When you design an outline map, you build on existing knowledge structures and the relationship between them to the new concepts. As time passes, you’ll begin to learn new concepts and remember the information in a short time. Let’s take a look at some inexpensive or free mind mapping tools that will give you the most value for your money.

How to Pick a Mind Map Tool

There are a variety of methods to utilize brain mapping to increase your potential for productivity. But when you are deciding on an application, isn’t straightforward and relies on numerous aspects.

1. Coggle

Coggle is an online tool that allows you to create mind maps. It allows you and your team to create thoughts, notes, brainstorm ideas, and develop project plans. Each mind map starts with a central point. Use the plus (+) button to add a branch. Then, type in your information inside the field.

It is possible to format text and insert links, as well as include images and icons to expand on the main aspects. From this point on, keep adding branches. You could even make cross-links to other items within the mindmap. In the context menu, and then press the Shift key to display the icon of a cross-link. Drag your mouse over the link line.

The app is compatible with keystrokes for keyboards and offers a huge selection of templates available in the Coggle Gallery to help you quickly begin your projects. The export options are.MM, TXT, Microsoft Visio PDF, MM, and JPEG.

Unique Features

• Include multiple central nodes in one workspace. Make loops and branches that connect to different mind maps and discover connections.
• Check the history of versions for the map’s mind. Find out who edited the map last (with the date and time) the map. Then, create a duplicate.
• As you progress, expose the map to not overpower the audience. Select the display mode button, and then click the (+) or (+) icons while hovering above the branches.
• Contact team members, write notes, and talk live to discuss ideas. You can automate the arrangement of branches to connect the contents of each branch with objects around it.

2. GitMind

Gitmind is an online tool for mind mapping to make complex concepts more visible and generate ideas and create lists with priority tasks. Input the name of the topic and then click Add Node.

Select the option to insert subnodes for creating sub-branches. Then, click on the relationship line to display any connection between concepts. The user can set a priority to a task or the progress indicator, flag, and many more using icons built into the program. To add symbols select the desired node and then click the icon on the toolbar.

At each node, you can click on the attachment button to add images, links, and comments. There are a variety of available export options, including TXT PNG JPG and PDF., and DOCX.

Unique Features

• A variety of classic, vibrant and professional templates. With each theme, you can decorate the branches using different colors, and also change the background.
• You can customize the shape of the node the spacing and background color, line thickness, as well as border shape. Click Style > Node to start.
• Lay out the mind map using different layouts such as a logic chart, horizontal/vertical timeline as well as tree chart, and fishbone.
• View, edit, and save the Mind map using outline modes. Also, make sure to share the mind map that you’ve created by sending the link, or work in real-time.

3. Canva

Canva is Web-based graphic design software that makes it simple to design mind maps. It comes with templates ready to use and toolsets, you can use the app to create educational presentations and corporate pitches, business pitches, and even project planning.

Input the word mind map” into the search field and, within a couple of minutes, you’ll be able to see various templates. The built-in tools allow you to create elements such as shape frames and arrows, as well as gradients and much more. You can alter the text, images, and background. The options for export comprise PNG, JPEG, GIF, and PDF.

When you’re finished with your mind map, you’ll be able to send the mind map to specific individuals (via email or group emails) and then set the view or edit permissions. Free accounts give you 5GB of storage space and access to over 250,000 images, templates, and collaboration with your team users in real-time.

Unique Features

• Incorporate your mind map into reports and presentations. After that, share it with social media or send it to an email directly through the application.
• Include images embedded videos, embed videos, hyperlinks from the internet or Twitter or Twitter, as well as GIFs to create a mind map that is more educational. Utilize symbols, color codes speech bubbles, color codes, and icons for presentations that are informative.
• Manage your design pages within the editor. Pages can be added, arrange, and made notes to the presentation.
• Report on your work, participate in meetings, brainstorm meetings, create pitch decks, and much more. Press to click the present button to begin.

4. InfoRapid KnowledgeBase Builder

The mind mapping tools of the past are highly hierarchical. Once you begin to create complex connections, they can become complex and inaccessible. With this application, you can join different ideas and yet, it dynamically adapts your map to create an attractive layout. When you click on a topic and everything is rearranged by itself.

It is possible to create your mind map from scratch and import notes, links images, or notes, and then connect them to any object or relationship. You can also choose to incorporate it into the data source of your choice to create mind maps from documents, text, Wikipedia articles as well as tweets.

To start to begin, enter the name of the topic and then click New item. Each topic should enter the name and then provide the description. You can include informative linking words on relation lines and pick colors, solid or dotted lines. Also, you can alter the design of the ends, using or without Arrows.

Unique Features

• Add multiple items, edit or delete them, and utilize drag-and-drop to transfer relationships.
• Switch between the 2D and 3D modes of display and hide or show cross-connections. It is possible to export 3D mind maps by using hyperlinks and then embed them on your site.
• Create a map with MediaWiki which includes all related Wikipedia websites. Also, import outline files of the map from CSV, RDF, XSD, and many more.
• Create flashcards to help you remember things and to practice quiz sessions.

5. Scapple

If you write out an outline, you’ll be able to determine if your ideas are connected, which sequence is most efficient, pinpoint any gaps in your thought process, and verify your ideas with facts. Scapple is a simple application to record your thoughts by establishing links between these ideas. It’s the equivalent of a software paper and pen.

As opposed to the typical mind-mapping program, Scapple doesn’t force you to draw connections or require you to start with an initial concept. It’s a writing application that is freeform that has an expandable canvas that can take all notes. It allows you to move notes around to accommodate more connections. You can edit them and alter their size, and export them as PNG as well as PDF.

Unique Features

• Notes can be stacked on top of each other to make list or column of text. They’re great for keeping an inventory of ideas that aren’t in one note.
• Include links in notes or documents. You can also draw a pattern around ideas and hyperlinks.
• Incrementally search the document and then replace the text. It’s useful for swiftly switching between clusters and the next one on a large canvas.
• Make connections between your ideas using crossed lines, lines with an arrow at either of the ends or both. You could even mark a connection line to help explain the connection.

6. Wondershare EdrawMind

EdrawMind is an application for mind mapping that is cross-platform. The user interface is akin to the standard Office UI. For the first step, you can use the options from the Home tab and add different subjects under the same concept. When you are working on the subject you can add relations lines, callouts images, links, attachment notes, tags, and attachments.

The left sidebar is your canvas. You can adjust your content on the right sidebar. You can also alter the look of your diagrams. You can also add backgrounds, and views, and export your outlines. A handy color strip is located beneath the canvas that lets you set the fill color and line.

Unique Features

• Twelve mind maps to choose from together with a myriad of pre-made templates that encourage imagination.
• Automatically create slides using breaking your mental map into distinct branches. Include notes, background, or designs to your slides, and then export them as pdf or PPT.
• Save files to Edraw cloud storage to access as well as collaboration at a moment’s notice. Group brainstorming sessions and gathering ideas.
• A handy Gantt Chart mode that lets you visualize and track progress on any project.

Make a Mind Map in Microsoft Word

Selecting the best mind mapping tool to use for your workflow isn’t straightforward. The tools mentioned above cover a broad spectrum of features, needs, and budgets. If you’re only beginning with your mind-map check out these tools for free or at a low cost and determine if they meet your requirements.

Are you aware that you can utilize Microsoft Word to draw quick mind maps? There are some basic guidelines to follow when creating the basic mind map. Learn how to create a mind map using Microsoft Word.