The best mind mapping software

How to find the best mind mapping software?

A human being thinks between 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts every single day. Those thoughts are the seeds of your new ideas. Our brain could be overwhelmed, and those ideas will be lost due to agglomeration and disorder.

You have the option to write concepts on paper to remember them, but sometimes it is not enough. When you visualize those ideas structured into a mind map, you can create connections and you can organize your thoughts. This way, you can present them to others. 

Consequently, mind map software can be a perfect solution! 

What is mind mapping software?

Mind mapping software is a tool used to create diagrams of relationships between concepts, ideas, or any data. The purpose of structuring information is to ensure it is easily learned and understood. This type of software is designed to generate ideas, inspire creativity, and bring more efficiency to the users.

A mind map app is useful not only for work but also for personal life. You can use it for problem-solving, studying, note-taking, presentations, book summaries, brainstorming ideas, organizing project plans, and more.

There are many tools available in multi-platforms: web-based, desktop versions, or mobile apps.

Let’s see which one is the best software!

How to choose the best mind mapping tool?

Firstly, you have to think about the most important criteria for you.
For what purpose will you use the software: personal or work? What kind of maps are you going to use? Are you going to create mind maps for business? Or maybe you need mind maps for education or personal growth? Do you need to work on them along with your team members? Do you prefer to use the tool on your phone, tablet, or laptop?

Secondly, you can compare the available software and alternatives after you become aware of what they are capable of. You can try the free trials to convince yourself that you enjoy using the tool.

Let’s start with the evaluation criteria to find the answers to the above questions.

When we talk about the best software for mind mapping, we should consider the following benchmarks:

Design

Since mind mapping is a visual activity, the mind map tool must look good. The aspect of the interface is an important element. If it is nice, it makes you work with pleasure, and it attracts you to create mind maps more often.

This is a great way to increase productivity and efficiency. When you do something with joy, you want to do it over and over again, right?

As a result, design can be a factor that helps you create new productive habits.

Ease of usage

The best software is easy to use. It is user-friendly, simple, and intuitive. Consequently, you won’t be disrupted by constantly consulting the user’s manual or help page of the website.

One of the most common reasons why people tend to give up on something is the complexity. Who likes complicated software? Just think about how annoying it is to disrupt the flow of creativity… every 2 minutes, having to find out how to use the tool.

Integrations

Mind mapping can be done anywhere, anytime, unless the files you need don’t sync across devices or platforms. It’s a big advantage to have integrations with cloud storage services, education applications or platforms, and learning management systems. It’s essential to have integrations with other tools that you are using, such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.

Cross-platform syncing is very useful, and you should make sure that the online mind map software you choose has it.

Data portability (Import/Export)

A good mind map program allows you to import a wide range of file formats from your computer/cloud. It’s essential to be able to do it quickly. For instance, if you can drag and drop a file, you also save a lot of time.

This way, you can create a basic mind map from your existing documents.

Likewise, exporting your maps in many format options is very important. This way, you won’t need a third-party app to convert your mind map to a specific format. You should be able to download your mind maps to PDF, Microsoft Office files, images, text files, HTML, OPML, etc.

Price of the best mind mapping software

There are some free mind map software, some that offer free trials or even free accounts. However, these charge you for the premium version that offers more features.

Therefore, you should take into consideration all the features of the software to evaluate if it is worth the price.

Multi-platform availability

Think about your lifestyle. Are you the type of person who uses a laptop, tablet, or phone more?

For example, some tools have mobile applications available. In case you are used to working on your mobile device, you could really benefit from it. On the other hand, many people prefer web based mind mapping. They are not bothered by the lack of the mobile version. For them, the online mind map tool or the desktop version is enough. Mindomo can be accessed from any web browser.

The desktop form is also essential because it allows the user to work offline. For instance, when a user has a problem with the internet connection or has to work remotely, this can be very handy.

Templates variety

Mind maps start with an idea. However, sometimes, a template can inspire you and guide your brain to find more ideas.

