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10 Best Mind Mapping Software to Plan Projects in 2023

The Best Mind Mapping Software

Scroll to see which tools made it to this top 10, or head straight to the overviews.

  1. 1. Miro — Best mind mapping with built-in communication tools
  2. 2. Lucidspark — Best virtual whiteboard for mind mapping and collaboration
  3. 3. MindMeister — Best mind mapping tool for business and education
  4. 4. Invision — Best design template library
  5. 5. Creately — Best free mind mapping software with ULM diagram templates and real-time collaboration features
  6. 6. Whimsical — Best for real-time mind map collaboration
  7. 7. MindGenius — Best simple mind mapping software
  8. 8. Mindomo — Best mind mapping software for its user-friendly, omni-platform experience across cloud, desktop, and mobile
  9. 9. Ayoa — Best all-in-one mind mapping software
  10. 10. Edraw Wondershare — Best mind mapping software for business and education

If you had to place mind mapping in any phase of the project management lifecycle, it would be in the planning phase. Creating a mindmap can help you categorize the parts of a project and break down complex projects in a visually intuitive way.

Because of this intuitiveness, mind mapping is probably one of the most fun work dynamics we have in the workplace. We buy a bunch of supplies, gather the team in a room, and dedicate a few hours to building it. However, we depend on a lot of fortuitous coincidences happening at the same time.

First, the supplies (including the coffee) are enough to complete the task. Second, there will be no unexpected emergencies, and everyone on the team will be available on the day. Finally, all attendees will bring their A-game and be at their most creative during the session.

Since the odds of all those happening at the same time are pretty slim, mind mapping software increases your chances of having better results thanks to its collaboration features. People can contribute with their best ideas and at the time most convenient for them, regardless of their location.

What is mind mapping software?

Also called concept mapping software, it is a brainstorming tool that enables you to create visual diagrams of your ideas. Mind mapping software ranges from simple brainstorming apps to complex data visualization and diagramming tools.

Overviews Of The Best Mind Mapping Software

Here is the description of each tool in more detail. Feel free to check out how I picked the software on this list at any time.

1

Miro

Best mind mapping with built-in communication tools

Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard with over 1,000 templates including mind maps, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, product wireframes, research boards, and flowcharts. It’s trusted by 99% of the Fortune 100, and used by teams at TransUnion, HP, Upwork, Cisco, Qlik, and Atkins. Miro’s visual platform is built for hybrid work, and has robust resources for continuous learning like Miro Academy, online events, and a community forum.

Try one of Miro’s top templates — Mind Map. It’s a fast, intuitive way for teams to capture, organize, and structure ideas. Mind mapping empowers in-person, remote, and hybrid teams to brainstorm, plan projects, map out information architecture, create org charts, and develop sales strategies. Plus, on Miro, communication is seamless with chat, comments, and the ability to auto-organize and add content to your map.

At The Digital Project Manager, we use Miro to map out content clusters and to visualize content workflows from start (brainstorming ideas) to finish (publishing the content on our site).

Miro has integrations with a whole suite of tools, including Zoom, Figma, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Slack, Google Drive, Box, Airtable, Notion, Azure, and Webex. Some integrations are limited to paid plans only.

Miro is free to use for unlimited members with up to 3 editable boards. Paid plans start at $8/user/month (billed annually).

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.8 3414

Free plan available

From $10/user/month

Pros

  • Built-in communication features for streamlined collaboration
  • Intuitive and easy setup
  • Free forever plan available

Cons

  • Free version does not allow high-quality export to pdf
  • Zooming can be jumpy on larger projects
  • Visitor/guest accounts locked to paid plans only
2

Lucidspark

Best virtual whiteboard for mind mapping and collaboration

Lucidspark provides real-time collaboration and facilitation features including sticky notes, freeform drawing, comments, tasks, automatic sorting, Breakout Boards, a laser pointer, a timer, and voting. Users can start with a blank canvas and easily add sticky notes and other shapes, or they can start with templates for brainstorming, mind maps, meetings and workshops, strategic analysis, project planning, and Agile development.

Users can quickly embed PDFs, PNGs, and other files onto the canvas, as well as create presentations and frame-by-frame paths to guide collaborators through content. Lucidspark has a simple and customizable UI that can be mastered in a few minutes. Users can access all features from the toolbars, as well as take an onboarding tutorial and view all keyboard shortcuts.

Lucidspark is ideal for individuals and teams looking to collaborate in ways that lead to decision-making and action. It’s a flexible application that allows you to brainstorm, plan, and make decisions in a way that’s best for your team.

