8 Free Mind Map Tools & How to Best Use Them

Here’s the good news.

Finally, we can be like Leonardo da Vinci’s in one small way. No, we are not getting his polymathic superpowers.

His penchant for taking free-flowing notes that filled notebooks with diagrams and scribblings is more achievable. Maybe, he knew that the human brain likes visuals more than words. Maybe, connecting words and images made him see things which most could not.

Today, we call these brain-cell like intertwinnings — mind maps.

It is the most popular brainstorming technique of all. Count the hits on Google if you don’t believe me. Check the number of books British psychologist Tony Buzan wrote for promoting it. A tiny 140.

For a student, a mind map is a memory aid to review notes. For an office worker, a mind map can be a solo brainstorming tool or a collaborative one. Brainstorming groups at work use mind mapping techniques for problem solving and decision making. Want to develop an agenda for an annual conference or plan your time as a manager? Maybe, a mind mapped SWOT analysis can help spot a weakness or an opportunity?

You can apply a mind map to any office scenario.

• Forecast revenue.
• Prepare for a hiring interview.
• Chart product development and marketing.
• Fine tune a RFP (Request for Proposal).
• Organize a trade show.
• Plan an office party.

Pick a Free Mind Map Tool

Choosing from the many excellent mind mapping and brainstorming web apps and tools is a matter of nitpicking. But how should you go about selecting the right tool that doesn’t befuddle you? Keeping your needs front and center, here are few standout features you can look at:

• Free or paid. When you are starting out with mind mapping take what you find for free. Mind mapping is a habit before it is a practice, so build up the habit first without paying a dime.
• Offline or online. There are many mindmapping web apps, but if you are on a spotty connection then definitely an offline tool works best. Also, storing mind maps containing confidential or sensitive information online could be a security issue.
• Ease of use. The easiest tool to mind map with is pen and paper. Compare any software you pick with that ease. The fluidity of putting your thoughts on screen matters a lot in rapid brainstorming.
• Look and feel. The aesthetic appeal of your mind maps will be a factor, if you need to display them to a team. Also, beautiful mind maps draw the eye (and mind) when you need to come back to them.
• Template variety. With brainstorming templates, you can save a lot of time when every mind map is imagined around a few common organizational processes.
• Import and export options. A critical feature as you wouldn’t want your lovely creations trapped in one format. Many popular mind map tools, e.g. FreeMind, also accept other formats for import. An export format like PDF is necessary. Export to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, or Project helps with document integration.
• Collaboration. Another critical feature, if you are working within a shared workspace and perform team brainstorms.

We have covered many mindmapping tools here at MakeUseOf. You might have discarded some and may have settled on one. FreeMind, XMind, and MindJet are popular. As not every tool will tick all the boxes, here are a few more mind mapping tools to consider.

1. Coggle

Platforms: Web, Chrome

This mind mapping Chrome extension deserves a look again for its sheer simplicity. Use it in the browser instead of installing it on Chrome. Coggle saves your work in the browser just as well. Coggle comes in three flavors – Free, Awesome, and Organization.

The free version allows you to create unlimited maps, so it should be good enough for your needs. The commercial versions come with features like presentation modes and unlimited private mind maps.

Noteworthy Features:

• Create mind maps with colored nodes and branches.
• Add comments or detailed notes to branches. Supports Markdown.
• Drag and drop images from the desktop into the mind map. No image limits.
• Coggle mind maps are also collaborative. Work alone or invite team members.
• Version tracking with a history mode. See who changed what and when.
• Message team members, leave notes, and even chat in real time.
• Download mind maps as PDF, text, PNG, or mind map (.mm) files.

2. MindMapple

Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS

MindMapple (ver. 1.71) is a desktop and iOS application that has free and pro versions on offer. The ribbon interface should be familiar.

MindMapple is pre-loaded with themes and templates. Visual thinkers will like the software because it allows use of pictures and clip-art. Select any topic on your mind map and use the Clip Art library to add appropriate graphics. Cloud sharing via Google Drive is a key beta feature, but it’s not functional due to API changes.

MindMapple has powerful set of features for handling larger projects. Multiple mind maps can be collated in one document. You can track topics with priority and schedules – an essential for project management.

I would definitely recommend MindMapple for its completeness. The Pro version gives you advanced features like PDF export, password security, and advanced Microsoft Office exporting.

Noteworthy Features:

• Add relationships, boundaries, hyperlinks, and files to a mind map.
• Add extra information by adding topic notes and attachments.
• Labels and bookmarks allow you to manage complex mind maps with ease.
• Export your mind maps as PowerPoint, Word, Excel, HTML, TXT, image files, and XMind files.
• Import mind maps created in FreeMind and MindManager.

3. NovaMind

Platforms: cross platform

NovaMind is a cross-platform brainstorming software. Try it on Windows desktop, Windows 8, iPad, Mac OS X, or Android, and online as NovaMind Cloud. It is a commercial software but has a capable free version. NovaMind starts you off with an interactive tutorial to introduce the basic concepts. A demo mind map is built as the tutorial progresses.

The application has a useful layout engine that helps you design quickly as the topics are not allowed to overlap on top of each other. A unique user-friendly “dial” holds all the mind mapping commands.

The Lite version is useful for trying out the software. It suffers because it doesn’t offer options to save or export mind maps in different formats.

