Introduction
Mind mapping is a powerful visual thinking technique that facilitates creative thinking and problem solving. By arranging associated ideas radially around a central concept, mind maps allow you to see connections and generate new insights. With the proliferation of digital tools, mind mapping has become even more collaborative and accessible. This post reviews the top 15 mind mapping software options that can boost creativity, planning and teamwork.
Methods of Evaluation
To identify the top 15 mind mapping software, we evaluated each option based on features, ease of use, pricing, and reviews. We also looked at more objective metrics like backlinks, traffic and keyword search trends to understand popularity and market positioning. Some of the key evaluation criteria included collaboration features, file formats supported, integration with other apps, free trial or free basic plans, and support options. Picking winners based on these conventional metrics along with digital metrics helps provide a well-rounded recommendation.
1. Skitch
Skitch is a mind mapping and diagramming software developed by Evernote. Skitch allows users to create sketches, diagrams and annotated screenshots and sync them across all their devices. It can be used as a standalone app or integrated with Evernote for additional functionality.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Skitch include:
– Ability to create sketches and diagrams from scratch or by annotating screenshots
– Export images and screenshots directly to Skitch for annotation
– Robust annotation features like arrows, text boxes, stamps etc.
– Tight integration with Evernote for syncing and collaboration
Cons: One potential disadvantage of Skitch could be its dependency on Evernote for additional features. As a standalone app, it misses out on collabortion utilities from Evernote.
Pricing: Skitch is free to download and use. For additional functionality through its Evernote integration, Evernote pricing plans starting at $7.99/month apply.
Some key facts about Skitch include:
– Over 50 million downloads globally across platforms
– Integrates directly with the Evernote ecosystem for additional functionality
– Available on macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
– Offers collaborative features when used with Evernote
2. MindMeister
MindMeister is an online mind mapping software that allows users to visually layout and structure ideas, tasks, projects or anything else through a branching diagram of text, images and other objects linked to a central concept. It was founded in 2004 and is based in Graz, Austria.
Pros: Some key advantages of MindMeister include:
– Beautiful and polished user interface
– Collaboration features like real-time coediting
– Import and export in many formats like PNG, PDF, XHTML
– Ability to attach files, images, URLs, audio and video to mind map elements
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free plan only allows for basic features and has limitations on file size, members and mind map complexity. The paid Pro or Business plans are required for advanced functionality and collaboration.
Pricing: MindMeister offers the following paid plans on top of a free basic plan:
– Pro Plan: $9/month billed annually
– Business Plan: $15/month per user billed annually
Both paid plans unlock additional features like unlimited file size, members and export formats. The Business plan also includes SSO, LDAP integration and assigned roles.
Some key stats about MindMeister include:
– Used by over 30 million users worldwide
– Available in over 35 languages
– Integrates with tools like Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox for file sharing
– Supports collaboration with real-time co-editing and commenting
3. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is a leading mind mapping and diagramming software that allows users to create and share visual work products online in real-time. Founded in 2006, Lucidchart’s mission is to transform the way people work together visually.
Pros: Some key advantages of Lucidchart include:
– Real-time collaboration – Edit diagrams simultaneously with teammates
– Wide format support – Create flowcharts, workflows, network diagrams, mockups and more
– Integrations with other tools – Export to/import from apps like Confluence, Jira and Notion
– Intuitive interface – Simple drag and drop functionality for visual work
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the pricing, as the most advanced individual and team plans are not cheap compared to alternatives. However, Lucidchart does offer a permanent free tier for basic usage.
Pricing: Lucidchart offers the following paid plans:
– Premium Individual – $9.95/user/month
– Team – Starts at $15/user/month
– Enterprise – Custom pricing
They also have a perpetual free tier that supports basic diagrams and limited storage.
Some key stats about Lucidchart include:
– Over 36 million users worldwide
– Used by 95% of the Fortune 500
– Integrations with over 75+ apps including Google Workspace, Atlassian, Microsoft, Slack and more
– Raises over $180 million in funding
4. Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us is a free online mind mapping tool that allows users to easily create mind maps and brainstorm ideas visually. Founded in 2006, Bubbl.us has grown to support millions of users worldwide in brainstorming, planning, learning and more.