Lucidspark offers integrations for leading apps like Zoom, Slack, Azure DevOps, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Smartsheet, Confluence, and others.

Lucidspark has a free version available for individual users. Paid plans start at $7.95/month with a 7-day free trial.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 2065

7-day free trial + free plan available

From $7.95/user/month

3

MindMeister

Best mind mapping tool for business and education

MindMeister is an award-winning mind-mapping tool built for brainstorming and ideation in business teams. The tool allows each team member to capture, develop, and share ideas from anywhere, which makes it perfect for remote and hybrid collaboration.

The map editor is a blank canvas with endless customization options. There is a great styling toolbar that helps you:

  • connect ideas,
  • add comments, notes, media, and attachments,
  • customize fonts, topics, borders, and connecting lines
  • add emojis and tintable icons.

Also, version history lets you revert back to a previous iteration and if like me, you don't have the best eye for design, you can choose from an extensive range of themes to create eye-catching maps that spark team creativity. Additional customization includes formatting topics as mind maps, org charts or lists (even on the same map), free topic positioning, and switching to Outline Mode to view your mind map as a bulleted list. 

Finally, Focus Mode is available for distraction-free mapping. This feature is especially good when you have a looming deadline or need to present your ideas to coworkers or external stakeholders. MindMeister’s extensive online help center, tutorial videos and email support will help you master this and any other feature.

The tool integrates seamlessly with the Meister Suite. Project planning and execution are closely linked via the MeisterTask integration, which enables teams to create tasks directly from mind maps. Likewise, embedding mind maps into notes in MeisterNote makes documentation and meeting management all the more simple.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.2 39

Free plan available (up to 3 mind maps)

From $6.99/month (billed semi-annually)

Pros

  • Easy to use and adopt
  • Comes with lots of templates
  • Simple controls with attractive output

Cons

  • Could use more in depth text editor features
  • Integrations are lacking
  • Sub-par user experience on touchscreen
4

Invision

Best design template library

InVision Freehand is a free online whiteboard that can be used for collaborative mind mapping, note taking, and wireframing. It's used by teams from Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, American Express, and KPMG.

From product managers and marketers to recruiters and engineers—Freehand’s simplicity makes everyone feel at home from the first time they try it. Whether you’re brainstorming, planning, or facilitating a meeting, Freehand allows you to spend more time contributing than figuring out how to contribute.

You can draw a variety of shapes quickly and easily with intuitive tooling and connect shapes with snapping line connectors. Then, add sticky notes and collaborate with others in real-time on a shared canvas. Integration with Microsoft Teams allows you to co-create during a live meeting or asynchronously through chat.

Some noteworthy features included: pre-made templates from leading companies; facilitation features like voting, present mode, and sticky notes; Advanced controls like locking and version history. Enterprises plans can access custom templates, SSO, SCIM integrations, audit logging, and a dedicated customer success team

InVision Freehand is free to use for up to 10 users and 3 projects. Paid plans cost from $4.95/user/month.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4 744

Free plan available

From $7.95/user/month

Pros

  • Excellent Microsoft Teams integration
  • Free-forever plan available
  • Simple and intuitive

Cons

  • Their pro plan is free now, but only temporarily
  • Custom templates locked to enterprise plan
5

Creately

Best free mind mapping software with ULM diagram templates and real-time collaboration features

Creately is an online visual workspace with advanced capabilities to make drawing mind maps online quick and easy. It's suitable for both individual and team use, and can be used in any industry, from marketing to education.

It has an infinite canvas, simple drag-and-drop functionality, and the ability to create shortcuts to visualize and organize information and ideas. With its context toolbar, you can also easily color code and format mind maps. The tool has an extensive library of mind map templates apt for all kinds of scenarios including brainstorming, design thinking, problem-solving, documenting research, and more.

Creately allows you to copy and paste or drag and drop images and graphics from your device, or browse and add more elements with its built-in Google image search option. You can also add hyperlinks which can be displayed right within the app with an iFrame, to make your mind maps more resourceful.

You can also collaborate with others on your team, or with your clients in real-time using in-app video conferencing or in-line comments which also serve as an in-app chat function.

You can track changes other teammates make on the canvas with real-time change previews and live mouse tracking. Additionally, you can export your mind map in SVGs, PNGs, JPEGs, or PDFs for printing or publishing, or you can embed them as images in a web page or document with a secure link.

