The 10 Best Mind-Mapping Tools for Brainstorming and Mind Mapping

Try these 10 reputed mind map makers for brainstorming and mind mapping your new ideas to enhance overall productivity.

Mind mapping lends you a helping hand in the planning phase of any project. This process assists you in dividing complex projects into small and visually appealing phases. Nowadays, several mind map makers are readily accessible from the market, but selecting one is not that easy. We have made the job simpler by presenting the 10 best mind map creators. Let's look at how you can benefit from them.

Are you planning to use a mind map tool to get the maximum out of your business idea? Don't know how exactly these tools perform? There is nothing to be concerned about, as the prominent functions of a mind map app are listed below.

• Decision Making: Creating a mind map helps you identify the pros, cons, and challenges you are likely to experience during the project development phase.
• Problem Solving: This is one of the most notable functions of a mind map. Whenever you get stuck somewhere, a mind map opens the door for you to see problems differently and determine how they are related to each other.
• Brainstorming: As a powerful brainstorming tool, a mind map keeps your focus on a specific subject that comes with different ideas. In addition, it enables you to connect the ideas presented by your team members.
• Project Management: Enhancing the productivity of a project is the most important factor of project management. This is where a mind map comes in handy. It presents a huge amount of information to make informed decisions.
• Note Taking: This function helps business professionals note down important points discussed during the meeting. At the same time, students can take notes of their lectures with a mind map tool.
• Presentations: The way you present your ideas decides how many people you are going to engage. A mind map assists you in presenting your ideas in an appealing way to grab others' attention.
• Study: A mind map combines visuals and research together to accelerate your studying abilities and sets you apart from others.
• Creativity: While presenting a decent amount of information about the project, a mind map enhances your creativity and ability to think out of the box.

Below, we have compared the top 10 mind map creators for you to select the one that best meets your requirements.

It is time to explore how the below-listed mind map tools assist you in enhancing the productivity of project planning and achieving your desired goals on time by creating mind maps. The advantages and disadvantages of each tool are also part of the below discussion.

#1. EdrawMind Online

If you intend to choose a top-performing mind map app, EdrawMind Online should be your top priority. It is known for its smooth and seamless real-time online collaboration when managing teams and sharing information with others. It enables you to switch your map to an outline to understand the whole idea easily.

Click to download EdrawMind
If you don't ready to download EdrawMind yet, you could try EdrawMind Online free from below.

Click to download EdrawMind
If you don't ready to download EdrawMind yet, you could try EdrawMind Online free from below.

Click to download EdrawMind
If you don't ready to download EdrawMind yet, you could try EdrawMind Online free from below.

Wondershare Edrawmind Online

How to Use EdrawMind Online to Create a Mind Map?

Using EdrawMind Online is pretty convenient and straightforward, taking your mind-mapping experience to the next level. Follow the below-given steps to use EdrawMind Online for mind mapping.

Using EdrawMind Online is pretty convenient and straightforward, taking your mind-mapping experience to the next level. Follow the below-given steps to use EdrawMind Online for mind mapping.

• Step 1: Open the official site of EdrawMind Online.
• Step 2: Go to the main theme to proceed.
• Step 3: Now, introduce more branches, as required by your idea.
• Step 4: It is time to personalize your mind map to get over the line.

EdrawMind Desktop

12 structures & 33 themes & 700+ cliparts

Support Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS

Advanced import & export options

On-premises software for business

Enterprise-level data security

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EdrawMind Online

12 structures & 33 themes & 700+ cliparts

Access diagrams anywhere, anytime

Templates Gallery

Team management & Project management

Real-time Collaboration

TRY ONLINE

#2. MindMeister

This is another well-known web-based mind map maker. It helps you plan projects, create mind maps to brainstorm new ideas, take notes, and a variety of other features. You can use MindMeister to display your mind map in full-screen presentation mode. In addition, the history mode helps you see the overall progress.

How to Use MindMeister to Create a Mind Map?

All you need is to follow the 5 steps given below.

• Step 1: Open the tool, and you will see the “+” icon on the dashboard. Click on it to create your first mind map with MindMeister.
• Step 2: Once you create a map, the software will take you to the map editor. Here, you will be able to add new topics and subtopics.
• Step 3: Now, right-click the topic and the styling toolbar will be opened. It is time to perform advanced tasks, like adding comments, changing appearance, adding icons, etc.
• Step 4: This step is about personalizing the layout of your mind map.
• Step 5: Now, you can share it with other team members.

#3. Ayoa

It is an incredible mind map creator that helps you create and manage teams efficiently. With Ayoa, you can make project planning easier by creating innovative mind maps. This utility is available for Windows, iOS, and Android.

How to Use Ayoa to Create a Mind Map?

With Ayoa, you can create a mind map in just 5 steps, as listed below.

• Step 1: Start with creating a central idea.
• Step 2: Now, add branches to your mind map.
• Step 3: Introduce keywords or key ideas to the map.
• Step 4: It is time to assign different colors to your branches. It is also called color coding.
• Step 5: You can also add visuals to your mind map to make it appealing.
• Step 6: Now, customize your map and share it with the ones you want.

