Mind Mapping is one of the best ways to visualize information. It may look like a complex thing but it’s not. There are varieties of mind mapping tools online which can help you in creating, sharing and organizing information. Free mind mapping software for windows 10 has many functionalities to offer.
Sometimes you have so much information in your head that it’s difficult to convey it in text. That’s when mind maps come in. Mind maps help you visualize your thoughts and end up with structured ideas that you can then develop into text or other graphic forms. If you want to learn more about mind mapping software, don’t worry; here are some recommendations to create mind maps online.
MindMeister
Most Intuitive All-Around Tool for Teams
MindMeister is our top pick as an all-around mind mapping software tool. It is an excellent choice for most use cases, from mind mapping features for individual users to collaborative brainstorming for teams.
It’s a beautifully designed tool that provides web-based collaboration, presentations, and integrations with your favorite online tools. While it isn’t as feature-heavy as some of the other tools on this page, it has everything you need to get you mapping in a well-designed and intuitive way. If you’re looking for a platform with hundreds of options, you should look elsewhere.
Additionally, the export and print functions are behind a paywall, and that’s not ideal. Overall, there is something to say for simplicity and design; that’s why MindMeister gets our top spot.
Last Words: Great UI, easy to use and best for collaborating in teams
MindMap
MindMap is a Google Chrome extension that has Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box support all built in. Save your work to local storage, in the cloud, or print and export finished mind maps as an image. You can even attach URLs or hand-drawn images to the individual nodes.
Stormboard
Stormboard is an online brainstorming software and more. In its free version, it is a powerful brainstorming software for individuals and a small team. You can access it using any browser, no installation required. It features an infinite canvas for a single storm (AKA workspace) so you never run out of space. Also, there are templates that you can choose from but you can, of course, start from scratch. Your team will be able to put up ideas on whiteboards and use sticky notes. You can add files, texts, and even videos among other media. Plus, it is very easy to use.
The Personal plan is great for individuals and small groups. It includes 5 open storms and 5 users per Storm. This means you can invite a total of 20 people; four different collaborators for each storm. Furthermore, you are able to assign tasks and even get your team to vote on ideas. It is also integrated with communications software.
Premium plans include advanced reporting, unlimited storms, live co-editing on Office 365, and multiple administrators among others.
Key Stormboard Features
- Easy to use
- Instant meeting notes
- Built-in business processes (templates)
LucidChart
Chart to Your Heart’s Desire
Web-based LucidChart excels at helping users create concept maps and diagrams. It has a robust offering of templates for traditional diagramming needs.
With LucidChart, you can work alone or with a team, thanks to its collaboration options. While it does have mind mapping and brainstorming capabilities, stick to the plethora of diagram features. The platform comes with options for integrations with third-party tools your team already uses.
LucidChart is not the most intuitive, visually pleasing tool out there, but if you’re looking to develop corporate diagrams or charts, it would certainly be worth your time.
Last Words: Top option for all your diagramming needs
Freeplane
Freeplane is an open-source software application that allows brainstorming and mind mapping.
Freeplane offers different ways to mind map your brainstorming. With customizable branches and dialogue boxes. You can brainstorm, analyze, organize, and filter how you wish. Freeplane offers the option to write post-it style notes and leave it as such or connect your thoughts with different branch options.
Freeplane also offers the option to task with calendar and reminders.
Moreover, with encryptions enabled you can password protect your mind maps. Presenting your brainstorming is also made easy with in-built styles.
Wisemapping
Wisemapping is a completely free open-source software being used for brainstorming. The overall concept centers around mind mapping on private and public workspaces. Like other apps featured here, Wisemapping is completely web-based. And, like what the name suggests, its also mainly a mind mapping tool that people use for brainstorming. What’s great about this platform is it is totally free and can make complex mind maps. There is also a vibrant user community for knowledge support. The user interface though is not the best out there. Even so, it is a straightforward platform.
Another nice thing about it is that you can embed it in blogs or on any webpage. You can also post a link to it in your project management tools and invite colleagues to brainstorm with you. It is basically a collaborative mind mapping tool and if you like your brainstorming strictly done in a mind map environment and forever free, Wisemapping is your bet.
Key Features of Wisemapping
- Forever free
- Open-source
- Private and public workspaces
XMind
Great Features, Confusing Plans
XMind is a popular mind mapping tool. With many features for individuals, it’s a lovely choice for mapping alone. Its real time collaboration features are only available in XMind 2020, a completely separate platform.
This hits on the biggest issue with XMind: Why so complicated? With three platforms — XMind, XMind Mobile, and XMind 2020 — it’s hard to keep track of projects.
The mind mapping capabilities are excellent. You have many options for theme designs and flowcharts. And, XMind “Zen” mode is fantastic for uninterrupted mind mapping. If you’re a solo mind mapper, XMind is worth a shot.
Last Words: Love all the options of the three different XMind tools; Wish they were all-in-one.
GitMind (Web, Windows, iOS, Android)
First off is GitMind. This amazing free mind map tool allows you to arrange your thoughts and ideas by listing them one by one in a diagram format. Another special feature is that it has an outline function that helps you create essay outlines fast and easy. This is where you can group, organize, and see an overview of your mind map in a linear form. Moreover, project planning and team development will be a lot easier with its collaboration feature. Check this amazing tool with the following steps.
- Search “GitMind” on your browser to visit the officvaila page of the tool. From here, click the “Get Started” button to then it will be directed on the template gallery. If you wish you use its desktop version, hit the “Download Now” button.
FreeMind
This open source mind mapping tool was built in Java, and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Features include one-click navigation, easy drag-and-drop, uploading images, and exporting mind maps. Don’t let the outdated interface fool you; this tool is easy-to-use in every sense of the word, and extremely functional.
Conceptboard
Conceptboard is a collaborative digital workspace that teams can use for brainstorming. It features an unlimited workspace that can house the ideas that your team comes up with. It mainly features a whiteboard-based interface. Its free version allows for unlimited users and boards for an unlimited period of time. The only limit is that you can only put 50 objects on each board. Also, it allows for a 500MB file storage with a 10MB max upload size.
You and your team can draw, add sticky notes, shapes, and mark content on these cloud-hosted boards. This means your boards are accessible via any device provided you have an internet connection. Furthermore, the whiteboards expand as you add content as well. You can even add screenshots, documents, and images too. Also, it supports different file types not limited to PDF, PPT, and JPEG files. With these plus its intuitive UI, Concenptboard makes collaborative brainstorming easier.
Integrations include Dropbox and Salesforce Chatter among others. Paid plans start at $7 per user per month. They include additional features such as audio and video calls, screen sharing, and history. Some enterprise Conceptboard users are SIEMENS, Oracle, and Wiley.
Key Features of Conceptboard
- Whiteboard-based interface
- Intuitive UI
- Real-time collaboration
- Unlimited users, unlimited boards
Conclusion:
Mind mapping is a great organisational and planning tool for your business and staff. Mind maps help you distil ideas into key concepts, making them easier to understand and manage. A mind map can be drawn on paper, on a whiteboard, or using one of many online tools. Installing free mind mapping software like XMind or Freeplane (for Windows) is very easy and takes only a couple of minutes.