With everything you need to memorize, you need a tool to help you organize your ideas. A mind map maker will allow you to better sort your thoughts and ideas. This article provides the top 10 free mind map software. Check out these amazing mind mapping tools below.
S ome people prefer to mind map by hand using pen and paper, flipcharts, whiteboards, etc. O thers prefer to map using computer software or apps on mobile devices. These applications provide powerful benefits when mind mapping, as they overcome the physical limitations of pen and paper. A Mind Map is a diagram for representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and arranged around a central concept or subject using a non-linear graphical layout that allows the user to build an intuitive framework around a central concept.
Best Free Mind Map Software
GitMind (Web)
First off is GitMind. This amazing free mind map tool allows you to arrange your thoughts and ideas by listing them one by one in a diagram format. Another special feature is that it has an outline function that helps you create essay outlines fast and easy. This is where you can group, organize, and see an overview of your mind map in a linear form. Moreover, project planning and team development will be a lot easier with its collaboration feature. Check this amazing tool with the following steps.
- Search “GitMind” on your browser and go to the template gallery to select your desired mind map template.
- Input your thoughts and ideas and if you want to customize your mindmap, you may proceed to the layout options.
- Finally, save it by clicking the “Save” icon or you may get it by hitting the “Export” icon.
Bubbl.us (Web)
- It has a full change history feature so you can preview and edit your map anytime.
- Can save to image or HTML.
- For small businesses only.
Another tool that is a great resource to arrange your ideas is Bubbl.us. It has tabs ribbon that shows you the list of all the currently opened mind maps on the interface. With countless concepts, you’ll surely find the perfect visual aid for your idea. Moreover, its premium version offers unlimited mind maps, a real-time collaboration, history revision for your mind maps.
Coggle (Web, Android, iOS)
- Can add Mathematical formulae.
- Can export .mm and text.
- Cannot combine maps.
Coggle offers a structured and interactive way of making mind maps quickly and easily as its interface shows a list of handy shortcuts for editing purposes. One great point is you can share it with others to give different levels of access to your map. Moreover, you may also set permission to your collaborative group into an organization, by individuals, and on a private link.
FreeMind (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Its map can be exported to HTML and XHTML
- Offers built-in icons
- Lacks emoticons for designs.
Another free mind map software we listed here for you is FreeMind. This is an amazing tool written in Java where it covers a wide range of exporting capabilities on multiple platforms such as on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Moreover, its export feature offers a flash-based way of converting your file into HTML and XHTML.
MindMup (Web)
- Integrates with Google and saves its data to Google Drive
- Offers “Measurements” feature where you can visualize and manage money, time and effort and help you to plan, budget, and control the breakdown of your budget tasks.
- Difficult to add extra information to nodes.
MindMup is another great application. This tool helps you create a mind map and is very easy to use with a simple and lightweight interface. Moreover, you may create outlines for your documents and presentations for free. Furthermore, using this tool also allows you to convert your maps seamlessly to PDF, PPT, etc., and you may publish and share your mind maps online. Not to mention an online program which only needs a browser to work. On that note, you may also want to check out other best online mind map makers.
XMind (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS)
- Offers a slide-based presentation mode.
- Allow you to make different charts such as business charts, org charts, tree charts and many more.
- Slow-running application.
XMind is an open-source mind map application that offers Microsoft commercial extensions with Microsoft Excel-like functions and features where you can open, rename, and duplicate multiple sheets in one map. Another thing that makes it unique from the rest of the tools is that it has a “Matrix” chart to make an in-depth comparison for your analysis content.
Draw.io (Web, Windows, macOS)
- Great for process mapping.
- It offers great output without losing its quality.
- Its performance can be laggy when making a complex map
Draw.io is very useful when it comes to making mind maps. It’s simple and provides a large collection of default themes and templates that you may use to style your diagram. Also, it is compatible with a number of advanced cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. Its unique feature is that you may integrate this tool with Jira and Confluence.
Mindomo (Web, Windows, macOS, Android and iOS)
- It has a playback mode wherein you can review the changes you’ve made.
- Has notes features where you can add links, notes, images, tasks and many more.
- It does not offer a workflow diagram.
Mindomo is a precision-based mind map software that is available on both web and desktop platforms. Also, it allows you to access existing maps made from Mindomo, MindManager/Mindjet files (.mmap), FreeMind files (.mm), Mindmeister file (.mind), XMind file (.xmind), Bubbl.us file (.xml), OPML file (.opml), and Text file (.txt) with its import feature. Another unique point is that it has a playback mode where you can preview how your map was built.
