20 Best Mind Mapping Software For Visual Collaboration In 2024
10 Best Mind Mapping Software
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
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You want to brainstorm, plan, and collaborate visually using mind mapping software, but the overwhelming number of available options can make finding the right tool for your team both time-consuming and frustrating.
In this post, I use my project management experience to explore the best mind mapping tools on the market, highlighting their ideal use cases to help you easily find the right tool for your brainstorming and visual planning needs.
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The Best Mind Mapping Software Comparison Chart
The chart below provides a basic summary of the top project planning 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.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| ClickUp | From $7/user/month | Website |
| Miro | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Ayoa | From $10/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| FigJam | From $15/full seat/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Mindomo | From $6/user/month | Website |
| MindMeister | From $6.99/month (billed semi-annually) | Website |
| MindView | From $379/user as a one-time purchase | Website |
| SmartDraw | From $8.25/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats) | Website |
| Slickplan | From $8.99/user/month | Website |
| Visio | From $5/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose Mind Mapping Software
As you work through your own unique software selection process, keep the following points in mind:
- Ease of Use and Idea Organization: The software should be intuitive and make it easy to organize ideas logically. Look for features like drag-and-drop reordering, hierarchical structuring, and the ability to collapse or expand branches.
- Collaboration Features: For teams, real-time collaboration is a must. Choose software that allows multiple users to work on the same map at once, with options for commenting and version control.
- Cross-Device Accessibility and Integration: Your mind mapping tool should sync smoothly across all your devices, allowing you to work seamlessly from your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. It should also integrate well with other tools you use, such as project management apps or cloud storage.
- Customization and Visual Layout Options: The ability to customize your mind maps enhances their clarity and impact, especially when presenting to stakeholders. Look for software with a variety of templates, node styles, and layout options.
- Scalability: As your projects or team grow, your software needs to scale with you. Ensure the tool can handle larger, more complex maps and offers advanced features, like task management, as you expand.
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Hub Planner
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
ClickUp
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7 -
Miro
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Best Mind Mapping Software Reviews
Here are my detailed overviews of each tool that made it onto my best mind mapping software shortlist! I’ve included each platform’s best use case, pricing information, and pros and cons.
ClickUp is a project management software with available whiteboards for planning and organizing your projects, ideas, and more through mind maps.
ClickUp's mind mapping features allow you to draw relationships between projects and tasks, visualize workflows and project or task structures, and easily create and manage tasks directly from your visual roadmap.
Create powerful free-form diagrams, use nodes as reference points for work to be completed, and then convert nodes into tasks. Users can create and link tasks within a mind map using drag-and-drop functionality. Share your mind maps with your team and other collaborators for collaboration in real-time.
ClickUp offers native integrations with Slack, G Suite, Dropbox, and many more tools, as well as over 1,000+ integrations through Zapier.
ClickUp's free plan is robust and includes all primary features. The unlimited plan starts at $5 a month per user and offers additional functionality.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Many additional diagram/chart options to choose from, incl. Gantt chart & Kanban
- Easy to convert map nodes into tasks
- Frequently updates with new or improved features
- Free plan comes with 100 mind map uses
Cons:
- Edit permissions are not available with the free plan
- Mobile app can be a bit slow
- Unlimited mind maps limited to Business and Enterprise plans
Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard with over 1,000 templates including mind maps, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, product wireframes, research boards, and flowcharts.
Why I picked Miro: This visual platform provides a fast, intuitive way for teams to capture, organize, and structure ideas. Its built-in communication tools support seamless collaboration for in-person, remote, and hybrid teams. Moreover, the platform's infinite canvas and flexibility in incorporating various data forms, including text, images, and videos, enable a rich, multi-dimensional approach to brainstorming and organization.
Integration with tools like Jira and Asana also faciliate project management within the same workspace, while features such as comments, reactions, and TalkTrack support continuous asynchronous collaboration, making Miro a comprehensive solution for team-based mind mapping and planning.
Miro Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a template library, clustering, Miro Assist AI, a planner tool, privacy mode, Stickies Capture to covert physical sticky notes to whiteboard stickies using the moble app, voting, timer, mind maps, freeform drawing, access controls, and GDPR and CCPA compliance.
