#Mindmapping ## What to look for in mind mapping software - Both centralized theme and free layout. - Quite sensitive to the shape of links. I like to customize, I don’t want just straight cubic links, I like curvy links, but sometimes I want to change and use straight lines. - I like to be able to *customize* top-down or a central theme. - I need colour and to be able to throw in images and photos. - Ability to write notes into nodes, and then be able to export all notes with nodes as headings, so that in effect I can write an essay with a mind map. - Ability to add task(s) to a node and then, have a task list to see all the things to do. - Simple controls: tab to add a new child node, ENTER to add a new Sister node. - Ability to roll up all or selected levels. - Ability to add links to nodes - Ability to move nodes around easily both in position on same level, left, or right of centre and to make node a child or parent. - Ability to delete a node with a simple click and keyboard delete key ![[mindmap-software.jpg]] ## List of mind mapping software | Name | | Description | Cost | | -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------- | | [Mindmeister](http://www.mindmeister.com/) | ![[mindmeister logo.png\|50]] | MindMeister allows you and your team to be more innovative by providing a shared collaboration and brainstorming environment on the web. Plan projects, manage meetings and sketch out business plans online with partners and colleagues, all in real time! 3 maps free with free version. | | | [Lucidchart](https://www.lucidchart.com/) | ![[lucidchart logo.png\|45]] | LucidChart offers mind mapping but also many other templates such as flowcharts, entity relationship models and UML notations. 3 maps free with free version. It allows users to collaborate and work together in real time to create flowcharts, organisational charts, and mind maps. | | | [Miro](https://miro.com) | ![[miro logo.png\|50]] | Miro is an AI-powered online collaboration platform that provides an infinite digital canvas for brainstorming, planning, and building projects together.** It’s widely used by teams across industries to visualize ideas, accelerate workflows, and foster innovation in real time. 3 maps free with free version | | | [Mindmup](https://www.mindmup.com/) | ![[mindmup logo.png\|50]] | MindMup is a free, cloud-based mind mapping tool designed for fast idea capture, brainstorming, and collaborative planning. It emphasizes simplicity and speed, making it easy to create, share, and publish mind maps without distractions. Nice feel to it. | $2 per month | | [Ayoa](https://ayoa.com) | ![[ayoa-logo.png\|50]] | Ayoa is an AI-powered, neuro-inclusive productivity platform that combines mind mapping, task management, and whiteboarding into one workspace. It’s designed to help individuals and teams brainstorm, organize, and execute ideas visually, while supporting diverse thinking styles such as ADHD and dyslexia. Very nice mind maping and linked task planning. | $20 a month | | [Simplemind](https://simplemind.eu/) | ![[simplemind-logo.webp\|50]] | SimpleMind is a cross-platform mind mapping tool that helps organize thoughts, spark creativity, and improve memory. It offers free-form and auto layouts, unlimited map size, and multimedia integration like images, notes, and voice memos. With one-time purchase pricing, it’s widely used in education, business, and personal productivity for brainstorming, planning, and presenting ideas. | | | [Xmind](https://xmind.app/) | | XMind is a full-featured mind mapping and brainstorming software used by millions worldwide. It supports multiple structures—logic charts, fishbone diagrams, timelines, matrices—and integrates AI for project breakdowns, task planning, and Gantt chart tracking. Available across desktop, mobile, and web, XMind helps individuals and teams brainstorm, organize ideas, and manage projects visually with seamless collaboration. | | | [iMindQ](https://www.imindq.com/) | | iMindQ is a versatile mind mapping and visualization software designed to help individuals, teams, and organizations brainstorm, plan projects, and present ideas in a clear, structured way. It combines traditional mind mapping with advanced diagramming and project management features, making it useful across education, business, and personal productivity contexts. I really like it. | $63 per year | | [Coggle](https://coggle.it/) | | Coggle is another powerful tool for creating mind maps. It allows you to produce beautiful notes, quickly and easily. Share them with friends and colleagues to enhance your ideas collaboratively. All for free! | $5 a month | | [Bubblus](https://bubbl.us) | | Bubbl.us is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online. You can create colourful mind maps online, share and work with friends,embed your mind map in your blog or website, email and print your mind map, save your mind map as an image. | $5 a month | | [Mindly](https://www.mindlyapp.com/) | | Slightly different concept, creates radial mindmaps | | | [Conceptdraw](https://www.conceptdraw.com/) | | Online only I think. Diagram, mindmap + Project Gannt. | $299 | | [MindManager](https://www.mindmanager.com/) | | Seems to be a visual project / task manager | | | [Mindmapper](https://www.mindmapper.com/) | | Organise, visualise, collaborate. Web and stand alone versions | | | [Mindomo](https://www.mindomo.com/) | | Focuses on layouts, seems to have all the features | | | [MindNode](https://www.mindnode.com/) | | Mindmap, outline, tasks | | | [Popplet](http://popplet.com) | | Popplet is a free online tool that allows you to create mind mapping and brainstorming diagrams. You may create a maximum of 5 Popplets. | Free or $2 per month | | [SpiderScribe](http://www.spiderscribe.net/) | | SpiderScribe is an online mind mapping and brainstorming tool. It lets you organize your ideas by connecting notes, files, calendar events, etc. in free-form maps. You can collaborate and share those maps online! | | | [Zenkit](https://zenkit.com/) | | Project Management, Processes, Communication, Scheduling, Documents, and Knowledge Sharing – all in one platform. Maps, kanban and calendar | | Creating and using mind maps is a great way to get students brainstorming ideas about a given topic, organize their thought processes and turn these ideas into a neatly written pieces. I have been using several web tools with my students over the past few years. From teaching vocabulary to getting students engaged in the pre-writing process, I found the functionalities and ease of use of these web tools a great way to enhance students productivity. See this [review of mind mapping software from the mind mapping software blog](http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/wp-content/mms-cc/Mind-Map-Software-Comparison-Chart.pdf) ## Concept maps v mind maps Concept maps are slightly different from mind maps. A mind map has one central theme. A concept map is a mind map with several central nodes on the same diagram. ## Many Uses of Mind mapping Use mind mapping for brainstorming, to mind dump, take notes, plan an essay, scope a problem, collect information, to model a system or a process. For further information see [[Many Uses of Mind Mapping]].