MindNode: Mind Mapping Meets Apple Watch (Sponsor)

This week’s sponsor is MindNode, the mind mapping tool I’ve been using for 15 years.

Some projects don’t fit in linear lists. They need space to branch, to connect in ways that only make sense when you can see the whole picture at once. That’s where mind mapping works, and MindNode is the best mind mapping tool for Apple users.

MindNode makes capturing ideas frictionless. I keep a full-screen mind map open on my Mac and swipe to it throughout the day when thoughts hit. Add a node, see how it connects to everything else, swipe back to work. The idea is captured before it vanishes.

You can start messy. Branch ideas in every direction. Then switch to outline view when you need structure. The two views stay in sync, so you get both visual thinking and organized output without choosing between them.

MindNode just launched an Apple Watch app. You can view your mind maps as outlines on your wrist, check off tasks, and even edit content on the go. I didn’t expect mind mapping to work on a watch, but the outline view makes it practical. When you’re away from your devices and need to reference a project or mark something complete, it’s there.

MindNode runs natively on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro, and now Apple Watch. Your documents sync through iCloud, which keeps your data private and encrypted. The team at IdeasOnCanvas has been building MindNode for over 17 years.

If you’re looking for a better way to organize ideas, or if you’ve bounced off clunky mind-mapping tools before, check out MindNode and give it a try. The Apple Watch integration is just the latest reason it keeps earning a spot in my productivity stack.

A Quick Note on MindNode Versions

If you used MindNode a few years ago and got confused by the transition, you’re not alone. Here’s the short version: MindNode is the current, actively developed app. MindNode Classic is the older version. One subscription unlocks both, so you can use either. The team at IdeasOnCanvas still maintains Classic (they even shipped a Liquid Glass update for it), but MindNode is where all the new development happens. If you bounced off during the transition, now’s a good time to come back.

Outlines vs. Mindmaps

I sometimes get asked about where I use outlining tools versus mind mapping tools. I can see why those lines could be confused. Both tools are good at taking a bunch of inputs and letting you organize them later. For me, the distinction is all about chaos and order. Specifically, where outlines are best for taking generally organized information and making it more organized, mind maps are all about taming chaos.

For instance, when I was making the initial attempt at organizing the Photos Field Guide, I used a MindNode-based mind map. I didn’t have a clear path when I started that project, and I needed to just get ideas on the screen so I could start organizing. By using a mind map, I saw there were multiple organizational paths for that course. Using the mind map also helped me determine to group courses by platform rather than topic.

Other good examples of mind map tasks, for me, are where I’m learning something new or when I have to get my head wrapped around my own thoughts on a topic. In that case, I start up a new mind map and add to it slowly.

On the flip side, when I create a chronology for a client matter, a project that is, by nature, linear, I start with an outline. I’ll do the same thing outlining contracts or planning structured long-form blog posts. Another place I often use outlines is when attending what feels, to me at least, like a structured lecture. You can just tell when the speaker has a beginning, middle, and an end, and those fit best as outlines.

Whether you are using mind maps or outlines, Cooking Ideas still works. This is the technique I’ve talked about in the past where you start to map or outline early, and come back to it every day or two with your subconscious mind doing the heavy lifting. If you can get started on a project this way early enough, it sometimes feels like the work does itself.

My weapons of choice these days for both? MindNode for mind maps. OmniOutliner for outlines. Both cover all the Apple platform devices and make it really easy to jump between devices and resume.

MindNode Adds Editable Outlining

Today marks the release of MindNode 2021.01 on the Mac with a new editable outline. This feature lets you import data into MindNode in either outline or mind map format and updates across the app. By adding the ability to edit your mind map in outline format, the tool becomes more flexible depending on how you are thinking.

There’s also a new visual design on the outline. This feature is currently just on the Mac version of MindNode Plus. The developers intend to add the feature to the iPhone and iPad versions in a few months.

MindNode Update for iOS 14

MindNode, my mind mapping app of choice, got a nice update for iOS 14. The new update adds widgets to give you quick access to your maps from your Home Screen. I primarily use MindNode on my iPad, and looking at this new widget, I really wish Apple would open the iPad Home Screen up for more widgets. The good news is that the MindNode will also be coming to Big Sur.

The new version also supports the magic keyboard with some innovative features like pointer gestures. You can Shift + Drag to connect nodes and Option + Click to create new nodes. This all dramatically speeds up the process. They’ve also added a context menu for notes, connections, and images. Finally, MindNode also has scribble support so you can add titles and connections with your Apple Pencil.

The reason I use MindNode is that because the work I do in the app is inherently creative. It’s a time when the very last thing I need is the software to get fiddly with me. I want to create and connect nodes with zero friction. MindNode has always understood that, and this update is right in line with that purpose.

