# Freeplane for Windows PC - **Name:** Freeplane for Windows PC - **Version:** 1.13.3 - **Developer:** Freeplane Team - **License:** Open Source - **Platform:** Windows - **Requires:** Windows 10 / 11 - **File type:** EXE Installer - **Size:** 102.3 MB - **Category:** Office & PDF Tools - **Updated:** 2026-10-21 - **SHA-256:** aa47a3b097272d527260c9e92eadc53f03412db462297face33f7c1b08b70e74 - **Canonical page:** https://filecobra.com/app/freeplane-mind-mapping-pc/ - **Download page:** https://filecobra.com/download/freeplane-mind-mapping-pc/ - **Direct download:** https://github.com/freeplane/freeplane/releases/download/release-1.13.3/Freeplane-Setup-1.13.3.exe > Freeplane is the powerful free mind-mapping tool — brainstorms, project plans and study maps with folding branches, formulas, links and exports, no account and no subscription… Freeplane is a free, open-source mind-mapping and knowledge-structuring application, the community continuation of FreeMind. Build branching maps for brainstorming, project planning, study notes and documentation, with folding branches, links between nodes, LaTeX formulas, images, attributes and filters, and presentation mode. Maps are portable XML files, exports cover PDF, HTML, image and office formats, and an add-on ecosystem (including GTD and research tools) extends it into a full personal knowledge workbench. ## Installation 1. **Download the installer** — Download Freeplane from the official vendor link on this page. 2. **Run the setup** — Open the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen installation steps. 3. **Launch the app** — Start Freeplane from the Start menu or desktop shortcut. ## Editorial verdict Freeplane is what mind mapping looks like when it is built for people who think in structures for a living. Branches fold and unfold, nodes carry attributes, icons, links, images, LaTeX formulas and free-floating notes, and maps scale from a napkin brainstorm to a thousand-node project knowledge base without changing tools. Conditional styling and filters let one map serve as brainstorm, task tracker and presentation — hide everything except this week's branch, fold to level two, and present straight from the map. It is the direct descendant of FreeMind, maintained openly, and it reads those old files happily. The trade is the interface: Freeplane looks like the serious Java desktop application it is, with menus that reward keyboard shortcuts and punish casual exploration. The first hour involves learning node editing keys and where formatting lives, and collaboration means sharing files rather than live co-editing. The add-on ecosystem — GTD task management, research and reference tools, diagram export — repays that hour for academics, writers, project managers and exam candidates. If your thinking is hierarchical and your budget is zero, this is the deep end of free mind mapping, and the water is excellent. ### Strengths - Serious structural depth: folding, cross-links between any nodes, attributes, formulas, images, and free-positioned nodes for maps that outgrow simple trees. - Conditional styles and filters turn one map into many views — plan, status report, and presentation from the same file without duplication. - Exports to PDF, HTML, PNG, SVG, and office formats, and imports FreeMind, MindManager and OPML, so maps are never trapped in the tool. - Fully free and open source with local files — no accounts, no cloud requirement, no subscription cliff for your own thinking. - A mature add-on system (GTD, research management, study tools) extends it into a personal knowledge workbench. ### Trade-offs - The interface is dense, dated, and keyboard-centric; new users face a real first-hour learning curve before the power becomes visible. - No real-time collaboration — sharing is file-based, which suits individuals and small teams but not live workshop mapping. - As a Java application it needs a runtime (bundled builds handle this) and its look never quite matches native Windows apps. ## FAQ **Is Freeplane free?** Yes, completely. Freeplane is free and open source under the GPL, developed by volunteers as the successor to FreeMind. There is no premium edition and no account. **What is the difference between Freeplane and FreeMind?** Freeplane is the actively maintained fork and continuation of FreeMind by members of the original community. It opens FreeMind files, keeps the same core mapping model, and adds attributes, formulas, add-ons, presentation mode and many refinements. **Can Freeplane export my mind map?** Yes — to PDF, HTML, PNG, JPEG, SVG, text outlines, and office formats, among others. Maps themselves are stored as portable .mm XML files you can archive, email, or version-control. **Is Freeplane good for studying and exams?** It is a favorite for exactly that: fold a syllabus into a map, attach notes and formulas to nodes, filter to weak topics, and use add-ons for spaced review. Many medical and law students keep entire courses in Freeplane maps. **Does Freeplane work offline?** Entirely. It is a desktop application working on local files; no internet connection or sign-in is involved at any point. --- Source: https://filecobra.com/app/freeplane-mind-mapping-pc/ · Mirrored from the publisher's own release channel by FileCobra. FileCobra runs no antivirus lab of its own.