Enlightening Review of FreeMind: Includes Features, Price, Benefits, and Drawbacks
FreeMind is one of the best choices if you are looking for open-source mind mapping software. It is one of the simple yet full-featured programs worth the acquisition. Learn more about this exquisite mind mapping software as you indulge in the helpful content we only prepared for you. Therefore, after reading this entire post, expect to have and experience the enlightenment of the tool’s good attributes. In addition, as a first-time user of the mind mapping tool, you will be able to mitigate confusion, for you are already pre-oriented about it. For this reason, let’s start exploring by continuously reading the context below.
- Part 1. FreeMind Best Alternative: MindOnMap
- Part 2. Full Review of FreeMind
- Part 3. How to Make a Mind Map on FreeMind
- Part 4. Comparison of the Mind Mapping Tools
- Part 5. FAQs about FreeMind
As one main writer of MindOnMap's editorial team, I always provide real and verified information in my posts. Here are what I usually do before writing:
- After selecting the topic about reviewing FreeMind, I always do a lot of research on Google and in forums to list the mind map maker that users care about the most.
- Then I use FreeMind and subscribe to it. And then I spend hours or even days testing it from its main features to analyze it based on my experience.
- As to the review blog of FreeMind, I test it from even more aspects, ensuring the review to be accurate and comprehensive.
- Also, I look through users' comments on FreeMind to make my review more objective.
Part 1. FreeMind Best Alternative: MindOnMap
The MindOnMap is the FreeMind alternative free program. You will surely need it because, as the saying goes, even monkeys fall from the trees, indicating that nothing is perfect, even the ideal software you think about. For this reason, we want to include the best alternative for the featured mind mapping software we have in this article. MindOnMap is one of the best mind mapping programs on the web. It is also a free tool similar to FreeMind, with an easy-to-use interface. Despite being a totally free program, the elements and selections it provides have a wide range of usability, for you can utilize them on mind maps, flowcharts, diagrams, timelines, and more.
This is why even in this FreeMind app review, we want you to know how pleasing the alternative is. Imagine you won’t need to install any software just to acquire the tools you need for mind mapping. On top of that, you will also get to experience a smooth and operative collaboration feature, all for free tag along with the multiple layouts, templates, and themes you can use!
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Part 2. Full Review of FreeMind:
Check out the full review of the FreeMind software below. We cannot deny the fact that FreeMind is one of the desired software, and by looking at the reviews below, you will become aware of the tool’s features, usability, cost, advantages, and disadvantages as well.
What Precisely is FreeMind?
FreeMind is a mind mapping software that is free and open-source. It is created for structured diagrams with a straightforward interface. Technically speaking, this software is a cross-platform licensed software under the GNU, meaning FreeMind is accessible and adaptable on Windows, Mac, and Linux as long as the computer devices have Java. Furthermore, this software is created to assist users in various industries such as education, business, and government. In addition, this software is equipped with powerful tools and impressive features that include icons, folding branches, and selections on graphical links.
FreeMind Features
FreeMind is undeniably a software that provides many options as its features. And upon viewing and exploring it, we discovered that most of the valuable features are displayed on its interface that your eyes will barely see. Therefore, we have the additional features to discuss below.
Blinking Node
FreeMind has this feature selection where you can have a blinking node. It totally gives a unique impression, for it makes your node or the entire mind map alive. It makes the node look blinking by simultaneously changing the font color of the text inside it.
Hotkeys
What is good about this mind mapping software is its generosity in giving hotkeys to the users. The hotkeys help users easily navigate and operate the options. You will notice that almost all operation selection has a corresponding hotkey.
The two features above are just part of the complete overview of the following features: built-in icons, dragging and dropping shapes to the canvas, HTML exportation, folding branches, Web hyperlinks, etc.
Pros & Cons
Every software has its advantages and disadvantages. And it is imperative to know them before you acquire the specific software for yourself. For this reason, this part has listed all the good and wrong reasons for getting Freemind or not. Because, as we always mention, nothing is made perfect in this world. Therefore, the pros and cons are gathered below to give you a clue of what to expect when you decide to utilize FreeMind.
PROS
- It’s completely free software.
- It consists of plenty of features.
- It comes with a clean interface.
- It’s multifunctional.
- It works on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
- With a wide variety of icons and figures.
- It provides options to make the map interactive.
CONS
- You cannot install it without JAVA.
- Some of its features are hidden.
- It has complex menus with dated UI.
- It has no guarantee of technical support.
- It has no templates or themes.
- The utilization is not as easy as other simple tools.
Price
FreeMind is totally free since it’s open-source software. As long as your computer device contains JAVA or as long as you are willing to acquire it along with the software, you will be able to use it freely on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Part 3. How to Make a Mind Map on FreeMind
Let us now explore its utilization by this time since you already had an overview of FreeMind. With this in mind, here are the step-by-step or complete guidelines on how you can create a mind map using this featured software.
First, you need to download it by searching it online. Please note that if FreeMind can't find JAVA from your device, it won’t proceed to the installation process. Hence, you need to install the JAVA as well.
Launch the software after the successful installation. Then, begin working on the single node presented at the center of the interface to make a mind map. Press the ENTER key every time you need to add a node. Then, correspondingly, put a label on the added nodes to avoid confusion. If you wish to add a child node, you need to select the node and then hit the Yellow Bulb icon.
Now, if you wish to customize the mind map according to your preference, you must reach the hidden navigation by right-clicking your mouse. After that, select the Format selection to access the modification options for the font size, size, styles, color, and more.
On the other hand, adding images, hyperlinks, graphical links, and others, you just need to save the map first. How? Go to the File menu and find the Save As selection. After that, right-click the node you need to add the image, then select the Insert selection.
Part 4. Comparison of the Mind Mapping Tools
You may see other mind mapping tools out there. And similarly, they give almost equivalent features for mind mapping. However, how will you distinguish one after the other? Well, this is the reason why we prepared a comparison table to help you on this matter. The mind mapping tools included here are the three programs that have recently talked about mind mapping topics. So, without further adieu, let’s see the details below on MindOnMap vs. FreePlane vs. FreeMind.
| Tool’s Name | Platform | Price | Collaboration Feature | Level of Usability | Provide Ready-Made Templates |
| FreeMind | Desktop and Web | Completely Free | Not Supported | Moderate | Not Supported |
| MindOnMap | Web | Completely Free | Supported | Easy | Supported |
| FreePlane | Desktop and Web for Linux only | Completely Free | Not Supported | Moderate | Not Supported |
Part 5. FAQs about FreeMind
Can I export a Word file in FreeMind?
No. Word is not included in the exportation options of FreeMind. However, the software supports PDF, HTML, Flash, PNG, SVG, and JPG for its outputs.
Is it safe to install FreeMind?
FreeMind, just like others, is safe to install. Even then, to be sure, you can scan the tool with your virus scanner to ensure that it’s a hundred percent safe for your device, especially on Mac.
Why can’t I insert an image on the map on FreeMind?
This is because the software requires you to save the map first. After saving the map, you can proceed to add images and other essential elements to the node freely.
Conclusion
You can guarantee that this article only provides you with factual information about FreeMind. Indeed, this featured software is something that you can rely on when it comes to mind mapping. However, based on the review of others along with our own tryout, navigating it for the first time is not as easy as you think. As a matter of fact, it takes more time and effort just to finish an entire map. For this reason, we conclude that beginners should have a much more user-friendly mind mapping tool rather than FreeMind. Thus, by having MindOnMap at your side, you will still have the assurance of coming up with an excellent mind map in no time.
