TheBrain Reviews

“Top choice for organizing your knowledge

Pros

I started using It back in 2008 when it was still PersonalBrain 4 Pro. I got it to organize a ton of educational stuff I had and honestly I've been hooked on the concept ever since. It's probably one of the very few subscriptions I actually don't mind paying for! They keep improving it too which is awesome.

Cons

I don't get why this tool isn't more popular. Every time I show it to someone, they're like "Whoa, that's awesome!" But somehow barely anyone knows about it. Awareness is super low for how powerful it is.

“Getting everything organized

Pros

What I love most is how this tool lets me connect topics in all kinds of ways, I can add multiple parent topics or create jumps to totally unrelated stuff. I dump all my random, abstract thoughts in there and then slowly shape them into something structured.

Cons

The learning curve is definitely a hurdle not because it's hard to use but because it's just different. It takes a while to wrap your head around the way it works even though it's totally worth it once you do.

“All in one place

Pros

It feels like a mix between a relational database and a full-on toolbox packed with features. It's not just one tool, it's a bunch of different tools all working together to help manage what I know.

Cons

I really like the collaboration features especially being able to see who's active in a shared Team Brain. It's a neat way to stay synced with others though I feel like it could be expanded.

“My main tool for managing personal info

Pros

I'm blown away by how it lets me organize ideas and info by showing how things are related. It's way easier to find and connect stuff this way. Honestly the way It does mind mapping is next-level smart.

Cons

I used to have issues when I had big data tables in my thoughts, those would lag. But I just upgraded to version 14 and it's fast now. Honestly can't think of anything I dislike anymore.

“Amazing product!

Pros

The visual layout is very unique and it really digs deep into how ideas are linked. It's also practical when you need to use it for something real. Plus their free version is surprisingly generous, pretty rare nowadays.

Cons

Even though there are a few things I think could be better, the stuff that does work is so strong that I'm happy to overlook the rest. If I had to ask for improvements, I'd say quicker startup times better overall performance and more solid web functionality.

“Easy to use

Pros

I find it very easy to use and I really enjoy how you can link your thoughts and create little networks between them. Makes thinking and working feel more connected.

Cons

One thing I really wish it had? An API that connects with other tools especially stuff like Microsoft apps. That's a big gap in the ecosystem.

“Exciting possibilities in the future

Pros

One of the coolest things is how you can link different file types inside It. It makes working across formats feel smooth.

Cons

Searching can be tricky sometimes. Like if I'm looking for a specific image I end up clicking through a bunch of thoughts manually because there's no way to just show all the pics in one easy-to-scan thumbnail view. Would love a fix for that.

“I store everything I might forget

Pros

Apps like Evernote and Asana don't really click with me and OneNote is just okay. But TheBrain? Total game changer. I love how it connects everything together. If I add a recipe for apple pie, I can stick it under "Desserts" but also under "Comfort Food" or "Off My Diet" whatever makes sense to me. Most apps are straight-line thinkers but It is like "Let's do this your way." I can find anything instantly with the search too which is a life-saver. I literally use it for everything where I ate last month, software serial numbers all of it. It's like a second brain that actually remembers stuff.

Cons

The mobile app honestly needs a serious update. I use It a lot on my phone but the app hasn't kept up. Search doesn't always work and now they've got this new web version that's okay but not great. It's slow, needs constant login and doesn't scroll right when I'm typing. I know it's early days and the AI stuff they're adding is exciting but I really hope they give the mobile app some love too. If they do that, it's an easy 5-star tool.

“Essential for my business

Pros

I'm the kind of person who captures tons of ideas and client details, so being able to stash all that in one place and actually find it later, makes me feel organized.

Cons

Deleting stuff takes two steps which is kind of annoying. I have to "forget" a thought and then go delete it separately. Would be nice if that could be simpler.

“Transformed my approach to work

Pros

The way It works feels just like how I naturally think, not in a straight line but all over the place with weird little connections. It just gets me.

Cons

I've been using It since 2008 and I've never looked back. No complaints at all. The way they keep innovating is awesome, it does mean I have to keep learning new stuff but I'm cool with that.

“Best product, super helpful

Pros

What I think is best about It is how it lets you build really complex relationships between different bits of info. Then you can actually see those connections and jump through them super fast.

Cons

There's just one thing I really don't like: when I search for something and it's not found it automatically creates that thought under whatever I'm currently in. I never want that to happen and then I have to go delete it manually. Not a fan of that default.

“My favorite app for taking notes

Pros

I really dig the visual layout and the note-taking features like Unlinked Mentions and Backlinks make everything smooth. They recently added AI to help with content creation and brainstorming which is a great bonus. I use It on my phone now too just tap and save cool stuff on the go. Sometimes I find things I saved ages ago and totally forgot about until my digital Brain reminds me!

Cons

At first I couldn't find a ready-made template for the kind of work I do in healthcare. But now with their new AI features, I just build my own. very helpful.

“Great but not for everyone

Pros

TheBrain's visual approach is awesome. I love how it shows all the different relationships spread out across a huge map. It's like seeing my brain on screen.

Cons

The editor can get a little laggy sometimes. It's way better now than it used to be but I still notice it every now and then.

“Visually appealing tool!

Pros

It's honestly amazing to see all my thoughts laid out like this. There's no limit to what I can do with it. Importing and exporting stuff works well too.

Cons

Honestly you kind of have to enjoy living in a mind-map world to really get into this. Lucky for me, I do. But I think it'd be awesome if there were an option to just view everything in a clean, text-based format like Dynalist.

“Amazing idea but poor execution

Pros

It really lets me think the way I actually think. Instead of rigid folders, I can just link stuff however I want. One task might show up under my client's name, the person handling it and my focus list for the week. It's been fantastic for managing tasks and I just tag things with TODO or Follow Up, set reminders, color-code the urgent stuff and even explore the brain randomly to see what catches my eye. It makes productivity feel more like thinking and less like work.

Cons

The Android app hasn't worked for me since Android 9 dropped. And there's no support for it which is frustrating. It also doesn't offer an API, so I can't connect it to anything in my workflow using tools like Zapier. The software is incredible but it still feels kind of like a beta. I'm starting to explore other options because of that.