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. [1] Many software packages and websites allow creating or otherwise supporting mind maps.
Using a standard file format allows interchange of files between various programs. Many programs listed below support the OPML file format and the XML file format used by FreeMind.[ citation needed ]
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 | Written in | Notes |
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Compendium | GNU GPL | Social science | Cross-platform | No | No | No | Java | An email address is required to receive a download link |
Dia | GNU GPL | General purpose | Cross-platform | No | No | No | C. | |
diagrams.net (formerly draw.io) | Apache 2 | General purpose | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | HTML5 JavaScript |
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FreeMind | GNU GPL | Project management | Cross-platform | Yes | No | No | Java | |
Freeplane | GNU GPL v2+ | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes | No | No | Java | |
PGF/TikZ | GNU GPL or LPPL | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes, needs ShareLaTeX | Yes, needs ShareLaTeX | Yes, needs ShareLaTeX |
| |
Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) | Educational Community | Concept mapping | Cross-platform | No | No | No | Java | Can also be used to build presentations |
View Your Mind (Open Source) | GPL | Concept mapping | Cross-platform | No | No | No | C++ | Uses Qt |
The following is a list of notable concept mapping and mind mapping applications which are proprietary software (albeit perhaps available at no cost, see freeware).
Software | License | Genre | Platforms | Online visualizing | Online editing | Online real-time collaborating | Written in | Notes |
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CmapTools | RAND-RF | Concept mapping | Cross-platform | Yes, needs CmapServer, Cmaps on servers generate urls-webpages | Yes, needs CmapServer | Yes, needs CmapServer | Java |
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Coggle | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Mind mapping | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | JavaScript, Node.js, jQuery and Backbone.js |
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MindMup | Custom license [2] | Mind mapping | Web browser | Yes | Yes | Yes | HTML5, JavaScript, Ruby |
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Qiqqa | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Concept mapping | Windows | Yes | No | No |
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XMind | Proprietary, freeware, freemium | Project management, knowledge management | Windows, OS X, Linux | No | No | No | Java |
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yEd | Proprietary, yEd [3] | Concept mapping, Mind mapping | Windows, OS X, Linux, cross-platform | ? | ? | ? | Java |
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Mind42 | Proprietary | Mind mapping | Web browser | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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SimpleMind | Proprietary, commercial software | |||||||
3D Topicscape | 3D-Scape Limited | Windows |
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ConceptDraw MINDMAP | CS Odessa LLC | Windows, OS X |
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Creately | Cinergix Pvt. Ltd. | Windows, OS X, Linux |
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Debategraph | Debategraph | Web application | Concept and argument mapping tool | |||||
Google Drawings | Web application |
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LucidChart | Lucid Software, Inc | Web application | ||||||
Microsoft Visio | Microsoft | Windows |
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MindManager | Mindjet | Windows, OS X, Android |
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MindMapper | SimTech Systems | Windows |
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MindMeister | MeisterLabs GmbH | Windows, OS X, Linux | ||||||
Mindomo | Expert Software Applications | Windows, OS X, Linux | ||||||
MindView | MatchWare | Windows, OS X, Web application |
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OmniGraffle | The Omni Group | OS X, iOS | ||||||
Prezi | Prezi Inc. | Web application, Windows | ||||||
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 |
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Visual Mind | Mind Technologies | Windows | Supports collaboration (client–server) mode | |||||
XMind Pro | XMind Ltd. | Windows, OS X, Linux |
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A mind map is a diagram used to visually organize information into a hierarchy, showing relationships among pieces of the whole. It is often created around a single concept, drawn as an image in the center of a blank page, to which associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of words are added. Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept, and other ideas branch out from those major ideas.
Network mapping is the study of the physical connectivity of networks e.g. the Internet. Network mapping discovers the devices on the network and their connectivity. It is not to be confused with network discovery or network enumerating which discovers devices on the network and their characteristics such as. The field of automated network mapping has taken on greater importance as networks become more dynamic and complex in nature.
An outliner is a specialized type of text editor used to create and edit outlines, which are text files which have a tree structure, for organization. Textual information is contained in discrete sections called "nodes", which are arranged according to their topic–subtopic (parent–child) relationships, like the members of a family tree. When loaded into an outliner, an outline may be collapsed or expanded to display as few or as many levels as desired.