For example, think about organizing a business trip. The purpose of creating a mind map is to organize all the information regarding the trip. But also, not forgetting anything is mandatory. Having a template with all the main elements can really help you.

Functionalities

Playback of the mind map history

Mind mapping can be a very handy procedure for educational purposes. This technique can improve learning and studying efficiency by up to 15% over conventional note-taking.

A very important functionality for teachers and students is the playback of the mind map history. In other words, a teacher can give assignments for the students to create a mind map along with a team. This way, the teacher can evaluate the students more easily by overviewing all the map changes. It shows the contribution of each user.

Collaboration – Live

If you will work in teams on your mind maps, make sure that the tool offers real time collaboration. Therefore, you can work together more easily and efficiently. The “at-a-distance” meetings won’t be a problem anymore. All you need to have is a good internet connection, no matter the user’s location.

Besides that, in some mind mapping tools, you are able to share your mind maps with external collaborators. They are turned into guest users. Namely, the guests will get premium editing rights regardless of whether they already have free accounts or are not registered.

You don’t have to search for open source software, but you should instead look for this functionality when you choose the tool.

Shared team folder

Working with your team can be simplified if you pick a mind mapping software that has this feature available. At the moment, there is only one tool that has it, and it’s very useful.

There are team subscriptions that offer a folder that is automatically shared with the team. Here, the users can create a mind map that is instantly shared with all the team members.

This way, it’s not necessary to waste time sharing the mind map manually with every team member. All the mind maps created and moved there are instantly accessible and editable for the entire team.

Easy account creation

How easy is it to create an account? You should analyze this aspect. Some software programs offer easy account creation.

For instance, teachers and students can benefit from the automatic account creation from learning management systems (if this functionality is available). Many schools/universities are using a learning management system. The students already have accounts there.

With this functionality, the students can access the mind mapping software using the same account. Consequently, the advantages are simplicity and time savings!

Task lists

With a mind map, you can be organized and keep everything in one place. Objectives, due dates, or schedules can be found on your maps. To make the most out of your efficiency, choose software that supports task management by creating checkable tasks.

To-do lists help you avoid procrastination, and you should take advantage of them to be more productive.

Presenter mode

When you have to share your ideas with others, making them understand your point is easier with visual support. A very useful functionality is the presentation mode of mind map software.

What does it mean? You can transform your mind map diagram directly into a mind map presentation. You don’t need to make a presentation from scratch in a different application, losing precious time.

Some tools offer the presenter mode even in the free mind mapping software version. How cool is it to have that in the free version?

Inserting multimedia

Because mind mapping and concept mapping are visual activities, it’s mandatory to have multimedia insertion available in your tool. Images and videos are common in the majority of mind map tools programs.

However, inserting audio and recording is not available in many tools.
You can create an excellent mind map with all of these multimedia available.

Usually, it is not possible to use this functionality in the free version.

Transform your mind map into an outline or a Gantt chart

If you use mind mapping for business purposes, this functionality can be very advantageous, especially for a project manager.

Above all, you can do it both ways. If you want to start a project by creating a mind map, you can turn it after into an outline. Similarly, you can start from Gantt charts or outlines and transform them with only one click into mind maps.

There are not many software programs that allow you to do it. Therefore, check out this aspect if you want to find the best software!

Full text search

Imagine you have to find specific content within a complex mind map. A search bar that is looking through the whole text of a map is really important. Otherwise, you would have to lose time reading everything.

Mindomo – the mind map tool that has all the criteria

Now that we have looked over all the important criteria, you will probably ask yourself which software is the best available. There are many alternative mind mapping tools on the market. Which one has all of the above?

Mindomo is a tool that can be the one that you are looking for!
Mindomo’s features include all the above criteria and many more.

Convince yourself by creating a free mind map using this tool. See how easy it is to create mind maps, concept maps, Gantt charts, and outlines in a collaborative mind mapping software. Try Mindomo now!

Keep it smart, simple, and creative!
The Mindomo Team