Mermaid 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
Generate diagrams from Markdown-like text, for docs and code.
Open source · MIT
A free open-source mind map library for the web, plus a separately licensed desktop app.
The short answer
Choose Mermaid if you need…
- Developers who want diagrams stored as text alongside their code and docs
- Teams whose documentation is written in Markdown and needs diagrams
- Non-programmers who want to make diagrams using the Live Editor
- Projects that generate documentation as part of a build or production script
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
| Mermaid | Simple mind map | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 91k | 12.9k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 3 months ago |
What each one is
Mermaid
Mermaid is a JavaScript tool that turns short text descriptions into diagrams such as flowcharts and sequence diagrams. You write the diagram in a Markdown-inspired syntax and the renderer draws it, so the diagram can be edited as plain text. Its stated purpose is to keep documentation up to date with development.
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
Mermaid
- Developers who want diagrams stored as text alongside their code and docs
- Teams whose documentation is written in Markdown and needs diagrams
- Non-programmers who want to make diagrams using the Live Editor
- Projects that generate documentation as part of a build or production script
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
Mermaid
- Diagrams are plain text, so they are easy to edit, diff, and version-control
- Works inside tools such as GitHub, according to the README
- Large, active open-source project with a published documentation site
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
Mermaid
- People who need pixel-precise, freeform illustration; the README describes it as text-defined diagrams rendered by a renderer
- Users who need a visual drag-and-drop editor as their main workflow, since the README centers on text input via the Live Editor
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
Mermaid
- Layout and styling are controlled by the renderer, so fine visual control is limited by what the syntax supports
- Requires learning the Mermaid syntax for each diagram type
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
Simple 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 Mermaid and Simple mind map?
Mermaid: Generate diagrams from Markdown-like text, for docs and code. Simple mind map: A free open-source mind map library for the web, plus a separately licensed desktop app. Mermaid suits developers who want diagrams stored as text alongside their code and docs, while Simple mind map suits developers who want to add mind map editing to their own web product.
Are Mermaid and Simple mind map free?
Mermaid: Free and open source. Simple mind map: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Mermaid or Simple mind map?
Mermaid is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Simple mind map is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Mermaid or Simple mind map more popular?
Mermaid has more GitHub stars (91k) 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 Mermaid and Simple mind map?
Other options people compare them with include markmap, 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.