Microsoft Visio is a diagramming and vector graphics application and is part of the Microsoft 365 family. The product was first introduced in 1992 by former American software company Visio Corporation, and its latest version is Visio 2021. Microsoft acquired the assets of Visio Corporation in 2000 and thus also inherited the licensing agreements for the Visio application. A lightweight version of Visio is now included with all commercial SKU of Microsoft 365 and is known as Visio in Microsoft 365. It has two other subscription based SKUs. Visio Plan 1 includes the Visio web app whereas Visio Plan 2 provides access to both the web app as well as the Desktop application.
A concept map or conceptual diagram is a diagram that depicts suggested relationships between concepts. Concept maps may be used by instructional designers, engineers, technical writers, and others to organize and structure knowledge.
Note-taking is the practice of recording information from different sources and platforms. By taking notes, the writer records the essence of the information, freeing their mind from having to recall everything. Notes are commonly drawn from a transient source, such as an oral discussion at a meeting, or a lecture, in which case the notes may be the only record of the event. Since the advent of writing and literacy, notes traditionally were almost always handwritten, but the introduction of notetaking software has made digital notetaking possible and widespread. Note-taking is a foundational skill in personal knowledge management.
Graphic art software is a subclass of application software used for graphic design, multimedia development, stylized image development, technical illustration, general image editing, or simply to access graphic files. Art software uses either raster or vector graphic reading and editing methods to create, edit, and view art.
The Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL) is a computer software library for reading and writing raster and vector geospatial data formats, and is released under the permissive X/MIT style free software license by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation. As a library, it presents a single abstract data model to the calling application for all supported formats. It may also be built with a variety of useful command line interface utilities for data translation and processing. Projections and transformations are supported by the PROJ library.
ArcMap is the former main component of Esri's ArcGIS suite of geospatial processing programs. Used primarily to view, edit, create, and analyze geospatial data. ArcMap allows the user to explore data within a data set, symbolize features accordingly, and create maps. This is done through two distinct sections of the program, the table of contents and the data frame. In October 2020, it was announced that there are no plans to release 10.9 in 2021, and that ArcMap would no longer be supported after March 1, 2026. Esri is encouraging their users to transition to ArcGIS Pro.
Xmind is a mind mapping and brainstorming software, It is developed by XMIND LTD, a company registered in Hong Kong, and first released in 2007. The application can be used to visualize ideas, clarify thoughts, manage complex information, and promote team collaboration. People use Xmind to improve their productivity and creativity while working or learning. As of April 2013, Xmind was selected as the most popular mind mapping software on Lifehacker.There is also a branch in China Mainland called "深圳市爱思软件技术有限公司", although its role in XMind cannot be confirmed.
Mindomo is a versatile freemium collaborative mind mapping, concept mapping and outlining tool developed by Expert Software Applications. It can be used to develop ideas and interactively brainstorm, with features including sharing, collaboration, task management, presentation and interactive web publication.
Compendium is a computer program and social science tool that facilitates the mapping and management of ideas and arguments. The software provides a visual environment that allows people to structure and record collaboration as they discuss and work through wicked problems.
Freeplane is a free, open source software application for creating mind maps, and electronic outlines. Written in Java, it is supported on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, and is licensed under the GNU GPL version "2 or later".
SmartDraw is a web-based diagramming tool used by teams to collaborate on and make flowcharts, organization charts, mind maps, project charts, and other business visuals.
SpicyNodes was a system for displaying hierarchical data, in which a focus node displays detailed information, and the surrounding nodes represent related information, with a layout based on radial maps. It has web (Flash) and mobile (iOS) implementations. It has ended operation as of 1 January 2018
Mind42 is an online mind mapping application that allows users to visualize their thinking using the proven mind mapping method. The name refers to the collaborative features of the product, and is intended to be pronounced like "mind for two." It has been recommended by Freelance Weekly as one of their favorite time-management and organization tools.
MindMup is a mind mapping application written primarily in JavaScript and designed to run in HTML5 browsers. It can also be used to create argument maps and concept maps. MindMup v1 was released under an MIT-like license with a non-compete clause that restricts use, which makes it non-free software. The source code is available from GitHub. On 1 January 2017, the project was discontinued. Current version of the site software is not opensource, and there are no plans to opensource it.
ConceptDraw MINDMAP is proprietary mind mapping and brainstorming software developed by CS Odessa for Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS operating systems.
View Your Mind (VYM) is a cross-platform concept mapping software.
Aurora HDR is photographic software developed by Skylum Software for Mac OS X and Windows. It is designed to be a powerful and simple yet fast HDR photo editing software.