List of concept- and mind-mapping software
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Concept mapping and mind mapping software is used to create diagrams of relationships between concepts, ideas, or other pieces of information. It has been suggested that the mind mapping technique can improve learning and study efficiency up to 15% over conventional note-taking. Many software packages and websites allow creating or otherwise supporting mind maps.
File format
Using a standard file format allows interchange of files between various programs. Many programs listed below support the OPML file format and the XML file format used by FreeMind.
Free and open-source
- Compendium
- Dia
- Freemind
- Freeplane
- TikZ
- VYM
The following tools comply with the Free Software Foundation's (FSF) definition of free software. As such, they are also open-source software.
| Software | License | Genre | Platforms | Online visualization | Online editing | Online real-time collaboration | Written in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compendium | GNU GPL | Social science | Cross-platform | No | No | No | Java | An email address is required to receive a download link |
| Dia | GNU GPL | General purpose | Cross-platform | No | No | No | C. | |
| diagrams.net (formerly draw.io) | Apache 2 | General purpose | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | HTML5 JavaScript | Cross-platform graph drawing tool Supports multiple concept and mind map templates Supports PlantUML import to SVG image |
| FreeMind | GNU GPL | Project management | Cross-platform | Yes | No | No | Java | |
| Freeplane | GNU GPL v2+ | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes | No | No | Java | |
| PGF/TikZ | GNU GPL or LPPL | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes, needs ShareLaTeX | Yes, needs ShareLaTeX | Yes, needs ShareLaTeX | Set of TeX macros TikZ library: mindmap | |
| PlantUML | GNU GPL, GNU LGPL, Apache license, EPL, or MIT license | Systems design | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | No | Java | Can be used to draw various UML diagrams and some others |
| Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) | Educational Community | Concept mapping | Cross-platform | No | No | No | Java | Can also be used to build presentations |
| View Your Mind (Open Source) | GPL | Concept mapping | Cross-platform | No | No | No | C++ | Uses Qt |
Freeware and other proprietary software
- Cmap
- Coggle
- Mindmup
- XMind
The following is a list of notable concept mapping and mind mapping applications which are proprietary software (albeit perhaps available at no cost, see freeware).
| Software | License | Genre | Platforms | Online visualizing | Online editing | Online real-time collaborating | Written in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CmapTools | RAND-RF | Concept mapping | Cross-platform | Yes, needs CmapServer, Cmaps on servers generate urls-webpages | Yes, needs CmapServer | Yes, needs CmapServer | Java | Project of Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) Allows connections between published concept maps, needs CmapServer |
| Algor Education | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | JavaScript, Node.js, jQuery and Backbone.js | Google or Algor Education account needed to log in Free version lets user create 2 automatic maps and save unlimited manual maps |
| MindMap AI | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | JavaScript, TypeScript, and Spring Boot | Google, Apple or MindMap AI account needed to log in Free version allows users to create 3 automatic maps and save up to 10 manual maps. |
| Coggle | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | JavaScript, Node.js, jQuery and Backbone.js | Google account needed to log in Free version lets user save 3 private maps (all others are public) |
| MindMup | Custom license | Mind mapping | Web browser | Yes | Yes | Yes | HTML5, JavaScript, Ruby | FreeMind import-export Browser-based, automatically adjusts to mobile (touch) or keyboard interfaces Integrates with Google Drive and GitHub to provide cloud storage and sharing control |
| Qiqqa | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Concept mapping | Windows | Yes | No | No | Mind maps for academics based on their research papers, notes and annotations Can export mind maps to the web and share by social media | |
| XMind | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Project management, knowledge management | Windows, OS X, Linux | No | No | No | Java | Mind maps, spreadsheets, fishbone diagrams, tree charts, org charts Online sharing Compatible with FreeMind |
