What does the MindMeister mind map free plan include?
The MindMeister mind map free plan, also called Basic, lets you create up to 3 mind maps. That is the main limit to know before you start.
Within that limit, the free plan gives you the core MindMeister experience:
Up to 3 mind maps: the free plan's central limit
Core mind mapping: topics, branches, colors, icons, themes and styles
Sharing and real-time collaboration: invite others to edit your mind maps at the same time
AI mind map generation: free on every plan during the beta, up to 5 mind maps per user per day
Some features need a paid plan:
Export: since June 30, 2026, the free plan cannot export mind maps in any format
Printing: printing is also a paid feature
Unlimited mind maps: any mind map beyond your 3 needs Personal or higher
Attachments and version history: Personal adds 2 attachments per mind map and 7 days of history, while Pro and Business add unlimited attachments and all-time history
Two points stand out. First, sharing and real-time collaboration work on the free plan, so 3 mind maps are enough for a small brainstorm or a group study session, not just solo notes. Second, AI mind map generation stays free while the feature is in beta. You can turn a prompt or an uploaded document, such as a PDF or a presentation, into a first mind map.
The trade-off is export. If you need to send a mind map to someone as a PDF, an image or a slide deck, or print it, the free plan will not do it.
What do the Personal, Pro and Business plans add?
Paid plans remove the 3-mind-map limit and unlock export and printing. Each tier builds on the one below it, so a higher plan includes everything in the lower tiers.
Exports cover several formats, with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint exports starting on Pro, and the MindMeister pricing page shows exactly which formats and features each plan includes, along with current prices.
Personal
Personal is the step up for individuals. You get unlimited mind maps, export, printing, 2 attachments per mind map and 7 days of version history. It fits anyone who has outgrown 3 mind maps or needs to share their work as a file.
Pro
Pro includes everything in Personal and adds features for people who share and present their work. On top of the Personal features, you get unlimited attachments, all-time version history, multiple admins, custom branding and a custom color scheme. It fits people who present mind maps to clients or stakeholders and want them to look on-brand.
Business
Business includes everything in Pro and adds controls for larger organizations. You get group sharing, advanced settings, automated access approval, compliance exports and backups, SAML single sign-on, priority email and phone support and a dedicated Customer Success Manager. It fits organizations that manage many users and need oversight and support.
Plan comparison at a glance
Here is the short version of how the four plans differ:
Free (Basic): 3 mind maps, collaboration, AI generation in beta, no export or printing
Personal: unlimited mind maps, export and printing, 2 attachments per mind map, 7-day history
Pro: everything in Personal plus unlimited attachments, all-time history, custom branding and a custom color scheme
Business: everything in Pro plus group sharing, admin controls, SSO, compliance exports and priority support
Which MindMeister plan fits your use case?
The right plan depends on how many mind maps you need and whether you need to export, print or manage them for a group.
Students often do well on the free plan. It covers most individual study needs: 3 mind maps are enough to focus on one subject at a time, and AI mind map generation is free during the beta. Upgrade to Personal when you need more mind maps or want to export a mind map for an assignment.
Freelancers and individuals usually choose Personal or Pro. Personal gives you unlimited mind maps and export. Pro makes sense when you present mind maps to clients and want them in your own branding.
Teams tend to choose Pro or Business. Pro works for smaller teams that share mind maps and want a consistent look. Business fits larger organizations that need group sharing, admin controls and single sign-on. You can also pass the action items from a mind map to MeisterTask, Meister's task management tool, so ideas become tracked work.
Teachers and schools can start on the free plan for individual lesson planning and share those mind maps with a colleague. For classroom use, MindMeister offers dedicated education plans for schools. To get started faster, build your first lesson from a lesson plan template.
When should you upgrade from the free plan?
Three questions usually settle the decision:
Do you need more than 3 mind maps at a time? If you regularly need more than 3 mind maps, Personal removes the limit.
Do you need to share mind maps outside MindMeister? If you regularly export or print mind maps to share them, you need a paid plan, because the free plan no longer exports or prints.
Do you manage mind maps for a group? If you need group sharing, automated access approval or single sign-on for your organization, Business is the plan built for that.
If you answer no to all three, the free plan is likely enough for now. You can revisit the decision whenever your work changes.
What happens when you reach the 3 mind map limit?
The free plan lets you have up to 3 mind maps at a time. To start a new one, trash a mind map you no longer need or upgrade to a paid plan.
A simple way to work within the limit is to give each active project its own mind map and keep it focused. Once you regularly work on more than 3 projects at a time, upgrading is usually simpler than working around the limit.
How to start for free and upgrade later
You can use the free plan for as long as you like, with no time limit. Upgrade to Personal or higher whenever you need more mind maps, export or printing.
Start free and upgrade when you need more
