Freedom251 › Mind mapping tools
Tendril
What Tendril is
Tendril is a private desktop mind-mapping app for planning, research, study and writing. It runs on macOS and Windows, works offline and saves maps as local files. No account is required; maps are not uploaded to a Tendril cloud service and their content is not shared with AI companies. Curved branches can contain notes, icons, status, priority, due dates and progress. Task View presents branches in a sortable list with task details, due dates and links to their branches. Editing includes keyboard shortcuts, drag reparenting, automatic layout, collapsing, undo, redo and full-text search. Maps export as images, PDFs, outlines and task spreadsheets. Recovery snapshots protect unsaved work after an unexpected close, while backup snapshots accompany successful saves. The site positions Tendril for solo thinking, private notes, project outlines, study maps, research trails and writing structures, not live team workshops, enterprise diagramming, mobile-first capture or collaborative whiteboards. A free macOS beta is available by request, with Windows planned later for that beta. Personal license listings include $39.99, paid once and $49.99, paid once.
Who it suits
Tendril suits individuals who want private, offline maps for thinking, studying, researching or writing. It is not intended for live team workshops, collaborative whiteboards or mobile-first capture.
What it does well
- Offline local-file storage
- No account or cloud upload required
- Task View with due dates
- Exports images, PDFs and spreadsheets
- Recovery and backup snapshots
What to know first
- No real-time collaboration
- Not intended for mobile-first capture
- Free macOS beta requires a request
- Windows beta is planned later
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Personal license | one-time personal license · 2 years of updates | $49.99 a month |
| Personal license — special launch offer | One-time personal license · 2 years of updates · Optional paid upgrades for future major releases | $39.99, paid once |
| Personal license — standard price | One-time personal license · 2 years of updates · Optional paid upgrades for future major releases | $49.99, paid once |
As usetendril.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Tendril focuses on private, offline mind mapping with task-oriented branches and multiple export formats. Its personal licensing and stated solo-use focus make it less suitable for collaborative or mobile workflows.
Facts from Tendril's own pages
- Beta request data
- The privacy policy says Tally handles beta requests and submitted email addresses are used to notify applicants when the free macOS beta is available. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Current beta
- The site offers a free macOS beta by request and says Windows is planned later. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editing tools
- The app supports keyboard shortcuts for creating child and sibling branches, drag reparenting, auto layout, branch collapsing, undo, redo, and full-text search. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- Images,PDF,outlines,task spreadsheet · usetendril.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Exports
- Tendril exports maps as images, PDF, outlines, and task spreadsheets. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · usetendril.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes Tendril as suited to solo thinking, private notes, project outlines, study maps, research trails, and writing structures. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Maps and tasks
- Maps use curved branches, and branches can include notes, icons, status, priority, due dates, and progress. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline and storage
- Tendril works offline and saves maps as local files on the user's device. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline mode
- Yes · usetendril.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,macOS · usetendril.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- Tendril requires no account, does not upload maps to a Tendril cloud service, and does not share map content with AI companies. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Tendril is a private desktop mind mapping app for planning, research, study, and writing. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Real-time collaboration
- No · usetendril.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Recovery
- The site says recovery snapshots protect unsaved work after an unexpected close and backup snapshots accompany successful saves. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Stated limitations
- The site says Tendril is not intended for live team workshops, enterprise diagramming, mobile-first capture, or collaborative whiteboards. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Task View
- Task View presents branches with task details in a sortable list, with due dates and links back to the relevant branch. · usetendril.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Tendril stands on Freedom251
- Mind mapping tools#45 of 72
- Mind Mapping Software#54 of 72