Integrations include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace, Asana, monday.com, Confluence, Notion, Jira, Dropbox, OneDrive, Notion, Airtable, ClickUp, and Unito, among others.
Pros and cons
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
Ayoa is a mind mapping tool 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.
Why I picked Ayoa: This software mimics the natural thinking process through organic mind mapping. It has built-in artificial intelligence features as well as freehand mind mapping capabilities. It provides a blend of whiteboard, task management, and mind mapping tools.
The whiteboard features let you add various types of media to your mind map, including free-form text, documents, notes, images, and lists. You can also draw diagrams, flowcharts, and even embed other boards.
Ayoa Standout Features and Integrations
Features include organic maps, radial maps, speed and capture maps, freehand drawing to produce hand-drawn digital mind maps, unlimited sharing and collaboration, and extensive image libraries.
Integrations include Google Calendar, Evernote, and Zoom.
Pros and cons
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
FigJam is a digital whiteboard tool developed by Figma, designed to facilitate online brainstorming and mind mapping.
Why I picked FigJam: This is a really intuitive and user-friendly tool. It's like a virtual playground for your ideas, where you can sketch, write, and move things around as you would on a physical whiteboard. It's a great tool for anyone who needs to visualize their thoughts, from designers and developers to project managers and educators.
Thanks to its real-time collaboration features, it's also a versatile mind-mapping tool you can use during your project meetings or weekly standup sessions. You can invite your team members to join your board and see their cursors moving around in real-time. It's like being in the same room, mapping ideas out together on the same whiteboard. You can also add comments and reactions to each other's ideas, which makes the brainstorming process more interactive and fun.
FigJam Standout Features and Integrations
Features include pre-built project management templates, audio and live chat, stamp and emoji reacts, external collaborator access, calendar and timeline widgets, bitmoji avatars, music player, and mobile app.
Integrations include Asana, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Notion, Slack, Trello, and numerous tools for prototyping, user testing, and developer handoff.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Includes a mobile app
- Supports unlimited collaborators
- Includes 300+ templates
Cons:
- Could use more integrations with project management tools
Mindomo
Best 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.
Pros and cons
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.)
MindMeister is an award-winning mind-mapping tool built for brainstorming and ideation in business teams and educational settings. It allows each team member to capture, develop, and share ideas from anywhere, which makes it perfect for remote and hybrid collaboration.
Why I picked MindMeister: This platform's map editor is a blank canvas with tons of customization options. The styling toolbar helps you connect ideas, add comments, notes, media, and attachments, customize fonts, topics, borders, and connecting lines, and add emojis and tintable icons. Meanwhile, version history lets you revert back to a previous iteration of your board.
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 Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an outline mode to display your information differently, icons and emojis so you can complement your visual representation of concepts, comments and real-time collaboration with notifications included.
Integrations include all Meister Suite products like Meister Task, and Meister Note, as well as Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
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
MindView is a powerful mind mapping tool for capturing, developing and presenting ideas and information. MindView is one of the leading mind mapping software for project management and has several layouts including timeline and Gantt chart. MindView’s MS Office integration has been awarded multiple times as the industry leader.
MindView allows you to brainstorm sessions and present ideas visually. Users have the ability to customize mind maps, collaborate in real-time, attach files and utilize presentation mode. Project Managers can also create baselines and effort driven tasks. You can brainstorm your project plan in a mind map, apply task information and resources, then transfer the plan to the built-in Gantt chart and project timeline or export to Microsoft Project.
MindView adopts the latest Microsoft Office interface and has built-in tutorial videos to guide you. The use of the ribbon system makes the software familiar and intuitive to use and learn. You can also use the latest MS Office keyboard shortcuts.
MindView imports and exports to the entire MS Office suite (Excel, PP, Word, Outlook) including MS Project. MindView also exports to .pdf, HTML, project reports, XML, rtf and picture.
MindView starts at $379 for a single user license. They also offer a free trial and free webinars to get you set up.
Pros and cons
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
SmartDraw is positioned as an alternative to tools like Microsoft Visio, claiming to be much easier for the layman to use while being just as powerful and more affordable. That’s a big claim to live up to, and while it’s not significantly more affordable (at $5.95/user/month it’s comparable to Visio’s $6.40/user/month), it does provide an intuitive interface with useful features that are applicable to essentially any industry, from landscaping and design to IT.
