From MindManager to XMind: A Long-Time Mac Users Perspectiv

I was introduced to mind mapping more than a decade ago, and MindManager was the second mind-mapping application I purchased—and the first one I used seriously to build mind maps. At the time, it was a strong, capable product and easy to recommend.

Eventually, I transitioned from Microsoft Windows to macOS. I continued using MindManager on my Mac, expecting the same level of innovation and feature growth. Over time, however, it became clear that the macOS version was no longer evolving in step with the Windows version.

The Mac edition seemed to receive only essential maintenance updates, while the Windows version continued to expand with new capabilities and increasingly “window-centric” features. This gap became impossible to ignore about a year ago when I signed up for a MindManager event—only to realize that it was entirely focused on the Windows version. That experience was frustrating and underscored just how secondary the Mac platform had become.

That moment ultimately pushed me to try XMind, and the difference was immediately noticeable. XMind treats macOS as a first-class platform, not a secondary port. The user experience feels native, the feature set is consistent, and updates clearly reflect an understanding of how Mac users actually work.

I also expected changes when MindManager changed ownership, particularly around platform parity, but those changes never came. The macOS version remains a lesser offering compared to Windows.

One additional detail worth noting: MindManager has recently been offering annual subscriptions for under $100, down from its long-standing $179 price point. Significant and repeated discounting like this usually signals underlying challenges—whether in adoption, retention, or perceived value—especially when paired with uneven platform support.

For long-time Mac users who rely on mind mapping as a core thinking and planning tool, XMind has become the more compelling and future-proof choice. MindManager still has strengths, particularly on Windows, but for macOS users, the gap is no longer easy to justify.