Mind mapping software for free is tricky to find. One strategy is to Google Mind mapping software for free. The other strategy is to look at the mind-mapping software itself, see what it offers, what functionality it has, and then use that information to decide whether it’s good value for money or not.
Here you’ll find out what is the best mind mapping software free, best open source mind mapping software, free mind mapping software download and how to use open source mind mapping software. To those who are starting their adventure with mind mapping, please note that no matter which method you choose, it will be a long journey to master this valuable technique.
Compendium
This tool provides a flexible visual interface to manage the connections between ideas and information. Ideas can be converted into wireframes by adopting a certain methodology to support structured working. Compendium works well for projects of all sizes. Compendium helps in dragging and dropping the documents and websites onto a map. It enables freedom to arrange icons, tag keywords, map and label the connections between concepts to illustrate links, create dialogue maps to display links between the group projects, create argument maps collaboratively, editing each other’s writing.
Pricing: Free
Scapple
When you draft an outline, you can work out if the ideas connect, what order works best, identify gaps in your thinking, and confirm your thoughts with proven facts. Scapple is an intuitive app for jotting your ideas down by developing connections between them. It’s the software equivalent of pen and paper.
Unlike typical mind-mapping software, Scapple doesn’t force you to make connections, nor do you have to begin with a central idea. It’s a freeform writing app with an expandable canvas to fit all your notes. You can move notes around to make room for new connections, edit and resize them, and export them to PDF.
Unique Features
- Stack notes on top of one another to create lists or columns of text. They’re useful for maintaining a list of related ideas that don’t belong in a single note.
- Add links to the text within notes or even files on your computer. You can even draw a background shape around a group of links and concepts.
- Incrementally search through the document and even replace text. It is useful for quickly jumping from one cluster to the next on a large canvas.
- If you use Scrivener to write essays or novels, you can freely interchange notes between Scapple and Scrivener.
MINDMASTER
MindMaster is a versatile, user-friendly, and professional mind mapping tool. Available on multiple platforms, including PC, tablet, mobile, and web, you can create mind maps and access them from each platform. With this excellent collaborative mind mapping tool, working with teammates has never been easier.
Freeplane
Freeplane is a free and open source mind mapping software application that creates and analyzes mind maps. Freeplane runs on any operating system having the current version of Java. Freeplane as an open source mind mapping software can be downloaded locally on your desktop computers, or if you don’t want to download it, then you can run it through a USB device. The main topic is called the root node, sub-topics are called the child nodes, and the broader topics are known as the free nodes.
Features:
- Ordering ideas into a hierarchy by connecting them with lines
- Classifying idea boxes with metadata (attributes)
- Grouping similar nodes with color containers
- Automatically styling nodes with color, bubble, etc.
- Structuring nodes in terms of the content type such as text, icon, formula, calculation etc
- Presentation area (core, details, attributes, notes, images, and tooltip)
- Option to fold branches, scrolling and navigating, filtering, and searching content
- Connecting nodes with dynamic links, free lines, and labels
- Password protecting the whole map with DES encryption
- Multi-language support with an inbuilt spell checker,
- Drag and drop functionality for icons, text, images, etc.
- Extensive support through Forum, tutorial, and documentation
XMIND
XMind: The Most Popular Mind Mapping Software on The Planet. XMind is the most professional and popular mind mapping tool. Millions of people use XMind to clarify thinking, manage complex information, run brainstorming and get work organized.
Wisemapping
Wisemapping comes along with features like Flexible Deployment, Open Source Software, Full-Featured Mapping, Private & Public Workspaces, Security Integration, Drag-and-Drop Function, Text and Style Formatting, Icons, Notes, HTTP Links, Zoom In & Out, Autosave, History Recovery, Personal Workspace, Collaborative Workspace and Maps Import & Export etc. It is open-source, web-based compatible with all modern browsers and vector graphics animation technology.
Pricing: Free/Subscription-based
Semantik
Semantik is a free and open source mind mapping software application designed to help individuals and teams create effective mind maps. It was first developed in 2005 and was named Kdissert. Later the name was changed to Semantik. This further assists in making reports and presentations. Semantik is free under the GPL V3 license. It is an ideal mind mapping software tool for businesses, teachers, students, creative users, and project managers.
Features:
- Create mind maps using linear views
- Simply and interactive UI
- Covert mind maps into documents and presentations
- Insert image, picture, table, and diagrams
- Create UML diagrams and flowcharts
- Supports HTML, LaTex, Openoffice document formats
- Export the document in PNG or PDF format
- Command-line tools for document export
- In Semantik mind maps can be edited in 2D format or flat tree format
- Add texts and attachments to the maps
COGGLE
Coggle – Simple Collaborative Mind Maps. The clear way to share complex information. Coggle is a collaborative mind-mapping tool that helps you make sense of complex things. Create unlimited mind maps and easily share them with friends and colleagues.
GitMind
GitMind is an easy-to-use online mind map tool. With it, you can visualize complicated concepts, generate new ideas, make lists with task priorities, and prepare for the presentation. Type in the topic name, and click Insert Node.
Choose Insert subnode to create sub-branches. And click the Relation line to show any relationship between ideas. You can assign a task priority, progress meter, flag, and more with the built-in symbols. To add a symbol, select the target node and click Icon from the toolbar.
At each node, click the Attachment button to insert links, images, and comments. There are many export options available, including TXT, PNG, PDF, DOCX, and SVG.
Unique Features
- Variety of themes, including classic, colorful, and business templates. Click the Style button to customize node spacing, background color, line, border shape, and more.
- Arrange the mind map in seven different layouts and reset them at any time. Click the Layout button and change it to mind map, logic chart, tree chart, and fishbone.
- View, edit, and export the mind map in outline mode. And share the mind map you created with a link or collaborate in real-time.
Conclusion:
Have you ever been faced with a task that could benefit from a good old fashioned mind map, but didn’t have the software to hand? Perhaps you then went ahead and installed a free mind mapping app, only to find it wasn’t quite as good as the commercial alternatives you were used to. It’s not really worth paying for one sometimes.