Mind mapping is a highly visual, nonlinear brainstorming method that can help you organize your ideas and streamline your creative process. You can create a mind map individually, or as part of a group brainstorming session.
If you’re drawing one by hand, you’ll usually start by writing your main problem or question in a circle in the center of a page. Then, use lines to branch out from that circle and connect sequences of sub-ideas and their details. This encourages association and helps your mind navigate a vast pool of information.
Since mind mapping has become such a popular brainstorming method, there are now dozens of mind mapping software available to help make the process easier and allow for seamless collaboration with others.
Best Mind Mapping Software
Below are 9 of the best mind mapping software that will help you generate more ideas while staying organized.
1. MindMeister
MindMeister is a powerful tool that’s especially ideal for work teams, as it offers extensive collaboration features.
While you can customize your maps as much as you’d like, you can also choose from a wide range of beautiful palette themes so you can focus on your ideas.
MindMeister is also the preferred mind mapping software of Kevin Horsley, the best-selling author of Unlimited Memory.
Features:
- Add comments, notes, media attachments, and even emojis
- Add team members, upvote or downvote ideas, and leave comments
- Customize fonts, topics, borders and connecting lines
- Quick keyboard shortcuts
- Users can embed live videos within nodes
- Focus Mode allows for distraction-free mapping
Pricing: Free basic plan (up to 3 mind maps); $4.99/month for unlimited. See more pricing details here.
2. ClickUp
Although ClickUp offers several different tools for productivity and project management, their mind mapping software is one of the best.
ClickUp makes it easy to generate, organize, and share your ideas using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface It also integrates nicely with Slack, G Suite, Dropbox, and Zapier.
Features:
- 100 free mind map uses
- Create, edit, and delete tasks from your dashboard
- Easily drag branches to rearrange projects
- Convert map nodes into tasks
- Share your mind maps with anyone
Pricing: Free for 100 MB storage; $5/month for unlimited storage
3. Mindomo
Mindomo offers tools for mind mapping, outlining, and concept mapping. Its user-friendly interface also allows for easy collaboration with coworkers or friends.
It’s a great resource for teams, teachers, and individuals who want to better organize and plan their lives and ideas.
Features:
- Easily map concepts by connecting dots
- Synchronize offline and online content
- Use hashtags to plan, order, and filter your ideas
- Break down goals into specific tasks and assign them to team members
- Plan events, meetings, business strategies, and more
Pricing: Free basic plan (3 diagrams); $5.50/month for premium (unlimited charts and templates). Find more pricing info here.
4. Visio
Visio is Microsoft’s mind mapping tool that allows you to create diagrams ranging from simple to complex.
In addition to mind maps and detailed organization charts, you can also use Visio to create floor plans, pivot diagrams, and other visual aids.
Features:
- can pull data from Office 365
- work on a variety of diagrams simultaneously
- offers ready-made templates for block diagrams, flow charts, timelines, floor plans, and more
- multiple users can collaborate at the same time
Pricing: $5/month for basic, $15/month for premium. See more pricing details here.
5. Coggle
Coggle is a web-based mind mapping software that boasts an intuitive design ideal for mind map beginners.
Coggle allows for real-time collaboration so you can take notes, brainstorm, and share your plans from anywhere with an internet connection.
Features:
- Auto-arranging branches
- Easily drag nodes to rearrange manually
- Add images, text, labels, and annotations to your maps
- Allows for real-time collaboration
- Download mind maps as PDF or image files
- Seamless integration with Google services
Pricing: Free basic plan; $5/month for unlimited private diagrams. See more pricing details here.
6. MindMup
MindMup is a user-friendly web application that doesn’t even require an account to get started.
Unregistered users can create and share unlimited mind maps (free mind maps are automatically deleted after six months).
Features:
- Automatically adds contextual information and images
- Users can publish and share mind maps even without entering an email address
- Add longer text, spreadsheets, and videos to your mind maps
Pricing: Free for public maps up to 100 KB; $2.99/month for Gold plan that includes larger, private maps and collaboration.
7. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is a mind mapping tool ideal for businesses who need to present data visually, while also collaborating seamlessly with their teams.
It allows for easy sharing and exporting, and its intuitive interface allows team members to learn quickly so they can spend more time collaborating on projects.
Features:
- Export projects into a variety of file formats
- View file revision history
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Create flowcharts, technical diagrams, wireframes, floorplans, process maps, org charts, and more
- Embed your Lucidchart diagrams into your website or blog
Pricing: Free basic plan (includes 3 editable documents; $7.95/month for unlimited. See detailed pricing info here.
8. Miro
Miro is another mind mapping tool that aims to engage remote work teams with its digital workspaces.
Their mind maps are easy to customize, but you can also use one of their many templates so you can jump right into mind mapping with your team.
Features:
- Extensive library of templates
- Quick Vote tool allows for prioritization
- Real-time collaborative drawing
- Integrated with Dropbox, Google Suite, JIRA, Slack, Sketch, OneDrive, Zapier, and more
Pricing: Free plan includes 3 editable boards; $8/month for unlimited. See full pricing details here.
9. Ayoa
Ayoa was created by Chris Griffiths, a mind mapping expert who has worked with the father of the mind map, Tony Buzan.
While great for work teams, it can also be extremely helpful for individuals looking to organize their ideas and to-do lists.
Features:
- Use virtual white boards for group brainstorming
- Chat with your co-mappers
- Easily convert ideas into tasks
- React to branches with emojis
- Add files and images directly to your branches
Pricing: $10/month
More Ways to Brainstorm
Mind mapping is just one powerful technique you can use to brainstorm. For more tips, check out our list of more brainstorming techniques that will help you unleash your creativity while staying organized.
If you’re looking for tips to help organize your writing life, use our guide on how to outline a book to expedite your writing process.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 10 Powerful Brainstorming Techniques to Inspire You and Your Team
- How to Start Writing: 10 Tips to Help You Seize the Day
- How to Be Creative: 13 Fun Ways to Test Your Imagination
- 8 Types of Imagination and How You Use Them to Create New Ideas
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