Pros: Some key advantages of Bubbl.us include:
– Simple and intuitive interface that is easy for both casual and frequent mind map users
– Wide selection of attractive templates to get started
– Built-in collaboration features like comments and chat enable teamwork
– Maps can be exported to image, PDF or as an interactive web page
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as a web-based tool, an internet connection is required to access and edit maps. There is no offline or mobile app available.
Pricing: Bubbl.us offers a free basic version with all core mind mapping features. Paid professional plans starting at $5/month are available for additional storage space and export options.
Some key stats about Bubbl.us include:
– Used by millions of people globally every year
– Offers over 50 mind map templates to choose from
– Allows real-time collaboration through comments and chat features
5. Balsamiq Mockups
Balsamiq Mockups is a rapid wireframing tool to help designers, product managers and developers envision and share ideas. Founded in 2004, Balsamiq is based in Sacramento, California and their tool is used by over 3 million people.
Pros: Key advantages of Balsamiq Mockups include:
– Ability to quickly create low-fidelity prototypes using their library of widgets
– Facilitates collaboration through an in-app commenting feature
– Mind maps can be included to visualize information architecture and flows
– Assets and widgets are exportable to developers for building prototypes
Cons: The main disadvantage is that as a low-fidelity prototyping tool, it lacks the ability to create highly polished and interactive prototypes for detailed user testing compared to more fully-featured tools.
Pricing: Balsamiq Mockups offers 3 pricing tiers:
– Individual plan starts at $79/year
– Team plan starts at $149/year and supports up to 5 people
– Enterprise plan is customizable for larger teams
Some key stats about Balsamiq Mockups:
– Used by over 3 million designers, researchers and developers
– Supports collaborative commenting and version control
– Includes over 1000 icons and images right out of the box
– Export feature allows transferring designs to code easily
6. SmartDraw
SmartDraw is an all-in-one visual collaboration platform that allows users to create various types of diagrams, maps and charts easily. In business, SmartDraw is one of the most popular choices for mind mapping and visual thinking. It allows users to brainstorm ideas, structure information and communicate complex concepts visually.
Pros: Some key advantages of SmartDraw include:
– Ability to create a wide range of diagrams like mind maps, flowcharts, floor plans, network diagrams etc.
– Easy collaboration features through SmartDraw Cloud
– Import and export support for many file formats
– Intuitive interface for beginners as well as power features for advanced users
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that SmartDraw is a paid software and the pricing can be quite high for some advanced packages and add-ons.
Pricing: SmartDraw offers different pricing plans starting from their Lite plan at $49.95 per year for individuals. They also have Professional, Business and Enterprise plans pricing anywhere between $99.95 to $499.95 per year based on team size and feature requirements.
Some key stats about SmartDraw:
– Used by over 30 million users worldwide
– Supported file formats include images, PDFs, PowerPoints and more
– Real-time collaboration through SmartDraw Cloud
7. Coggle
Coggle is a collaborative mind mapping tool that allows users to create and share unlimited mind maps on the web. Founded in 2009, Coggle is based in San Francisco and has helped millions of students, teachers, and businesses better organize complex information.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Coggle include:
– Simple and intuitive web-based interface that requires no software download
– Real-time collaboration allows multiple users to work on mind maps simultaneously
– Ability to import content from a wide variety of file formats like images, documents, spreadsheets
– Starter and premium paid plans available for teams and businesses
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as a web-based tool, Coggle mind maps cannot be accessed offline without an internet connection.
Pricing: Coggle offers both free and paid plans. The free ‘Starter’ plan allows for unlimited mind maps and collaboration. Paid ‘Business’ plans start at $8 per user/month and provide additional features like private mind maps and enterprise-grade support.
Some key stats about Coggle include:
– Used by over 5 million users worldwide
– Available in 11 different languages
– Offers both free and paid plans for individuals and businesses
8. Mindomo
Mindomo is a collaborative mind mapping software that allows users to easily create mind maps, concept maps, outlines and Gantt charts. With over 10 million users, Mindomo improves thinking and learning through visual organizational tools. It is available as a web app, desktop app, and mobile app.
Pros: Key advantages of Mindomo include:
– Beautiful visual style for creating clear and aesthetic mind maps
– Real-time collaborative features through sharing and commenting
– Integration with popular cloud services for easy access across devices
– Export options provide versatility for presentations or other uses
Cons: The main potential disadvantage is that the free version has limited cloud storage and mind map size which may not be suitable for large enterprise projects.
