and Markdown into mind maps.
-
✓
Full-Featured Free Version
Manual editing, unlimited maps, watermark-free exports, and version history.
-
✓
Mobile App Access
Available on iOS and Android for mapping on the go.
-
✓
Lifetime Plan
One-time payment option alongside affordable subscriptions.
Cons
-
✗
No Desktop App
Currently accessible via web and mobile platforms only.
-
✗
Limited Real-Time Collaboration
Allows sharing but lacks simultaneous co-editing (yet).
MindMup
Pros
-
✓
Real-Time Collaboration
Gold users can co-edit maps simultaneously.
-
✓
Storyboarding & Outlining
Convert mind maps into slides or outlines.
Cons
-
✗
No AI-Powered Features
Lacks AI-generated mind maps, AI-assisted brainstorming, and automated idea expansion, requiring users to manually create and organize their maps.
-
✗
Restricted Free Plan
Map size is limited to 100KB and storage is temporary (up to 6 months).
-
✗
Limited Export Formats
Does not support Markdown, CSV, or advanced file types.
-
✗
No Mobile App
Doesn't offer a dedicated app for mobile, accessible only through a web browser, limiting on-the-go use.
-
✗
No Lifetime Pricing Option
Only offers monthly or yearly subscriptions – no one-time purchase plan for long-term users.