Mind Mapping Software & Tools
We have tested numerous mind mapping tools to check their pros and cons, features, and overall performance. After a detailed review of these tools, we have shortlisted a few of the free and commercial tools with popular features and the latest mind mapping software download links. Please go through our handpicked list of Best Mind Mapping software tools.
EdrawMind is a versatile and user-friendly mind mapping, brainstorming, and outlining tool that enable you to turn your ideas into visuals with the help of timelines, mind map, bubble map, fishbone, Gantt charts, etc. Using this tool, you can conceptualize your own mind maps and switch between different modes to track the overall progress with ease.
It offers over 5000 continually updated template resources and cross-platform support, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. This mind-mapping software lets you customize every detail and conduct group brainstorming sessions.
Features:
- Presentation mode: With EdrawMind, you can easily access best-in-class templates to create concept maps and attractive presentations. Using mind maps, you add images, colors, and other objects to create a dynamic presentation.
- Creating mind maps: EdrawMind lets you create mind maps easily, and you can add branches, topics, and subtopics on these maps to create a central idea-relationship connection.
- Branch-Free positioning: You can position the topics and subtopics anywhere in the mind maps without any specific hierarchical layout. This tool provides greater flexibility in arranging and organizing the map elements.
- Infinite Canvas: With the Infinite Canvas setup, you can create anything without dimensional boundaries. You will not be obstructed by any fixed shape or size when giving shape to your ideas on the Canvas.
Pros:
- This application provides 700 stylish clipart.
- It offers more than 33 predefined themes.
- You can filter tasks by resources.
Cons
- Free Plan only comes with 7 preset themes.
- You get 10GB of cloud storage only on Perpetual Plan.
Pricing
There is a free browser version of EdrawMind for users to use online. Alternatively, you can download and install EdrawMind for free on your PC. There is also a 30-day refund option for paid-plan users.
Figma is an online diagram and collaboration application for businesses to create flowcharts, wireframes, sitemaps, mind maps, and mockups. You can easily transform your workflow into detailed components, which allows users to work on the same interface simultaneously in real time.
This free mind-mapping software can work with different versions of the same file and contributes significantly to the UX and UI design process.
Features:
- Advanced prototyping: Experience a realistic feel with a minimal frame rate using mathematical expressions, conditional logic, and other advanced prototyping features.
- One space for multiple users: The interface lets you work together in real time, creating a better team effort with more opportunities for better ideas and enhanced workflows.
- Reusable assets: Experience consistency while saving time using the reusable assets available in the shared libraries. You can standardize the variables and components for better project management.
- Online whiteboard: FigJam is the online whiteboard from Figma that allows different team members to collaborate and share different brainstorm ideas. It is an interesting platform that can be used for creating retros and rituals to encourage teambuilding.
Pros:
- It can automatically animate your objects.
- This tool lets you comment on your prototype.
- Support for Dropbox and Notion.
Cons
- BETA Dev Mode is not available on the Free Plan.
- You can access the Expiring Public Links feature only on the Enterprise Plan.
Pricing
The Figma Starter plan is available for free. Additionally, there are paid professional plans that offer a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Miro is a map collaboration tool that allows teams to centralize their cross-functional teamwork. It offers a quick and easy way for a team to capture, manage, and map user stories wireframes, plan scripts, and structure their thoughts.
The tool has an Infinite Virtual whiteboard to complete visual tasks like agile planning, project management, and design iteration. It can integrate over 20 tools, including InVision, Confluence, Slack, Google Drive, Jira, and more.
Features:
- Process Mapping: Use Miro’s process mapping feature to create journey maps and flowcharts quickly and easily. You can use Miro’s Shapes library, connectors, advanced mind mapping, and intelligent formatting.
- AI assistance: With AI-powered Miro-Assistance, you can easily manage those time-consuming and complicated tasks. It auto-generates everything like diagrams, sticky note summaries, brainstorming ideas, mind maps, or codes.
