Best mind map software | Free online version

Mind mapping is a way of learning which makes working and learning more effective. They make the process of learning and memorizing tasks simpler, easier, more enjoyable, and thus – much more effective.

How can mind maps be useful in a small business? 

Mind maps have been making waves in many areas for several years: learning, management, optimization. In companies, they are often used to describe relationships, procedures, and activities.

They help to organize processes, control them and enormously shorten the time of introduction of new employees to your business.

In a small business, they are an essential tool that will save you a lot of time and work. They will make your operations better, faster and more efficient.

Mind mapping software – what can you find in this article? 

Here are some easy to use and very powerful tools to create mind maps. In this article you will find 4 mind map makers, description of their most important features, screenshots and video presenting the features and how they work.

Use the table of contents and navigate to the section that interests you:

1. GitMind – I use and recommend it

Mind map creator – GitMind

The GitMind app is easy to use. In addition, you get a wide FAQ, with which you can quickly master the use of the program to perfection.

GitMind offers the possibility to create different types of trees enriched with text and stickers. A useful option is joining distant points with arrows. GitMind also offers us a set of ready-made templates.

Finished maps can be saved in several formats or shared with friends via a link. An interesting feature is the possibility to password protect a link and set a link expiration date. You can create a mind map online or download an application to your computer and use it without the Internet connection.

In the free plan, you can create 10 mind maps at one time. In order to create and save more of them simultaneously, you will need to purchase a paid plan.

The paid plan additionally offers features such as unlimited files, unlimited nodes in the mind map, cross-platform access, and priority support.

A video showing how the program works:

Features:

1. On-line application – YES
2. PC installer – YES
3. Number of maps in the free version – YES (10 maps)
4. Saving maps – YES (PNG, JPG, PDF, WORD, TXT, GitMind Project)
5. Download of the ready maps – YES
6. Mind map co-creation – YES
7. Mobile app – YES

Paid option:

• Price $4.08 (approx. €3.63) per month with an annual plan ($9 (approx. €8) with a monthly installment)
• Unlimited number of mind maps created
• Unlimited number of nodes in mind maps
• Priority support

2. Coggle – mind map creator with full history of changes

Mind map creator – Coggle

Coggle is a web application for creating mind maps. This solution has a paid and a free version. Most noteworthy is the possibility to upload any number of images. It will surely appeal to people who want to quickly make a pretty but uncomplicated mind map. The version gives you a possibility to view the full history of changes made to the mind map, which can be very useful if you want to return to the original mind map project after the changes were done.

A video showing how the program works:

Features:

1. On-line application – YES
2. PC installer – NO
3. Number of maps in the free version – 3 private in the free version plus unlimited circles made available to the public.
4. Saving maps – YES (Files are automatically saved to the cloud)
5. Download of the ready maps – YES (file can be exported to PDF or PNG)
6. Mind map co-creation – YES (supports over 100 collaborators per diagram for free)
7. Mobile app – YES

Paid option:

1. Price – $5 per month (approx. €4.45 )
2. Unlimited private mind maps
3. Additional map drawing capabilities, additional map styles
4. High-resolution images can be uploaded directly to the map
5. Collaboration in creation of a mind map (sending a direct link to the map)

3. Mindomo – create up to three mind maps for free

Mind map creator – Mindomo

Mindomo is a free mind map tool. Mindomo offers several mind maps by default but allows you to create your own diagrams. The solution provides great graphic editing capabilities. Online brainstorming feature is worth attention.

A video showing how the program works:

Features:

1. On-line application – YES
2. PC installer – YES
3. Number of maps in the free version – 3 private in the free version
4. Saving maps – maps can be saved on Mindomo servers
5. Download of the ready maps – YES (file can be exported to txt or Mindomo online playable format. Using the app installed on your computer, you can export the file as: PDF, PNG, WORD, EXCEL)
6. Mind map co-creation – YES
7. Mobile app – YES

Paid option:

1. Price – €5.5 per month (approx. $6.17)
2. Unlimited number of mind maps available only privately for one user (in the free version the limit is 40)
3. Additional map drawing capabilities, additional map styles
4. Technical support via e-mail
5. Graphics can be uploaded directly from the Internet or our computer
6. Mind maps with uploaded photos can be shared
7. Audio file recording
8. Exporting files to Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive
9. Online, mobile and PC access (possible synchronization between two devices)
10. Password-protection of the mind map file
11. Sending an editable mind map as a link to the program

4. Canva – online graphic editor with built-in mind map editor

Mind map creator – Canva

Canva portal is used to create various types of graphic objects. One of them is mind maps. It is not an editor but it provides access to many free mind map sketches in which you can edit the text or create something of our own based on them.

See why you should use the program – a podcast about Canva

A video showing how the program works:

Features:

1. On-line application – YES
2. PC installer – NO
3. Number of maps in the free version – NO LIMIT
4. Saving maps – YES (PDF, JPG, PNG, SVG)
5. Download of the ready maps – YES
6. Mind map co-creation – YES (feature available in the paid version)
7. Mobile app – YES

Paid option:

1. Price approx. $109 – €96.77 for one year or approx. $12.10 – €10.77 per month (5 users)
2. Brand identity feature
3. Magic project format changes
4. Animations for projects
5. Exporting projects with a transparent background

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Download a spreadsheet comparing mind mapping software

• Download a spreadsheet with a summary of mind map programs

Summary – which mind map software to choose?

If you don’t know which mind map software is the best or which to choose – pick one, free, with no project limit and just start working with it. Over time, you will begin to notice which features and options are not there – you may find them in another solution. Don’t install them all at once because it’s a waste of time. It is better to “get used to” one application, see how it works, test it, see what does not fit your needs and what is missing and only then look for something better.

As for me, currently I think GitMind, is a brilliant to start with. First of all, you can create up to 10 maps at one time for free, and the app itself works efficiently, quickly and smoothly. It also allows you to develop more “thought bubbles” on the fly, making it perfect for recording online presentations, etc.

If the article is missing specific features – write in the comments, we will check, compare and add them.

If you are using any mind map software – write if and why you recommend it, which features you particularly like.

In the article there are affiliate links – if you click on them and decide to make a purchase, we will receive a small commission (it does not cost you anything).