| yEd | Proprietary, yEd | Concept mapping, Mind mapping | Windows, OS X, Linux, cross-platform | ? | ? | ? | Java | General-purpose freeware diagram editor Can be used to draw different kinds of diagrams: flowcharts, computer network diagrams, UML diagrams, BPMN diagrams, mind maps, organization charts, entity relationship diagrams and many others |
| Mind42 | Proprietary | Mind mapping | Web browser | Yes | Yes | Yes | Browser-based collaborative web application Real-time collaborative editing; the name Mind42 is intended to be read as Mind for two Free to use with no function limits Limited support by developer | |
| SimpleMind | Proprietary (commercial software) |
| Software | Developer | Platforms | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Topicscape | 3D-Scape Limited | Windows | Desktop application that presents mind maps as a 3d scene where each node is a cone Imports MindManager, Personal Brain, FreeMind, text and folders |
| ConceptDraw MINDMAP | CS Odessa LLC | Windows, OS X | Desktop mind mapping and brainstorming software, for business, education, or personal activities Integrates with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Project, MindManager, FreeMind and XMind Compatible with Twitter, Skype and Evernote services |
| Creately | Cinergix Pvt. Ltd. | Windows, OS X, Linux | Shapes and symbols in libraries Built-in examples and templates Export options to PDF, JPEG, PNG, SVG Cloud collaboration Video conferencing |
| Debategraph | Debategraph | Web application | Concept and argument mapping tool |
| Google Drawings | Web application | Part of Google Docs suite Vector image editing | |
| LucidChart | Lucid Software, Inc | Web application | HTML5-based collaborative diagramming tool that can be used to map minds and concepts Android, iPhone, iPad applications, providing offline access to diagrams. |
| Microsoft Visio | Microsoft | Windows | Part of Microsoft Office product family Draws static diagrams including block diagrams, organization charts, maps, plans or workflows |
| MindManager | Mindjet | Windows, OS X, Android | Desktop application comes in basic and pro versions Integrated with Microsoft Office, available Gantt chart add-in, built-in spreadsheet, Fluent UI |
| MindMapper | SimTech Systems | Windows | Mind mapping, idea visualizing, brainstorming Process flow, org charts, fishbone diagrams Concept maps and flowcharts Project management with built-in Gantt charts Built-in presentation Post it style memo notes Integrates with Microsoft Office |
| MindMeister | MeisterLabs GmbH | Windows, OS X, Linux | Browser-based collaborative web application Android, iPhone, iPad applications, providing access to online mind maps Built-in chat Subscription based, also offering a free limited access option |
| Mindomo | Expert Software Applications | Windows, OS X, Linux | Browser-based Realtime collaboration, built-in chat, revision history Built-in presentation mode Desktop application Android and iPad applications work both offline and in sync with the cloud Offers a free limited option |
| MindView | MatchWare | Windows, OS X, Web application | Integrated with Microsoft Office 6 Interchangeable views: includes Gantt chart and timeline Calculation feature and Excel integration Optimized for project management Advanced filter function |
| OmniGraffle | The Omni Group | OS X, iOS | |
| Prezi | Prezi Inc. | Web application, Windows | Presentation software that supports free form placement and zooming on a single sheet Offers Android, iPhone and iPad applications work both offline and in sync with the cloud |
| Qiqqa | Quantisle Ltd. | Windows | Minds maps for academics oriented around their research papers, notes and annotations |
| Semantica | Semantic Research | OS X, Windows | Family of software to create, view, store and share knowledge structures |
| SmartDraw | SmartDraw Software, LLC | Windows | Visual processor used to create flowcharts, organization charts, mind maps, gantt charts and other visuals |
| SpicyNodes | IDEA.org | Adobe Flash | Radial maps, viewer can move from node to node |
| Tinderbox | Eastgate Systems | OS X | Content management system with concept and mind map abilities |
| TheBrain | TheBrain Technologies | Windows, OS X, Unix, Unix-like | Graphically intensive and customizable GUI, extremely cross-platform Notes, calendar, Microsoft Outlook features Multiple parent node ability |
| Visual Mind | Mind Technologies | Windows | Supports collaboration (client–server) mode |
| XMind Pro | XMind Ltd. | Windows, OS X, Linux | Mind mapping, idea visualizing, brainstorming Built-in presentation Integrates with Evernote |
See also
- Brainstorming
- Graph drawing § Software
- List of Unified Modeling Language tools
- Outliner
- Study software
- Tree structure § Representing trees