- Asynchronous collaboration: Users can work as a team on a digital canvas without the need to be online. This asynchronous collaboration allows users to access the whiteboards independently at their convenience.
- Security certification: Miro promises the highest level of security and is compliant with SOC 2, SOC 3, GDPR, TISAX, NIST, and ISO/IEC 27001 Security Management.
Pros:
- It provides real-time collaborative drawing.
- Users experience seamless communication through built-in comments, video, chat, and @mentions.
- You can add unlimited team members.
Cons
- The dependencies app is not available with the Free and Starter plans.
- Premium support is a paid add-on option.
Pricing
You can access the Miro basic mind map plan for free. There are also paid plans available with a 14-day risk-free money-back policy.
Lucidchart is an HTML-5-based UML tool that offers real-time collaboration capabilities and can generate simple flowcharts for complex technical diagrams.
Lucidchart runs on a browser having HTML5 and does not require updates of any third-party tools or plugins. This mind mapping app allows you to create diagrams, connect live data with your drawings, or import data to automatically build organization charts.
Features:
- Import maps: Users can import the maps from OmniGraffle, Gliffy, and Visio to work on previous projects. Lucidchart also lets you import ideas from .txt files, organize them, and export the output in .png, .jpeg, or .pdf format.
- Readymade templates: Lucidchart template library features 1000+ premade mind map templates to give a professional look to your projects.
- Highly secure: This free mindmap tool assures best-in-class security with SOC II, PCI, and Privacy Shield compliance certifications.
- Easy sharing: Lucidchart lets you share the maps directly or via a shareable URL with the stakeholders. Integrating with leading apps like Slack and Google Slides is also possible.
Pros:
- Helps you to increase security and easily manage user accounts.
- Works on different platforms and various devices with your team.
- You get seamless integration with MS Office, G Suite, Atlassian, etc.
Cons
- Does not offer any refund policy against any cancellation.
- Salesforce integration is only available with Enterprise Edition.
Pricing
You get a free version with all the basic visual activities and data linking. Alternatively, there are paid premium plans with a cancel-anytime option available.
Ayoa is a tool for generating the central idea and collaborating with others, allowing individuals and teams to quickly create mind maps.
This mindmap tool enables you to adjust the appearance of your branches and connectors. It also offers a way to organize your map by placing categories around branches.
Features:
- Freehand branches: Exclusive to Ayoa, you can create branches of different shapes that help with your creativity while stimulating the memory.
- Ayoa Ultimate AI: Use this AI feature to boost your thinking capability and help you generate ideas, research goals, questions, and project analysis quickly.
- Workflow management: The digital task board from Ayoa is inspired by the Kanban board and allows you to manage the workflow in a niche and linear way.
- Neuro-inclusive design: The neuro-inclusive design makes Ayoa a high-utility mapping tool that caters even to specially-abled people in achieving the best outcome.
Pros:
- It helps you to convert your ideas into tasks.
- You can add emojis, images, and notes directly onto your branches.
- You can add emoji reactions to branches.
Cons
- The free version cannot be used for commercial purposes.
Pricing
Ayoa Free Plan makes your work easier by breaking down your thoughts and organizing your ideas. On the other hand, there are also paid plans available for advanced users.
Mindomo is an online concept mapping and outlining app that lets you achieve your goals by visually mapping ideas, plans, and interests.
You can engage the team with collaborative online Gantt charts using this free mind-mapping software solution. Users can use AI’s help to generate mind maps easily and edit the existing ones.
Features:
- Infinite canvas: The infinite canvas helps users generate ideas and give shape to their creativity while drawing connections between them.
- High flexibility: Mindomo assures the highest level of flexibility when collaborating with different domains. It plays a significant role in managing projects, generating ideologies, developing strategies for sales and marketing, creating presentations, and providing a learning platform.
