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Best Free Alternatives to Scapple 1.5.x

Stop paying $20.99. Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.

Category: Visual BrainstormingVerified for 2025

Top Recommended Replacements

Obsidian Canvas

FREE

Top Professional Alternative

Why we like it

100% free with Obsidian; supports local Markdown files, images, and web embeds; infinite canvas; incredible community plugin support; local-first privacy.

Keep in mind

Requires setting up an Obsidian vault first; slightly higher learning curve than Scapple's 'double-click-and-type' UI.

Kinopio

FREE

Best for Creative Play

Why we like it

Beautiful, tactile web-based interface; focuses on spatial thinking; easy sharing and real-time collaboration; supports cards, images, and drawing.

Keep in mind

Subscription-based for unlimited cards; browser-only (no offline-first native app like Scapple).

Heptabase

Best for Visual Learning

Why we like it

The 'next-gen' Scapple; converts visual cards into a structured knowledge base; powerful PDF annotation and bidirectional linking; seamless cross-platform sync.

Keep in mind

Expensive monthly subscription; overkill for simple brainstorming tasks.

Apple Freeform

FREE

Best for Apple Ecosystem

Why we like it

Already installed on Mac/iPad/iPhone; incredible stylus support on iPad; supports almost any file type; high-performance infinite canvas.

Keep in mind

Strictly limited to the Apple ecosystem; lacks the specialized 'stacking' and text-alignment features of Scapple.

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