SimpleMind
Dutch mind mapping app sold as a one-off purchase per platform, with maps kept as files you control
Quick Overview
| Company | ModelMaker Tools B.V. and xpt Software & Consulting B.V. |
|---|---|
| Category | Mind Mapping Software |
| Headquarters | Velp and Delft, Netherlands |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Netherlands (EU) |
| Data Location | Your own device or cloud storage |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Not applicable (installed app, maps are local files) |
| Main Features | Free-form and auto layouts, style sheets, images, icons, checkboxes, links, PDF export, free, pro and trial editions |
| Pricing | Single purchase per platform, no subscription; price shown in the store, not verified on the site |
| Best For | Individuals who want to buy once and keep their maps as files |
| Replaces | XMind, MindManager |
Detailed Review
The privacy policy names ModelMaker Tools B.V. (Velp, KvK 09128625) and xpt Software & Consulting B.V. (Delft) as the companies behind SimpleMind, both in the Netherlands.
The app is sold per platform as a single purchase, and the site stresses that it is not a subscription.
Files, not an account
SimpleMind says your mind maps are files that are never stored on its servers, so the company cannot see how many you have or what they contain. You choose how to sync them, for example through Dropbox or not at all.
In the free version maps sit in a private folder on the device.
Editing
Topics can be placed anywhere in a free-form layout or arranged with one of seven additional auto-layouts. There are more than 15 style sheets, and you can build your own, with control over borders, lines and colours.
Maps accept images, icons, labels, checkboxes and links to documents or web pages, and can be shared as PDF.
Editions
A free edition (iPad, iPhone and Android) has limited functionality, no ads and no registration. The Pro edition covers Mac, Windows, iPad, iPhone and Android, and a 30-day trial exists for Mac and Windows.
Limitations to Consider
Maps are local files, so there is no hosted team workspace or built-in real-time editing, and sharing means exporting a PDF or syncing the file yourself. The vendor states it has no built-in AI. The price could not be read on the fetched pages, and a purchase is needed for each platform separately.
Who Should Use SimpleMind
Individual users who prefer a one-off licence, local files and no account.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No subscription
- Maps never stored on vendor servers
- Runs on four platforms
- Free edition without ads or registration
- Custom style sheets
Cons
- No team workspace or real-time editing
- Separate purchase per platform
- No built-in AI
- Price not shown on the pages we read
Alternatives to SimpleMind
Other European mind mapping software worth comparing before you decide:
MindMeister
Germany · Browser mind maps hosted in Germany, with a free plan
Mindomo
Romania · Mind and concept maps with outline and Gantt views
MindNode
Austria · Founder-owned mind mapping app for Apple devices
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
No. Its homepage says there is a single purchase per platform and no subscriptions.
No. The vendor says maps are files that are never stored on its servers.
The vendor describes maps as files you sync yourself, so for live team editing use <a href="/tool/mindmeister">MindMeister</a> or <a href="/tool/coggle">Coggle</a>.