MindManager vs. Smartsheet

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
MindManager
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
MindManager is a mind mapping and project management tool that aims to boost users’ productivity. It is designed to facilitate a wide range of project types, and includes cross-platform functionality and 3rd party integrations.
$105
per year
Smartsheet
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
Smartsheet is an online project management and collaboration tool. It includes automated alerts, instantaneous updating and sharing across team members, resource management, nested tasks organized in a hierarchy, a Gantt chart view, exportable and automated reports, and integration with email.
$12
per month per user (up to 10 users)
Pricing
MindManagerSmartsheet
Editions & Modules
MindManager for Microsoft Teams
$105
per year
Annual Subscription
$179
per year
Organizations
Contact sales team
Pro
$12
per month per user (up to 10 users)
Business
$24
per month per user (3 user minimum)
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Advanced Work Management
Contact Sales
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
MindManagerSmartsheet
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsA discount is offered for annual billing.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
MindManagerSmartsheet
Considered Both Products
MindManager
Chose MindManager
GitMind not only has various templates in its library but also lets users work online.
Chose MindManager
MindManager has helped me structure and visualize complex product development workflows more effectively. I’ve mapped out processes, linked documents and data, and tracked tasks across teams. For example, visualizing feedback loops improved collaboration, while task integration …
Chose MindManager
Previously we used and loved Microsoft Visio, but the product has not improved much. The subscription pricing also increased so Visio is only licensed to users who need it. Everybody else now uses MindManager.
Chose MindManager
They do not belong.

Non pertinent
Chose MindManager
Integrates with Microsoft Office suite, network infrastructure, and web links. Remains efficient even after adding multiple links.

Intégration avec la suite Office de Microsoft et les infrastructures réseaux et lien web. Reste performant même après l'ajout de plusieurs liens.
Chose MindManager
MindManager succeeded in every aspect, there is no real comparison possible. The sum of features that can be used with the MindManager is not available in any other product on the market. Based on that and on the continuous improvement of the MindManager there can not really be …
Chose MindManager
Particularly in the area of development and joint collaboration with other customers, this enables us to show, explain and develop content directly to teams, for example. The advantage over other products. It is simply a great simplification in the context of collaboration with …
Chose MindManager
MindManager stands out for its wide range of export options, customization and how they have enriched the format over time. As a constantly evolving tool, and having tried others, I consider it superior for the abovementioned reasons. Its cross-platform nature has been …
Chose MindManager
I have known and followed MindManager developments since 2000 and maintain my knowledge base. I even used it to create my wheel of life based on the Indian model and would also like to use the MM in a VR version. No tool offers comparable holistic functions - as well as - 25 …
Chose MindManager
I used Freemind before. At home I use SimpleMind Pro. Both are not listed in your drop-down. MindManager is the most sophisticated tool I've been working with so far, but the most expensive one, as well.
Chose MindManager
The primary reason for the switch was that I needed a lighter, no-frills tool. I saved big time on the licensing cost. A major need was the cross-OS platform, and this tool works irrespective of MacOS and Windows. I could not have found a better tool. Lucidchart is the next …
Chose MindManager
The choice missing in the above is Lucidchart and Lucispark.
These are powerful tools to brainstorm and map processes. We consider that MindManager is much better for brainstorming and strategic planning.
Lucidspark would easily get cluttered and disorganized.
Chose MindManager
MindManager covers all our needs (information management, brainstorming and planning, project management, sharing and collaboration) in one tool, and we do not have to jump back and forth between different applications. It's a very flexible tool that can be customized to your …
Chose MindManager
- the feature which are relevant for the majority of users are available in MindManager, and these feature can be learned easily and quickly; the alternative tools are more powerful (but have a lot of feature the standard user does not need) and are more expensive and difficult …
Chose MindManager
integration, drag and drop and many other features are not supported by XMind
Chose MindManager
We opted for MindManager many years ago. The main reasons are the product's stability, continuous development, general range of functions, and export options, especially for Office.
Chose MindManager
The continuity in the product maintenance of MindManager and the options offered by the API for add-ins, direct COM access and the use of macros are decisive for us. This allows us to automate business processes without being bound and limited in a universe of a specific …
Chose MindManager
As starte in 2010 as an "early adopter" a lot of experience with MindManager has been gained over time. MindManager is in use as a "working horse" in my environment. While MindManager has pretty well managed to further develop the technology and to adapt with fast changing IT …
Chose MindManager
I used to use AYOA, and I really like the beauty and uniqueness of the maps. However, it does not have the comprehensiveness of MM.
Chose MindManager
I have used a few others in the past (not listed in your product search, such as Freemind). I don't recall all of the Mind Mapping products I've tried, but MindManager definitely felt the most complete as a product and had a much more professional feel.