SmartDraw provides users with more than 4500 templates for over 70 different types of diagrams, including flowcharts, infographics, landscape designs, decision trees, timelines, mind maps, engineering and CAD diagrams, and much more. It offers collaborative drawing online so users can work on the same diagrams at the same time, with an intelligent formatting engine that makes automatic adjustments to maintain your diagram’s arrangement. SmartDraw integrates with MS Office, Google apps, Jira, Confluence, DropBox, Box, Wordpress, and Trello.
Overall, SmartDraw is a powerful tool, a strong competitor to the likes of Microsoft Visio and arguably more intuitive for the average user to navigate. Like in the case of Visio, enterprise teams are the users who will get the most out of its many advanced features.
SmartDraw costs from $5.95/user/month on a plan with 5+ users, or $9.95/user/month for a single user.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easily insert photos and hyperlinks
- Plenty of help videos and tutorials
- Can import Visio files
- Easily customize the color and input dimensions
Cons:
- Cannot flip workflow from horizontal to vertical
- Low functionality with free version
Slickplan is marketed as a diagram designer for web planning teams. It functions well as a concept map maker, but it does much more than help you create a conceptual map. It provides features tailored to website design (UX designers, content teams, app designers and developers, website marketers) and has multiple pricing plans tailored to individuals, freelancers, small teams, and agencies.
Slickplans’s diagram maker includes a symbology library, automated design functions, and integration with Slickplan’s sitemap builder. It enables simultaneous editing, live chat, commenting, easy export of your projects into various formats (HTML, DOCX, PDF, XML, etc) as well as export directly into integrated CMS platforms (Wordpress, Joomla!, concrete5, Drupal, and Expression Engine). It also has integrations with Google Analytics, Slack, Basecamp, and Teamwork.
Overall, Slickplan is a top choice for use cases like web design or mobile app development agencies. The diagram maker functions well as a stand-alone mind map maker but is part of their general website planning suite, which also includes a sitemap builder and a content planner. The entire suite offers visual collaboration features for conceptualizing and designing a website, from site map to content marketing flows.
Slickplan costs from $8.99/user/month. They also offer a “free forever” version with limited features as well as a free 30-day trial of paid versions.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can share or download different saved versions
- Simple drag and drop format
- Ideal to design and modify a website
Cons:
- More collaborative functionality welcome
- Sometimes difficult to edit sketches
- Diagrams with the sitemap cost more
From Microsoft Visio is visual diagramming tool that works well for mind mapping as well as creating many other graphical representations. If you’re already using Office 365, Visio is a top choice because it can pull data from Office 365 and let you visualize it in real-time with the charts you’ve set up in Visio. This functionality sets it apart from other tools, as Visio enables you to bring you data to life in dashboards that display data-linked diagrams. It does more than simply help you illustrate your ideas on a screen.
Much more than a simple brainstorming app, Visio provides ready-made templates to create block diagrams, flowcharts, timelines, flowcharts, floorplans, engineering designs, and Specification and Description Language (SDL) diagrams (and it also supports AutoCAD drawings). Users can share their diagrams as a link, attachment, image, or PDF and can collaborate through the comments and annotations features. Additionally, unlike a lot of the other mindmap software, Visio allows multiple users to collaborate simultaneously on the same mindmap.
Overall, this is one of the more robust mind mapping tools out there. Keep in mind, it does have a steeper learning curve than many other tools, and it definitely offers more than you need if you’re just looking for a simple interface to make an idea map. However, for technical teams, engineers, architects, and business intelligence use cases, Visio is a top choice—as long as you’re willing to stay within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Microsoft offers Visio through a one-time purchase (Visio Standard and Visio Profession) or as a SaaS (Visio Online).
Visio costs from $6.40/user/month. A one-time license costs from $459.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Ready-made blocks and flow diagrams
- Over 250,000 shapes to choose from
- Best for writing UML diagrams
- Robust library of templates
Cons:
- No customization of predefined shapes
- Complicated UX and features list
- Lags on older PCs
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.
Check out our video review of the top tools.
Related Project Management Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other project management tool reviews we've curated for you:
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- Time Tracking Software
- Task Management Software
- Collaboration Tools
Selection Criteria For Mind Mapping Software
Selecting the right mind mapping software involves a comprehensive evaluation of various functionalities to meet the unique needs of project managers and teams. Through personal experimentation and extensive research, I have distilled the selection process into specific criteria that address both the fundamental and advanced needs of users.
