MindMeister
Browser mind maps from a German company, hosted in Germany, with unlimited collaborators on the free plan
Quick Overview
| Company | MeisterLabs GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Mind Mapping Software |
| Headquarters | Vaterstetten, Germany |
| Founded | 2007 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Germany (stated on its homepage) |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Online mind maps, real-time collaboration, presentation mode, AI map generation, MeisterTask integration, iOS and Android apps, SAML SSO on Business |
| Pricing | Free (3 maps); Personal €6, Pro €10, Business €15 per user per month as shown on its pricing page |
| Best For | Teams and students who want a hosted mind map editor with a long track record and a free tier |
| Replaces | XMind, MindManager, Lucidspark |
Detailed Review
MindMeister describes itself as mind mapping software that has been helping people think since 2007. The imprint names MeisterLabs GmbH of Vaterstetten (Amtsgericht Munich, HRB 161267) as the operator, and the same company makes the task tool MeisterTask.
The editor runs in a browser. You drag topics around, add links, notes, emojis and images, switch between mind map, org chart and list layouts, and present straight from the map.
Collaboration and the free plan
Free accounts get 3 mind maps, but the number of collaborators is unlimited, so a group can work on one map without anyone paying. Invitations go out by link, and the map can be commented on and presented from the same screen.
Free also includes templates, focus mode, the MeisterTask integration and the mobile apps, plus AI generation from a prompt or a file.
What the paid plans add
Personal adds unlimited maps, file exports (PNG, JPG, PDF, Markdown), printing and a 7-day version history. Pro adds unlimited attachments and version history, multiple admins, a Google Workspace integration and Microsoft exports.
Business adds group sharing, advanced security with IP restriction, SAML single sign-on on request, and compliance exports that back up team data to your own servers over SSH or FTPS.
Hosting and certification
The homepage lists three trust claims: ISO 27001 certified, fully GDPR compliant and hosted in Germany. The privacy policy also lists Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel and Bing tracking on the marketing site, which concerns the website rather than the editor.
Limitations to Consider
The free plan stops at 3 maps and Personal allows only 2 attachments per map. The pages we read list a browser editor and mobile apps but no installed desktop app for offline work. The pricing page does not make clear on its face whether the displayed prices are the yearly or the monthly rate, and SAML single sign-on is a Contact Sales item. For installed apps, look at SimpleMind or Mindomo.
Who Should Use MindMeister
Teams, teachers and students who want a hosted editor from a German company, free collaboration and an upgrade path to SSO and backups.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited collaborators on the free plan
- Hosting in Germany stated on its homepage
- ISO 27001 certification claimed by the vendor
- Task conversion through MeisterTask
- Backup export to your own servers on Business
Cons
- Free plan limited to 3 maps
- No desktop app listed
- Yearly or monthly basis of displayed prices unclear
- SAML SSO needs a sales conversation
Alternatives to MindMeister
Other European mind mapping software worth comparing before you decide:
Mindomo
Romania · Mind and concept maps with outline and Gantt views
MindNode
Austria · Founder-owned mind mapping app for Apple devices
SimpleMind
Netherlands · One-off purchase mind mapping app for four platforms
Coggle
United Kingdom · Real-time mind maps and flowcharts hosted on AWS Ireland
See all European mind mapping software or compare them directly against XMind on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its homepage states that it is hosted in Germany. The contracting entity in the imprint is MeisterLabs GmbH in Vaterstetten, Germany.
There is a free plan with 3 mind maps and unlimited collaborators. Personal, Pro and Business are paid plans priced per user per month.
SAML single sign-on is listed under the Business plan and is arranged through the sales team.