Chose MindManager
Much more efficient and professional.
Smartsheet
Chose Smartsheet
I use both. Excel for more data/spreadsheet focused tasks and Smartsheet for our event planning and project management. Smartsheet allows for collaboration, has project management features like task tracking and the Gantt chart, and even has some handy automation features …
Chose Smartsheet
I tried Miro for a while and it just didn't have the features Smartsheet does. If I'm going to pay for a "supercharged Excel," I expect to really do a ton more than Excel!
Chose Smartsheet
It allows team collaboration.
Project monitoring is very easy.
Dashboards are very good for the project reporting.
Chose Smartsheet
Asana and monday.com are typical project management tools where resources can be tracked based on the tasks, etc. Smartsheet does exactly the same but additionally allows people outside of PM to automate their data collaboration with other employees. The solutions that …
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet is user friendly with easy to use templates as compared to Microsoft project. Other thing is collaboration which cannot be achieved in Microsoft project. Smartsheet has different types of pricing for different types of users but Microsoft project only offers …
Chose Smartsheet
Jira is better on user interface and task tracking. However the dashboard isn't as versatile as on Smartsheet. That being said, it takes maintenance to keep the Smartsheet dashboard updated regularly (not automated).
Chose Smartsheet
Definitely a lot more intuitive and a lot less clunky and confusing. When I have to introduce Smartsheet to other team members who have experience with MS project they are overwhelmed with how easy it is and feel a lot more engaged when developing their own workbooks
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet enable users to build the more custom solutions that can include workflows, reports, dashboards, sheet data, reminders, etc. It allows to create the most complete reports and have available thousand of already built solutions on the Solution Center. Also, has the …
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a dedicated project management tool that is built on spread sheet principles. When compared to Microsoft's own offering, Smartsheet came out on top in some areas like dedicated project management features vs having to build custom features to Microsoft 365. …
Chose Smartsheet
Jira and Redmine are much more robust and technologically advanced project management solutions. I enjoy using either when managing a very large project. However, I prefer to use Smartsheet for my smaller to medium sized projects. As for Google Drive - I would say that Google …
Chose Smartsheet
It has been my favorite alternative; I can control Smartsheet from my mobile device since, as a manager, it allows me to visualize the files made through it, with the convenience of any time and space.
Chose Smartsheet
Price and ease of collaboration was the deciding factor and since we made this decision quite awhile ago, Microsoft Project's collaboration features were not there yet, making Smartsheet the clear winner. Many of our Project Manager were comfortable working with Microsoft …
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet makes it simple to plan and budget on projects, streamline business workflows and improve overall customer service. The pricing plans are affordable and businesses that implement Smartsheet enjoy tremendous long-term value. Employee work performance is boosted and …
Chose Smartsheet
I believe Smartsheet is much easier to use than Asana. There is a better way to collaborate with colleagues and track your progress on projects. There is a better structure on how to set up your system. It has better filters to see what you have accomplished vs what is open and …
Chose Smartsheet
Functionality is far superior and very easy to use.
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet is an exceptionally robust and ,offer unique hybrid solution to manage projects and automate workflows that is based on accurate data. It offers better time-saving functions that speeds up delivery of projects on schedule and using the allocated resources.
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet has been a positive success; it has been easy to use and quite intuitive. It allowed us to foster collaboration between colleagues.
Chose Smartsheet
Works more efficiently than MPP as updates can happen in real time in the cloud and be collaborated on with other team members.
Chose Smartsheet
Before utilizing Smartsheet we utilized a combination of Quip and an in-house developed task management tool. Even though we did not utilize Smartsheet for all of our project management needs it did provide a useful structure for planning a schedule for routine tasks and …
Chose Smartsheet
Other software's are more geared towards the construction process while Smartsheet is more geared to generic Project Management, no specific to the construction industry. We are using Smartsheet to communicate with our client and not to manage construction so from that …
Chose Smartsheet
I prefer the more traditional usability of Smartsheet. It's like Microsoft Project or Excel, but far easier for my organization to access. We don't currently have it set up as our resource manager or integrate it with our timesheets (our problem, not Smartsheet), and I think …
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet is much easier to collaborate on than Microsoft or Primavera in terms of scheduling software, but lacks the customizability of its competitors. You can also much easier link projects together when master scheduling which is a huge advantage compared to Microsoft …
Chose Smartsheet
We use Basecamp for our day-to-day in-house operations, but need a more "rigid" structure (spreadsheet) for managing projects with clients. Everything is in one place in Smartsheet and clients are able to find and use it easily.
