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.[1] Many software packages and websites allow creating or otherwise supporting mind maps.

File format

See also: DOT (graph description language), GraphML, OML, OPML, and XOXO (microformat)

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.[citation needed]

Free and open-source

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
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

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
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[2] 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[3] Concept mapping, Mind mapping Windows, OS X, Linux, cross-platform ? ? ? Java
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
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
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 Google 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
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

References

  1. ^ Farrand, Paul; Hussain, Fearzana; 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. S2CID 29278241.
  2. ^ "Mindmup/Legacy-mindmup". GitHub. 29 January 2022.
  3. ^ yEd Software License Agreement

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