Core Mind Map Project Management Functionality (25% of final scoring):
Common features for mind mapping software typically include real-time collaboration, template libraries, integration with communication tools, drag-and-drop editing, brainstorming modes, presentation capabilities, project planning aids, mind map sharing, customization options, and support for multimedia elements. To be considered for inclusion on my list of the best mind mapping software, the solution had to support the ability to fulfill common use cases.
- Brainstorming and ideation sessions
- Project planning and tracking
- Knowledge management and information organization
- Collaborative team meetings
- Creative problem-solving
Additional Standout Features (25% of final scoring):
Unique features and functionalities set apart the most innovative mind mapping tools. Here are some of the ones present in mind mapping tools.
- AI-Powered Idea Generation: Identifies tools like Ayoa that use AI to suggest new ideas or branches.
- Advanced Integration Capabilities: Looks for platforms such as Miro that seamlessly integrate with a wide array of other software, enhancing workflow.
- Unique Visual Elements: Explores tools offering unique visual customization options beyond basic mind mapping, such as dynamic charts and interactive timelines.
- Enhanced Collaboration Tools: Identifies software providing exceptional collaborative features, including live chat and video conferencing within the mind map environment.
- Mobile and Cross-Platform Accessibility: Prioritizes software with robust mobile apps and cross-platform support, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for users on any device.
Usability (10% of final scoring): Tools with high usability usually have higher rates of adoption. Therefore, I look at tools that:
- Prioritize intuitive interfaces that simplify complex functionalities, allowing users to focus on ideation rather than navigation.
- Value drag-and-drop capabilities and easy-to-use toolbars that make organizing and modifying mind maps a seamless experience.
Onboarding (10% of final scoring): Good onboarding materials help flatten the learning curve for new users. Therefore, I considered the following:
- Availability of comprehensive training materials, including video tutorials, interactive product tours, and user guides that enable quick mastery of the software.
- Presence of pre-designed templates and examples that help new users understand the potential applications and start creating mind maps quickly.
Customer Support (10% of final scoring): This criterion is particularly useful for new tools in the market as they will normally have less developed knowledge bases and rely heavily on their support team's capacity to solve problems. I examined the responsiveness and availability of customer support, prioritizing software with multiple channels such as live chat, email, and phone support. Additionally, I consider the presence of a knowledgeable community or forums where users can share tips, ask questions, and find solutions.
Value For Money (10% of final scoring): The cost should never be an issue if they are providing the necessary value to users. Therefore, I:
- Analyze pricing structures to ensure they align with the features offered, looking for transparent, flexible plans that cater to a range of user needs.
- Compare cost-effectiveness, taking into account free plans, trial periods, and the overall return on investment for businesses.
Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring): User reviews are a great way to discover the real-world applications that a tool has and whether or not it is delivering on its promises. I include in my evaluation:
- An investigation of user feedback to gauge satisfaction with the software's performance, ease of use, and impact on project outcomes.
- Patterns in reviews that indicate reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, focusing on feedback from project managers and team leads.
Through this meticulous selection process, project managers can find mind mapping software that not only meets their immediate needs but also supports the evolving demands of their projects and teams.
Trends In Mind Mapping Software For 2024
In 2024, the landscape of mind mapping software is evolving rapidly, with developers focusing on enhancing collaboration, brainstorming, and idea management functionalities to meet the dynamic needs of project teams. This evolution is driven by the necessity for tools that not only facilitate individual idea generation but also bolster collective creativity and efficiency in a remote and hybrid working environment.
Rapidly Evolving Features
- AI-Powered Mind Mapping: Ayoa and Wondershare EdrawMind leverage AI to expand on central ideas and generate new branches, ensuring a more dynamic brainstorming process. We expect AI to continue to infiltrate mind mapping tools and help expand on ideas to keep the team engaged and prevent mental blocks that normally occur in time-limited sessions.
- Interactive Tools for Enhanced Collaboration: Boardmix and Lucidchart emphasize interactive tools such as commenting, voting, chatting, and video conferencing to enhance the collaborative experience. We expect more developments in interactivity leveraging new technologies.
