Top 34 Online Mind Mapping and Brainstorming Tools

Updated on August 1st, 2018 by Quertime Team in Web Tools

Mind mapping is an effective way to add structure to brainstorming sessions, organize our thoughts, and visualize our ideas. This method requires you to draw your mind or ideas as a map, exploring your brain for more ideas. While you can conduct mind mapping by using pen and paper, it will be easy and interesting if you are using some online tools with no download and installation required. Well, here’s a list of 34 best mind mapping applications, both free and paid that can help you brainstorm effectively. Give them a try and share your opinions in the comments section below.

Free Online Mind Mapping and Brainstorming Tools

MindMeister
MindMeister is an online mind mapping software that allows users to visualize their thinking using the proven mind mapping method. You can add some interesting icons on the mind maps and export them as images, PDF or some other format files.

Mindomo
Mindomo is an online mind mapping tool for visual learning, developing creativity and problem solving.With Mindomo, you can organise and get an overview of thoughts, ideas, links, and other information visually.

Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us is a brainstorm and mind mapping tool. It lets you create colorful mindmaps to print or share with others. The mind maps can be exported as image, XML or HXML files, you can also embed them into your blog.

Mind42
Mind42 is a free online mindmap collaboration tool. You can easily share and develop your ideas with your friends. Nodes are automatically arranged in space, but each node can be enriched with colours, icons, links to websites, notes and so on. Collaboration is easily arranged, using email addresses to invite viewers or participants.

Gliffy
Gliffy.com is a web-based diagram editor. Create and share flowcharts, network diagrams, floor plans, user interface designs and other drawings online.

CmapTools
The IHMC CmapTools software empowers users to construct, navigate, share and criticize knowledge models represented as Concept Maps.

Dabbleboard
Dabbleboard provides a collaboration application that’s centered around the whiteboard. A new type of whiteboard interface aims to make drawing easier and faster, in order to enhance people’s ability to visualize and collaborate. Novel features include auto shape detection, a drag-and-drop library, vector drawing tools, unlimited undo, etc.

Comapping
Comapping is an online collaborative mind mapping tool for business process planning and group projects management. The tool lets you add topics, text or icons easily, and you can also insert notes, tasks or maps.

WiseMapping
WiseMapping is a free web mind mapping tool that leverages the power of mind maps mixing new technologies like vectorial languages (SVG and VML) and the power of the whole Web 2.0 concept. The tool lets you create mind maps online, invite friends as contributors, save maps as PDF, embed maps, and more.

More Free Tools

FreeMind
FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java.

Edistorm
Edistorm is a social brainstorming application empowering friends and co-workers to rapidly brainstorm and make better decisions.

Text 2 Mind Map
Text to Mind Map converter lets you convert your text or list of keywords to a mind map instantly. It makes a mind map out of your bullet list and you can download it as a JPG file.

RecallPlus
RecallPlus is software designed specifically for students who want to learn faster and improve their marks.

Mapul
This is a free Web-based online mind mapping tool that allows you to create completely organic looking mind maps.

Ekpenso
Ekpenso is a web-based online mindmapping software. This free mindmapper lets you create mindmaps online, share them with others, download and edit mindmaps while offline, export and save maps as XML or PDF files and more. However it requires you to register and then use the service (It does support Open IDs).

Weilgut MindPlan
MindPlan combines the Mind Map methodology with the benefits of Lotus Notes and project management in one application.

Subscription and Purchase

Aibase-cs.com
Aibase is optimized for structuring thoughts and ideas in an efficient information space, leading to many positive effects on learning, creative work, task solving and project management.

Aviz ThoughtMapper
ThoughtMapper is a powerful mind mapping tool that helps you organize thoughts visually and ideas around a central theme by creating a mind map.

ConceptDraw MINDMAP
A versatile, yet easy-to-use tool for organizing ideas and data. It creates mind maps that intuitively illustrate your thought process and outputs a wide variety of document styles and formats.

EDraw Mindmap
Edraw is yet another quick and easy map mapping software for creating great-looking mind maps for brainstorming, problem solving, rational analysis, and decision marking. It includes thousands of ready-made graphics that you simply stamp to create your drawing.

HeadCASE Mind Mapping
A Windows based mind mapping tool that allows you to create appealing and imaginative mind maps.

i2Brain
i2Brain is a software for visualizing information and its structure. It has a neat trick in that you can assign each part of the map to a “phase”, you can then view the map by each phase of the project, or view all phases at once.

iMindMap
A simple tool to help you start thinking in a clear and creative way.

MindCad
This is a Mac only tool that lets you organize your ideas. You can drag in text and images from Safari, Word, the Desktop and most other OS X applications.

MindGenius
MindGenius is business mind mapping software that helps you capture, visualize and manage your ideas and information.

Mindjet MindManager
Mindjet MindManager is a unique program aimed at business people keeping track of complicated projects with objectives that change on the fly.

MindMapper
MindMapper is a powerful mind mapping software tool for brainstorming, planning, project management, and more, to visualize your ideas in real time.

MindVisualizer
MindVisualizer is yet another mind mapping software for quickly making beautiful mindmaps. You can easily export your mind maps to a wide variety of documents with just one click.

MYmap
Use MYmap to brainstorm, organize and share ideas. The program supports you along the entire way from collecting ideas to structuring your thoughts and presenting them.

Nelements KOS
Nelements KOS is a 3D mind mapping tool that you can use to organize your knowledge in 3D.

Pocket Mindmap
A Pocket PC solution for planning and decision making. Together with Mindjet MindManager the ideal combination for business information mapping on PC and PDA.

TheBrain
TheBrain has cross-platform support and the ability to export as an HTML document.

TopicScape
A tool for mind mappers needing room to stretch, the extraordinary clarity of its 2D Maps and 3D landscapes quickly attracted general users.

XMind
XMind is a free and open source mind map software that lets you drag-and-drop for reorganizing topics, moving markers, taking a mapshot, and adding attachments.