Beam vs Xmind
Beam and Xmind are both personal productivity tools. Beam is aimed at developers and creators, while Xmind is aimed at freelancers and small businesses. Both have a free plan.
Open individual windows from one Mac as native windows on another
Mind mapping app with an AI agent that builds maps through chat
| Pricing | Freemium · $12 | Freemium |
| Starting price | $12/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
| Built for | Developers, Creators, Freelancers, Small businesses | Freelancers, Small businesses, Creators, Enterprise |
| Platforms | macos | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android |
| Country | — | — |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Beam if
Developers and creators with two Apple silicon Macs who want a remote app to behave like a local window instead of a full screen share.
- Uses one remote app without taking over the whole desktop
- Window traffic goes directly between your Macs, not through Beam's servers
- Free plan has no card requirement and no limit on host Macs
Look elsewhere if: People who need to reach Windows or Intel machines or control a whole remote desktop across platforms (Jump Desktop, Parsec).
Choose Xmind if
Individuals and small teams who think in outlines and want a polished cross-platform mind mapping app with an AI assistant built in.
- Native apps on every major desktop and mobile platform
- Low yearly prices for Pro and Premium
- Files can stay local, with optional cloud sync
Look elsewhere if: Teams running large live workshops or drawing detailed technical diagrams (Miro, Lucidchart).
Beam vs Xmind pricing
Beam
- Free$0Host unlimited Macs, join share links, 20 minutes a day of use
- Monthly$12/moUnlimited use on every Mac you own, send share links
- Yearly$84/yrSame as Monthly; works out to $7/mo billed annually
- Lifetime$199One-time payment, all future updates, direct connections
- Team$12/seat/moOr $84/seat/yr; 20% off from 10 seats, one invoice
Xmind
- Free$010 online maps, single-map PNG export, 50 one-time AI credits
- Pro$4.92/moBilled yearly; 50 maps, all export formats, no watermark
- Premium$8.25/moBilled yearly; unlimited maps, real-time collab, 500 AI credits/mo
- Business / EnterpriseCustomMulti-user plans and lifetime licenses via sales
Beam · Key features
- Single windows from another Mac open as native windows with Dock and Command-Tab entries
- Beam several windows at once or share an entire display
- Direct typing, shortcuts, two-way resizing, app audio and clipboard sync
- Works with headless Mac minis and Mac Studios that have no display
- Encrypted Mac-to-Mac connection on local Wi-Fi or over Tailscale
- Guest share links open one window in any browser, view-only by default
Cons
- macOS only, with Apple silicon and Sonoma or later required on both Macs
- Free use is capped at 20 minutes a day
- Devices without the Mac app, such as phones, only get browser links
Xmind · Key features
- Mind maps, timelines, matrices and other structures with themes
- Xmind Agent builds and edits maps from ideas, files, links or Notion pages
- Xmind MCP server for Claude, Claude Code, Codex and ChatGPT
- Outliner, Pitch mode presentations and distraction-free ZEN mode
- Tasks with assignees and an editable, exportable Gantt chart
- Export to PNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown and Office formats
Cons
- Free plan exports PNG only and limits online maps to 10
- Real-time collaboration and monthly AI credits need Premium
- Free and Pro get only 50 one-time AI credits
Beam vs Xmind: FAQ
Do Beam and Xmind have a free plan?
Yes, both Beam and Xmind have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.