Chose Smartsheet
All the products seemed to perform the project and task management function adequately. The following factors were the keys to our selection:
  1. Ease of use - so similar to Excel everyone can figure it out.
  2. Flexible architecture lends itself to many different use cases beyond …
Chose Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a must to companies that are in need of automating key business processes that will save them time and eliminate productivity killers. This software enables teams identify bottlenecks early on tasks and projects that are due so that they are able plan on a course …
Features
MindManagerSmartsheet
Mind Mapping
Comparison of Mind Mapping features of Product A and Product B
MindManager
7.5
Ratings
0% above category average
Smartsheet
-
Ratings
Cross-Platform Compatibility7.40 Ratings00 Ratings
Customizable Templates7.80 Ratings00 Ratings
Import and Export Options7.20 Ratings00 Ratings
Real-time Collaboration Tools6.80 Ratings00 Ratings
Drag-and-Drop Capabilities9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Notes and Attachments7.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Color and Style Customization7.90 Ratings00 Ratings
Presentation Mode7.40 Ratings00 Ratings
Integration with Task Management6.80 Ratings00 Ratings
Mind Map Revision History6.90 Ratings00 Ratings
Project Management
Comparison of Project Management features of Product A and Product B
MindManager
-
Ratings
Smartsheet
9.1
Ratings
17% above category average
Task Management00 Ratings9.80 Ratings
Resource Management00 Ratings9.90 Ratings
Gantt Charts00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Scheduling00 Ratings9.80 Ratings
Workflow Automation00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Team Collaboration00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Support for Agile Methodology00 Ratings8.80 Ratings
Support for Waterfall Methodology00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Document Management00 Ratings9.20 Ratings
Email integration00 Ratings9.10 Ratings
Mobile Access00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Timesheet Tracking00 Ratings9.70 Ratings
Change request and Case Management00 Ratings8.10 Ratings
Budget and Expense Management00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Professional Services Automation
Comparison of Professional Services Automation features of Product A and Product B
MindManager
-
Ratings
Smartsheet
7.9
Ratings
2% above category average
Quotes/estimates00 Ratings8.10 Ratings
Invoicing00 Ratings7.50 Ratings
Project & financial reporting00 Ratings8.70 Ratings
Integration with accounting software00 Ratings7.40 Ratings
Best Alternatives
MindManagerSmartsheet
Small Businesses
Whimsical
Whimsical
Score 9.3 out of 10
Stackby
Stackby
Score 8.9 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Whimsical
Whimsical
Score 9.3 out of 10
InEight
InEight
Score 8.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Whimsical
Whimsical
Score 9.3 out of 10
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Score 8.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
MindManagerSmartsheet
Likelihood to Recommend
7.8
(0 ratings)
9.3
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.9
(0 ratings)
9.2
(0 ratings)
Availability
8.7
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.8
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
6.4
(0 ratings)
8.1
(0 ratings)
Online Training
7.3
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Configurability
8.8
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.9
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.8
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
MindManagerSmartsheet
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited for a quick prototype of product/development planning to show relationships amongst the APIs used. This helps developers understand the impact of the product changes and identifies the need to update integration components to avoid erroneous deployments. I have not personally experienced a less appropriate scenario at the moment.
Read full review
The Smartsheet platform is extremely similar to Microsoft Excel, so if you are familiar with Excel, you will pick Smartsheet up quickly. Even if you aren't Smartsheet has a relatively simple user interface, meaning just about anyone can learn it. One thing to note is that the interface is that some may consider the interface so simple that they feel the need to look for more robust platforms. If you have a small to medium project that needs to be manages in a central hub, Smartsheet would be a great fit. If you have a very large project, I might consider looking into more advanced platforms.
Read full review
Pros
  • Mapping content, user flows and customer journeys.
  • It enables us to rapidly reconfigure maps in MindManager to inform new information architectures, navigational systems, and content strategies.
  • Connect User Research and analytics precisely to screens.
  • Dissect flows and screens into their component parts and research them.
Read full review
  • The easy to use dashboard has enabled us get comprehensive view of projects across the entire business.
  • It has streamlined internal communication with ease of sharing information across different teams.
  • Smartsheet automates our workflows, enhances collaboration and ensures there are no data silos.
  • I like that it saves time for us and ensures we spend less time switching between apps.
Read full review
Cons
  • There should be some more functionality in the Notes window, such as a "Paste Special " Icon in the notes area to maintain format control.
  • Although I create many of my own Web export templates, an add-on for web export design would be great, as I regularly create Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETP) in HTML export format.
  • The ability to sync Map shortcuts between devices would also be welcome. I use MM on three devices, and I have to add or amend the Map list individually. My maps are on OneDrive, so using them should not be that hard if they are cloud-based.