Creately also has plugins for Slack, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Confluence, and a desktop version. However, Creately’s free version only allows 3 collaborators; if you have a larger team, you will have to consider switching to a paid version.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4 229

Free plan with limited features

From $4/user/month

Pros

  • Standard shape libraries for 70+ diagram types
  • Easy-to-create mind map shortcuts
  • Multiple scenario-based templates

Cons

  • Free plan limits shape libraries and document sizes
  • Free version only allows 3 collaborators
6

Whimsical

Best for real-time mind map collaboration

Whimsical is a mind mapping software that's built for real-time (or asynchronous) team ideation. Users can comment on individual connections and follow another teammate's cursor around the map. Your mind maps can be integrated with other Whimsical files so you can switch between mind maps, wireframes, projects, and docs.

Whimsical also gives you the ability to create mind maps without over-complicated styling options. Keyboard shortcuts help with organizing your ideas, which you can add in the form of text, images, links, and even icons from Whimsical’s library.

You don't have to download any additional apps or browser extensions to use Whimsical mind maps as all functionality is available within your browser.

Whimsical has a direct integration with Github and can be embedded in Notion docs. It also supports two-factor authentication with any authenticator app.

Whimsical costs from $10/user/month. You can create up to 1,000 items in Whimsical for free

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 36

Free trial available

From $10/user/month

Pros

  • Modern, intuitive user interface
  • Great for beginners
  • Viewers and guests are free
  • Free plan available

Cons

  • Can't delete mind maps
  • Sometimes struggles to import large images
7

MindGenius

Best simple mind mapping software

MindGenius is a combination of a concept map creator and a project planning tool. It’s designed for use in educational settings as well as for freelancers, small businesses, and agencies.

MindGenius’ suite includes drag-and-drop mind map creation, along with project planning features like Gantt charts, kanban task views, and some basic project reporting tools. They include several features for making mind maps more useful, with filtering, highlighting, and labelling tools to help you organize and present your mind maps effectively. MindGenius also integrates with Microsoft Office, so you can easily export project data and mind maps to Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint and Microsoft Project.

Overall, MindGenius is a useful brainstorming tool that helps you convert your mind maps from simple brainstorming documents into tools for managing your projects and business. They consistently roll out cool new features; most recently, their MindGenius 2019 version offers ways to share information with others with integration to MindGenius Online, Twitter, Facebook and Dropbox, One Drive and Google.

MindGenius offers two pricing models – Perpetual and Subscription. Perpetual is $256, Subscription is $160 in year one followed by $56 annually from year 2 onwards. A subscription includes upgrades to all future revisions of MindGenius.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 20

14 day free trial

First year $160, year two onwards $56

Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Easily switch from MindMap to Gantt chart or timeline
  • Easily move MindView maps into MS Project

Cons

  • Slight learning curve compared to other apps
  • Templates with embedded graphics can be finicky
  • RTF editor for notes can be awkward to manage
8

Mindomo

Best mind mapping software for its user-friendly, omni-platform experience across cloud, desktop, and mobile

Mindomo is an easy-to-learn concept map generator geared towards teachers and students, but it’s useful for small businesses and corporate agencies. It offers a suite of mindmapper tools with an emphasis on collaboration, providing users with the ability to easily co-create, share, and present their mind maps.

Some of Mindomo’s most useful mind mapping tools include real-time collaboration, a template library, the ability to add links, video, and audio to mind maps, and the ability to easily search for web images directly within the app. You can quickly turn mind maps into presentations with their Presentation Mode feature, or you can export in various formats (pdf, .docx, .pptx, .txt, .opml, .mpx, .html, .zip, .png.)

Overall, Mindomo is a practical, user-friendly mind mapping software that focuses on doing one thing and doing well. Their native mobile apps make it all the more convenient to use this tool, enabling users to create and edit mind maps while offline from any mobile device (Android, iPad, iPhone, etc). Additionally, Mindomo integrations are more numerous than most other mind mapping software, including Google Apps, Office365, and LTI integrations with education apps like Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Desire2Learn, itslearning, Schoology, and others.

Mindomo pricing works out to $6/user/month, and they also offer a free mind map software supporting up to 3 mind maps.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 6

Free version available

From $6/user/month

Pros

  • Great shortcut keys for map design inputs
  • Simple, good quality PDF exports
  • Plenty of styling options for color coding and branding

Cons

  • Does not integrate with project management platforms
  • No code formatting and image integration in notes
  • No filtering across multiple maps (what tasks are due across all, etc.)
9

Ayoa

Best all-in-one mind mapping software

Ayoa was developed by Chris Griffiths, the world’s leading mind mapping expert, who worked with Tony Buzan for over 20 years, the inventor of the Mind Map. 

Ayoa mimics the natural thinking process through organic mind mapping, and it’s the only mind-mapping software with artificial intelligence built in, as well as freehand mind mapping capabilities. Ayoa is the perfect blend of whiteboard, task management, and mind mapping tools. 