SmartDraw (Web, Windows, macOS)
- It can easily produce clean and professional mind maps.
- It offers basic floor plans and Architectural Symbol Library.
- It does not offer a multi-user collaboration.
SmartDraw is another great application we recommend. This tool uses automation to create mind maps quickly and easily. It also offers a vast range of templates that include different fields such as legal, as well as in medical. Meanwhile, having a lot of symbols in its object libraries is what makes it unique to other mind making tools.
Ayoa (Web, Windows, macOS, Android and iOS)
- It allows you to save on Dropbox, Google Drive, and on Social Media sites.
- It offers a lot of free themes and templates.
- Color choices are limited to its layout options.
Finally, we have Ayoa. Aside from being a free mind map app, it also offers a different kind of mind mapping feature where you can see the mind map as a task board. Also, it has “My Planner” which you may use to schedule each event, plans, errands, and other tasks to help save your time.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 free mind map software to assist you in collecting and arranging your thoughts and ideas quickly and easily. With these tools, you may be able to save more time and effort making mind maps, as well as to share them with your teammates online.
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Dozens of mind map templates are readily available to help you clarify thoughts, visualize ideas and boost creativity. Download and use them if suitable. Customize the contents, layout or background to make it personalized.
Marketing Mind Map | Finance Mind Map | Management Mind Map |
Project Management Mind Map | Sales Mind Map | Planning Mind Map |
Producctivity Mind Map | Communication Mind Map | Strategic Planning Mind Map |
Technology Mind Map | Training Mind Map | Decision Making Mind Map |
Time Management Mind Map | Career Mind Map |
Language Learning Mind Map | History Mind Map | Literature Mind Map |
Science Mind Map | Elementary School Mind Map | Geography Mind Map |
Biology Mind Map | Study Tips Mind Map | Environmrnt Mind Map |
Health Mind Map | Food Mind Map | Media Mind Map |
Tourism Mind Map | Fashion Mind Map | Life Tips Mind Map |
Social Mind Map | Religion Mind Map |
Decrease Stress Mindmap | Motivation Mind Map | Market Research Examples |
Healthy Lifestyle Examples | Tonsillitis Mindmap | Right One Mind Map |
Market Research Examples | Life Purpose Mind Map |
Generally, these templates are ready-to-use and editable, printable and shareable. To be more specific, Edraw's visual mind map templates are characterized by:
- High quality. All templates are professionally designed as presentation-quality. All in popular vector format. All are highly artistic blend of color, text and imaging.
- Large in number. Users can gain over 30 Mind Map templates to get started instantly. Edraw team keeps expanding the templates collection every day.
- Rich in styles. You can choose from a wide variety of templates, simple or complex, with or without clipart. It is all up to you.
- Easily editable. All templates are editable since they are created with smart vector shape. The basic mind map shapes include floating quick buttons that support point-and-click editing. New shapes can be generated automatically by only clicking on the floating quick button, perfectly connected, aligned and spaced.
- Flexibly compatible with other programs. One template can be exported into many other formats (pdf, docx, pptx, jpg, png, svg and so on). This enables easier data sharing and information communication at any platform.
Part 6: Where to Find a Mind Map Template
It is easy to find a template in MindMaster and our website.
Software - Download MindMaster and use the built-in templates >>
Mind Map Gallery - Find the inspiration in our beautiful mind map gallery >>
The simplest and fastest way to create a mind map is to get started from a template. MindMaster makes it even simpler and faster by offering advanced tools of diagramming.
1. Auto Generation
All mind map shapes have 1 floating quick buttons. 1 easy click on it generates a new shape. The newly added shapes are automatically connected, aligned and distributed, saving a lot of time and effort.
2. Auto Relocation
Every time you add, delete or move a shape, others shapes will relocate themselves smartly to the right position. Compared with hand drawing, this saves a lot of time spent on adjusting and connecting shapes again and again.
3. Auto Re-arrangement
Mind Map
You can re-arrange all shapes easily to form a new style. This is difficult to do if the mind map is drawn by hand. In Edraw, you can rearrange the whole mind map any time you want, with 1 click. Go to Mind Map tab. Click on the arrangement direction you like. Everything moves smoothly to the right position, leaving no trace of modifications.
4. Text tool
All shapes are designed with text boxes. Double click the shape to type in your own contents. The smart mind map shapes will enlarge or shrink automatically according to the text.
5. Themes
One click on the mind map theme changes font, color, line and fill style all together at once.
Mind Map
6. Backgrounds
Mind Map Maker
Just drag and drop your preferable background to replace the default one.