Do your notes fit badly into folders because every idea links to several others? PersonalBrain, now called TheBrain (version 15), stores ideas as a network of linked thoughts with notes and files attached, and syncs it to your phone and the web.
Connect related ideas in a live map
Create a thought for a topic, then connect it to other thoughts to show how the ideas relate. The resulting concept map changes as you navigate: branches expand or contract around the area you are exploring. This lets a map hold a broad network of subjects without showing every branch at once.
PersonalBrain suits work where a single topic connects to several others, such as research notes that refer to multiple themes. Follow links through the map to move between related material, and add thoughts as the subject develops.
- Use thoughts as map nodes for ideas and resources.
- Navigate the map to reveal or tuck away branches.
- Search the whole network instantly, even across thousands of thoughts.
Attach source material to a thought
Each thought can hold rich-text or Markdown notes, web links and any number of files, such as documents and images. A small icon shows the type of the first attachment, and a counter shows how many there are.
This arrangement keeps the map connected to its supporting material: the thought represents the subject, while its attachments hold the associated resources. Notes can also be connected to ideas in the map.
Export the map as HTML
Export a map to HTML for a website, or export your data to standard formats to keep it portable. Built-in AI can summarize content and suggest connections, and optional cloud services add sync, sharing and team collaboration across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and the web.
Pros
- Links thoughts in a navigable concept map
- Attaches multiple files to a thought
- Exports maps to HTML while preserving their appearance
Cons
- Sync across devices requires a paid cloud plan
- Network view takes time to get used to
System requirements: Windows 10, Windows 11
Is PersonalBrain the same as TheBrain?
Yes. PersonalBrain was renamed TheBrain; the current release is TheBrain 15.
Is TheBrain free?
The desktop app is free with its features included. Paid cloud services add sync between devices, more AI use and collaboration.
Can one thought connect to multiple topics?
Yes. Any thought can link to any other, so an idea can sit in several branches at once.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. Apps exist for iOS and Android, plus a web version; syncing them requires the cloud service.