10 Awesome Mind Mapping Tools You Should Try

If you’re looking for a great way to generate ideas or find solutions, mind mapping is the perfect technique, especially when working with a team. But what about when you’re collaborating remotely? That’s where a reliable mind-mapping app comes in handy.

Below, I’ve compiled a list of the top mind-mapping apps for both individual and collaborative brainstorming. These tools are available across different platforms and offer a variety of features and functionalities. So, let’s dive in and find the one that best suits your needs.

Explore 43 Intricate Mind Map Illustrations

If you’re not familiar with mind maps, they’re graphical representations of ideas and concepts that can be incredibly useful. Read more about them here.

1. Coggle

Hey there! Have you heard about this awesome online tool called Cogule? It’s super intuitive and perfect for organizing your thoughts and ideas using mind maps. I mean, who doesn’t love a good mind map, right?

With Cogule, you can easily create mind maps that visually capture all your random ideas. It’s perfect for planning and brainstorming, whether you’re working alone or collaborating with a team. Oh, and speaking of collaboration, you can even invite your teammates or collaborators to work on the mind maps together. How cool is that?

Now, let’s talk about the features. Cogule has got you covered with floating text and images, multiple starting points, and unlimited image uploads. So you can really get creative and make your mind maps as detailed and visual as you want. And here’s a bonus: even if you decide to unsubscribe from Cogule, you won’t lose your private diagrams. They’ve got your back!

Okay, so here’s the deal. Cogule doesn’t have a mobile or desktop app, which is a bit of a bummer. But hey, if you’re cool with using an online tool and don’t mind not having it available on your phone or computer, then Cogule might just be the perfect fit for you.

• Desktop Compatibility: Browser
• Mobile Compatibility: No
• Coggle Price: Free
• Do I need to pay for this app or subscription? Yes, you will need to pay for this app or subscription. Please check the pricing for more information.

You’ll love Milanote, an app that makes mind mapping a breeze. It lets you bring your thoughts to life with text, images, graphics, and even videos. Plus, it’s super easy to use thanks to its drag-and-drop interface.

When it comes to working with others, Milanote has you covered. You can collaborate with your entire team on a single board, and you have control over who can edit, comment, or simply view the mind maps. And the best part? Milanote works across all your devices, so you can access your work from anywhere.

Unfortunately, there’s no free trial available.

• Desktop Compatibility: Browser, Windows, macOS
• Mobile Compatibility: iOS, Android
• Milanote Price: Free
• Do I need a premium app or subscription? Yes, you do. You can check the pricing details.

3. Miro

Imagine being able to collaborate with your team no matter where you are. That’s exactly what Miro offers – an online whiteboard that brings people together to share ideas and work on projects in real time. It’s like having a virtual brainstorming session!

One of the best things about Miro is how easy it is to use. You don’t need to be a tech expert or spend hours learning how to navigate the platform. It’s intuitive and user-friendly, so you can get started right away. Plus, collaborating with your team is a breeze. You can all work together, even if you’re in different locations.

Of course, like any tool, there might be a few bumps along the way. But the Miro team is constantly working on making improvements, so you can expect even better performance in the future.

• Works on Desktop: Windows, macOS
• Works on Mobile: iOS, Android
• Miro Price: Free
• Premium options available: Yes (Check pricing)

4. SketchBoard

Hey there! I’ve got something awesome to share with you. It’s called Sketchboard, and it’s a virtual whiteboard that lets you bring your ideas to life in a visual and textual way. With Sketchboard, you can easily map out your thoughts and have discussions, whether you’re working alone or collaborating with a team online. Cool, right?

One of the best things about Sketchboard is its infinite drawing board. You can expand the canvas, move things around, and add as many ideas as your heart desires. Plus, the connections between your drawings are made automatically, so you don’t have to worry about the technical stuff.

Now, this tool is super versatile. You can use it for all sorts of mind mapping, but it really shines when it comes to coding and modeling themes. If you’re working on a technical project like mobile app development, Sketchboard is an absolute gem.

• Desktop Compatibility: Works right in your browser
• Mobile Compatibility: Not available on mobile devices
• SketchBoard Price: Best part? It’s totally free!
• Premium app/subscriptions?: Yes (Check pricing)

5. StormBoard

Yes, StormBoard is a premium app that offers subscriptions. If you’re interested in using StormBoard, you can check the pricing details to see what subscription options are available.

With Stromboard, you and your team can collaborate and organize your ideas together in real time. It’s like having an online shared workspace where you can assign tasks and keep track of everyone’s progress on the project you’re working on.

This app provides professional templates, live sessions, webinars, and a range of dynamic reporting options. While it may not have features like diagramming and screen recording, Stromboard is still an excellent tool for collaborative online mind mapping.

• Desktop Compatibility: Browser, Windows, macOS
• Mobile Compatibility: iOS, Android
• StormBoard Price: Free
• Premium app/subscriptions?: Yes (Check pricing)

6. Ayoa

Ayoa is a powerful tool that helps manage tasks and organize thoughts. Its user-friendly interface and collaborative features make it easy to use. With customizable templates, agile project management, and time tracking, Ayoa offers everything you need to stay organized and productive.