- Add Subtopics: These subtopics can be a useful addition to the main branches on the diagram. They provide additional details about the main branch, like ideas, categories, etc., and let you identify relationships between various concepts.
- Value addition: It is possible to enhance the quality of your newly created mind map by adding attachments, videos, audio recordings, notes, images, comments, and links. This tool lets you simultaneously share the map with someone for easy editing.
- Chart layout: This tool can create organizational charts and display their relationships and structures. Using this free mind-mapping software, you can create hierarchical, left-side, horizontal, or right-sided charts.
- Enhanced customization: Mindomo provides wide-scale customization options to enhance the overall outlook of the map. It can adjust the thickness and pick any color to customize the border. You can also set the distance between the anchor point and parent-child topics.
- Different shapes: It comes in several shapes, like circles, capsules, hexagons, rectangles, trapezes, diamonds, and lots more. There are also different choices for relationship lines like elbow, angle, curve, arc, etc.
- Rainbow palette: This formatting style allows you to color the map branches and lines in beautiful rainbow shades. You can even design a personalized theme for the map with custom fonts, shapes, and background colors.
Pros:
- Allows you to map concepts and complex ideas by connecting dots.
- Provides a way to create a blueprint of your plans.
- Unregistered users can see the maps shared by registered users.
Cons
- You cannot export to PDF format in the free version.
- The Premium Plan is available for a single user.
Mindomo comes with a free version having all the regular features. Also, paid plans are available for advanced users with a 30-day money-back policy.
Mindmup is a mind map software written in JavaScript and can run in HTML5 browsers. You can create and store concept maps and argument maps online using this tool. This mind-mapping software automatically adds contextual information as well as images.
It is one of the best mind-mapping tools to add longer text, spreadsheets, and videos to your mind maps. Mindmup also allows you to save to Google Drive and manage using Google Apps.
Features:
- Structural writing: Mindmup allows you to use attachments and notes to create a writing assignment quickly, with the option to edit the same on your writing tool.
- Social media sharing: You can customize your maps using Mindmup Atlas and add contextual information, images, etc., before sharing on social media like LinkedIn, Facebook, and more.
- Administer easily: Mindmup lets administrators control the sharing options for an organization by integrating Google authentication and Office365 to make the task much more organized.
- File attachments: This free mind mapping tool can attach different types of files like spreadsheets, videos, and longer texts to your mind maps.
Pros:
- You can add icons and images to graphical maps.
- Users can control sharing settings.
- A frictionless user interface helps you with better focusing.
Cons
- You cannot track published maps in Google Analytics in the Free mode.
- You can manage username and password only in the Gold Plan.
Pricing
You can use the free Mindmup version to access all the basic features. Alternatively, there are also paid plans for advanced users.
Coggle is a browser-based mind map software that produces hierarchically structured documents. This tool contrasts with collaborative applications like Google Docs, which provide a spreadsheet or text document format.
This mind-mapping software enables you to produce beautiful notes quickly and easily. Anyone can change the diagram without any login using this best free mind map software. It is one of the free mind-mapping software which offers real-time collaboration with unlimited number of maps.
Features:
- Pic uploads: This mind-mapping tool makes it easy to upload unlimited images to your diagrams using the drag-and-drop feature.
- Collaborate real-time: Google lets you collaborate with your colleagues and friends to work on the map. Additionally, you can include different starting points on the diagram for mapping associated topics within a common workspace.
- Branch joining: When creating diagrams, you can add loops and join branches for a more powerful representation of the flows and other associated factors.
- Floating images: You can add floating images and texts to your map for higher clarity. This tool lets you save every change you made to the map and allows you to revert to an earlier version.
Pros:
- Users can upload unlimited Image
- Add images, text, and labels, and annotate parts of your mind map
- It can auto-arrange the branches.
Cons
- Unlimited private diagrams are not available in the free Plan.
- Bulk export is possible only with the Organization Plan.
