Best Free Mind Map App For Mac
Free Mind Map Tool For Mac
Best Free Mind Map Tool For Mac

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux Freemind is a Java-language free mind map software for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux systems using tiny memory. The minimalist style shows their positioning on rich inner rather than fancy graphics. Free Mind Mapping Tool for Windows, BSD, Linux and Mac. As this is a cross-platform app, it’s is compatible with a wide range of operating systems including Windows, Mac, BSD and Linux. Freeplane is quite a simple app to use. Free Freeplane: Free Mind Mapping Software For Windows, Mac And Linux is categorized under Categories.

Here’s the good news.

Finally, we can be like Leonardo da Vinci’s in one small way. No, we are not getting his polymathic superpowers.

His penchant for taking free-flowing notes that filled notebooks with diagrams and scribblings is more achievable. Maybe, he knew that the human brain likes visuals more than words. Maybe, connecting words and images made him see things which most could not.

Today, we call these brain-cell like intertwinings mind maps.

It is the most popular brainstorming technique of all. Count the hits on Google if you don’t believe me. Check the number of books British psychologist Tony Buzan wrote for promoting it. A tiny 140.

For a student, a mind map is a memory aid to review notes. For an office worker, a mind map can be a solo brainstorming tool or a collaborative one. Brainstorming groups at work use mind mapping techniques for problem solving and decision making. Want to develop an agenda for an annual conference or plan your time as a manager? Maybe, a mind mapped SWOT analysis can help spot a weakness or an opportunity?

You can apply a mind map to any office scenario.

Forecast revenue.
Prepare for a hiring interview.
Chart product development and marketing.
Fine tune a RFP (Request for Proposal).
Organize a trade show.
Plan an office party.

Pick a Free Mind Map Tool

Choosing from the many excellent mind mapping sites and brainstorming web apps and tools is a matter of nitpicking. But how should you go about selecting the right tool that doesn’t befuddle you? Keeping your needs front and center, here are few standout features you can look at:

Free or paid. When you are starting out with mind mapping take what you find for free. Mind mapping is a habit before it is a practice, so build up the habit first without paying a dime.
Offline or online. There are many mindmapping web apps, but if you are on a spotty connection then definitely an offline tool works best. Also, storing mind maps containing confidential or sensitive information online could be a security issue.
Ease of use. The easiest tool to mind map with is pen and paper. Compare any software you pick with that ease. The fluidity of putting your thoughts on screen matters a lot in rapid brainstorming.
Look and feel. The aesthetic appeal of your mind maps will be a factor, if you need to display them to a team. Also, beautiful mind maps draw the eye (and mind) when you need to come back to them.
Template variety. With brainstorming templates8 MS Word Templates That Help You Brainstorm & Mind Map Your Ideas Quickly8 MS Word Templates That Help You Brainstorm & Mind Map Your Ideas QuicklyFree Word templates are not just about beautiful documents, perfect resumes, and cover pages. They can be vital for brainstorming and mind maps too. Here are eight Word templates for your ideation needs.Read More, you can save a lot of time when every mind map is imagined around a few common organizational processes.
Import and export options. A critical feature as you wouldn’t want your lovely creations trapped in one format. Many popular mind map tools, e.g. FreeMind, also accept other formats for import. An export format like PDF is necessary. Export to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, or Project helps with document integration.
Collaboration. Another critical feature, if you are working within a shared workspace and perform team brainstorms.

We have covered many mindmapping tools here at MakeUseOf. You might have discarded some and may have settled on one. FreeMind, XMind, and MindJet are popular. As not every tool will tick all the boxes, here are a few more mind mapping tools to consider.

1. Coggle

Platforms: Web, Chrome

This mind mapping Chrome extensionTrap Your Best Thoughts with 10 Note-Taking Chrome ExtensionsTrap Your Best Thoughts with 10 Note-Taking Chrome ExtensionsNotes are the simplest self-management tools. With information overload on your mind, use these ten extensions to jot down quick notes, manage them better, or just share them with others.Read More deserves a look again for its sheer simplicity. Use it in the browser instead of installing it on Chrome. Coggle saves your work in the browser just as well. Coggle comes in three flavors – Free, Awesome, and Organization.

The free version allows you to create unlimited maps, so it should be good enough for your needs. The commercial versions come with features like presentation modes and unlimited private mind maps.

Noteworthy Features:

Create mind maps with colored nodes and branches.
Add comments or detailed notes to branches. Supports Markdown.
Drag and drop images from the desktop into the mind map. No image limits.
Coggle mind maps are also collaborative. Work alone or invite team members.
Version tracking with a history mode. See who changed what and when.
Message team members, leave notes, and even chat in real time.
Download mind maps as PDF, text, PNG, or mind map (.mm) files.

2. MindMapple

Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS

MindMapple (ver. 1.71) is a desktop and iOS application that has free and pro versions on offer. The ribbon interface should be familiar.

MindMapple is pre-loaded with themes and templates. Visual thinkers will like the software because it allows use of pictures and clip-art. Select any topic on your mind map and use the Clip Art library to add appropriate graphics. Cloud sharing via Google Drive is a key beta feature, but it’s not functional due to API changes.

MindMapple has powerful set of features for handling larger projects. Multiple mind maps can be collated in one document. You can track topics with priority and schedules – an essential for project managementThe Fool Proof System to Plan & Manage Multiple ProjectsThe Fool Proof System to Plan & Manage Multiple ProjectsFull Horizon Planning is an easy system to manage multiple active and dormant projects. It's superbly unbreakable when it comes to those guaranteed, daily distractions. We show you how to set it up digitally.Read More.

I would definitely recommend MindMapple for its completeness. The Pro version gives you advanced features like PDF export, password security, and advanced Microsoft Office exporting.

Noteworthy Features:

Add relationships, boundaries, hyperlinks, and files to a mind map.
Add extra information by adding topic notes and attachments.
Labels and bookmarks allow you to manage complex mind maps with ease.
Export your mind maps as PowerPoint, Word, Excel, HTML, TXT, image files, and XMind files.
Import mind maps created in FreeMind and MindManager.

3. NovaMind

Platforms: cross platform

NovaMind is a cross-platform brainstorming software. Try it on Windows desktop, Windows 8, iPad, Mac OS X, or Android, and online as NovaMind Cloud. It is a commercial software but has a capable free version. NovaMind starts you off with an interactive tutorial to introduce the basic concepts. A demo mind map is built as the tutorial progresses.

The application has a useful layout engine that helps you design quickly as the topics are not allowed to overlap on top of each other. A unique user-friendly “dial” holds all the mind mapping commands.

The Lite version is useful for trying out the software. It suffers because it doesn’t offer options to save or export mind maps in different formats.

Noteworthy Features:

Mind maps are limited to 25 topics.
Store up to 10 NovaMind docum

Free Mindmap Tool For Mac