However, there is one downside to Ayoa. It requires an internet connection to access your data, which means you can’t use it offline or on the go. Despite this limitation, Ayoa is available on multiple platforms, allowing you to work with your team and nurture your brilliant ideas.

Here are some key details about Ayoa:

– Desktop Compatibility: Browser, Windows, macOS

– Mobile Compatibility: iOS, Android

– Ayoa Price: Free

– Premium app/subscriptions? Yes (Check pricing)

Now let’s move on to the next tool: Diagrams.net!

Let me tell you about this cool tool I’ve been using called Diagrams.net. It’s a professional diagramming tool that can help you visualize your ideas and create mind maps. Pretty neat, huh?

What’s great about Diagrams.net is that you can use it offline through the desktop app. And guess what? It works seamlessly with your favorite tools like Google Drive, Share Point, and OneDrive. So you can easily access and save your diagrams to the cloud.

One thing to note is that exporting files from other tools could use some improvement. But overall, Diagrams.net is a simple and efficient tool for online collaborative brainstorming.

• Desktop Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Mobile Compatibility: No
• Diagrams.net Price: Free
• Premium app/subscriptions?: No

8. Lucidchart

I have found this amazing app called Lucidchart that makes it super easy to work together with your team and be on the same page when it comes to sharing ideas. It’s really intuitive and simple to use. Plus, it has a bunch of professional templates, keyboard shortcuts, and the ability to edit documents in real-time with your colleagues. And the best part? You can make everything look amazing with the customizable graphics!

Now, I’ll be honest with you, when you first dive into Lucidchart, it may seem a bit overwhelming with all its features. But don’t worry! They have helpful guides and a smooth learning curve that will help you get the hang of things in no time. Before you know it, you’ll be collaborating efficiently and bringing your ideas to life with this awesome tool.

Here’s some key information about Lucidchart:

– Desktop Compatibility: You can access it through your browser.

– Mobile Compatibility: It works on iOS and Android.

– Lucidchart Price: It’s free!

– Premium app/subscriptions? Yes, they offer premium features and pricing, so you can check out what suits your needs.

And that’s not all! Let me tell you about another app called Mind Meister. Stay tuned!

If you’re looking for a mind-mapping tool that brings your ideas to life in a visually captivating way, MindMeister is the perfect choice. It not only offers a smooth workflow but also provides a range of collaborative features. Whether you need to jot down notes, brainstorm with others, or manage a project, MindMeister has got you covered.

With MindMeister, creating an in-depth mind map is a breeze. You can also seamlessly integrate it with Google Drive and other tools you use regularly.

While the free version has a limited set of features, it still offers enough tools to create stunning mind maps.

Here’s a quick overview of MindMeister:

– Desktop Compatibility: Works on browsers

– Mobile Compatibility: Available on iOS and Android

– MindMeister Pricing: Free

– Premium App/Subscription: Yes (Check pricing)

Now, let’s explore another fantastic tool: Mindup.

MindMup is a clever tool that helps students and teachers organize their teams and manage academic projects. It allows you to create and share mind maps, workflows, storyboards, and project discussions online and on social media.

With MindMup, you can easily import and export files, although the range of formats is a bit limited. You can also use it as a note-taking app. While some of its features could use some improvement, overall, it’s a fantastic tool for collaborative brainstorming within small and medium-sized teams.

Here are a few key details about MindMup:

– Desktop Compatibility: Works great in your browser.

– Mobile Compatibility: Unfortunately, it’s not available on mobile devices.

– MindMup Price: It’s completely free to use!

– Premium app/subscriptions?: Yes, MindMup offers premium options too. Check out their pricing for more details.

And here’s a bonus recommendation for you: IOctopus!

I’m excited to share with you IOctopus, an amazing online mind-mapping service that will help you unleash your creativity and boost your brainstorming sessions. Inspired by the principles of Tony Busen, IOctopus is designed to get you in a state of flow, allowing you to effortlessly generate brilliant ideas.

Whether you’re working solo or with a team, IOctopus is the perfect tool for you. Users love its clean and intuitive interface, free from unnecessary buttons and distractions. With IOctopus, you’ll enjoy the freedom of creating organic and flexible branches of thought with adjustable thickness.

But that’s not all! IOctopus is packed with features to enhance your mind-mapping experience. You can draw your own icons, create checklists, establish relationships between ideas, collaborate in real-time with others, and easily share your mind maps. Plus, if there’s a specific functionality you need, you can always add it through plugins. IOctopus truly has everything you’d expect from a top-notch mind map service.

By visualizing your thoughts, IOctopus allows you to see the big picture while still focusing on the important details. This unique perspective empowers you to grasp complex concepts with ease and increase your productivity like never before.

• Desktop Compatibility: IOctopus works seamlessly on your browser, Windows, and macOS, so you can access it from anywhere, anytime.

Here’s what I’ve got for you:

• Works on Mobile: iOS, Android
• Price: Free
• Offers Premium Features/Subscription: Yes (Check pricing)