Read full review
  • Smartsheet set up is similar to Excel, yet when you upload an Excel file, things like conditional formatting are lost. Smartsheet has its own conditional formatting, and you have to reinstate the rules. It would be great if those would apply automatically once a file is uploaded
  • Some Smartsheet management and access rules can take some tweaking to work properly. This may be a case of offering more info to admins so they can apply these better and with more efficiency
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Likelihood to Renew
I feel the main issues of the old Mindjet seem to be gone with the
Corel purchase. With the huge advance of sharing via browser HTML even 1
user can affect many. And, actually, using MM kind of forced my rigid
brain to rethink how I categorize and classify information/projects.
The
idea of paying $69USD for an annual cost is more than fair and a great
model for Corel/Mindjet to keep rolling out improvements!
Read full review
Smartsheet has made my work life easier. Reduced my email significantly. Smartsheet and SaneBox have got me leaving the office with 0... Yes 0 emails in my inbox. My inbox would reach 150-250 email per day. Smartsheet brought that number down significantly and SaneBox took it the rest of the way. Do yourself a favor and check out SaneBox, too.
Read full review
Usability
MindManager is very intuitive. The user interface is not cluttered and the ribbon icons are easy to understand. Several excellent "how-to" videos are available on the MindManager site as well as on YouTube. MindManager starts quickly and the user interface is very responsive. Launching other programs from MindManager such as Excel is very fast and issue free. The browsing feature is lightning fast. The drag-and-drop capability is also very fast and reliable.
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Smartsheet is very easy to learn. However, while I have been able to pick it easily, Microsoft Excel and Project super users that I have trained on Smartsheet get bogged down in the differences and can find it frustrating. Explaining the differences ahead of time and why Smartsheet is being chosen instead of a different software seems to counteract those reactions
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Reliability and Availability
We have had no issues with the application's availability
Read full review
No answers on this topic
Performance
The application is quick and responsive. We are able to produce mindmaps and reports with ease. The program is not complicated at all and integrates well with software and programs like Microsoft Outlook and Teams, which we truly appreciate.
Read full review
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
I have called technical support a few times. During the COVID Crisis, I called a few times repeatedly due to a rush request. The technical support guy called me back in minutes. He somehow knew that I had called repeatedly and wanted to make sure my issue was resolved immediately
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They're a smaller company but they've always given great service when we rarely need to reach out. Pretty good online content but a bigger user base would help to produce more content in a self-sufficient community much as we see with Salesforce. To be fair we haven't needed their direct customer support very often. The sales guys are nice and not too pushy!
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Online Training
There is a wide range of online training through webinars led by expert users. They are particularly useful for explaining how to use new features and using MindManager 'in the real world' for projects, tasks etc.
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No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
better backup and exporting functions
Read full review
Work with the Smartsheet support team to get the best overall. If no one in your organization has used Smartsheet before, the support team will get things started. We had a couple of people who had used this product before and it was a great help in getting our framework together how we wanted to use it.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
MindManager stands out for its wide range of export options, customization and how they have enriched the format over time. As a constantly evolving tool, and having tried others, I consider it superior for the abovementioned reasons. Its cross-platform nature has been decisive, and although there are many alternatives in the form of web applications or the like, MindManager presents itself as a more complete and robust option.
Read full review
Smartsheet is a dedicated project management tool that is built on spread sheet principles. When compared to Microsoft's own offering, Smartsheet came out on top in some areas like dedicated project management features vs having to build custom features to Microsoft 365. However when you compare them on price, Microsoft 365 definitely has more value than Smartsheet.
Read full review
Scalability
A team can collaborate on the same project but cannot create a shared project file. It would be helpful for that feature to be added.
Read full review
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
  • MindManager allowed me to impress my audience by presenting complex cyber-security and information security concepts in a different and straightforward way. It meant income as instructor since I got the same diploma engagement three times in a row with the Mexico City government.
  • In March 2021, the CEO of GSB Solutions, a former employer, invited me to design an innovation program for the company. I used MindManager to create the program, explain the concepts, and the implementation plan. All in one mind map. After presenting it to the CEO, I was promoted from Operations Coordinator —a part-time position— to Innovation Manager —a full-time position— earning four times my initial salary. The same mind map served to visually manage the program for 18 months.
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  • Our positive ROI has decreased the overall cost in project management as it reduced the amount of MS project licenses we needed.
  • We have also seen a positive ROI on using the cloud storage and it automatically supports proper version control.
Read full review
ScreenShots

MindManager Screenshots

Screenshot of MindmapScreenshot of Reverse BrainstormingScreenshot of MindManager for Microsoft TeamsScreenshot of MindManager SnapScreenshot of MindManager GoScreenshot of Mind Maps in MindManager