Ayoa has powerful whiteboard features like adding free-form text, documents, notes, images, and lists. You can also draw diagrams, flowcharts, and even embed other boards. Despite all of these features, it remains easy to use, making it perfect for brainstorming ideas, taking notes during meetings, teaching lessons, and making plans for various projects.

Ayoa is perfect for creating fun and stunning organic mind maps that improve creativity whilst helping you solve complex problems or learn complex topics. Ayoa is also ideal for delivering memorable presentations.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4 55

7-day free trial

From $10/user/month (billed annually)

Pros

  • Great for individuals or small teams
  • Highly organic mind mapping experience
  • Uses AI to stimulate ideas
  • All-in-one mind mapping, collaboration and task management solution

Cons

  • Ayoa, as a new entrant, has few integrations
  • User management for large teams needs improving
10

Edraw Wondershare

Best mind mapping software for business and education

EdrawMind is a collaborative mind mapping, brainstorming and outlining tool. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web.

EdrawMind comes with 12 different structure options including a radial mind map, timeline and bubble, fishbone diagram, and sector map. Its minimalist layout keeps things simple and is complemented by the auto-alignment feature, which makes the overall editing process simple for non-designers.

EdrawMind features a customization toolbox for colors, fonts, notes, outlines, as well as 33 themes and 700+ clipart graphics and lets you export to editable file formats such as graphics, PDF, MS Word, Excel, PPT, HTML, and SVG.

In the EdrawMind Brainstorming Mode, you can enter as many ideas as you want and color-code each concept, then drag and drop them onto your mind map to organize. When turning ideas into actionable tasks, you can use the Gantt Chart mode to track project progress. You can also discover more creative ideas from the Mind Map Gallery where mind maps are shared by users from all over the world.

The online edition offers a collaborative workplace where you can share files across your teams and control editing and viewing access. Project managers or students can also use the Slideshow and Traverse feature to present in the boardroom, and use the Outline mode to take notes.

EdrawMind costs from $4.92 per month (billed annually) and comes with a lifetime plan. They have a free version with some feature limitations.

From $4.92 monthly (billed annually)

Pros

  • Single click conversion of mind maps into Gantt Chart, Outline, and Slides
  • Mind Map Gallery of user-shared mind maps
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web
  • Modern and simple to understand UI

Cons

  • Short list of integrations
  • Mobile app lacks some features the PC version has

Need expert help selecting the right Mindmapping Software?

We’ve joined up with Crozdesk.com to give all our readers (yes, you!) access to Crozdesk’s software advisors. Just use the form below to share your needs, and they will contact you at no cost or commitment. You will then be matched and connected to a shortlist of vendors that best fit your company and you can access exclusive software discounts!

The Best Mind Mapping Software Comparison Chart

The chart below provides a basic summary of the top mind map tools included in this review. Get a snapshot of each tool’s basic pricing info, trial info, and overall quality score, and then read a detailed review of each tool below.

Tool Free Option Price
1
Miro

Best mind mapping with built-in communication tools

Free plan available

From $10/user/month Visit Website
2
Lucidspark

Best virtual whiteboard for mind mapping and collaboration

7-day free trial + free plan available

From $7.95/user/month Visit Website
3
MindMeister

Best mind mapping tool for business and education

Free plan available (up to 3 mind maps)

From $6.99/month (billed semi-annually) Visit Website
4
Invision

Best design template library

Free plan available

From $7.95/user/month Visit Website
5
Creately

Best free mind mapping software with ULM diagram templates and real-time collaboration features

Free plan with limited features

From $4/user/month Visit Website
6
Whimsical

Best for real-time mind map collaboration

Free trial available

From $10/user/month Visit Website
7
MindGenius

Best simple mind mapping software

14 day free trial

First year $160, year two onwards $56 Visit Website
8
Mindomo

Best mind mapping software for its user-friendly, omni-platform experience across cloud, desktop, and mobile

Free version available

From $6/user/month Visit Website
9
Ayoa

Best all-in-one mind mapping software

7-day free trial

From $10/user/month (billed annually) Visit Website
10
Edraw Wondershare

Best mind mapping software for business and education

Not available

From $4.92 monthly (billed annually) Visit Website

Other Mind Mapping Software

The options below did not make it to the top 10, but are worth checking out if you are looking for more tools.

  1. MindView

    Best for its unlimited document attachment space and exporting features

  2. Visio

    Best mind mapping software for Microsoft users

  3. Milanote

    Best multimedia mind mapping software

  4. SmartDraw

    Best for mind mapping templates

  5. Coggle

    Best for embeddable mind maps

  6. MindManager

    Mind mapping tool that works with Microsoft Teams and supports both Windows/MacOS.