Novel and Unusual Functionality
- Neuro-Inclusivity: Ayoa's approach to project mapping focuses on neuro-diversity, offering a visually engaging environment that caters to different cognitive styles.
- Extensive Integration with Productivity Apps: Platforms like Whimsical AI offer robust integration with popular productivity apps, facilitating a more integrated workflow.
Now that remote and hybrid work models are here to stay, features that support real-time collaboration, integration with other productivity tools, and the use of AI for idea generation will becoming increasingly important.
What Is Mind Mapping Software?
Mind mapping software is a tool that visually and interactively organizes ideas, information, and concepts. It enables users to represent ideas, tasks, or concepts as branches stemming from a central theme, thereby creating a "mind map" that mimics the way the brain naturally organizes information. The visual nature of mind mapping software helps to see connections between ideas, fostering more effective learning and enhancing memory retention.
Mind mapping software is a great tool to facilitate and capture collaborative and creative thinking. It's particularly useful for brainstorming sessions, project planning, complex problem-solving, and consolidating information in an easily understandable format. Users can add text, images, links, and even documents to their mind maps, making them dynamic and interactive.
Features Of Mind Mapping Software
Mind mapping software plays a pivotal role in project planning, brainstorming, and fostering collaboration among team members. These tools convert complex ideas into visual diagrams, enhancing comprehension and creative thinking. When selecting mind mapping software, it's essential to focus on features that streamline these processes and promote efficiency.
- Real-time Collaboration: Allows team members to work on mind maps simultaneously. This feature is critical to ensure that all team members can contribute to the brainstorming process and share their ideas, regardless of their physical location.
- Integration with Communication Tools: Integration with chat, video conferencing, and project management tools. Seamless integration with communication platforms facilitates discussion and feedback without leaving the mind mapping environment, making the ideation process more dynamic and inclusive.
- Template Libraries: A range of pre-designed templates for various project needs. Having access to a diverse set of templates speeds up the setup process for brainstorming sessions and ensures that teams can quickly organize their thoughts and ideas into structured formats.
- AI-Powered Idea Generation: The use of artificial intelligence to suggest ideas or expand on existing ones. AI features can inspire creativity and help overcome mental blocks by suggesting related concepts or expanding on the central theme of the mind map.
- Flexible Mapping Options: Support for various mapping styles, including flowcharts, Gantt charts, and more. Flexibility in creating different types of diagrams allows teams to choose the best way to visualize their project plans and workflows, enhancing understanding and strategic planning.
- Interactive Elements: The ability to add links, documents, and multimedia to mind maps. By embedding interactive elements directly into mind maps, teams can access all relevant information in one place, making it easier to connect ideas to their real-world applications.
- Access Controls and Permissions: Managing who can view or edit the mind maps. Proper access controls ensure that sensitive information remains secure while still allowing for collaborative editing and viewing among authorized team members.
- User-friendly Interface: Features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate design. A user-friendly interface reduces the learning curve for new users and allows teams to focus more on the content of their mind maps rather than on how to use the software.
Selecting the right mind mapping software is crucial for project success. Features such as the ones above enable teams to effectively brainstorm, plan, and execute projects.
Benefits Of Mind Mapping Software
Mind mapping software has become a crucial tool for project managers and organizations looking to streamline their brainstorming and project planning phases. These tools offer a visual approach to organizing thoughts, ideas, and information, making complex projects more manageable and understandable. Here are five primary benefits that mind mapping software brings to users and organizations.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates teamwork and idea sharing. Mind mapping software allows team members to contribute to projects in real-time, regardless of their physical location, ensuring that diverse perspectives are captured and incorporated into the planning process, ultimately leading to more innovative solutions.
- Improved Productivity: Speeds up the planning and brainstorming phases. By providing a visual overview of tasks, dependencies, and progress, mind mapping software helps project managers quickly identify bottlenecks and reallocate resources as needed, significantly reducing project timelines.
- Increased Creativity: Stimulates creative thinking and idea generation. The visual nature of mind maps encourages users to see connections between ideas they might not have considered otherwise, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish and leading to more inventive project solutions.
- Better Information Retention: Aids in understanding and memorizing project details. Visual information is processed by the brain faster than text, and mind mapping software's use of colors, images, and spatial relationships improves retention and recall of project information, making it easier for team members to keep track of complex project elements.