MindNode 7 Released

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MindNode, my favorite mind mapping app, recently released version 7. The new version adds visual tags to your maps with colored dots you can drop in at the end of nodes. It gives you one more visual tool for mind mapping, and their uses go as far as your imagination. I’ve been using them to represent progress as I work through the Keyboard Maestro Field Guide update nodes. The tags work on both iOS and Mac platforms and they are an excellent addition.

The app also still has that clean design that I love and the ability to jump between mind maps and outlines in the application.

MindNode has also shifted the business model to a subscription pricing plan to help support future development. ($2.49/month or $19.99/year) Even though they’ve made this move, they are making the new update with visual tags a free upgrade to existing MindNode 5 and 6 customers. When I first got into mind mapping, the software was hundreds of dollars and couldn’t hold a candle to MindNode. I use MindNode nearly every day, so the $20 per year price tag is an easy decision for me.

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MindNode 6 Released with Focus Mode and Additional New Features

MindNode, my mind mapping app of choice, continues to iterate and improve with the recent release of version 6. This new version features a “Focus Mode” that lets you focus on one section of your map while removing the rest. It’s an excellent way to minimize distractions when you are drilling in on a small part of your map.

For iOS, they have added the ability to select multiple objects. Anytime you can add more power to the iPad version, I’m happy. (I do most of my mind mapping on the iPad.) Another nice addition on iOS is external screen support. A helpful refinement with this external support is the ability to lock that view, which can make a lot of sense when sharing a map with a group of people.

There are additional features such as sticker search, customizable panels on IOS, Chinese localization, and better keyboard shortcuts, but, in all honesty, they had me with Focus Mode.

This new version is a free update to MindNode 5 customers.

MindNode Now on Setapp

If you’re a Setapp subscriber, the mind mapping application that I use nearly every day, MindNode, is now available. A few years ago I made some screencasts explaining how I use MindNode. It’s a great app to help you get started mind mapping.

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MindNode 5 Releases and Screencasts

This week MindNode version 5 released (App Store). This is a great update to an already useful application. MindNode is the application where I finally “got it” concerning mind mapping. I particularly like using it on my iPad. Using mind mapping, I’m able to long-term plan big projects in a way that is more efficient, and frankly better, than any method I’ve ever used before. I talked about this at length on the Mac Power Users episode a few years ago about cooking ideas.

The reason I like MindNode, in particular, is because it has both power and simplicity. This new version is no different. They managed to keep all of MindNode’s power features while at the same time simplifying their implementation and their look. The application now has some good looking artwork right in the app that adds a visual component to your mind map without looking dopey (like so much clipart does).

The new version also makes it easier to expand and collapse nodes giving your brain different looks of your project and hopefully helping different synapses connect with each other at the same time.

Of course, the application still syncs between your Mac, iPad, and iPhone so you’ll have the ability to add to and modify your mind map from anywhere.

If you’ve never really tried mind mapping, you should. I find it makes a significant improvement in the quality of projects that I ship. And if you’re interested, there is no better app for getting started than MindNode. Listen to the above linked MPU episode, get a copy of MindNode, and give it a try. Also, I did some videos on the new version for the gang at MindNode to show off the app and its features. It’s almost 50 minutes of video on mind mapping and will help you get started.

New MindNode Screencast Series

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I like to use mind mapping to plan out projects. For several years now, my weapon of choice for mind mapping has been MindNode. MindNode, for me, is the right balance of features and ease-of-use. MindNode’s easy to pick up, syncs over iCloud, and I use it all the time. I’ve done a set of five screencasts using MindNode explaining the why and how of mind mapping from my perspective and you can watch them all over at the MindNode website. Below is the first video. Enjoy.

MindNode for Mac 2.0

The gang over at MindNode has been busy re-writing MindNode for Mac and today we get to see the final product with the release of MindNode 2.0 (App Store) (Website).

Having used the beta for a month, I heartily recommend the new version (which is on sale for a short time). For me, MindNode has sat in that sweet spot with just enough features to satisfy me but not so many as to make the application overly complex.

This application has always had a nice clean design and been very easy-to-use. With the new update, they continue with that same design philosophy but adds several new powerful features:

Outline Mode

I have this left brain/right brain thing constantly going on where I want to see my data visually as a mind map but also in outline format. For some time MindNode has had the ability to display your mind map as an outline on iOS. Now it has that feature on the Mac too.

Notes

You can now add notes to any node in your mind map. It’s a great way to remove clutter but also add more information at the same time.

Stickers

The new version includes its own built in library of clipart that you can use throughout your mind map. The artwork is superb and fits the aesthetic of MindNode perfectly. I never used clipart before in mind maps because I always thought it looked silly. I’ve started using it with this new version and I’m quite happy with it.

Web Access

Stuck on a computer without MindNode installed? No problem. You can now access your documents on the web. It supports folding and unfolding of nodes and displaying attached notes.

MindNode is currently on sale for $19.99 which is 33% off its normal retail price.