Observe-taking and decision-making are part of my every day work. I’m grateful to a senior who launched me to thoughts mapping software program. However initially, I’d waste loads of paper, pens, and time on note-taking.
Since then, I’ve tried every kind of thoughts mapping instruments whereas working with completely different groups and shoppers. After loads of experimenting, I’ve lastly narrowed it all the way down to the 7 greatest ones.
What’s a thoughts map?
Thoughts maps allow you to visualize your ideas and concepts for higher decision-making. Thoughts mapping lets you arrange scattered ideas and notes into clear, visible diagrams. As an instance you are making a thoughts map about product growth. You write “Product Growth” within the center. Then, you add branches that every level to sub-ideas, together with new options, market tendencies, buyer suggestions, and competitor evaluation.
Thoughts maps are usually used for:
- Brainstorming and ideation
- Challenge planning and administration
- Taking notes
- Making selections
- Setting targets
In a nutshell, thoughts maps are excellent at any time when you could arrange your ideas and see the larger image at a look.
Finest thoughts mapping software program to make use of in 2025
Now that we all know all the advantages of thoughts mapping, let’s evaluation the seven high thoughts map makers I’ve shortlisted for you:
| What is the app? | Key issues it’s best to know | Pricing? | What’s it greatest for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MindNode Basic | Clear interface, Apple-friendly, syncs properly throughout gadgets, however not nice for collaboration. | Setapp ($9.99/month, free trial) | Brainstorming concepts |
| MarginNote | Superb for analysis and examine with visible tags and flashcards, however options really feel restricted. | Setapp ($9.99/month, free trial) | Learning & taking notes |
| Diagrams | Easy and customizable for fundamental thoughts maps, however could not swimsuit skilled wants. | Setapp ($9.99/month, free trial) | Visualizing concepts |
| ClickUp | Characteristic-rich with real-time collaboration and templates however has a steep studying curve. | Free with paid plan from $7/month | Challenge administration options |
| Coggle | Newbie-friendly and versatile with real-time collaboration and Google Drive backup, however not fitted to advanced maps. | Free with paid plan from $5/month | Rookies who want a easy but versatile thoughts map |
| XMind | Versatile with a number of buildings and templates, nice for brainstorming, however no real-time collaboration within the free plan. | Free with paid plan from $4.92/month | Planning advanced tasks |
| Miro | Highly effective for staff brainstorming and shows, with many options and templates, however restricted free plan. | Free with paid plan from $8/month | Initiatives the place visible collaboration and innovation are important |
MindNode Basic: Complete thoughts mapping app for Mac and iOS
For those who’re an Apple person, then MindNode Basic is perhaps the perfect app so that you can visualize concepts. It comes with a large canvas to attract and join your concepts like another thoughts mapping software program. The distinction with different instruments is that you just get an in depth tutorial upfront, so even when you’re a newbie with no prior expertise, you may shortly get the dangle of it.
As quickly as you launch it, you’ll see a blackboard the place you possibly can add photographs, blocks, emojis, and plenty of extra components. The important thing differentiator is its focus mode, which spotlights the present department and fades out the remaining. For those who’re an evening owl (like me), you get the Darkish mode for brainstorming.
As for styling, MindNote provides out-of-the-box themes and 260+ customized stickers. As soon as carried out, you possibly can simply share the thoughts map with Apple Reminders, Issues, or OmniFocus. You possibly can even export your concept as textual content, picture, and plenty of different file codecs. Sounds cool, proper?
The good things:
- Minimal, clear, and intuitive interface
- Syncs simply throughout Apple gadgets
- Collapse and broaden nodes
- Regulate font dimension, type, and coloration as per your alternative
- Customise notes with photographs (even your individual photographs), hyperlinks, and stickers
- Siri Shortcuts workflow automation
The not-so-good:
- Doesn’t assist real-time collaboration
- Helps zoom out to 10% solely, so viewing giant, advanced maps could be tough
MarginNote: Finest mindmap software program for note-taking
For those who’re in a occupation involving a substantial amount of note-taking, like a scholar, lawyer, or researcher, you want thoughts map software program with some good options. That is what MarginNote provides.
The split-view function allows you to learn and take notes side-by-side, whereas the define mode provides you a fowl’s-eye view of all of your highlights and annotations.
Including photographs, tags, scribbles, and even audio to feedback is feasible inside the app. You possibly can generate digital flashcards for fast examine, so that you don’t want to begin over to reassess key information. Apple customers can sync notes with iCloud to entry data on their iPhones or iPads.
The good things:
- Logical thoughts maps with annotations
- Flashcard creation for notice reassessment
- Printable PDF creation from notes
The not-so-good:
- Restricted mind-mapping options
- Guide backups solely
Diagrams: Finest for Mac customers with fundamental wants
I used Diagrams for drawing a few product life cycles, and it labored amazingly. What I like probably the most is that it’s extremely simple to make use of. Diagrams provide a spread of palette presets and shapes to create actually customized thoughts maps.
