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MindSpark
What it is
MindSpark is a free, open-source mind-mapping app that runs in a browser or can be self-hosted. Its editor offers an infinite canvas, keyboard-first editing, automatic layout, drag-and-drop reordering, and multiple layouts. The Markdown outline and mind-map canvas stay synchronized in both directions. Citation tools can retrieve details from Crossref using a DOI, and cited nodes can be exported as a references list. Users can compile a map branch into a prompt, estimate its token count, and run it with their own Anthropic or OpenAI API key. The app imports JSON, OPML, Markdown, GitMind, and MindMeister files, and exports PNG, PDF, JSON, Markdown, Word, and Mermaid. Self-hosted mode stores maps in SQLite and requires Node.js 22 or later; browser mode saves maps as private JSON files in the user’s repository. Supported git hosts include GitHub, Gitea, Forgejo, and GitLab. Real-time collaboration, editable shared links, and identity-based access controls require the optional cloud worker. The project says there are no feature gates or usage limits and identifies its license as MIT. It describes MindSpark as built for researchers and engineers.
For and against
For
- Free with no stated feature gates or usage limits.
- Imports and exports a range of formats.
- Markdown outline and canvas synchronize both ways.
- Supports citation lookup using a DOI.
- Can be self-hosted with SQLite storage.
Against
- Self-hosting requires Node.js 22 or later.
- Collaboration features require the optional cloud worker.
- GitHub Pages deployment lacks OAuth and live collaboration.
- Some git-host tokens are account-wide.
The verdict
MindSpark combines mapping, citations, prompt workflows, and repository-backed storage in a free app. Check its deployment and collaboration requirements first, particularly if self-hosting or shared editing is important.
Who it suits
MindSpark suits researchers and engineers who want a browser-based or self-hosted mind-mapping tool with citation and prompt workflows. It also fits users who prefer repository-backed map storage and can meet its self-hosting requirements.
Plans and prices
Free
No accounts · no paywalls · no feature gates · no usage limits
Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- AI assistance
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- AI features
- Users can compile a map branch into a prompt, estimate tokens, and run it against Anthropic or OpenAI using their own API key.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- AI workflows
- Users can compile a map branch into a prompt and run it with their own Anthropic or OpenAI API key.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes MindSpark as built for researchers and engineers, with research, prompt-engineering, and software-engineering templates.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- Real-time collaboration, editable shared links, and identity-based access controls require the optional cloud worker.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Data storage
- Self-hosted mode stores maps in SQLite, while browser cloud mode saves maps as JSON files in the user's private repository.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment limit
- The GitHub Pages deployment uses personal access token sign-in and does not provide OAuth or live collaboration.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Editing
- The editor includes an infinite canvas, keyboard-first editing, automatic layout, drag-and-drop reordering, and multiple layout options.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- PNG,PDF,JSON,Markdown/text,Word (.doc),Mermaidgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Git hosts
- The app supports GitHub, Gitea, Forgejo, and GitLab for storing maps in repository-backed mode.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- MindSpark imports JSON, OPML, Markdown, GitMind, and MindMeister files and exports formats including PNG, PDF, Word, and Mermaid.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Imports and exports
- MindSpark imports JSON, OPML, Markdown, GitMind, and MindMeister files, and exports formats including PNG, PDF, JSON, Markdown, Word, and Mermaid.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project describes a separate MCP server for connecting MindSpark with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, ChatGPT, and other MCP-compatible clients.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- MindSpark is released under the MIT license.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Markdown
- Its Markdown outline and mind-map canvas stay synchronized live in both directions.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Mind mapping
- The editor provides an infinite canvas, automatic layout, multiple layouts, map search, presentation mode, and undo and redo.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Offline mode
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Presentation mode
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
