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Best / Mind mapping

Best open-source Mind mapping

The best self-hosted mind-mapping split in the c17.io catalog is Freeplane for a GPL-2.0 desktop mind map, markmap when you want that MIT plain-text map, Excalidraw when the job is an MIT sketch board rather than a formal map (the published Miro / Lucidspark stack), and mermaid when the job is MIT text-to-diagram including mindmaps. A formal org chart stays on /replace/lucidchart (diagrams.net). This is not Lucidspark's every workshop SKU.

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Ranked picks

  1. 1

    Freeplane

    GPL-2.0 mind mapping and knowledge desk.

    When to pick it: A desktop map you own, not a Lucidspark board.

    4,438 stars in the catalog

  2. 2

    markmap

    MIT mind maps from plain text.

    When to pick it: A Markdown map you render, not a multiplayer board.

    13,199 stars in the catalog

  3. 3

    Excalidraw

    MIT sketch board already on /replace/miro and /replace/lucidspark.

    When to pick it: A hand-drawn map, not Freeplane's outline tree.

    134,498 stars in the catalog

  4. 4

    Mermaid

    MIT text-to-diagram, including mindmaps.

    When to pick it: A mindmap in Markdown next to flowcharts.

    90,855 stars in the catalog

How they compare

ToolLicenseSelf-hostBest for
FreeplaneGNU General Public License v2.0EasyA desktop map you own, not a Lucidspark board.
markmapMIT LicenseEasyA Markdown map you render, not a multiplayer board.
ExcalidrawMIT LicenseEasyA hand-drawn map, not Freeplane's outline tree.
MermaidMIT LicenseEasyA mindmap in Markdown next to flowcharts.

Related pages

FAQ

Freeplane or markmap?
Freeplane if you want the desktop map. markmap if you want that Markdown file.
Lucidspark or Miro?
Same published sketch board — /replace/lucidspark and /replace/miro (Excalidraw). This is not Lucidchart (/replace/lucidchart).
Is this a whiteboard?
A team scribble stays on /best/whiteboards. This page is a mind map.
Are these free?
Freeplane is GPL-2.0. markmap, Excalidraw, and mermaid are MIT. You pay hosting or the workstation. Template users never pay c17.
How do I deploy it?
Open /stacks/excalidraw-whiteboard for a hosted board. Freeplane and markmap run on the workstation or a static host.

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