Noteworthy Features:

• Mind maps are limited to 25 topics.
• Store up to 10 NovaMind documents online on NovaMind Cloud.
• Share your documents publicly. Private sharing is not available in the free version.
• Stylize mind maps with symbols, themes, and images.
• Notes, external links, and callouts are also supported.

4. Text2Mindmap

Platform: Web

Text2Mindmap is one of my favorites for one reason – speed. As the name indicates, the online tool allows you to put down your thoughts as a text list. Each text line will become a node in the mind map. An indent (with a press of the TAB key) on the list translates into a new branch of nodes.

Text2Mindmap is free for this core purpose. Mini ($5/Month), Standard ($9/Month), and Pro ($11/Month) subscriptions open up more features, like private accounts, more storage space for maps, and printing mind maps without ads.

Noteworthy Features:

• Download mind map as an image or as PDF.
• Saved maps are available via a unique URL.
• Keyboard shortcuts are supported.

5. Blumind

Platform: Windows

Blumind is three things everyone loves — powerful, portable, and free. The download is less than 1MB. Within that small portability factor Bluemind doesn’t pack in many bells and whistles. But it has all the basics for simple mind maps.

Apart from mind maps, you can use the freeware to create org charts, logic charts, and tree diagrams too. The software has a tabbed interface. You can import pre-existing mind maps from FreeMind. Import from Excel spreadsheets is also available.

Blumind also has an internal timer. That is useful for using a timed constraint for your brainstorming sessions. I would vouch for Bluemind, if you are looking for a simple portable mind mapping alternative.

Noteworthy Features:

• The software has built in color themes and can be customized with user themes.
• Draw a variety of chart layouts like: organization chart, tree diagram, and logic diagram.
• Supports multiple export formats, including all common image formats, CSV, PDF, SVG, and text.
• Support notes, icons, progress bars and other widgets for a richer view.
• Keyboard shortcuts are supported.
• Offers multiple languages.

6. Sketchboard

Platforms: Web, Chrome

Sketchboard is more of a collaborative whiteboard rather than a dedicated mind mapping program. But whiteboards are vital for collaborative brainstorming paired with a good chat app.

You can also integrate Sketchboard with team tools like Slack, Google Drive, HipChat, GitHub, and FlowDock. Check out the Sketchboard user gallery for some fine examples.

Like the majority of mind mapping tools, Sketchboard.io also comes with a choice of free and paid plans. The free plan is for 5 users.

Noteworthy Features:

• Real-time collaboration. Free account is limited to 5 users.
• Create boards with endless drawing space by dragging the canvas area.
• Mix and match ideas with UML, freehand drawing, mind maps, notes, and roadmap.
• Comment and annotate while you collaborate with team members.
• Download Board as SVG, PNG, PDF.

7. Visual Understanding Environment

Platforms: Windows, Mac, OS X, Linux

The Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) is an Open Source project from Tufts University. The latest version of the software was released in October this year. The cross-platform mind mapping program is designed for teaching, learning, and research.

But you can re-purpose it according to your ideation needs. For example, VUE handles complex maps well. An Outline window is just the thing for concept maps that get too complex.

In the above screenshot example, Eva Gladek of Except Integrated Systainability uses VUE to create system maps of production processes.

Noteworthy Features:

• The “Merge Maps” tool can merge multiple maps into a new one for analysis.
• Search nodes and links in large maps. Search results can be highlighted, hidden or filtered.
• Add a VUE mind map to a Zotero collection. Zotero is another Open Source tool for organizing your academic research.
• Supports external data from FTP sites, RSS feeds, and Google. You can also import CSV datasets. Multiple other external resources like Twitter and Wikipedia are also supported.
• Present better mind maps on-screen by selectively fading out nodes and links. You can also zoom in and out of the map during presentations.
• VUE files can be saved on the VUE site or to a drive. Formats supported include HTML, PDF, image formats, RDF, and XML.

8. WiseMapping (Web)

Platform: Web

Start mind mapping without logging in with this free online application. WiseMapping takes minutes to master. It works on all modern browsers as it uses vector graphics and HTML5 to render the mind maps.

You can start using it without logging in. But without an account, you can create just one mind map and when you exit the program, your mind map will not be saved.

Noteworthy Features:

• Easy-to-use drag’n drop interface.
• Embed mind maps on any website or blog.
• Collaborate on maps with friends or coworkers.
• Download and save maps as images, PDF document, or FreeMind file.
• Import and export mind map files from FreeMind.

Other Mind Mapping Tools We Have Covered Before

This article is about the lesser known, but capable programs out there. Do look into what has come before.

We have covered mind mapping applications for the iPad, brainstorming with Android, mind mapping apps for the Mac, and a Google Drive add-on like MindMup.

We have also re-purposed Microsoft Word as an effective mind mapping tool.

How to Best Use a Mind Map Application?

Before you pick the right software, you have to decide its role in your workflow. Maybe, asking yourself these questions will help.

Your answers will help to benchmark the best fit for the job. If your needs are extensive and system-wide, then a commercial powerhouse like MindMeister or MindJet works best. If you are already on Windows 10  and not looking for that elephant gun, but something simple – choosing M8 will save you a lot of bother.

Remember, it is as much about elimination as it is about selection.

Do you use mind mapping in the office or for personal brainstorming needs? Which is the one software you would recommend? Or do you feel that the humble pen and paper is the best bet for those intangible cognitive benefits? Pour your heart out in the comments.

Image Credits:Mind Map by Ellagrin via Shutterstock