Mind mapping has quickly become one of the most popular ways to capture thoughts and organize information. It is a fun, effective and easy way to brainstorm, study and plan all kinds of projects, including personal planning and business planning. To help you get started with mind mapping, here we present eight free mind map software programs for Mac.
We all have to remember so many things in our everyday lives. Imagine how much easier it will be if you can use mind maps to organize your thoughts inside the magnificent Google Map. If you are someone who is interested in free mind mapping tools, then you might want to check out this article for more information.
GitMind (Web)
GitMind is a free browser-based mind mapping application. It has an extremely simple interface and numerous mind map templates to choose from. The template categories vary widely from project management to wedding timeline. Thus, when you need some graphic tools to present your ideas intuitively, and you have no idea about designing a mind map, GitMind is the best choice for you.
Features:
- Automatic layout
- Support team collaboration on one map
- Hundreds of free editable mind map templates
- Retrieve history versions & secure cloud storage
SimpleMind
Getting started with SimpleMind Lite is just as the name implies: simple. This mind mapping software has an intuitive interface that lets you create a mind map in a snap.
First, pick your style. You can choose from a variety of options like bright colors, chart, grayscale, and colors on black. Then to add nodes, you can either click the plus (+) on your current node or the Add Child Topic button from the toolbar. To insert text into a node, click the T on the current node or double-click inside the shape.
Other features include:
- Undo and redo buttons
- Print and zoom options
- Freeform or horizontal layouts
- Color palettes and custom colors
- Easy deletion and clipboard options
You can use SimpleMind Lite for free and without ads. But if you would like additional features like Dropbox and Google Drive sync, media and document options, or app customizations, check out the paid version.
XMind 2020
If you want a free mind mapping tool that lets you begin with a template, check out XMind 2020. You can choose from over 25 templates that offer different colors, layouts, and diagram styles.
To add nodes, click either the Topic or Subtopic buttons from the toolbar. To insert text, just double-click inside the shape. You can freely move the nodes without losing their connections or turn subtopics into main topics.
Other features include:
- Full set of icons such as priority, numbers, tasks, stars, and symbols
- Stickers for education, business, travel, sports, weather, and more
- Zen mode for full-screen mode with a night-view option
- Ability to add notes or summaries to nodes
- Sharing via local file save, social media, or URL
Xmind 2020 gives you awesome features for free. But if you would like to unlock full version or also use it on iOS, you can check out the in-app subscription plans. You might also take a peek at mind map apps specifically for iOS.
MindNode
If you want an app that is build for Mac and brings a fluid mind-mapping experience, MindNode is the one for you. It has a beautiful UI and works buttery smooth. If you are just starting out, MindNode will help you learn the basics of the mind mapping technique without in your face instructions. It also has iCloud sync and an app for iPad and iPhone. Its interface is designed in such a way that you are not losing much functionality even if you are using it on mobile devices. The nodes are foldable hence allowing to create a large mind mapping tree without being overwhelmed by the data.{}
You also get awesome features including the ability to create outlines, a quick entry shortcut for quickly adding ideas, support for stickers and themes, visual tags, notes, and more. MindNode is what a great Mac app looks and feels like and I like it. Its’ one of the best mind mapping apps for Mac.
FreeMind (Any OS)
FreeMind is a premier open-source mind mapping application written in Java. Though FreeMind may not be updated any longer, it’s still very popular for making mind maps. FreeMind users built a mind map gallery voluntarily so that you can refer to it for inspiration. FreeMind allows users to export mind maps to HTML files. Moreover, since FreeMind stores maps in XML files, it takes little risks of switching away to another mind map tool.
Features:
- Can switch to other mind map tools
- Limited support for fancy graphics
MindNode
MindNode is a terrific mind map app for Mac that lets you capture, organize, and share your thoughts easily. You’ll love the intuitive interface and expandable outline view.
Start your map with a single node in the center and then click the plus (+) to add a child node. With each thought, idea, or item you add, you’ll see a different colored connector. Then simply pop in the text you want to use and add another just as easily.
Other features include:
- Fold and unfold nodes from either the outline or map for a compact view.
- Search for titles in the outline view with a keyword.
- Share a mind map using your Mac’s share menu.
- Right-click any node to open a shortcut menu for adding new nodes, copying and pasting, and other helpful shortcuts.
You get great features with the free version of MindNode. But to expand your map with visual tags, notes, tasks, themes, and additional features, check out the subscription option.
Ayoa
Previously known as iMindMap — Ayoa, is one of the most powerful mind mapping applications on the market right now. Where is MindNode is for users who are looking for a fluid and simple mind mapping experience, Ayoa is for individual and teams that need all the features. One of the beloved features of Ayoa is the radial maps feature that allows you to create mind maps in concentric circles. This is great for organizing as it gives you a broad overview of your goals and projects.
Then there are normal mind maps that you can create by using nodes and connecting lines. What’s great here is that you can share these mind maps with your co-workers, allowing you to easily communicate your thoughts and brainstorming process. There’s also something called speed mind mapping, that allows you to quickly create mind maps by stripping all the extra features and serving you with basic mind mapping features. If you are in a hurry to jot down ideas, this is the perfect place to start.
Ayola also brings productivity features for teams such as a Gnatt timeline view that allows you to create Gnatt chats for easily managing time. You get a visual task manager along with built-in team chat features. Overall, I would say Ayola is great for teams that want to break out from mundane project planning and use a more visual approach. You can also use it as an individual, but it makes more sense for a team. Thankfully, there’s a generous free tier so you can check it out without paying a penny.
Install: Free, premium plans start at $10/month
Conclusion:
Mind map is a diagram used to organize information in the form of an image. The mind map is similar to a traditional tree diagram that is used in decision-making, business strategies, project management and many other fields. Mind maps are increasingly popular in the business world as they provide a unique way to organize ideas, information and projects. They are highly interactive, dynamic and take less time in creating ideas.