# OPML vs FreeMind for NotebookLM mind maps

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/compare/opml-vs-freemind  
Section: Compare  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Free

Both export a NotebookLM mind map as an editable tree, and both are free. OPML is an outline format: best for outliners such as Workflowy and OmniOutliner, and accepted by many mind-map apps. FreeMind is a mind-map format: best for XMind, Freeplane and MindNode.

## Side by side

|  | OPML (.opml) | FreeMind (.mm) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Designed for | Outlines | Mind maps |
| Opens in | Workflowy, OmniOutliner, Logseq, XMind, MindNode | Freeplane, FreeMind, XMind, MindNode, MindMeister |
| Keeps hierarchy | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps colours and positions | No | App dependent |

## Which to choose

- Choose **OPML (.opml)** if you will turn the map into a document outline or a task list.
- Choose **FreeMind (.mm)** if you will keep working on it as a visual map.

## Frequently asked questions

### OPML (.opml) or FreeMind (.mm): which is better?

Neither in general. Choose OPML (.opml) if you will turn the map into a document outline or a task list. Choose FreeMind (.mm) if you will keep working on it as a visual map.

### What if my app accepts neither?

Export Markdown. Most tools can paste an indented list, and Markmap renders Markdown as a map.

## Related guides

- [Export NotebookLM mind maps to OPML](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/mind-map-to-opml)
- [Export NotebookLM mind maps to FreeMind](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/mind-map-to-freemind)
- [NotebookLM to XMind: editable mind maps](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/integrations/notebooklm-to-xmind)
- [PNG vs SVG for a NotebookLM mind map image](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/compare/png-vs-svg-mind-map)
- [CSV vs TSV for NotebookLM data tables](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/compare/csv-vs-tsv)
- [BibTeX vs RIS for NotebookLM sources](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/compare/bibtex-vs-ris)