WiseMapping Alternative: Self-Hosted Private Mind Maps

A modern WiseMapping alternative for self-hosters: zero-knowledge encrypted mind maps, Docker deployment, offline desktop apps, native PWA support on mobile, and dark/light mode built in.

WiseMapping earned its place as the open-source, self-hostable web mind mapper. If you are looking for an alternative, you probably want to keep exactly that — browser access, your own server, open source — while fixing what aged: the interface, the deployment experience, mobile support, and the fact that everything on the server sits readable in the database.

Why WiseMapping users look around

WiseMapping still works, and for a plain shared web mind mapper it remains a reasonable choice. The reasons people search for a successor are consistent:

Slow development pace. Releases are infrequent, and the UI has fallen behind what people expect from a modern editor (smooth large-map handling, dark mode, mobile-friendly layout, polished keyboard flow).
Server can read everything. WiseMapping stores map content readable by the server — standard for classic web apps, but it means whoever operates the instance (or obtains its database) reads every map.
Java/Spring deployment weight. Running and upgrading the stack is heavier than the docker-compose-and-done experience self-hosters expect today.
No offline or desktop story. It is browser-only; there is no local mode when the server is down or unreachable.
No dark mode, no PWA. The UI does not adapt to modern expectations around theme or mobile installation.

WiseMapping vs MindMapVault

	WiseMapping	MindMapVault
Web-based editor	Yes	Yes
Self-hosting	Yes (Java/Spring stack)	Yes — Docker with PostgreSQL and S3-compatible storage
Server can read your maps	Yes (plaintext in database)	No — zero-knowledge, server stores only ciphertext
Mobile / PWA	No PWA; browser-only	Yes — installable as PWA on iOS and Android, no store required
Dark/light mode	No	Yes — single click, dark by default, preference saved
Offline / desktop app	No	Yes — free Windows and Linux apps, fully local mode
Hosted option	wisemapping.com (free)	Free cloud tier; Pro $50/year for more storage
Open source	Yes	FOSS desktop edition with public repository
Keyboard-first editing	Partial	Yes — Enter/Tab tree editing throughout
Node features	Notes, icons, links	Notes, colors, icons, checkboxes, progress, dates, links
Export	FreeMind `.mm`, image, PDF	FreeMind `.mm`, Markdown, PDF, PNG, SVG
Import	FreeMind `.mm`	FreeMind `.mm`, Markdown
Sharing/collaboration	Yes — shared editing	Limited — private-first by design

The honest trade-off: WiseMapping is better if team collaboration on shared maps is your core need. MindMapVault is private-first — the encryption model that prevents the server from reading maps also means collaboration is deliberately constrained. If your instance mostly serves individuals who want their maps to stay their own, the trade favors encryption.

Mobile access and PWA — no store required

MindMapVault's web client is a Progressive Web App. On iPhone or Android, open app.mindmapvault.com and tap "Add to Home Screen" — it installs with no app store, no review wait, and no update management. It feels like a native app and uses the same zero-knowledge encrypted vault as the desktop version and the self-hosted server.

WiseMapping has no PWA and no mobile-optimized path — it is a browser-only interface that was not designed with mobile in mind.

Dark/light mode

MindMapVault runs dark by default and switches to light mode in a single click. The preference is stored in localStorage and applied synchronously before the first render — no flash of unstyled content.

Migrating from WiseMapping

The path runs through the .mm format both tools speak:

In WiseMapping, export each map as FreeMind (.mm).
In MindMapVault, click Import .mm on the vaults screen and select the file.
Structure, node text, notes, colors, links, and fold state import; each map becomes its own encrypted vault.
Verify, then decide where it lives: local-only desktop vault, your self-hosted instance, or the hosted cloud — the encryption model is identical everywhere.

Export works the same way out of MindMapVault (.mm, Markdown, PDF, PNG, SVG), so a test migration commits you to nothing.

Self-hosting, modernized

For the home-lab use case WiseMapping pioneered, MindMapVault's self-hosted deployment runs as Docker containers backed by PostgreSQL and any S3-compatible object store. Even with full database access, an administrator of a MindMapVault instance cannot read users' maps — content is encrypted on each user's device before upload (can an admin see my notes?). Your backups are ciphertext too.

Frequently asked questions

Is WiseMapping still developed?

The project is alive but moves slowly, with long gaps between releases. Evaluate its repository activity against your maintenance expectations for a self-hosted service.

Can MindMapVault import WiseMapping maps?

Yes — export from WiseMapping as FreeMind .mm, then use MindMapVault's built-in .mm importer. Structure, text, notes, colors, and links carry over.

Is there a hosted version like wisemapping.com?

Yes: a free zero-knowledge cloud tier (25 MB encrypted storage) and a $50/year Pro tier (1 GB). Unlike a classic web app, the host cannot read what you store.

What does self-hosting require?

Docker, PostgreSQL, and S3-compatible object storage. The same zero-knowledge model applies — your server stores ciphertext.

Try it

Create a free cloud account — the fastest way to compare editors
Download the desktop app — free, offline, Windows and Linux