Mind mapping software is used to create diagrams of relationships between 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]

Some mind mapping software is 3D, though full 3D functionality is difficult to achieve with the forms of interface devices readily available to users. Some mapping programs incorporate other learning optimization techniques including electronic flashcard style testing.

The following is a list of 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 Licence Genre Platforms Notes Screenshot
FreeMind GPL Project management Cross-platform
FreeMind screenshot
Pimki Ruby License Wiki UNIX/Linux, Microsoft Windows
WikkaWiki GPL Wiki Cross-platform
  • Written in PHP
  • Uses MySQL
  • Native support for FreeMind maps
  • Based on FreeMind
Mindmaps in WikkaWiki
VUE Educational Community License Educational software Cross-platform
  • Written in Java
  • Also can be used for building presentations.
VUE screenshot.
XMIND EPL and LGPL Project management and Knowledge management Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
  • Mind maps, spreadsheets, fishbone diagrams, tree charts, org-charts.
  • Online sharing
  • Compatible with Freemind.
  • Used to be proprietary.
  • Written in Java.
XMIND

Proprietary software

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

Software Publisher Platforms Notes/Features Screenshot
3D Topicscape Microsoft Windows 3-dimensional MindMaps, import/export FreeMind, MindManager, and PersonalBrain.
Topiscape 3D
ConceptDraw MINDMAP Computer Systems Odessa Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows Mind Mapping, Brainstorming
Inspiration Inspiration Software Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Palm Visual Learning, Mind Mapping
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.
MindManager Pro 8 is the latest version.
MindMapper SimTech Systems Microsoft Windows Mind mapping, idea visualization, brainstorming, concept maps. Integrate with Microsoft Office 2007
MindMeister Codemart Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux Online AJAX-based mind mapping tool with sharing, real-time collaboration facility, Skype and Twitter integration, import/export and offline mode (using Google Gears). Free account allows limited number of maps, paid subscription gives greater access to features.
Sample map created with MindMeister plus interface
NovaMind NovaMind Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows Mind Mapping, Presentation, Screenwriting
NovaMind 4 Mac
OmniGraffle The Omni Group Mac OS X
OpenMind MatchWare Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Mind mapping, brain storming, project planning, timelines, XML-support, interoperability with Microsoft Office
PersonalBrain TheBrain Technologies Windows, Mac OS X, Unix, Unix-like Graphically intensive and customizable GUI, extremely cross-platform. Notes, calendar, Microsoft Outlook features
SmartDraw SmartDraw.com Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word & PDF export, basic automation
Solution Language Tool Solution Language Oy Microsoft Windows organic mind maps and activity maps
Solution Language Tool
Visual Mind Mind Technologies Microsoft Windows Supports collaboration (client/server) mode.
Visual Mind
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

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. 

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