Pricing
Coggle has free plans with unlimited public diagrams and multiple start points along with basic features and functionalities. Alternatively, an advanced set of features comes with the paid versions.
DrakonHub is an online diagramming tool that creates clear flowcharts, checklists, and mind maps. This tool is designed for business users, developers, and managers to create visual business processes.
You can add the boxes, and it will automatically draw the lines. DrakonHub supports tablet and real-time editing and makes it possible to divide the diagram into various logical parts with the Image of an animal, object, tree chart, or person.
Features:
- Better expressiveness: You can break the map into multiple logical parts and create clearer connection points.
- Specific ordering: It is one of the best mind-mapping software tools to arrange your mind maps in a specific order.
- Ergonomic design: This mapping tool follows ergonomic standards which rid diagrams of the visual noise.
Pros:
- DrakonHub offers visual summaries of mind maps.
- It offers a one-click element addition.
Cons
- Does not offer a refund policy for paid plans.
Pricing
Sign in for a free account at DrakonHub and access all the available features. Alternatively, there are also paid plans available.
MindMeister is one of the best mind-mapping tools where users can share, visualize, and present their thoughts using impressive graphical techniques to help users brainstorm ideas, take notes, create project plans, and perform other tasks online.
It is a free mind mapping software with a built-in presentation mode that helps you turn mind maps into dynamic slideshows quickly. MindMeister enables you to share your mind maps with as many people as you want and collaborate with them in real time.
Features:
- Individual styling: You can modify and stylize each topic in the mind map using shapes, strokes, and color fill to create a dynamic impression. Customizing every line within a map using the line styles option is also possible.
- Tintable pictures: MindMeister lets you add tintable and contextual pictures to any topic within a mind map. You can also add emojis from the panel to provide a more unique touch.
- Mixed Map Layouts: This free mind mapping tool displays the content in layouts like org chart, list, and mind map view. You can even convert the mind map content into a presentation for a more professional outlook.
- Easy formatting: It is possible to format the texts within notes, comments, and mind map topics using the MARKDOWN INPUTS. You can also freely reposition the topics without requiring the mouse.
Pros:
- People in different places can work together, review, and solve issues in real-time.
- It integrates with the intuitive online task and a group project management app.
- Integrating with MS Teams is fast and easy.
Cons
- Export to Microsoft word and power-point features not available with Basic and Personal plans.
Pricing
Mindmeister has free plans with unlimited map collaborators, Meister task integration, and templates library access for the users. On the other hand, there are also paid features with additional functionality for advanced users.
Bubbl.us is an online brainstorming application. This browser-based online tool is good for project planning, brainstorming, and collaboration. The tool uses Macromedia Flash, accessed via a browser, to eliminate the need to install software.
It is one of the mind-mapping tools that lets you create a colorful and engaging mind map and then save it as an image. This tool can be used for real time collaboration with team members.
Features:
- Save and share: This mind map tool lets you save images in different formats like .jpg, .txt, and .png and then print them on multiple pages. You can use a common link to share these images on social media and among team members
- Intuitive interface: With an intuitive user interface, Bubbl prevent users from getting distracted and stay focused on the tasks. You will notice minimally visible buttons on the interface while being engaged in work.
- Better classroom experience: Bubbl lets you create a better brainstorming session for students using links, pictures, and smart formatting. You can also use this mind-mapping software to plan project assignments and essays.
Pros:
- It is an entirely online tool.
- Comes with an easy mind map-sharing option.
- 10-day free trial available with paid plans.
Cons
- You can set up customized login details only in the paid TEAM plan.
- Unlimited mind maps are not available in the free Plan.
Pricing
Bubbl has free plans with 3 mind maps creation, image export, and shared mind-maps facility. Alternatively, it offers a free 10-day trial for the Paid plans.
Original document, Mind Mapping Software & Tools
Source: GURU99
Adapted for Academy.Warriorrising