MindGenius vs. MindManager

MindManager and MindGenius are both mind mapping platforms with built-in project management capabilities. On TrustRadius, they live in the diagramming and project management software categories. 

Both products aim to help organizations with project ideation, organization, tracking, and execution. A key difference between these two products is that MindManager offers desktop applications while MindGenius offers both desktop and web-based applications. 

Features

Both products offer mind mapping features with embedded project management capabilities. These include various mindmap templates, the ability to export maps into Microsoft Office applications (.e.g Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint), and the ability to view map information in a Gantt chart. Each product also has a user-interface made to mimic the look and feel of Microsoft Word. 

Compared to MindManager, MindGenius has a wider range of use-case specific map templates (e.g. employee performance reviews, coursework preparation, dissertation planning, etc.). It also allows users to apply formatting/styling to the full map or all topics on one branch and set a default template type. Users have the option of creating a mindmap, Gantt chart, or Kanban board at the beginning of their workflow creation process. 

MindManager offers a wider variety of non-use-case specific map styles than MindGenius. These include ven diagrams, funnels, and onion charts. It also has a set of project planning and management features such as adding resources and priority markers to topics, topics task tags, start & end dates, task duration and effort levels, and the ability to assign tasks to other users. 

Limitations 

Compared to MindManager, MindGenius has a few limitations such as it’s web-based application lacking certain capabilities included in the desktop applications. For example, mindmaps created in MindGenius Online cannot be downloaded to PCs or to Microsoft Office applications. Users also can’t create project reports using the online application, though they can by using MindGenius20 desktop applications. 

MindManager also has a few limitations when compared to MindGenius. These include the lack of an online application and the real-time collaboration capabilities that web-based applications make possible. For example, users don’t have the freedom of using the program on any PC with an internet connection or do multi-user editing.

Pricing

Both products provide a free trial, though MindGenius offers a 14-day trial while MindManager offers a 30-day trial. MindGenius offers both subscription and perpetual licensing for its desktop applications, and subscription pricing for its online version. The one-time license fee for the desktop application is $256 and subscription prices start at $16 per month for the web application. 

MindManager has a one-time license fee of $349 for Windows and Mac desktop applications. It also has a ‘special licensing program’ for enterprise and government users, though prices for these plans are not disclosed on MindManager’s website.