10 Best Mind Mapping Software
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With so many different mind mapping software available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want to brainstorm, plan, and visually collaborate but need to figure out which tool is best. I've got you! In this post I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using mind mapping tools with large teams and projects, with my picks of the best mind mapping software.
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.
Overviews Of The Best Mind Mapping Software
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.
Ayoa
Best all-in-one mind mapping software
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
- All-in-one mind mapping, collaboration and task management solution
- Uses AI to stimulate ideas
- Highly organic mind mapping experience
- Great for individuals or small teams
Cons
- User management for large teams needs improving
- Ayoa, as a new entrant, has few integrations
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.
Why I picked Miro: This visual platform provides a fast, intuitive way for teams to capture, organize, and structure ideas. Communication tools are included in the platform such as chat, comments, and the ability to auto-organize and add content to your map. It's built for hybrid work, and empowers in-person, remote, and hybrid teams to brainstorm, plan projects, map out information architecture, create org charts, and develop sales strategies.
Miro Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a template library, clustering, voting, timer, mind maps, freeform drawing, access controls, and GDPR and CCPA compliance.
Integrations include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace, Asana, monday.com, Jira, Dropbox, OneDrive, Notion, Airtable, ClickUp, and Unito, among others.
Pros
- Free forever plan available
- Intuitive and easy setup
- Built-in communication features for streamlined collaboration
Cons
- Visitor/guest accounts locked to paid plans only
- Zooming can be jumpy on larger projects
- Free version does not allow high-quality export to pdf
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 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
- Simple controls with attractive output
- Comes with lots of templates
- Easy to use and adopt
Cons
- Sub-par user experience on touchscreen
- Integrations are lacking
- Could use more in depth text editor features
Invision
Best design template library
InVision Freehand is a free online whiteboard that can be used for collaborative mind mapping, note taking, and wireframing.
Why I picked InVision: From product managers and marketers to recruiters and engineers, this tool's simplicity makes everyone feel at ease. Whether you’re brainstorming, planning, or facilitating a meeting, the platform 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.
InVision Freehand Standout Features and Integrations
Features include 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
Integrations include Atlassian products (Jira, Trello), Asana, Adobe XD, Figma, Google Workspace, Microsoft Suite, Zoom, and Slack.
Pros
- Simple and intuitive
- Free-forever plan available
- Excellent Microsoft Teams integration
Cons
- Custom templates locked to enterprise plan
- Their pro plan is free now, but only temporarily
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.
Pros
- Easily move MindView maps into MS Project
- Easily switch from MindMap to Gantt chart or timeline
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- RTF editor for notes can be awkward to manage
- Templates with embedded graphics can be finicky
- Slight learning curve compared to other apps
Creately
Best with ULM diagram templates and real-time collaboration
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.
Pros
- Multiple scenario-based templates
- Easy-to-create mind map shortcuts
- Standard shape libraries for 70+ diagram types
Cons
- Free version only allows 3 collaborators
- Free plan limits shape libraries and document sizes
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
Pros
- Free plan available
- Viewers and guests are free
- Great for beginners
- Modern, intuitive user interface
Cons
- Sometimes struggles to import large images
- Can't delete mind maps
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
- Plenty of styling options for color coding and branding
- Simple, good quality PDF exports
- Great shortcut keys for map design inputs
Cons
- No filtering across multiple maps (what tasks are due across all, etc.)
- No code formatting and image integration in notes
- Does not integrate with project management platforms
MindView
Best with unlimited document attachment space
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
- Easily move MindView maps into MS Project
- Easily switch from MindMap to Gantt chart or timeline
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- RTF editor for notes can be awkward to manage
- Templates with embedded graphics can be finicky
- Slight learning curve compared to other apps
Slickplan
Best diagram designer for web planning teams
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
- Ideal to design and modify a website
- Simple drag and drop format
- Can share or download different saved versions
Cons
- Diagrams with the sitemap cost more
- Sometimes difficult to edit sketches
- More collaborative functionality welcome
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 | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ayoa Best all-in-one mind mapping software | Free version | From $10/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
2 | Miro Best mind mapping with built-in communication tools | Free plan available | From $10/user/month | Website |
3 | MindMeister Best mind mapping tool for business and education | Free trial + free version available (up to 3 mind maps) | From $6.99/month (billed semi-annually) | Website |
4 | Invision Best design template library | Free plan available | From $7.95/user/month | Website |
5 | MindGenius Best simple mind mapping software | 14 day free trial | First year $160, year two onwards $56 | Website |
6 | Creately Best with ULM diagram templates and real-time collaboration | Free plan available | From $4/user/month | Website |
7 | Whimsical Best for real-time mind map collaboration | Free trial available | From $10/user/month | Website |
8 | Mindomo Best omni-platform experience across cloud, desktop, and mobile | Free version available | From $6/user/month | Website |
9 | MindView Best with unlimited document attachment space | Free trial | From $379 | Website |
10 | Slickplan Best diagram designer for web planning teams | 30 day free trial, free version available | From $8.99/user/month | 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.
- Visio
Best mind mapping software for Microsoft users
- ConceptDraw MINDMAP
Best with a timer-based brainstorm mode
- Milanote
Best multimedia mind mapping software
- SmartDraw
Best for mind mapping templates
- Coggle
Best for embeddable mind maps
- XMind
Best mobile mind mapping app
- MindManager
Best to use with Microsoft Teams
- Edraw Wondershare
Best mind mapping software for business and education
- FigJam by Figma
Best for creating live mind maps during team meetings
- ClickUp
Best free plan for mind mapping software
Check out our video review of the top tools.
Selection Criteria For The Best Mind Mapping Software
The most important functionality for a mind mapping software to have is a mind map maker. This is the blank canvas that helps you represent ideas visually. I evaluated the software based on this core functionality, and used the following selection criteria to narrow down my list:
Key Features
These are the key features I looked for in every software platform:
- Real-time collaboration: The ability for multiple users to work together to create the mind map at the same time.
- Sharing tools: The ability to share your mind map either with an embed code, or by exporting it as a PDF or PNG file.
- Presentation tools: Some software has screen sharing, or a presentation mode, or allows you to create powerpoint-style slideshows.
Usability
I look for a friendly, intuitive user interface that doesn’t come with too much of a learning curve. It should be easy to understand how to create, customize, and share mind maps in the platform without too much hassle. The whole point of the ideation phase is to be creative, so you don’t want a clunky system breaking your flow.
Integrations
Many software have pre-built integrations with project management software like Jira and Asana. I also looked for platforms that integrate with storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox, and common workplace tools like the Microsoft Office suite and Slack.
Pricing
You need a software that will not just fit your budget, but fit your needs. I considered not just the price but what that cost gets you. For example, some software offers unlimited mind maps or higher security. I’ve noted the price point of every tool on the list, as well as if a free plan or free trial is available.
Mind Mapping Software FAQs
Find answers to common questions people ask about this topic.
What is a mindmap? What is mind mapping?
How do I make a mind map?
When are mind maps useful?
Which are the mind mapping software key features?
Why should I use mind mapping software?
How do I make a mind map for free?
Is there mind mapping for mobile phones?
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.
Related tool lists:
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