Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

photonboy reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 13 on Sep 9, 2007

I think that there's a solid niche for free, simple Mind-Mapping software. I almost gave it a "3" but there's not a lot of half-decent free Mindmapping software around.

Not everybody needs fancy features. However, it's been my experience that anybody committed to learning and using Mindmapping in general is willing to pay a bit for good software. Mindmapping will continue to catch on and many students will use it at a basic level for brainstorming, essay outlining etc.

Speaking as someone who has read several books and done many maps, I highly recommend starting with the definitive Tony Buzan book, some markers and a large sketch pad. You can likely Google for some good info, but the Tony Buzan Mindmapping book is the very best way to get into this. The book (which includes amazing study time management techniques) was incredible and helped me achieve the highest recorded mark in the history of my school in Electronics. Again, all I needed was they Tony Buzan book; what helped for mys school work (and personal life) was time managment and creating simple Mind Maps for outlining courses.

ritubpant reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 13 on Sep 8, 2007

Although in Beta this program has won my mind! Works great and simple to use and above all its free.

halc reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 13 on Sep 5, 2007

Really hard to complain, because it's free and only 0.9, but it could use a lot of additions/fixes:

- outline mode
- outline import/export (from rtf/doc/open office format)
- better layout algorithm (options to draw the map) for really big maps
- better GUI interaction (less clicks, more direct manipulation)

Also expansion to concept mapping capabilities would be great, but alas, it is a mind mapping software.

The best free option available, imho, but not perfect.

For pay options like Inspiration have gone much further along the path and it shows (freemind developers could learn a trick or two from them).

wagner reatto reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 12 on Jul 24, 2007

a good program that i use. it is simple and easy to run. ( i will rate 5 when it goes to a final release )

morriscox reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 12 on Jul 23, 2007

Nowhere as good as MindManager, but still decent. If you can afford MindManager, get it. If you can't afford it, then get this program.

alexsemco reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 10 on Jul 20, 2007

Very poor imitation of mind manager.
It will not export notes as does mind manager.
It will not export to RTF/Word format as will mindmanger.
Do not waste your time with a very poor attempt at creating a mind mapping program

saadsaleem reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 9 on May 18, 2007

this program definitely competes with MindManger and deserves a higher rating for its price and functionality. A must for everyone who doesn't want to pay extra for some extra features.

DatabaseBen reviewed v0.9.0 Beta 9 on Mar 13, 2007

Yes, this is a great program that
helps sort out thoughts and ideas.

if your mind is overloaded
with complex thoughts, processes or ideas,
then this program will help organize them
and free your mind....

[ NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TINY THOUGHT PROCESSORS ]

dono1216 reviewed v0.8.0 on Dec 30, 2006

Surprised nobody has written a review on this.

If you don't know, this "mind-mapping" software is basically a way to organize ideas visually in a tree-like structure. It's good for brainstorming, note taking, and also good for presentation.

Freemind uses Java -- which is good because it is cross-platform, but unfortunately hurts performance a little bit. It competes with the commercial MindManager X5 -- which provides MS Office-like on-the-fly spell checking and a useful "presentation mode".

If you write a lot of essays, or take a lot of notes, I suggest you try it. It's free anyway.