- Flexible Project Management: Offers adaptability in project planning and tracking. Mind mapping software supports various methodologies and can be used for a wide range of projects, from software development to marketing campaigns, allowing teams to customize their approach to project management according to their specific needs and preferences.
For project managers and organizations, adopting mind mapping software can lead to more efficient project execution, enhanced team collaboration, and the creation of more innovative solutions.
Costs & Pricing For Mind Mapping Software
One of the most important aspects of selecting mind mapping software is understanding the different pricing plans available. These platforms vary widely in terms of features, pricing, and intended use case, catering to a range of needs—from basic brainstorming to complex project management. However, pricing plans for mind mapping tools also generally fall into common categories.
As a software expert specializing in project management tools, I've researched common plans and pricing options for mind mapping software to help you understand your choices. It's essential to be aware of these options to avoid paying for unnecessary features or overpaying for standard ones.
Here's a breakdown of the common plan options and pricing for mind mapping software to help simplify your decision-making process:
Plan Comparison Table For Mind Mapping Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features Included |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $5 - $15/month | Basic mind mapping features, limited templates, single user access |
| Pro/Plus | $9 - $29/month | Advanced mind mapping capabilities, more templates, collaboration tools, priority support |
| Team | $15 - $60/user/month | Team collaboration features, admin controls, unlimited templates, advanced security options |
| Enterprise | Custom Pricing | Customizable features, enterprise-level security, dedicated support, training and onboarding, SSO integration |
| Free | $0 | Basic mind mapping functions, limited templates, minimal collaboration features |
The pricing and features of mind mapping software can significantly impact your team's ability to collaborate and generate ideas effectively. As such, it's always a good idea to start with a free or basic plan to get a sense of the tool before committing to a larger investment.
Moreover, when choosing a plan, it's important to consider both your immediate needs and potential future requirements to ensure the software can scale with your project.
Common stages where your company may want to upgrade their pricing plan include:
- Increased User Base: More team members or departments start using the software, necessitating additional licenses and advanced collaboration features.
- Complexity of Projects: As projects become more complex, there is a need for enhanced functionality, such as advanced diagramming tools, integrations, and project management features.
- Advanced Collaboration Needs: Growing teams require more robust collaboration tools, such as real-time co-editing, detailed commenting, and version control.
- Integration with Other Tools: As teams grow, many eventually need to integrate mind mapping software with other enterprise tools like CRM, project management, and communication platforms to streamline workflows.
- Enhanced Security and Compliance: As an organization grows, there is often a need for more stringent security measures, compliance features, and administrative controls to protect sensitive information and meet regulatory standards.
By carefully evaluating pricing plans and feature sets, you can select a mind mapping tool that meets your team's current and future collaboration needs while also matching your budget. It's a delicate balance, but it can be done.
Mind Mapping Software Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions people ask about this topic.
What is a mindmap? What is mind mapping?
A mind map is a conceptual web showing the relationship between ideas. Here’s a simple example of a mind map:
Mind mapping can be used for brainstorming, task management, workflow diagrams, and more. It’s a tool that’s often implemented by project managers to help teams understand the scope of their project, and the steps involved.
How do I make a mind map?
Because mind mapping is a creative exercise, how you make a mind map will depend on your personal preferences, tools, and project at hand. There is no “single way” to do mind mapping, but if you’re using mind mapping software, you’ll follow a process like this:
- Begin with a blank canvas.
- Add a central node—your central idea or theme.
- Brainstorm sub-ideas or related ideas, adding them to the canvas.
- Draw lines to connect ideas and represent the relationship between ideas. Drag and drop the elements to re-organize your ideas as you add to the map.
- Use formatting tools to visually organize and display your information—change colors and size, add icons and images, etc.
Check out our article on mind mapping techniques to learn more about how to create an effective mind map.
When are mind maps useful?
Mind mapping tools are useful in a number of settings. The purpose of mind mapping can vary, but here are a few common use cases:
- Brainstorming: Use one of several best practices in mind map sessions to visually organize and present ideas.
- Diagramming: Create engineering diagrams, project lifecycles, architectural plans, org charts, network diagrams, Gantt charts, and other business or technical diagrams.
- Software development and web design: Create wireframes and site map diagrams.
