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HeadTidy vs MindMeister

MindMeister is a long-standing, capable mind mapping tool built with teams in mind. HeadTidy is built for one person keeping their own life legible.

Written by Updated 17 August 2026

These comparisons focus on workflows and capabilities. Check each provider’s current plans for pricing and limits.

The structural difference

MindMeister makes mind maps, and makes them well. Its neighbours in the Meister suite handle the work that comes after a map, turning branches into tasks lives in a separate product. HeadTidy puts the map and the follow-up in the same place: a thought can carry a due date, a checklist, a note and a repeat, and Plan reads across every map you have.

The other difference people notice quickly is the free tier's shape. MindMeister's free plan is widely reported as a three-map limit. HeadTidy's free plan is 3 maps, 120 thoughts, and 10 images, which is a transparent ceiling on total size rather than a hidden feature gate.

HeadTidy works when

  • You are one person, not a team with a workshop to run.
  • You want dates, habits and checklists on the same canvas as the ideas.
  • You want it to keep working with no connection.
  • You would rather pay one small price than per seat.

It does not when

  • You need live multiplayer editing with several cursors on one map.
  • Your organisation requires SSO, admin controls or compliance paperwork.
  • You are embedded in the Meister ecosystem already.
  • You need presentation mode to walk a room through a map.

Leaving either one

Worth checking before you commit to anything: how you get your work back out. HeadTidy exports every map as JSON, Markdown, OPML, PNG or PDF, and the JSON imports straight back. OPML in particular is readable by most other mapping tools, so moving on does not mean retyping.

A HeadTidy mind map: a central Main Focus card with branches for Work, Health, Home and Family, each holding thoughts with due dates, checklists and images.
One map holding structure and detail: branches for shape, then dates, checklists and notes on the thoughts themselves.

Frequently asked questions

Is HeadTidy free?

Yes. The free plan covers 3 maps, 120 thoughts, and 10 images with no card required, and it is a plan rather than a trial, nothing expires. Pro is €5 a month or €48 a year.

Can I import my MindMeister maps?

Partly. HeadTidy imports its own JSON. If you export from another tool as OPML you will need to rebuild the map, which for a personal map is usually quicker than it sounds and is a decent moment to cut what you no longer need.

Does HeadTidy work offline?

Yes. Your maps live in the browser first and sync when you are online, with saving, offline and conflict states always visible.