#Mindmapping
## Favourites
I have found Simplemind to be very easy to use. In a few short strokes, it is possible to summarize a concept, an idea or an essay plan on one sheet.
## The characteristics to look for in mindmap 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.
- What software would I use with pen software?
What integration with task project management tools do you want?
![[mindmap-software.jpg]]
## Concept maps v mindmaps
Are concept maps mindmaps? Or to be a mindmap, must there be a central theme? If there are multiple themes or free layout, is the brainstorm process less efficient...?
## List of mindmapping software
| Name | Evaluation | Cost |
| -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------- |
| [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 |
| [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 |
| [Conceptdraw](https://www.conceptdraw.com/) | Online only I think. Diagram, mindmap + Project Gannt. | $299 |
| [Ayoa](https://ayoa.com) | Very nice mind maping and linked task planning. | $20 a month |
| [iMindQ](https://www.imindq.com/) | I really like it. | $63 per year |
| [LucidChart](https://www.lucidchart.com/) | Lucidchart is a web-based diagramming software which allows users to collaborate and work together in real time to create flowcharts, organisational charts, and mind maps. | |
| [Mindly](https://www.mindlyapp.com/) | Slightly different concept, creates radial mindmaps | |
| [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 | |
| [Mindmeister](http://www.mindmeister.com/) | Gets lots of visibility. Didn’t like it so much. No link to Evernote. The leading online mind mapping application, MindMeister allows 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! | |
| [Mindmup](https://www.mindmup.com/) | Nice feel to it. | $2 per month |
| [MindNode](https://www.mindnode.com/) | Mindmap, outline, tasks | |
| [Simplemind](https://simplemind.eu/) | My favourite | |
| [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! | |
| [Xmind](https://xmind.app/) | Online version allows sharing | |
| [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 prewriting process, I found the functionalities and ease of use of these web tools a great way to enhance students productivity.
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 prewriting process, I found the functionalities and ease of use of these web tools a great way to enhance students productivity.
Over last weekend, I have been working on a list that features the most important mind mapping tools and apps that teachers can use with their students. Check them out below.
See this great [review of mindmapping software from the mindmapping software blog](http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/wp-content/mms-cc/Mind-Map-Software-Comparison-Chart.pdf)