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Productivity · head to head

Gamma vs MindMeister

Gamma logo

Gamma

Productivity

AI-powered presentation and document creation software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MindMeister logo

MindMeister

Productivity

Collaborative online mind mapping, free for three maps in total

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Gamma free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly; MindMeister the free plan allows three mind maps in total, and a map is a whole document rather than an item, so the cap is reached in a first afternoon of genuine use, making it a demonstration with no clock rather than a usable tier.
  • They diverge on capability: Gamma covers AI Slide Generation, MindMeister covers Real-time collaboration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gamma and MindMeister actually diverge.

Attributes where Gamma and MindMeister differ
AttributeGammaMindMeister
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Gamma

  • AI Slide Generation
  • Advanced Image Models
  • Custom Branding
  • API Access
  • Custom Domains
  • Analytics
  • Studio Mode
  • AI Credits

Only in MindMeister

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Presentation mode
  • Free plan
  • File export
  • Attachments
  • Version history
  • MeisterTask handoff
  • Custom branding

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Gamma

  • Rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and salesnot MindMeister
  • Generating report decks from company data and metricsnot MindMeister
  • Creating training and onboarding presentations automaticallynot MindMeister
  • Building product demos and case study presentationsnot MindMeister
  • Team collaboration on branded presentations with shared assetsnot MindMeister

MindMeister

  • Running a live brainstorm with people in different places, where everyone edits the same map simultaneously.not Gamma
  • Teaching or training where the map doubles as the slide deck through presentation mode.not Gamma
  • Structuring a project or an argument visually before it becomes a document or a plan.not Gamma
  • Teams already using MeisterTask who want ideas to become tasks without transcribing them.not Gamma

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Gamma

  • Free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly
  • Credit rollover capped at 2x monthly allocation, forcing month-to-month spending
  • Refund window limited to 3 days with usage thresholds restricting claims
  • Per-seat pricing on team plans increases costs for large organizations
  • Studio Mode limited to Ultra plan, restricting advanced editing to highest tier

MindMeister

  • The free plan allows three mind maps in total, and a map is a whole document rather than an item, so the cap is reached in a first afternoon of genuine use, making it a demonstration with no clock rather than a usable tier.
  • Exporting is a paid feature, since the free plan cannot export files at all, Microsoft-format export begins at the Pro tier and compliance export at Business, so retrieving your own work in a portable form costs more than the entry subscription.
  • Pricing is per user and a map's value comes from being seen, so an organisation pays the same rate for people who only read and comment on maps as for the few who actually build them.
  • Attachments are rationed by tier at two per map on the entry plan, so using a map as a project hub rather than a sketch pushes you to a higher tier for a limit that has nothing to do with mapping.
  • Single sign-on and the administrative controls an IT department requires sit on the Business tier and involve a sales conversation, which is where a tool adopted quietly by individuals becomes an organisational purchase at several times the entry price.

Pricing, plan by plan

Gamma

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 400 AI credits (one-time, non-renewable)
    • Up to 10 cards per prompt
    • Basic AI
  • Plus$12/month
    • 1,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 20 cards per prompt
    • Badge removal on exports
  • Pro$25/month
    • 4,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 50 cards per prompt
    • Premium AI models
  • Ultra$100/month
    • 20,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 75 cards per prompt
    • Most advanced AI models

MindMeister

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 mind maps
    • Unlimited collaborators
    • Templates
  • Personal$6/month
    • Unlimited mind maps
    • 2 attachments per map
    • 7-day version history
  • Pro$10/month
    • Unlimited attachments
    • Unlimited version history
    • Multiple admins
  • Business$15/month
    • Group sharing
    • Compliance exports/backups
    • SAML SSO (contact sales)

Which should you pick?

Choose Gamma if

  • You need ai slide generation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want advanced image models.
Gamma review

Choose MindMeister if

  • You need real-time collaboration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want presentation mode.
MindMeister review

Questions people ask

Is Gamma or MindMeister better?
Neither clearly leads. Gamma starts at Free and MindMeister at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gamma or MindMeister?
Gamma starts at Free and MindMeister at Free.
Does Gamma or MindMeister run on more platforms?
Gamma runs on Web, iOS, Android. MindMeister runs on Web.
Can I use Gamma for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Gamma best used for?
Gamma is most often used for rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and sales, generating report decks from company data and metrics, creating training and onboarding presentations automatically, building product demos and case study presentations. Of those, rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and sales and generating report decks from company data and metrics are not what MindMeister is typically brought in for.
What can Gamma do that MindMeister cannot?
Gamma covers AI Slide Generation, Advanced Image Models, Custom Branding, API Access. MindMeister covers Real-time collaboration, Presentation mode, Free plan, File export.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gamma: How do Gamma AI credits work?

Each plan includes a monthly AI credit allowance. Free users receive 400 one-time credits. Plus plan includes 1,000 monthly credits, Pro includes 4,000 monthly credits, and Ultra includes 20,000 monthly credits. Unused credits roll over up to 2x the monthly allowance.

Source
MindMeister: What does the free plan allow?

Three mind maps in total, with unlimited collaborators, templates and presentation mode. It does not include file export, so maps made on the free plan stay in the browser.

Gamma: What is included in the Free plan?

The Free plan includes 400 AI credits (one-time), up to 10 cards per prompt, basic AI, Gamma branding on output, and 7-day change history.

Source
MindMeister: Can I export my maps?

On paid plans. The entry tier adds file export and printing, and Microsoft formats arrive at Pro. What comes out is an image, a PDF or a document, not an editable map another tool can open.

Gamma: What payment and refund options does Gamma offer?

Gamma offers a 3-day refund window for monthly plans if you have used less than 10-20 percent of your monthly credits depending on the plan.

Source
MindMeister: Does it work offline?

Treat it as needing a connection. If you are running a workshop somewhere with unreliable network, export or print what you need beforehand rather than relying on the browser.

Gamma: How much do Team and Business plans cost?

Team plans cost $20 per seat per month with a minimum of 2 seats, including 6,000 AI credits per seat. Business plans cost $40 per seat per month with a minimum of 10 seats, including 10,000 AI credits per seat.

Source
MindMeister: How does it relate to MeisterTask?

Same vendor, separate products and separate licences. Map branches can be sent into MeisterTask as tasks, which is the main reason to prefer it over a general whiteboard tool.

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