In this article you will discover the best free mind mapping software.
One of the worst feelings in the world is forgetting a great idea.
All you had to do was write it down, but you were confident that you could never forget something so fascinating.
Take the time to write down your ideas as soon as they pop into your head is one of the best ways to remember them and ultimately bring them to life.
But if your idea has a lot of elements, like a large project, you need to do more than just write your vision down on a piece of paper, it will be too scattered and disconnected.
The best way to brainstorm, structure and implement a vision is tovisually organize your data through a mind map or mind map Or mental map.
Summary
- What is mind mapping software?
- 13 free mind mapping software
- Do you need mind mapping software?
- How to make a mindmap?
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What is mind mapping software?
Mind mapping, also known as a mind map or heuristic map, is a visual method that represents ideas or information.
This involves creating a specific graphic representation or shape for each idea. In order to organize, structure and visualize concepts, ideas and the relationships between them. Mind maps are often used to aid comprehension, note-taking, memorization, planning, and creativity.
THE mind mapping is an easy way to brainstorm without worrying about order and structure. These simplified views of a project allow you to visually structure your ideas to facilitate analysis.
A mind map is a diagram allowing tasks, words, concepts or elements related to and arranged around a central concept or topic to be represented, using a non-linear graphic layout that allows the user to build an intuitive framework around it of a central concept.
Mind mapping can turn a long list of unreadable information into a colorful, memorable, well-organized diagram that works in accordance with your brain’s natural way of doing things.
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free mind mapping software: the top 13
Here is our selection of the best free mind mapping software:
- Mind mapping by MindManager
- Mind Munp
- Cacoo
- Smartdraw
- MindMeister
- Coggle
- Bubbl.us
- Creately
- Mindomo
- Lucidchart
- Can go
- Wall
- Scapple
Let’s now discover the details of each mind mapping tool, whether it is suitable for a company or a freelancer.
Mind mapping by MindManager
MindManager is like a virtual whiteboard. You can easily add ideas, place them wherever you want, and make connections between them.
You can also track the progress of your projects by adding due dates, priorities and resources.
The most useful feature of MindManager is his dashboardwhich integrates all the data relating to your idea or project in one place so that everyone involved in the project can consult and access it.
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Mind Mup
By helping users structure their ideas and measure the cost and progress of their projects, MindMup is undoubtedly the best mind mapping software for marketers.
In the software, you can create storyboards, post your cards on social media and calculate the cost of your projects.
Mind maps on MindMup are also compatible with Google Drive, so you can easily create your maps directly in the app and manage them like any other Google Drive file.
Cacoo to develop mind maps
Just like the others mind mapping toolsCacoo provides numerous collaboration tools to improve your team’s workflow.
But Cacoo offers more robust organization tools, like Folders, which can record and store updates and comments on your team’s resources directly within the software.
You can also improve your productivity with Cacoo using their integrations with Backlog, Typetalk, Google Drive, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc…
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SmartDraw
With over 4,500 templates, 70 different diagrams and availability in 100 languages, Smartdraw is free mind mapping software suitable for many countries and almost any industry.
But even though it is one of the most robust mind mapping software, its automation and user-friendly interface make it intuitive and easy to use.
SmartDraw also integrates with popular tools like Microsoft Office, G Suite, Jira and Trello, to help you collaborate with your team with the tools you already use.
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MindMeister
MindMeister is a cloud-based solution, so you can develop your ideas from any computer, share and collaborate with as many colleagues as you want, all in real time.
There is also a built-in tool that allows you to vote on ideas and discuss changes within the tool.
Probably the most powerful feature of MindMeister is its presentation style. You can visually communicate your ideas and plans to colleagues or clients by turning mind maps into slideshows, exporting the slides to PNG format, and embedding the presentations on your website.
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Coggle
Coggle is a mind mapping software cloud-based that lets you visually break down your ideas with your colleagues.
Just like Google Docs, Coggle ensures that you never lose any of your ideas by allowing you to see all the changes made to your mind map, make a copy of any iteration and revert to any of its versions previous ones.
The free solution is interesting.
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Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us is a mind mapping software that is simpler than most. It offers all the essential features of mind maps at such an affordable price.
With Bubbl.us, you can create and edit mind maps on any device, use templates, add colors, share and collaborate with colleagues, and export them as images or presentations.
If you work in a small team and need affordable and reliable mind mapping software, Bubbl.us could be the ideal solution.
Creately
With over 50 diagram types and thousands of examples, Creately lets you quickly flesh out your ideas using their templates.
But if you want create a mind map from scratchyou can still visualize your ideas in real time using drag-and-drop features that automatically adapt the size of the idea card on the mind map.
The most useful features of Creately are the importing and sharing capabilities.
Mindomo
Mindomo offers a dedicated tool for creating mind maps, which includes a free version to create up to 3 mind maps, which include all basic features.
If you opt for the “Premium” version you will benefit from a series of additional features that have not been added to the free version, such as project synchronization (iOS/Android), integration of audio and video files and backing up to cloud services like Dropbox.
Mindomo also allows paid subscribers to export mind maps in various formats, including images (PNG), Adobe PDF (PDF), plain text (TXT), and Microsoft Powerpoint (PPTX).
Premium subscriptions include a 1GB storage quota, while professional subscriptions offer a more generous 5GB quota.
Lucidchart
LucidChart is also collaborative mind mapping software, but not only that.
This means that Lucidchart not only does mind mapping, but is also suitable for project management.
Can go
Canva is design creation software for individuals and professionals.
Due to its varied and powerful features, Canva allows anyone to create stunning mind maps professionals to organize your ideas.
Canva offers a free version that is more than sufficient for this type of task.
Wall
Mural is a mind mapping software very powerful online. Mural aims to be software that promotes collaboration first and foremost and this is clearly felt when using the software.
This tool is perfect for creating mind maps collaboratively. The interface is ultra fluid and stylish to make it easier to manage your ideas.
With Mural, you can easily present your ideas during brainstorms and other remote meetings.
Mural offers a free plan allowing you to create up to 5 “Walls”.
Scapple
Scapple is a simplistic mind mapping software. Indeed, visually, Scapple looks like a notepad page and this software allows you to organize your ideas with ease.
This tool is ideal for organizing ideas for your personal projects.
Scappel allows you to connect your ideas together in one click and thus organize your thoughts.
This mind map tool offers 2 different paid plans but no free plan.
Do you need mind mapping software?
THE mind mapping can be a great way to generate and connect ideas. But unless you do it all the time, you probably don’t need a dedicated app. Or at least not a paid app for creating mind maps. If none of the apps above seem to work for you, you have other options.
Reconsider the pencil and paper method. It’s really hard to beat, and you can always take a photo to save or share. It’s not as comprehensive as an app, but it works.
If you do not want to use one of the previous software, here are the different key steps to create a mindmap easily.
Step 1: Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a thinking process commonly used in study and work situations. It can be done individually or in a group.
How to brainstorm:
- On a piece of paper, write down everything that comes to mind about a particular topic.
- Write the name of the subject in the center of the page.
- Don’t try to organize the information – the goal is to get it out and onto the page.
- Use key words or phrases to write down your ideas.
- Always use the sheet of paper horizontally as this allows you to enter more information.
Step 2: Organize the information
Organize the brainstorm information by identifying the main categories and relating other information to them as follows:
- Circle the main categories
- Connect secondary points to main categories
- Use colors and visual elements where necessary.
Step 3: Complete the mind map
Rewrite the information under the headings and subheadings to make the mind map easier to read.