Is XMind Worth Looking at as a FreeMind Mind Mapping Allternative?
Submitted by todd on Sat, 2009-09-05 14:00
The XMind mind mapping service an free Open Source (so they claim) app for Windows and Mac OS X (Linux too) looks interesting. But, I dislike the idea of being required to sign up for a "free" XMind ID just to try the app. I've been a reasonably happy FreeMind user for a while now and have been using it more regularly recently. But, I wonder if it is worth the time and effort to take a closer look at XMind.
Any comments from someone who has use XMind?
I agree that on XP, XMind
I agree that on XP, XMind maps look better because the branches are nicely tapered. But on Vista, Freemind looks just as good. Overall, I think Freemind is better because (1) editing (inserting nodes, etc) is way faster; (2) the program is lighter and (3) Freemind has better export options.
I've used both, but over time
I've used both, but over time have gravitated toward XMind. Hard to say exactly why, though I feel like XMind maps are often more acceptable to the people I work with (they look better). I think I like the XMind keyboard controls a little better, if only because the Tab key does what I think it should do.
Completely agree with Dee.
Completely agree with Dee. XMind is just too slow to use in anger, for me. This gets worse if you are relying on an unknown PC somewhere else to run it (as I often do for meetings etc), as there is a danger that it will become seriously unusable. Similarly, the XMind folder is almost 150Mb, whereas I can email Freemind (at about 7Mb) along with a mindmap if I want somebody to take a look and/or update the map.
XMind is a lot prettier, but unless I'm missing a trick (which is quite possible) then it just isn't very practical.
Oh, and XMind also endless rearranges my nodes. Top left becomes bottom right when I delete a node, say. There must be a setting somewhere but I can't find it. Freemind, on the other hand, doesn't try to be too clever so things stay where I put them.
I like Xmind, but every time
I like Xmind, but every time I think I will gravitate towards it, I come right back to Freemind. Main reason- SPEED. The larger your mindmap, the much more sluggish Xmind becomes. I have a couple of maps that it takes 2-3 minutes for Xmind to simply load. Features-wise Xmind has Freemind beat by far, but when the main function of mindmapping is pretty simple, I want my maps to process as fast as I can type them, not have to wait on them. I am working right now on getting my Freemind fonts and colors to look at least somewhat more attractive though.