Pricing: Pricing for Mindomo includes:
– Free plan with 5GB storage and basic features
– Premium individual plan starting at $5/month
– Premium team/enterprise plans starting at $10/user/month
Some key stats about Mindomo include:
– Over 10 million users worldwide
– Available in 13 languages
– Integrates with Google Drive, Box, Dropbox and OneDrive
– Export mind maps to images, PDF and PowerPoint formats
9. Edraw MindMap
Edraw MindMap is a popular mind mapping software developed by EdrawSoft. It provides a feature-packed desktop app for creating elegant mind maps, flowcharts, org charts, and more. With Edraw MindMap, users can easily get inspirations from its built-in templates and rich gallery of examples.
Pros: Some key advantages of Edraw MindMap include: it offers a feature-packed desktop app experience, has a large library of built-in templates for different diagram types, includes a massive collection of professional symbols and shapes, allows for free offline personal use, and provides a free trial to test all features before purchase.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free personal use license does not allow for commercial use without upgrade. For teams or businesses that need collaborative online mind mapping, additional paid licenses or plans may be required.
Pricing: Edraw MindMap offers both one-time perpetual licenses as well as annual subscriptions. Pricing starts from $69 for an individual perpetual license and $59 per year for an annual subscription. Discounts are available for educational users and volume business licensing.
Some key stats about Edraw MindMap include: it has been downloaded over 100 million times worldwide, has a community of over 5 million users, and provides free offline personal use along with a free trial to test all features.
10. MindManager
MindManager is powerful and flexible mind mapping software developed by Mindjet. First launched in 2001, MindManager has grown to be one of the leading visualization and brainstorming tools on the market with over 25 million users worldwide.
Pros: Some key advantages of MindManager include:
– Powerful desktop mind mapping software for creating and editing maps
– Built-in project management features like Gantt charts, task lists and outlines
– Ability to export mind maps to images, PDF and PowerPoint formats
– Real-time collaboration capabilities through MindManager Online
Cons: The main disadvantage of MindManager is that it is not a free or open source solution. Paid subscriptions are required to use the full feature set on both desktop and online versions.
Pricing: MindManager pricing includes annual subscription plans starting at $299 for the individual license. Volume discounts and multi-user plans are available for businesses and enterprises as well.
Some key stats about MindManager include:
– Available on Windows and Mac platforms
– Integrates with Microsoft Office applications like Word and PowerPoint
– Allows for both individual and team collaboration through MindManager Online
– Has robust project management capabilities in addition to core mind mapping features
11. Mindjet
Mindjet is a leading provider of visual thinking and mind mapping software. Founded in 1998, Mindjet today helps individuals, teams and enterprises understand complex subjects, brainstorm new ideas, and collaborate effectively. With its flagship products MindManager and Mindjet for Mac, Mindjet enables people to visualize information and leverage visual thinking to communicate complex topics in a clear, compelling way.
Pros: Some key advantages of Mindjet’s mind mapping software:
– Feature rich mind mapping tools that allow for collaboration and exporting
– MindManager Online enables real-time collaboration on maps
– Large library of map templates across industries and topics
– Integrations available with tools like Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Workspace
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the pricing, as Mindjet’s software is aimed more at business users than casual or personal users.
Pricing: Pricing for Mindjet’s products include:
– MindManager for Windows/Mac starting at $299 for a single user license
– MindManager Online starts at $10/user per month for the basic plan
– Academic and nonprofit discounts are available
Some key stats about Mindjet:
– Used by over 35 million users worldwide
– Available in over 35 languages
– Customers include 92% of Fortune 100 companies
– Offers both desktop and online collaboration capabilities
12. MindNode
MindNode is a mind mapping software created by The Overskud Agency. It is available as both a macOS desktop and iOS mobile app. MindNode allows users to visually arrange and connect their ideas, tasks, and other thoughts into a radial, hierarchical view known as a mind map.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of MindNode include:
– Beautiful and intuitive graphical user interface
– Numerous mind mapping tools and features like images, notes, formatting options
– Full-featured desktop app for Mac
– Syncs maps via iCloud across devices
– Free basic version as well as paid ‘Pro’ and ‘Business’ plans available
Cons: The main disadvantage of MindNode is that it is only available for Mac and iOS devices. Users on Windows or Android will need to use an alternative mind mapping software.
