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 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

Using a standard file format allows interchange of files between various programs. Many programs listed below support the mm format used by FreeMind, which is an XML text format of tagged objects.

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	Notes
Compendium	GNU GPL	Social science	Cross-platform	No	No	No	Written in Java An email address is required to receive a download link
Docear	GNU GPL	Research	Cross-platform	Yes	No	No	Written in Java Special features for students and researchers (reference and literature management)
FreeMind	GNU GPL	Project management	Cross-platform	Yes	No	No	Written in Java
Freeplane	GNU GPL v2+	Mind mapping	Cross-platform	Yes	No	No	Written in 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
SciPlore MindMapping, extinct, Docear listed as successor	GNU GPL	Mind mapping	Windows, OS X, Linux	No	No	No	Docear listed as successor 100% compatible file format with FreeMind Special features for researchers and students: PDF bookmark import, adding BibTeX keys Written in Java
TiddlyMap	BSD 2-clause	Concept mapping	Cross-platform	Yes	Yes	No	JavaScript based Web application Build on top of the single-page application TiddlyWiki Using the Vis.js library for visualizing^[2] Embedding graphs in the wiki at any point Jumping to topics through clickable nodes Graphs synchronize with the content
Visual Understanding Environment (VUE)	Educational Community	Concept mapping	Cross-platform	No	No	No	Written in Java Needs account created to download from its website Can also be used to build presentations

Freeware

The following is a list of notable concept mapping and mind mapping applications which are freeware, and available at no cost. Some are open source, and others are proprietary software.

Software	License	Genre	Platforms	Online visualizing	Online editing	Online real-time collaborating	Notes
CmapTools	RAND-RF	Concept mapping	Cross-platform	Yes, needs CmapServer, Cmaps on servers generate urls-webpages	Yes, needs CmapServer	Yes, needs CmapServer	Written in Java Project of Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) Allows connections between published concept maps, needs CmapServer
Coggle	Proprietary, freeware, freemium	Mind mapping	Cross-platform	Yes	Yes	Yes	Programming language(s) unknown Google account needed to log in Screenshot of coggle.it webapp
Edraw Mind Map	Proprietary, freeware, freemium	Mind mapping	Cross-platform	No	No	No	Written in C++ Designed with advanced functions like auto-generating and -connecting shapes
MindMup	Custom license^[3]	Mind mapping	Web browser	Yes	Yes	Yes	Freemind import-export Browser-based, HTML5 features automatically adjust to mobile (touch) or keyboard interfaces Integrates with Google Drive and GitHub to provide cloud storage and sharing control Written in JavaScript and Ruby
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	Mind maps, spreadsheets, fishbone diagrams, tree charts, org charts. Online sharing Compatible with Freemind Formerly proprietary Written in Java.
yEd	Proprietary, yEd^[4]	Cmap tool	Windows, OS X, Linux, cross-platform	?	?	?	General-purpose freeware diagram editor Written in Java 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.

Proprietary software

The table below lists pieces of proprietary commercial software that allow creating mind and concept maps.

Software	Publisher, license	Platforms	Notes, features
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.
Buzan's iMindMap	ThinkBuzan Ltd	Windows, OS X, Linux	Desktop application that provides organic mind mapping methods to create maps for brainstorming, organising, creative thinking, project managing, and planning. Integrates with Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org and iWork.
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.
Debategraph	Debategraph	Web application	Concept and argument mapping tool
iMindQ	Seavus	Windows, OS X, Web application, Android, iOS	Mind mapping and brainstorming software Integrates with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Project, MindManager, FreeMind, and XMind. Project management with built-in Gantt charts Built-in presentation
LucidChart	LucidChart, LLC	Web application	HTML5-based collaborative diagramming tool that can be used to map minds and concepts
Microsoft Visio	Microsoft	Windows	Part of Microsoft Office product family, draws static diagrams including block diagrams, organization charts, maps, plans or workflows
Mind42	IRIAN Solutions	Web application	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
MindGenius	MindGenius	Windows	First released in 2001, now certified for Windows 7 and Vista and available in both business and academic versions. Type and return functions Different mapping views for brainstorming, planning, project management, and presentations Integrated Gantt chart view Exports to MS Office and Adobe applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and PDF
Mindjet	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, Current Version: MindManager 2017
MindMaple	MindMaple Inc.	Windows	Used as a general business tool mainly to manage projects, brain storm and share ideas, manage schedules, create visual presentations Mind map with drawing Interface Visual task information Export mind map to other sources Add extra information
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	Professional Microsoft Office Integration (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Project) 6 Interchangeable views: includes Gantt chart and timeline Calculation feature and Excel integration Optimized for project management Advanced filter function
NovaMind	NovaMind	OS X, Windows	Mind mapping, presenting, screenwriting
OmniGraffle	The Omni Group	OS X, iOS
PersonalBrain	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.
Prezi	Prezi Inc.	Web application, Windows	Presentation software that supports free form placement and zooming on a single sheet.
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
Solina Mind Mapping Software	Insoft Oy	Windows	organic mind maps and activity maps
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
Visual Mind	Mind Technologies	Windows	Supports collaboration (client–server) mode.
XMind Pro	XMind Ltd.	Windows, OS X, Linux

References

↑ 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.
↑ Vis.js library
↑ https://github.com/mindmup/mindmup/blob/master/LICENSE
↑ yEd Software License Agreement

External links

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