10 Best Free Online Mind Mapping Software for 2024, Suitable for Everyone

Mind mapping is an effective method for leveraging the brain’s visual memory. This article introduces the current free online mind mapping software.

What is mind mapping?

Mind mapping, also known as a mind map, is a smart and visually appealing way to present information and explain ideas using concise language and captivating images. From here, viewers can easily understand and remember the information.

Mind maps consist of key words related to the topic, which are then developed into smaller ideas related to the main content. Depending on the creativity of each person, the presentation may vary.

Some simple types of mind maps:

• Spider map.
• Flow map.
• Circle map.
• System map.

Benefits of mind mapping

Some benefits of using mind maps:

• Mind maps allow unlimited creativity when organizing ideas in an easy-to-understand and scientific way. As a result, when reviewing or revisiting, you can easily and quickly grasp the main content.
• Summarize data and consolidate information from a variety of research sources into concise information.
• Stimulate creative thinking, connect images and keywords to express ideas logically.
• The entire map can be remembered through visual memory, which is a nearly perfect type of human memory.

Mind maps are not only useful in learning, but also in many fields such as organizational structure, event organization, project planning, etc. Managers and those who regularly plan can also use mind maps to implement their ideas.

Free online mind mapping software

Canva

Canva is an online graphic design and publishing software.

Features:

• This application allows you to easily create beautiful mind maps.
• Embed and share on social media or send directly via email from the application.
• Insert images, embed videos from YouTube, TED, links from the web or Twitter, or GIFs from Giphy.
• Use symbols, color codes, icons to convey information.

Advantages:

• Millions of tools, components, and design templates are available.
• Drag and drop functionality, easy operation.
• Advanced photo editing tools.
• High-quality printing services.

Disadvantages:

• The template designs are randomly distributed throughout the website, so finding the right template can be time-consuming.

Draw.io

Draw.io is a free online mind mapping tool that provides various tools for drawing diagrams.

Features:

• Integration with tools like Google Drive, OneDrive, Google Docs Add-on.
• Provides both online and offline applications completely free.

Advantages:

• You do not need to log in to your account to use it.
• You can choose pre-made frames to save time.
• Create comfortable frames, adjust the size as desired.
• This software allows you to export in many useful formats such as PNG, JPEG, SVG, PDF, and HTML.
• Supports various diagram shapes, provides different drawings and box shapes.

Disadvantages:

• It can be exported as XML, HTML, but it is encoded.
• When exporting large JPEG images, the quality is poor.
• Arrow drawing is not very flexible.
• For complex diagrams with many images, the page loading can be slow.

Coggle

Coggle is an online tool for creating and sharing ideas through mind maps. Coggle is easy to use, just sign up for an account and access the Coggle website to get started.

Features:

• Create mind maps with colored nodes and branches.
• Add annotations to the head of the node.
• Add unlimited images from your computer.
• Interact with team members.
• Download to computer in formats such as PDF, PND, TEXT, or .mm (mind map file).

Advantages:

• View the product anytime, anywhere with just a computer connected to the Internet.
• Improve efficiency by being able to interact and collaborate with the team.
• Add unlimited images from devices.

Disadvantages: It revolves around the central topic and has limited customization.

Mindmeister

Mindmeister is an online mind mapping tool. It has many mind mapping features that make it easy for individuals and large teams to create and sketch.

Features:

• Live chat feature.
• Synchronize with Google Drive.

Advantages:

• Flexible user interface, supports images and annotations.
• Free trial before creating an account.
• Share and collaborate on mind maps and integrate Skype calls.
• Import from Freemind and Mindmanager or export to RTF and GIF.

Disadvantages:

• Free account images and icons are not rich.
• Free account is limited to drawing 3 mind maps.

MindMup

MindMup is one of the most powerful free mind mapping tools on the internet. MindMup has a simple yet effective interface and is used worldwide.

Features:

• Easy to use, simple interface.
• Direct integration with Google Drive and completely free.
• Develop ideas as desired and provide users with an overview and detailed view.

Advantages:

• Smart, simple, and easy-to-understand user interface.
• Integrated with Dropbox, Google Drive, and GitHub.
• Has a utility system to help expand MindMup’s functionality.
• Easily insert images into mind maps.
• Convert mind maps to PDF and PowerPoint files.

Disadvantages:

• Free mind maps are limited to 100KB in size and can only be stored for 6 months.
• Free accounts are limited in exporting mind maps to image formats. Therefore, you can only save them on Google Drive.

Simple Mind

Simple Mind provides simple tools for quickly sketching mind maps. The software also provides vibrant effects and colors, organizes and manages tags, and allows you to share ideas on cloud services.

Features:

• Quick connection between the Simple Mind application on your phone and the PC version. This makes it easy to share and save.
• Supports downloading files with sound, video, and images.

Advantages:

• Simple and easy-to-use interface.
• Unleash your creativity and design maps to your liking.
• Automatically organize mind maps for easy searching in your collection.

Disadvantages: The free version does not support inserting images or integrating with Google Drive or Dropbox, making it difficult to export mind maps.

Edraw Mindmaster

Edraw Mindmaster is a professional mind mapping software with a ribbon-style interface that allows users to start creating mind maps immediately without any skills.

Design versatile mind maps for various purposes such as project management, knowledge management, and business planning.

Features:

• Clear and understandable interface.
• Provides many useful features for organizing information and creating rich content mind maps.
• For new users, there are many great interfaces that allow you to easily create mind maps with just a few clicks.

Advantages:

• Suitable for all types of charts, graphs, and plans.
• Contains many design templates and graphics materials.
• Easy to use, just drag and drop.
• Works with multiple file formats.

Disadvantages: Not many sharing options available.

See more: How to create mind maps in PowerPoint quickly and beautifully

Mind42

Mind42 is software that allows you to create mind maps quickly, manage, and edit the necessary data structure for mind maps.

Features:

• Automatic saving of content being performed.
• High customization to suit user requirements.

Advantages:

• Unlimited free usage.
• Intuitive interface.
• Includes components like Like and Comment on mind maps.
• Includes user guides when starting.
• Share, embed, or export to formats such as Freemind, Mindmanager, and RTF.

Disadvantages:

• Contains many advertisements.
• The interface is a bit difficult to understand and has some inflexible areas.

Sketchboard

Sketchboard is an online application that allows you to sketch mind maps on a digital whiteboard. It also has a board that contains a set of ready-made symbols for use in mind map design.

Features:

• Can directly discuss groups to share topics, comment on mind maps, and share links.
• The drawing board is unlimited, just drag to create space for mind maps.

Advantages:

• Export boards as SVG, PNG, PDF.
• Freely combine shape, drawing, note, and timeline.

Disadvantages: The free account allows you to create 3 mind maps and collaborate with up to 5 members.

Bubbl

Bubbl is a simple, free application that allows you to create mind maps online.

Features:

• Create colorful mind maps.
• Share and work with friends.

Advantages:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
• Save, share, and collaborate with others.
• Mind maps can be embedded into websites.
• Mind maps can be exported in XML, HTML, PNG, or JPEG formats.
• Supports keyboard shortcuts.

Disadvantages:

• You need to create an account.
• Free accounts are limited to creating 3 mind maps.
• The interface is a bit outdated and sometimes slow.

Conclusion

FPT Shop has introduced 10 online mind mapping software that you can refer to and choose a user-friendly software that suits your learning and working needs.

• Discover iMindMap – features, benefits, and how to create mind maps using iMindMap
• What is XMind? Guide to downloading XMind for free creative mind mapping for beginners

• Authentic laptops