You additionally get loads of styling and formatting choices, together with 9 aspect colours, together with the grayscale ones meant for skilled thoughts maps. You possibly can simply tweak diagrams to suit your mission’s specifics. The app is absolutely optimized for macOS.
The good things:
- Giant vary of textual content formatting and styling to customise your mission
- Diagram assist for stream with options like grid and infinite canvas
The not-so-good:
- Restricted options for skilled use
- Efficiency lag with intricate diagrams
ClickUp: Finest for thoughts mapping with mission administration
ClickUp combines thoughts mapping and mission administration instruments in a single place. What does this imply? You possibly can brainstorm, plan (create duties), and execute (assign tasks and set deadlines), all inside the identical platform. So, you possibly can flip a obscure concept into a strong mission plan in a jiffy.
You get loads of management with customizable, ready-to-use templates that allow you to create customized thoughts maps for numerous use circumstances. Add sticky notes, draw freehand, add photographs, and hyperlink ClickUp artifacts.
The good things:
- Chat performance inside tasks
- ClickUp Mind (AI assistant) to shortly discover knowledge from the assistance middle
The not-so-good:
- Studying all of the options can take time
- Workflow setup complexity
Coggle: Finest for learners who want a easy thoughts mapping software
Coggle is my high suggestion when you’re a newbie and wish a thoughts map on-line software. This web-based mind-mapping platform makes creating and sharing stunning thoughts maps a breeze. It really works on-line, so there is not any must obtain something.
Once I was utilizing it for a decision-making job, I used to be amazed to see how Coggle routinely backed up my job on Google Drive to guard my work from sudden loss or deletion. Additionally, it let me create loops, add a number of beginning factors, and be a part of branches for a greater presentation.
One other fascinating factor I like about Coggle is you can add limitless photographs and floating textual content to annotate elements of your map. As well as, its real-time collaboration function lets you work easily with others, which makes idea-sharing easy.
The good things:
- Straightforward to make use of and no technical abilities required
- Limitless sharing capability and picture addition
- A number of export codecs, together with PDF and PNG
The not-so-good:
- Restricted font, coloration, and form choices
- Not appropriate for bigger, extra advanced thoughts maps
XMind: Finest for brainstorming and planning advanced tasks
Planning advanced tasks is rarely a stroll within the park. You want a software that may rework all your concepts into a transparent, organized, and visually charming thoughts map. XMind is such a software.
With the pre-made templates, you can jump-start your mission with out having to begin from scratch. I really like how easily it permits collaboration with others for map sharing. One other function I appreciated is its mixture of a number of thoughts map buildings, together with Fishbone, Tree, and Timeline charts. You possibly can shortly change between them for brainstorming classes or structured planning.
The good things:
- Newbie pleasant
- Textual content types and coloration theme customization
- Direct sharing to electronic mail, Fb, Twitter, and Pinterest.
- Markdown, Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, and different codecs assist
The not-so-good:
- Restricted integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, or different job administration instruments
- Efficiency lag with giant or advanced thoughts maps
Miro: Finest for tasks that ask for visible collaboration and innovation
I’ve used Miro so much to create shows and visualize concepts for stakeholders. This digital whiteboarding platform is a game-changer for selling wholesome collaboration inside my staff.
Supply: miro.com
I actually like its assortment of 300+ pre-built thoughts map templates for any use case, from easy concept technology to advanced mission planning. One other factor I really like is Presentation Mode. It lets me share my thoughts maps in a clear, skilled approach throughout webinars and conferences and makes it simple to maneuver from one half to a different.
Lastly, there’s Miro Help, an AI function that allows you to routinely generate expansive thoughts maps that broaden your considering.
The good things:
- Infinite canvas for spreadsheets, PDFs, photographs, and extra
- Actual-time and async collaboration
- Visible monitoring and collaborative planning remotely
- Auto structure mode to arrange thoughts maps
The not-so-good:
- Restricted offline mode
- Cluttered interface, particularly for brand spanking new customers
Select the appropriate thoughts mapping software program to have peace of thoughts
After testing out and reviewing these seven thoughts map apps, I noticed there’s no one-size-fits-all. When selecting the perfect thoughts mapping software program, you could take into account your artistic wants. Mainly, search for customizability, flexibility, actionability, and collaboration, which matter probably the most.
Whether or not you’re searching for a thoughts map for advanced tasks or one thing so simple as planning a visit, my record covers all the perfect instruments to match your wants and elegance.
I feel MindNode Basic is an easy-to-use thoughts mapping app for learners and professionals, whereas MarginNote combines note-taking with thoughts mapping capabilities. You’ll find each apps at Setapp, a subscription platform with 250+ iOS and Mac apps. If you wish to see how these apps work and whether or not one among them is an efficient choose for you, use the free 7-day trial.