Pricing: MindNode offers three pricing tiers:
– Basic (free) – Unlimited maps, basic features
– Pro ($39.99/year) – All features, 1GB cloud storage
– Business ($69.99/year) – All features, 5GB cloud storage, support options
Some key stats about MindNode include:
– Over 10 million downloads across both platforms
– Available in over 25 languages
– Integrates with iCloud for seamless syncing across devices
Mind Map & Brainstorm Ideasmindnode.com
13. Mind42
Mind42 is an online collaborative mind mapping software that allows users to create, edit and share mind maps from any web browser. Founded in 2015, Mind42 has quickly become one of the most popular mind mapping tools with over 5 million users.
Pros: Some key advantages of Mind42 include:
– Web-based and collaborative nature allows teams to work on mind maps from anywhere at any time
– Real-time collaboration means teams can brainstorm and organize ideas together live
– Wide range of integrations make it easy to store, access and share mind maps
– Intuitive interface makes it simple for anyone to create and explore mind maps
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as a web-based tool, Mind42 requires an internet connection to use. Some users may prefer desktop-based mind mapping software that doesn’t require an online connection.
Pricing: Mind42 offers both free and paid premium plans. The free plan allows unlimited mind maps, collaborators and storage. Premium ‘Team’ plans start at $5/user/month and unlock additional features like export to images and files, priority support and single sign-on.
Some key stats about Mind42 include:
– Used by over 5 million users worldwide
– Allows real-time collaboration on mind maps with an unlimited number of collaborators
– Integrates with tools like Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive for cloud storage
– Offers both free and paid premium plans
14. Popplet
Popplet is a mind mapping software available as a web app and iOS app. It allows users to create visual maps of ideas, concepts and information called ‘popplets’ to help with brainstorming, planning, organization and communication.
Pros: Popplet’s key advantages include: Web and iOS apps for creating popplets, Collaboration through shared popplets, Export popplets to image, PDF or web page, Focus on visual communication of ideas
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Popplet is primarily focused on the visual mind mapping aspect and lacks some of the advanced outlining, note taking and task management features of other mind mapping software.
Pricing: Popplet has a free plan with basic capabilities. Paid plans start at $5.99/month or $49.99/year for additional features like unlimited usage, offline access and priority support.
Popplet has been available since 2008 and is one of the early pioneers of mind mapping software. It has millions of users across its web and mobile apps. Popplet supports collaboration through shared popplets and integration with Google Drive.
15. RealtimeBoard
RealtimeBoard is a mind mapping and visual collaboration tool that allows teams to brainstorm, plan projects, and work together visually in real-time. Founded in 2013 and based in Copenhagen, Denmark, RealtimeBoard makes it easy for distributed teams to work visually and stay aligned no matter where team members are located.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of RealtimeBoard include:
– Real-time collaboration – Allows multiple users to work together synchronously on boards and edit content at the same time.
– Visual planning tools – Offers templates and tools for tasks lists, roadmaps, workflows and more to help teams plan and organize work visually.
– Whiteboard features – Provides drawing and annotation tools similar to using a whiteboard for brainstorming and sketching ideas.
– Integrations – Can integrate with tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, GitHub and others to import/export content.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that like many other mind mapping and visualization tools, it may have a learning curve for teams wanting to leverage all of its features most effectively.
Pricing: RealtimeBoard offers both free and paid premium plans. The free plan provides access to basic features for up to 3 users. Premium plans start at $8/user per month billed annually for teams of 4 or more users and provide additional features and capacity.
Some key stats about RealtimeBoard include:
– Used by over 5,000 companies worldwide including IBM, Toyota, and Harvard
– Serves over 1 million users globally
– Offers both free and paid plans for teams of all sizes
Conclusion
Whether you’re an individual looking to boost your creative thinking or a business that wants to power team brainstorming and planning sessions, these top 15 mind mapping software options have you covered. They offer versatile and visually appealing tools to help organize complex information, spark new ideas, delegate tasks and collaborate in real-time. Experiment with the free trials to find the right solution for your needs. Happy mind mapping!