markmap vs Simple mind map
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A free open-source mind map library for the web, plus a separately licensed desktop app.
The short answer
Choose markmap if you need…
- People who already take notes or outline in Markdown and want a visual map of them
- Developers who want to embed Markdown-based mindmaps in their own web pages
- Students and writers sketching the structure of a topic from a text outline
- Users of VS Code, Neovim, or Emacs who want to preview mindmaps without leaving the editor
Choose Simple mind map if you need…
- Developers who want to add mind map editing to their own web product
- People who want a mind map app that runs in the browser or can be self-hosted
- Users who want to import and export common mind map formats such as XMind and Markdown, as listed for the desktop client
Side-by-side
| markmap | Simple mind map | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 13.2k | 12.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Use it in the browser (or self-host) | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 55 days ago | 3 months ago |
What each one is
markmap
Markmap converts Markdown outlines into mindmaps you can view and explore in a browser. You write headings and nested lists as usual, and it draws them as a branching diagram. It is available as a web editor and as plugins for editors such as VS Code and Neovim.
Simple mind map
This project has two parts. The open-source part is a JavaScript library for drawing mind maps in a web page, with no framework required, and a web mind map app built on it that can also be self-hosted. The desktop client and plugins are closed source and are downloadable separately; the README says the client works offline and stores data locally.
Best for
markmap
- People who already take notes or outline in Markdown and want a visual map of them
- Developers who want to embed Markdown-based mindmaps in their own web pages
- Students and writers sketching the structure of a topic from a text outline
- Users of VS Code, Neovim, or Emacs who want to preview mindmaps without leaving the editor
Simple mind map
- Developers who want to add mind map editing to their own web product
- People who want a mind map app that runs in the browser or can be self-hosted
- Users who want to import and export common mind map formats such as XMind and Markdown, as listed for the desktop client
Strengths
markmap
- Uses plain Markdown, so the source stays readable and easy to version in text files
- Available in several editors and tools, including VS Code, Open VSX, Vim/Neovim, and Emacs
- Open source under the MIT license with a large community following
Simple mind map
- Framework-independent JavaScript library, per the README
- Desktop client supports many formats for import and export, according to the README
- Documentation site is linked from the README
Not ideal for
markmap
- People who need a drag-and-drop mindmap editor, since the README describes writing plain text rather than a visual editing interface
- Teams needing hosted collaboration features, which the README does not mention
Simple mind map
- People who need only the open-source code and expect every feature of the desktop client, since the README says the client and plugin code are not open source
- Teams that need active maintenance, because the README says the open-source library is in a low-maintenance state
- Users who need an offline, fully open-source tool, since the offline client is closed source
Trade-offs
markmap
- The README is short and truncated here, so detailed setup and options are only available in the external documentation
- Several integrations are separate third-party projects with their own maintenance status
- Latest release is listed without binaries, so use is mainly through packages or the web
Simple mind map
- The open-source library is described by the README as being in low-maintenance mode
- Desktop client and plugins are closed source, so their code cannot be inspected or modified
Getting started
markmap
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/markmap/markmapSimple mind map
Install the library from npm (package name taken from the README badge)
npm install simple-mind-mapFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between markmap and Simple mind map?
markmap: Turns plain Markdown text into interactive mindmaps. Simple mind map: A free open-source mind map library for the web, plus a separately licensed desktop app. markmap suits people who already take notes or outline in markdown and want a visual map of them, while Simple mind map suits developers who want to add mind map editing to their own web product.
Are markmap and Simple mind map free?
markmap: Free and open source. Simple mind map: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, markmap or Simple mind map?
markmap is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Simple mind map is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is markmap or Simple mind map more popular?
markmap has more GitHub stars (13.2k) than Simple mind map (12.9k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to markmap and Simple mind map?
Other options people compare them with include Mermaid, Frappe Charts.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.