Freedom251 › Mind mapping tools
Tectonian
What Tectonian is
Tectonian is a web-based visual mind-mapping app described for ADHD, autistic, and neurodivergent thinkers. Users start with a core idea, branch it into tasks or paths, and can lock branches until specified progress occurs. Writing spaces include Free Flow, structured, and fullscreen modes, with speech-to-text. Focus Mode dims distractions and isolates branches, while Random Task Focus chooses a task. Maps can use top-down, left-right, radial, or rotational layouts and Canvas, Table, Kanban, Gallery, Calendar, or Gantt views. Other listed tools include cloud sync, multiple workspaces, visual timers, keyboard shortcuts, smart filters, custom themes, AI assistance, and PDF export. The site says maps and AI chats use PBKDF2 and AES-256-GCM encryption, with the passphrase kept in the browser. Tectonian cannot recover data after a forgotten passphrase. Plans are Free, Professional at $8 a month, and Enterprise at $16 a month.
Who it suits
It suits people who want visual task planning around dependencies and next steps, especially the audiences named by its maker. The free plan offers three workspaces with 50 nodes each.
What it does well
- Multiple mind-map layouts and views
- Focus Mode reduces visual distractions
- Includes speech-to-text writing
- Offers AI assistance and PDF export
- Free plan available
What to know first
- Forgotten passphrases cannot be recovered
- Free plan limits workspaces and nodes
- Runs on the web
- Paid plans billed monthly
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | forever · 3 workspaces · 50 nodes per workspace · fullscreen, structured & freeflow notes · sharing & preset themes · encrypted cloud saves · 2 Stories with shareable links | Free |
| Enterprise | $16 / month · Unlimited workspaces · unlimited nodes · encrypted cloud saves · custom themes & colors · Focus mode · collaboration · Note-to-Node · priority support | $16 a month |
| Professional | $8 / month · 10 workspaces · 500 nodes per workspace · Focus mode · AI-powered generation · custom themes & PDF export · Kanban & Gantt views | $8 a month |
As tectonian.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Tectonian combines mind maps, writing spaces, focus tools, and several planning views in a browser app. Its encryption model and unrecoverable passphrase require care, while the free and paid plans provide different workspace and node limits.
Facts from Tectonian's own pages
- AI assistance
- Yes · tectonian.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Billing
- The pricing page says Stripe handles payments and supports major credit and debit cards plus select local payment methods. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Data access
- The site says titles, descriptions, notes, tags, workspace names, AI chats, uploaded media and files, and the passphrase are not stored in readable form. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The site says maps and AI chats are encrypted with PBKDF2 and AES-256-GCM using 600,000 iterations, and that the passphrase stays in the browser. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- PDF · tectonian.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Focus tools
- Focus Mode dims distractions and isolates branches, and Random Task Focus can choose a task to work on. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · tectonian.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The pricing page lists collaboration on Enterprise, while the product pages do not name third-party integrations. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The maker says Tectonian is for people who have many ideas and need to see dependencies and next steps to get started. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Layouts and views
- The site lists top-down, left-right, radial, and rotational layouts, along with Canvas, Table, Kanban, Gallery, Calendar, and Gantt views. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Mind maps
- Users can start with a core idea, branch it into tasks or paths, and lock branches until specified progress unlocks them. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Notes
- The app offers Free Flow, structured, and fullscreen writing spaces, with speech-to-text available in the app. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Other features
- The product also lists cloud sync, multiple workspaces, visual timers, keyboard shortcuts, smart filters, custom themes, and speech-to-text. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- web · tectonian.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Tectonian describes itself as a visual mind-mapping app for ADHD, autistic, and neurodivergent thinkers. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Recovery limit
- Tectonian says it cannot recover data if a user forgets their passphrase. · tectonian.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Tectonian stands on Freedom251
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