Markmap

Free plan APIExtensionLinuxMacSelf-hostedWeb+1

What Markmap is

Markmap converts Markdown into an interactive mind map, letting readers explore the hierarchy of a plain-text document as a visual structure. The official site links to a browser page where users can load Markdown and try the result. The transformation renders interactive SVG, and JSON options let developers set branch colors, node width, the initial expansion level, zoom, and panning. Built-in and developer-supplied plugins can extend the Markdown transformer.

A command-line tool creates maps from Markdown files and can generate HTML with assets inlined for offline use. An autoloader can turn Markdown-containing HTML elements into mind maps on a web page. Documentation links React and Vue demos and describes programmatic use through markmap-lib and markmap-view. The VS Code extension previews Markdown files, updates the map as the file is edited, and works offline. Other listed integrations include Open VSX, Vim and Neovim, Emacs, MCP servers, and AI agents. Markdown headings support up to six levels; nested lists can create deeper branches. Markmap is an open-source project under the MIT license and is free.

Who it suits

Markmap suits people who want to view Markdown outlines as interactive maps, as well as developers embedding or customizing that visualization. It is also relevant to Markdown users who want previews in VS Code, including offline use.

What it does well

Free and open source under the MIT license.
Browser page lets users load Markdown and view a map.
Exports interactive SVG and HTML with assets inlined for offline use.
JSON options cover colors, width, expansion, zoom, and panning.
VS Code preview updates as the Markdown file changes.

What to know first

Markdown headings support at most six levels.
The listed supported platforms are web and API.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Free · Open-source project; no paid plans stated	Free

As markmap.js.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the official Markmap website and use its Try it out page to load Markdown.
Use the command-line tool with a Markdown input file to create a mind map.
Install the VS Code extension to preview Markdown as a map.
Use the documented React or Vue demos, or markmap-lib and markmap-view, for programmatic use.

Verdict

Choose Markmap to turn Markdown hierarchy into an interactive mind map, with browser, command-line, embedding, and editor routes available. Look elsewhere if your Markdown structure depends on more than six heading levels without nested lists.

Questions

How much does Markmap cost?

Markmap is free and open source under the MIT license.

Is there a free trial?

No free trial is listed; Markmap is free.

Which platforms are supported?

The supported platforms are web and API. The project also lists a VS Code extension that works offline.

Can Markmap be used offline?

Yes. The VS Code extension works offline, and the CLI can generate HTML with assets inlined for offline use.

What formats can it export?

The listed export formats are HTML and SVG.

What is the heading-depth limit?

Markdown headings support up to six levels, while nested lists can create deeper branches.

Facts from Markmap's own pages

AI integrations: The project lists an MCP server and an AI-agent skill for generating interactive Markmaps from a file, URL, or topic. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Browser editor: The maker’s site offers a “Try it out” page for loading Markdown content. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Browser option: The project lists text2diagram as a browser-based option that creates an interactive Markmap from a plain-language description without installation. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Command line: The CLI creates a mind map from a Markdown input file and can generate output HTML with assets inlined for offline use. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Customization: JSON options include branch colors, node width, initial expansion level, zoom, and panning settings. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Developer integrations: The documentation links demos for React and Vue, and describes programmatic use through markmap-lib and markmap-view. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Editor integration: The VS Code extension previews Markdown as a mind map, updates the preview as the file is edited, and works offline. · marketplace.visualstudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Editor integrations: The project lists integrations for VS Code, Open VSX, Vim/Neovim, and Emacs. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Embedding: The autoloader can render HTML elements containing Markdown as mind maps in a web page. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Export formats: HTML,SVG · markmap.js.org, 20 Sept 2026
Input: The project describes itself as a way to build mind maps with plain text. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
License: The public GitHub repository lists an MIT license. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Maker: The site credits the project to gera2ld; the linked maker profile identifies the person as Gerald. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Markdown heading limit: Markdown headings support at most six levels, though nested lists can create deeper branches. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Offline mode: Yes · markmap.js.org, 20 Sept 2026
Offline use: The VS Code extension listing says it works offline. · marketplace.visualstudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Open source: The project’s GitHub repository identifies its license as MIT. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Other integrations: The project lists integrations for VS Code, Open VSX, Vim and Neovim, Emacs, MCP servers, and AI agents. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: web,api · markmap.js.org, 20 Sept 2026
Plugins: The Markdown transformer supports built-in plugins and additional plugins supplied by the developer. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Pricing: The official site and repository pages opened provide no subscription pricing or trial terms. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: Markmap visualizes Markdown as mind maps. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Security and compliance: The maker’s pages reviewed do not state security certifications or compliance claims. · markmap.js.org, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The maker’s donation page invites users to support the open-source projects through Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, or PayPal. · gera2ld.space, 12 Oct 2026

Where Markmap stands on Freedom251

Mind Mapping Software#13 of 72
Mind mapping tools#37 of 72