- Business Intelligence: Import and visualize live data from business applications in charts, diagrams, etc.
There are plenty of benefits of mind mapping, especially for project managers and team leads who need to outline project tasks, resources, deadlines, and more.
Why should I use mind mapping software?
You should use an online mind mapping tool because they help you understand and communicate ideas. Of course, you can create a mind map on a piece of paper, but using a web-based solution has several advantages, such as:
- No size limitation: you’re not limited to the size of your paper.
- Flexibility: you can easily re-organize ideas by clicking and dragging.
- Co-creation: in software that allows you to create a mind map online, you can often have multiple users collaborating on the same mind map.
- Visual presentation: you can use the formatting tools to create professional diagrams that you can quickly share and present.
Note: If you’re planning on outlining workflows specifically, you might opt for a more specialized workflow diagram software.
How do I make a mind map for free?
To make a mind map for free, you need to look first at the tools that you use within the company.
If you use Google as an email client, you will have access to Google docs. Therefore, you can make a mind map using Google Slides and share it with your team for collaboration. Although it won’t have the live cursors, it will be able to tell you who is viewing the document at the same time and offer an in-doc chat.
However, if you want to use free mind mapping software, be careful with the information you share on those boards. Usually there is not much security around free solutions. I recommend going instead for the free version of a paid tool, even if it has its limitations, like Lucidchart.
Is there mind mapping for mobile phones?
There are many mind mapping apps available. I’ve noted the software on this list that have a mobile app, but I thought I’d share a few additional ones:
- Simplemind. Simple, reliable mind mapping software for Android, iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Windows.
- MindNode. Highly-rated mind mapping app for Mac and iOS.
- Mindo. Basic mind mapping app for iPad.
- Maptini. Collaborative mind mapping app for iPad, iPhone, or web browser.
- Popplet. User-friendly mind mapping app for school and work, available on iOS or web browser.
- iBlueSky. Uncluttered, intuitive mind mapping app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
How can mind mapping tools support project management beyond brainstorming?
Mind mapping tools aren’t just for brainstorming—it can serve multiple purposes. For example, they’re great for breaking down projects into manageable tasks, visualizing workflows, and tracking progress. You can:
- Map out dependencies and timelines, making it easier to see how tasks link together and where bottlenecks might occur.
- Communicate the big picture to your team, ensuring everyone’s on the same page. Plus, with the ability to integrate with other project management software, these tools can
- Streamline updates and keep all project-related information in one place with the ability to integrate with other project management software.
Overall, a mind map is like having a dynamic, visual checklist that keeps the entire project lifecycle clear and manageable. There are no real rules—you can use it for whatever will help your team to succeed.
Can mind mapping software improve individual productivity and if so, how?
Absolutely, mind mapping software can significantly boost individual productivity. It helps by organizing thoughts and tasks visually, making complex information easier to understand and manage. This visual approach enhances focus, making it easier to identify priorities, set goals, and track progress. Plus, it encourages creative problem-solving by allowing you to connect ideas in new ways.
Whether it’s planning your day, managing a project, or brainstorming solutions, mind mapping can turn overwhelming information into actionable plans, all while keeping stress levels down. It’s like giving your brain a visual jog, making you more efficient and effective in your work.
How does mind mapping compare to traditional note-taking?
Mind mapping and traditional note-taking serve similar purposes, but generally operate in different ways.
- Mind mapping allows for a more flexible, visual representation of ideas and information, branching out from a central concept. This method encourages creativity and helps in seeing the bigger picture and connections between concepts.
- Traditional note-taking, on the other hand, tends to be linear and sequential, which can be more straightforward for some but may not as effectively showcase relationships between ideas.
For project management, mind mapping can be particularly useful in brainstorming, planning, and organizing complex projects, as it visually breaks down tasks and ideas, making them easier to navigate and understand at a glance. Conversely, the straightforward structure of traditional note-taking can aid in following lectures, meetings, or reading materials in a clear, ordered manner. Both are great tools for you to use to organize your thoughts, capture key information, and aid memory retention, making them indispensable tools for learning, project management, and creative brainstorming.
Are there similar tools I can use?
If a mind mapping tool isn’t the right fit for your needs, there are plenty of other tools out there that might suit you better. Check out some of our other software reviews:
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.
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.
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