  7. XMind

    Best mobile mind mapping app

  8. ConceptDraw MINDMAP

    Best professional-grade mind mapping software for its timer-based brainstorm mode

  9. Slickplan

    Best diagram designer for web planning teams

  10. ClickUp

    Best free plan for mind mapping software

Check out our video review of the top tools.

How I Picked The Best Mind Mapping Software

The most important thing that a mind mapping app does is help you represent ideas visually. Therefore, I searched for the most popular software for mind mapping. After creating a list, I narrowed it down based on factors that make software a good option for mind mapping in project management, like the ones below.

Real-time collaborative drawing

A great collaboration tool lets multiple users work on new ideas in real time on the same mind map. The tools on this list mostly have tags or markers that let you know who is doing what.

Easy file attachments

Can users easily attach external files? The best mind mapping apps allow users to attach audio files, videos, images, and links to mind maps. These attachments help the team have loads of information in one view, without visually cluttering the board.

Presentation & sharing tools

Is it easy to present and share your diagrams? Mind maps are often used as visual communication or presentation tools. Therefore, mind mapping software should make it easy to share mind maps, convert them into presentations, toggle between views, and enable others to easily access and view your mind maps.

Integrations

Is it a stand-alone tool, or does it sync with your business applications (such as data management, documents, diagramming, development, and presentation tools)? Your need for integrations depends on how you plan to use the mind mapping software, but tools with pre-built integrations with common tools like Microsoft Office and Google Drive make it easier to get more insight, more quickly, from your mind mapping app.

Mind Mapping Software FAQs

Find answers to common questions people ask about this topic.

Best Mind Mapping Software Buyer's Guide

How do you choose the best mind mapping software?

The best mind mapping software for you depends on what mind mapping technique you want to use. In general, there are two big questions to ask yourself when narrowing down the options:

Do we need live collaboration (co-creating with other users)?

Mind mapping can be an individual creative exercise, and it can also be a group planning or presentation activity. Not all mind mapping software offers a live, real-time collaboration that enables multiple users to co-create the same diagram.

Do we want diagramming beyond mind maps?

While some people use mind mapping software to simply brainstorm ideas in a visual way, others use it to make more complicated visuals. For example, engineering diagrams, architectural plans, and network diagrams.

In some cases, teams use mind mapping software as a diagramming tool for laying out wireframes or websites or even as a data visualization tool to import and display complex data from their business in charts and diagrams.

mind mapping software logos list

What's Next?

If you're still unsure about getting mind mapping software for your team, read about how this practice supercharges project management and helps you with your project planning. However, if you are ready for your next step, read about how to write a Statement of Work.

Related tool lists:

If you want to keep up with all things project management, subscribe to the Insider Membership newsletter. We share links to useful templates, plus tips and tricks about project management that every DPM needs.

By Ben Aston

I’m Ben Aston, a digital project manager and founder of thedpm.com. I've been in the industry for more than 20 years working in the UK at London’s top digital agencies including Dare, Wunderman, Lowe and DDB. I’ve delivered everything from film to CMS', games to advertising and eCRM to eCommerce sites. I’ve been fortunate enough to work across a wide range of great clients; automotive brands including Land Rover, Volkswagen and Honda; Utility brands including BT, British Gas and Exxon, FMCG brands such as Unilever, and consumer electronics brands including Sony. Ben's a Certified Scrum Master, PRINCE2 Practitioner and productivity nut.

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7 Comments

  • Hi! Thanks for the article. I use IOctopus.online , it's not on the list as it's quite new. But it does have real-time collaboration, image and links attachments, sharing, integrations to other sites. This is a nice service for me.

    Reply

  • Just wondering why The Brain isn't ever reviewed. It's a complex pro mind mapping software, but it' pretty good and robust and been around for some time.

    Reply

  • Ben, thanks for the list. I am trying the free version of Coogle and find it performs well - intuitive and easy to use, no down loads required. I already have Visio but do not want to be bogged down by its complexity when simply trying to capture ideas on the fly.

    Reply

  • Why buy Visio when draw.io will do pretty much everything Visio does for free?

    Reply

  • Nice article. I am using FreeMind which work well, but I am looking for something with more features. Also FreeMind struggles with export of large map.

    Reply

  • I also have been using ConceptDraw for many years and would like to know how it compares.

    Reply

  • Ben, I've been using ConceptDraw, which has both mind map and project integration, for some time now and have been surprised it is not mentioned more often. Have you tried it? If not, give it a shot. Thanks for your article.

    Reply