#4. GitMind

The top features offered by GitMind include; online collaboration, team management, imagination, brainstorming, and mind mapping. Apart from these functionalities, this utility is known for improving the productivity of your idea. Both PC and mobile versions of GitMind are readily accessible these days.

How To Use GitMind?

Go to the official website of GitMind and follow the steps presented below.

• Step 1: Click the “Get Started” button and a new interface will appear on your screen.
• Step 2: Now, edit the main theme by double-clicking on it.
• Step 3: Then, click “Enter” to add a node. Similarly, pressing the “Tab” and “Shift + Tab” keys will add a sub-node and parent node, respectively.
• Step 4: Now, you can edit other parameters, like font color, font size, and font style. Adding hyperlinks to your mind map is also possible.
• Step 5: Once you customize your map and finalize the file, you can save it as an image or print it otherwise.

#5. Coggle

This online utility is famous for its power flowchart and mind mapping functionalities. Try using Coggle as a mind map tool to create algorithms, systems, and processes, and you will be surprised to see the outcomes for sure.

How to Use Coggle to Create a Mind Map?

Every diagram in Coggle starts with one central item - the document title. It comes at the center of your mind map. Follow the steps below to proceed.

• Step 1: Tap on the central item and enter the title of your map. The changes will be saved automatically.
• Step 2: Now, hit the “+” button to add branches. Once done, assign a text label to every branch. There is no limitation on adding new branches.
• Step 3: Then tap on the “+” button on the first-level branch to introduce more branches.
• Step 4: Now, personalize your mind map to match your requirements.
• Step 5: It is time to share your map with team members or colleagues.

#6. Miro

This mind map maker offers rich collaboration features along with the opportunity to co-creating an organizational chart. Miro comes with built-in templates and a presentation mode to simplify your mind map. Native support for chat and video communication is also available.

How to Use Miro to Create a Mind Map?

Select the central item or topic and follow the below-listed steps.

• Step 1: Launch the software. Once a blank canvas is opened, press “Shift + Enter.” It will help you open a new bubble. Give this bubble a unique name.

Note: If you want to create a mind map with other members, ensure the participants are not more than 6.

• Step 2: Now, add more branches to introduce your subtopics. They will be placed around the central item.
• Step 3: Review the map carefully to determine if there is something to add or remove. Then, customize the map by changing colors, font sizes, font styles, orientation, etc.
• Step 4: Once the map gets personalized, make sure it fulfills your needs.
• Step 5: It is time to share the final version of your mind maps with others.

#7. Visio

This conceptual maps maker enables you to create innovative maps and personalize them to get the maximum out of your solution. Apart from mind mapping, Visio also helps you brainstorm your ideas and manage teams in an effective manner. This utility is commonly used in reputed organizations for effective project planning.

How to Use Visio to Create a Mind Map?

With only 5 simple steps, you can prepare your mind map in Visio.

• Step 1: Open Visio on your computer or laptop
• Step 2: Choose a perfect theme that matches your requirements
• Step 3: Now, select the desired shapes to create a mind map
• Step 4: Customize the map you have created in the previous step
• Step 5: Save the file and share it with other colleagues

#8. Lucidspark

This mind map creator enables you to visualize complex structures, project plans, systems, and processes. With more than 500 templates, you get the option to innovate your idea. When it comes to online collaboration, Lucidspark offers a variety of features, like in-editor chat, comments, co-authoring, and others.

How to Use Lucidspark to Create a Mind Map?

A step-by-step guide to creating your first map in Lucidspark is given below.

• Step 1: Open Lucidspark, drag one shape to the center of your board and label it as your central theme.
• Step 2: Now, add parent branches to represent the subtopics of your central idea.
• Step 3: Now, add parent branches to represent the subtopics of your central idea.
• Step 4: Introduce images, colors, or doodles to customize your map
• Step 5: Introduce images, colors, or doodles to customize your map

#9. MindManager

It is another popular conceptual map maker that allows multiple team members to participate in brainstorming new ideas. In addition, MindManager makes it easy to manage your business team network. Furthermore, this utility offers quick sharing of the file once you prepare a clear and concise mind map.

How to Use MindManager to Create a Mind Map?

A 5-step, super simple guide to creating a mind map with MindManager is given below.

• Step 1: Open MindManager, introduce a central topic and place it in the middle.
• Step 2: Now, introduce more specific subjects by adding branches around the central topic. Make sure every branch has a unique keyword.
• Step 3: Assign specific colors to each branch to easily understand the whole idea.
• Step 4: If you want to make your map fascinating, don’t forget to add images.
• Step 5: Save the file and share your map with other members.
• Step 5: It is time to share your map with team members or colleagues.

Mind mapping makes it easy for you to visualize complex subjects and achieve the desired goal effectively. Mind map makers allow you and your team to collaborate smoothly and create, edit, and share your maps with quick links. Are you looking for your go-to conceptual map maker? Try EdrawMind Online and see the miracles happen.