There is a lot of buzz around mind mapping software at the moment and it seems like everyone wants to learn about mind mapping tools. The truth is, mind mapping can become very complex once you start getting into the nitty-gritty of it all and the best free online mind mapping tools.
Free online mind mapping tools have become a very popular way for individuals to brainstorm and chart their ideas in a visual layout. This allows them to use a tool that they can easily learn to use and that does not utilize a lot of software usually found on a computer desktop. One can use the web page online from any internet connected location, which means there is no need to carry around a lot of CDs for various programs. The other great thing about mind mapping software is it should be free. Mind mapping software is typically offered free of charge, or it should be free.
Compendium
Compendium is a free and open source mind mapping software that CogNexus developed for making large scale mind map structures. This software supports both individual and group workspace. The latest version of Compendium is 1.7.1. Right from launching Compendium to completing a mind map, the user interface of this software is easy and interactive. It is available for free under GNU lesser general public license (LGPL).
Features:
- Create mind maps in collaboration with team members with the option to editing each other’s input
- Drag and drop documents and websites into a map
- Users can label the connections between concepts to illustrate links
- Display links between everyone’s ideas in group projects through dialogue maps
- Establish a link between idea and information
- Create different types of nodes (topic box) by dragging the icon from the toolbar
- Overlay a map on top of the image and add graphics and notes
- Scribble pad to scribble on the workspace
- Add comments, notes, annotations to the nodes
SketchBoard
An intuitive virtual whiteboard, Sketchboard gives you the ability to develop and share your ideas and discussions though visual and textual mind mapping. It’s a great tool to work individually or with a team online. You can choose from over 400 freehand drawings with connections appearing automatically and add text where necessary.
Sketchboard gives you an infinite drawing broad so you can drag the canvas and add as many ideas as you want. Though you can do all kinds of mind mapping through this tool, but being based on coding and modeling theme, I think it would be ideal for technical projects like mobile app development.
- Desktop Compatibility: Browser
- Mobile Compatibility: No
- SketchBoard Price: Free
- Premium app/subscriptions?: Yes (Check pricing)
Coggle
Coggle is an online tool for creating mind maps. The app lets you and your team collaborate on notes, brainstorm ideas, and create project plans. Every mind map starts with a single central topic. Click the Plus (+) button to add a branch and enter your text in the box.
You can format text, insert links, add images, and icons to elaborate the key points. From here onwards, continue adding branches as per your needs. You can even create a cross-link to other items in a mindmap. Open the context menu, press the Shift key to bring the cross-link icon. Then, drag the cross-link line.
You can create three private diagrams with a free account, collaborate in real-time, and upload unlimited images. The export options include .MM, TXT, Microsoft Visio, PDF, and JPEG. Check out the pricing page to explore premium features.
Unique Features
- Add multiple central nodes in a single workspace. Then, create loops and branches to connect other mind maps and see relationships.
- It supports keyboard shortcuts and has a vast collection of templates in Coggle Gallery to quickly start your projects.
- View the version history of the mind map. Check who last edited the map along with the date and make a copy of it at a particular time.
- Message team members, leave notes, and even chat in real-time to brainstorm ideas. You can auto-arrange branches to associate the content of each branch with the things around it.
Mindly (macOS, iOS, Android)
Mind mapping on a mobile device comes with a lot of special challenges, thanks to small screen sizes, the inconvenience of scrolling and zooming, and the readability issues that accompany all that. But Mindly‘s outside-the-box thinking makes mind mapping on a smartphone possible—and, honestly, pretty fun.
Like most mind maps, you’ll start with your central node, add text and icons, and change the color if you want. Then, it’s time to start adding any associative ideas in the surrounding circle. To do this, tap on the + icon on the outer circle: Mindly will automatically create a new node and zoom in to let you focus on the matter at hand. As you go deeper into sub-ideas (and sub-sub-ideas!), you’ll always be able to find your way back to the original center node by tapping on the circle in the top-left corner of the screen.
Mindly keeps things organized by folding away any sub-ideas as you work your way back toward your main node. You can drill back down into any node by tapping on it, or tap the arrow icon in the bottom-right and then Mindmap to see a mind map overview of everything. From the same menu, you can also print or share your mind map.
Of course, you can also sync your mobile mind maps with the desktop version of Mindly, so you can switch from on-the-go ideation to formal mind mapping sessions at your desk.
Mindly Pricing: Free mobile version includes 3 mind maps each with up to 100 elements; $6.99 on iOS and $5.49 on Android for additional features, including unlimited elements, passcode, and search; $29.99 on macOS.
MURAL
Benefits:
MURAL is a human-centered visual collaboration tool. It features roadmaps, diagrams, and mind mapping tools.
MURAL’s mind mapping template lets you organize ideas in a structured diagram. That way you can better appreciate complexity. And see conceptual connections.
You can insert photos, text, and hyperlinks. Also videos and other multimedia. This makes for more dynamic visual documents.
You can make comments, and give your two cents on a proposal. Align on deadlines and goals. There’s a built-in voting system so you can come to a group consensus.
There are also related brainstorming templates. A couple of examples are for storyboards and concept mapping,
Drawbacks:
Sharing mind maps to a broad audience is harder than it needs to be. Exporting and embedding mind maps is a bit complicated.
Pricing:
- Starter plan is $12 per user/per month, billed annually.
- Plus plan is $20 per user/per month, billed annually.
- Enterprise Network plan is priced on a sliding scale, contact vendor for details.
A free trial is available for the Starter and Plus plans.
MindMup (Web)
MindMup is an easy-to-use mind mapping app—and you don’t even need an account to get started.
The toolbar at the top provides quick links to all the basic needs of mind mapping, from changing the color of each node to adding detailed text and file attachments. But it’s the ability to publish and share your mind maps that sets MindMup apart.
While many mind mapping tools require at least an email address, MindMup allows anyone to create and post public mind maps. Free mind maps are automatically deleted after six months, but if you’re using it for a quick brainstorming session, that does the trick. If you want to sign up or save private maps, you have to pay $2.99/month for MindMup Personal Gold.
MindMup Pricing: Free for public maps up to 100 KB; from $2.99/month for MindMup Personal Gold that includes larger, private maps and collaboration.
Conclusion:
Mind mapping is a great skill when it comes to brainstorming or simply organizing your ideas for projects, web content, speeches, etc. I’m sure you know how mind maps work. Your ideas are laid out in the form of circles or squares which are connected with lines. The connections can be either one-way (incoming) for gathering different ideas together or two-direction (both incoming and outgoing) for various connections between ideas. If you’re not an artist then it might be difficult to get your thoughts out on paper. This is where online mind mapping tools come into play, since there is no need to worry about drawing them yourself!