List of concept- and mind-mapping software

Concept-mapping and mind-mapping software are 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/study efficiency up to 15% over conventional note taking.[1]

The following is a list of notable concept mapping and mind mapping software.

Contents

Free software

There are a number of free-software packages that allow the creation of, or otherwise support mind maps.

Software License Genre Platforms Online visualization Online editing Online real-time collaboration Notes
CAM editor OSL XML Schema Cross-platform No No No
  • Written in Java
  • Open source project on Sourceforge.net
  • Creates Mind maps from XML Schema
  • Native support for FreeMind maps
Compendium GPL Social science Cross-platform No No No
  • Written in Java
  • An email address is required to receive a download link
FreeMind GPL Project management Cross-platform Yes No No

Written in Java
Freeplane GPLv2+ Mind mapping Cross-platform Yes No No
  • Written in Java
  • Redesigned version of FreeMind, and created by one of FreeMind's key developers
SciPlore MindMapping GPL Mind mapping Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux No No No
  • 100% compatible file format with FreeMind.
  • Special features for researchers and students (PDF bookmark import, Adding BibTeX keys)
  • Written in Java.
WikkaWiki GPL Wiki software Cross-platform Yes Yes No
  • Written in PHP
  • Uses MySQL
  • Native support for FreeMind maps
  • Based on FreeMind
VUE Educational Community License Concept mapping Cross-platform No No No
  • Written in Java
  • Requires the creation of an account to download from its home page.
  • Can also be used for building presentations.
XMIND EPL and LGPL Project management and Knowledge management Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux No No No
  • Mind maps, spreadsheets, fishbone diagrams, tree charts, org-charts.
  • Online sharing
  • Compatible with Freemind.
  • Used to be proprietary.
  • Written in Java.

Proprietary software

There are many pieces of proprietary software that allow the creation of mind maps.

Software Publisher Platforms Notes/Features
3D Topicscape 3D-Scape Limited Microsoft 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.
Axon Idea Processor Axon Research Microsoft Windows Axon also provides a variety of tools for working with ideas and concepts rather than words. Analyze and solve more complex problems.
Buzan's iMindMap ThinkBuzan Ltd Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux Desktop application that provides organic Mind Mapping methods to create Maps for brainstorming, organising, creative thinking, project management and planning. Integrates with Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org and iWork.
Cacoo NuLab Inc. Web application A Flash-based real-time collaborative drawing tool with stencils for mind mapping
Creately Cinergix Pty Ltd Cross-platform Online Adobe Flash-based diagramming and visual thinking tool for collaboration. Diagramming software with mind map capability.
Debategraph Debategraph Web application Concept- and argument-mapping tool
Inspiration Inspiration Software Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Palm Visual Learning, Mind Mapping
Kidspiration Inspiration Software Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows A visual learning and mind mapping software application for students in kindergarten through 5th grade
LucidChart LucidChart, LLC Web application An HTML5-based collaborative diagramming tool that can be used for both mind mapping and concept mapping
Microsoft Visio Microsoft Microsoft Windows Part of Microsoft Office family of products, it can draw nearly any static diagram including block diagrams, organizational charts, maps, plans or workflows.
Mind42 IRIAN Solutions Web application
  • Browser-based collaborative web application;
  • Real-time collaborative editing (the application name, "Mind42," is intended to be read as "Mind for two");
  • Free to use without functional limitations;
  • Limited support by developer.
MindGenius MindGenius Microsoft Windows First released in 2001, now certified for Windows 7 and Vista and available in both business and academic versions.
  • Type and return functionality to capture information quickly
  • Different mapping views for brainstorming, planning, project management, and presentations
  • Advanced categories, analysis and task management functionality
  • Integrated Gantt chart view
  • Wide range of exports to MS Office and Adobe applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and PDF
MindManager Mindjet Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Desktop application comes in Basic and Pro versions. Integrated with Microsoft Office, available Gantt chart add-in, built-in spreadsheet, Fluent UI.
MindMaple MindMaple Inc. Microsoft Windows MindMaple is generally used as a business tool mainly for Project management, Brain storming and sharing ideas, Managing schedules, Creating visual presentations.
  • Mind Map with Drawing Interface
  • Visual Task Information
  • Export Mind Map to Other Sources
  • Add Additional Information
MindMapper SimTech Systems Microsoft Windows
  • Mind mapping, idea visualization, brainstorming
  • Process Flow, Org Charts, Fishbone diagramming
  • 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 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
  • Browser-based collaborative web application
  • Offline Mode
  • Android, iPhone and iPad applications, providing access to online mind maps
  • Built-in chat
  • Subscription based, also offering a free limited access option
Mindomo Expert Software Applications Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux Online/Offline Flash-based mind mapping tool with free and paid versions.
MindView MatchWare Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
  • Professional Microsoft Office Integration (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Project)
  • 6 Interchangeable Views – Including Gantt Chart and Timeline
  • Calculation Feature and Excel Integration
  • Optimized for Project Management
  • Advanced Filter Function
NovaMind NovaMind Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows
  • Mind Mapping, Presentation, Screenwriting
  • (Note: One of the only programs that has a free layout mode where you can put the branches where you like.)
OmniGraffle The Omni Group Mac OS X
PersonalBrain TheBrain Technologies Windows, Mac OS X, Unix, Unix-like Graphically intensive and customizable GUI, extremely cross-platform. Notes, calendar, Microsoft Outlook features. Multiple parent node capability.
Prezi Prezi Inc Web application, Windows, Presentation software that supports free form placement and zooming on a single sheet.
Qiqqa Quantisle Ltd. Microsoft Windows Minds maps for academics oriented around their research papers, notes and annotations.
Semantica . Semantic Research Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows A family of software for creating, viewing, storing and sharing of knowledge structures
SmartDraw SmartDraw Software, LLC Microsoft Windows SmartDraw is a visual processor used to create flowcharts, organization charts, mind maps, gantt charts, and other visuals.
Solution Language Tool Solution Language Oy Microsoft Windows organic mind maps and activity maps
SpicyNodes IDEA.org Adobe Flash radial maps, viewer can move from node to node
Tinderbox Eastgate Systems Mac OS and Mac OS X A content management system with concept mapping and mind mapping capabilities
Visual Mind Mind Technologies Microsoft Windows Supports collaboration (client/server) mode.
XMind Pro XMind Ltd. Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
  • Mind maps, spreadsheets, fishbone diagrams, tree charts, org-charts.
  • Compatible with Mindmanager/Freemind.
  • Presentation
  • Audio Notes
  • Gantt View/Task Info
  • Embed Web Search
  • Online Sharing
  • Map Shot
  • Map Merge
yEd yWorks GmbH Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Cross-platform

See also

References

  1. ^ Farrand, Paul; Hussain, Fearzana and Hennessy, Enid (May 2002). "The efficacy of the 'mind map' study technique". Medical Education 36 (5): 426–431. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2923.2002.01205.x. PMID 12028392. 

External links