List of concept- and mind-mapping software

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Concept mapping and mind mapping software is 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. 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
Dia	GNU General Public License	General purpose	Cross-platform	No	No	No	Written in C (programming language).
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
Visual Understanding Environment (VUE)	Educational Community	Concept mapping	Cross-platform	No	No	No	Written in Java Can also be used to build presentations
View Your Mind (vym)	GPL	Concept mapping	Cross-platform	No	No	No	Written in C++ Uses Qt

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 Screenshot of Cmap tool
Coggle	Proprietary, freeware, freemium	Mind mapping	Cross-platform	Yes	Yes	Yes	Written in JavaScript, Node.js, jQuery, and Backbone.js Google account needed to log in Free version lets user save 3 private maps (all others are public) Screenshot of coggle.it webapp
MindMup	Custom license	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	Concept mapping, Mind mapping	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.
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.
Creately	Cinergix Pvt. Ltd.	Windows, OS X, Linux	Shapes and symbols in libraries. Built-in examples and templates. Export options to PDF, Jpeg, Png, SVG. Cloud collaboration Video conferencing
Debategraph	Debategraph	Web application	Concept and argument mapping tool
Edraw Max	EdrawSoft	Windows, OS X, Linux	Cliparts and symbols in libraries. Available Gantt chart add-in. Built-in examples and templates. Export options to Graphics, PDF,PS,, EPS, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel),HTML,SVG and Visio. Cloud collaboration
LucidChart	LucidChart, LLC	Web application	HTML5-based collaborative diagramming tool that can be used to map minds and concepts Android, iPhone, iPad applications, providing offline access to diagrams.
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
MindManager	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 2018
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, Web application	Integrated with Microsoft Office 6 Interchangeable views: includes Gantt chart and timeline Calculation feature and Excel integration Optimized for project management Advanced filter function
OmniGraffle	The Omni Group	OS X, iOS
Prezi	Prezi Inc.	Web application, Windows	Presentation software that supports free form placement and zooming on a single sheet. Offers Android, iPhone, and iPad applications work both offline and in sync with the cloud
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
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
TheBrain	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.
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. S2CID 29278241.
https://github.com/mindmup/mindmup/blob/master/LICENSE
yEd Software License Agreement

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