Minder
Minder: A free, offline Linux mind mapper with unusually broad import and export support. Ranked #24 of 27 in Mind Map Tool by our editors (6.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux users needing import/export flexibility.
At a glance
- Editor score6.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLinux users needing import/export flexibility
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Real-time collaborationNo
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Rich node metadata, annotations, tags, tasks, images, and groups
- Broad import and export support across text, image, and mind-map formats
- Offline desktop operation with search, filtering, tabs, and printing
Where it doesn't
- Linux-only desktop deployment
- No real-time collaboration
- No AI features
Our verdict on Minder
Minder is a free, open-source desktop mind-mapping application for Linux. It helps solo users and small teams capture ideas, arrange them into maps, and review connected information offline. Automatic node layout and several tree-layout choices support quick structuring, while editable nodes can hold notes, tasks, images, tags, stickers, callouts, groups, and Markdown formatting. Brainstorming tools let users collect ideas before placing them, and search and filtering cover node and connection content.
Its strongest differentiator is the combination of rich node metadata and format flexibility. Connections can carry titles and annotations, making relationships more explicit than simple parent-child branches. Import options span OPML, FreeMind, Freeplane, Markdown or plain text, Mermaid mindmap, Outliner, Portable Minder, filesystem, and XMind. Export reaches CSV, Markdown, Org-Mode, plain text, JPEG, BMP, PNG, SVG, WebP, PDF, and multiple mind-map formats, including FreeMind, Freeplane, Mermaid, OPML, Portable Minder, XMind, yEd, and Outliner. Printing and tabbed multi-map workspaces suit users who move maps between tools or keep several projects open.
The trade-off is a narrow deployment and collaboration model. Minder is Linux-only desktop software. Real-time collaboration is not available, so distributed teams needing shared editing should consider a collaborative mind-map service instead. Minder has no AI features, which matters for users seeking generated ideas or automated summaries. For Linux users who prioritize offline work, detailed annotations, and broad import/export paths, Minder is a practical fit; choose another tool if cross-platform access, browser sharing, team editing, or AI are central requirements.
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Minder pricing
Minder fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Platforms | Desktop |
| Real-time collaboration | No |
| AI features | No |
| Offline mode | Yes |
| Presentation mode | Not verified |
| Import formats | OPML, FreeMind, Freeplane, plain text/Markdown, Mermaid mindmap, Outliner, Portable Minder, filesystem, XMind |
| Export formats | CSV, Markdown, Org-Mode, plain text, JPEG, BMP, PNG, SVG, WebP, FreeMind, Freeplane, Mermaid Mindmap, OPML, Portable Minder, XMind, yEd, Mermaid, Outliner, PDF, filesystem |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Minder
- MindManagerA broad visual-planning toolkit for teams that need diagrams, project views, and integrations.9.4
- MindomoA collaborative mapping suite with offline editing, AI tools and a limited free plan.9.2
- MindMeisterA collaborative mind-mapping workspace with AI, presentations, mobile apps, and enterprise controls.9.0
Also Ranked In
Minder is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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