Freedom251 › Mind mapping tools
VYM (View Your Mind)
What VYM (View Your Mind) is
VYM (View Your Mind) is free GPL-licensed desktop software for creating and editing tree-like mind maps. It supports organizing tasks, managing time, brainstorming, and examining complex contexts. Users can move, reorder, and recolor branches, add images stored inside the .vym file, and mark items with toolbar flags for importance or time sensitivity. A separate editor stores notes and emails. VYM supports XML and zipped .vym files, with the zipped format keeping data together in one file. Listed interchange options include FreeMind import, CSV export, HTML export, and scripted exports. It can fetch Bugzilla data and update bug status for a map subtree when an extra package is installed. Other capabilities include presentation mode, branch-heading web links, and printing that fits map size and orientation to selected paper. Native downloads are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The maker lists documentation, FAQ, mailing list, forum, and GitHub issue tracking.
Who it suits
It suits people organizing tasks, time, ideas, or complex information with branch-based maps. Desktop users on Linux, macOS, or Windows can use its free GPL software.
What it does well
- Free GPL-licensed desktop software
- Linux, macOS, and Windows support
- FreeMind import and multiple export options
- Images stored within map files
- Presentation and printing modes
What to know first
- Bugzilla integration requires an extra package
- Only partial D-Bus support is described
- No security or compliance certifications stated
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| VYM | GPL-licensed software · desktop download | Free |
As insilmaril.de lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
VYM provides a broad, file-oriented mind-mapping toolkit across major desktop platforms at no cost. Its extra-package Bugzilla feature and limited stated interoperability may matter for specialized workflows.
Facts from VYM (View Your Mind)'s own pages
- Desktop availability
- The maker links to Linux downloads and to Mac and Windows downloads; release notes describe native Mac and Windows support. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Users can move map branches, change their colors, and reorder parts of a map. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- File format
- VYM supports XML and zipped .vym files, and the site says the zipped format stores all data in one file. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The feature page lists XML and zipped .vym files, and says XML can be exported to HTML. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Flags
- Toolbar flags can mark map items as important or time critical. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · insilmaril.de, 20 Sept 2026
- Images
- Images can be added to a map and are saved within the .vym file for sharing. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Images and flags
- Maps can include images saved in the .vym file and toolbar flags for marking information such as importance or time sensitivity. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- The listed features include FreeMind map import, CSV export, HTML export, and scripted exports. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- Integration
- VYM can fetch data from Bugzilla and update bug status for items in a map subtree; the page says an extra package is required. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The maker describes uses including time management, task organization, and getting an overview of complex contexts. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Interoperability
- The 2.0.0 feature list states that VYM has partial D-Bus support. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The maker says VYM is released under the GPL and describes a GPL exception to allow linking against non-GPL libraries for Windows builds. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Links
- The maker describes a function that copies a branch heading into the URL used to open a web browser. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Map editing
- Users can reorder map branches and change their color with mouse actions. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- Notes
- A separate note editor can store additional text such as notes and emails. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The maker's download links list Linux variants and Mac and Windows downloads. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Presentation mode
- Yes · insilmaril.de, 20 Sept 2026
- Printing
- VYM uses a Qt printer dialog and sets map size and orientation to fit the selected paper. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- VYM creates and edits tree-like mind maps to organize tasks, sort ideas, and explore complex contexts. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The official pages opened provide no security or compliance claims. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- The maker’s pages opened for this research do not state security or compliance certifications. · insilmaril.de, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker links to PDF documentation, an FAQ, a mailing list and forum, and a GitHub issue tracker. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
- What it does
- VYM generates and manipulates mind maps, tree-like representations of thoughts, for uses such as organizing tasks, time management, and exploring complex contexts. · insilmaril.de, 12 Oct 2026
Where VYM (View Your Mind) stands on Freedom251
- Mind mapping tools#32 of 72
- Mind Mapping Software#51 of 72