Mind Mapping Tools
Sometimes, the best way to flesh out a project is to start with a singular idea and then branch out in many directions with related descriptors and other pieces of key relevant information. The best way to handle situations like these is by making a mind map. Mind maps start with a central idea and then branch out in different directions. Software on this page assists in making organized and easier-to-follow mind maps and concept diagrams.
- 931 likes91 Obsidian alternatives
Obsidian is a note-taking app that lets you create a personal knowledge graph with ease. It is designed for non-linear thinking and allows you to easily link your notes together wiki-style.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Flathub
- Safari
- Mozilla Firefox
+4 - 967 likes121 draw.io alternatives
Privacy-focused diagramming software supporting real-time collaboration, offline mode, and cloud storage without ads or registration.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Chrome OS
- Notion
- Self-Hosted
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft OneDrive
- PortableApps.com
- Google Drive
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Slides
- Google Sheets
+9 - 259 likes118 Logseq alternatives
Local-first, privacy-focused notebook supporting Markdown and Org mode, offline use, encrypted backup, extensible with plugins, and more.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- 298 likes95 LibreOffice - Draw alternatives
Draw lets you produce anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan, and gives you the means to communicate with graphics and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, Draw is a an excellent package for producing technical drawings, general posters, and much else.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- Flathub
- 435 likes113 yEd Graph Editor alternatives
yEd is a powerful diagram editor that can be used to quickly create diagrams manually or import external data for analysis and auto-magically arrange even large data sets by just pressing a button. You can use yEd to quickly create flow charts, BPMN and UML diagrams...
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- BSD
+2Top yEd Graph Editor Features
- 71 likes73 Excalidraw alternatives
Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Online
- Self-Hosted
+1 - 138 likes49 TreeSheets alternatives
A "hierarchical spreadsheet" that is a great replacement for spreadsheets, mind mappers, outliners, PIMs, text editors and small databases.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
+5 - 390 likes117 Xmind alternatives
Full-featured tool for mind mapping and brainstorming, supported on multiple platforms. It's been downloaded over 100 million times, with high user satisfaction.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
+1 - 248 likes80 Freeplane alternatives
Freeplane is a powerful and free software for building mind maps. It is a redesigned version of the well known FreeMind , and is created by one of FreeMind's key developers.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Java
+1Freeplane Features
- 472 likes106 FreeMind alternatives
Free and open source, Java-based mind-mapping app for the desktop featuring a hierarchical editor that emphasizes folding.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
FreeMind Features
DiscontinuedLast version from 2016. See https://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/files/
- 32 likes48 DeepNotes alternatives
DeepNotes is an open source, end-to-end encrypted visual note-taking app with deep page navigation and live collaboration. Create mind maps, diagrams, kanban boards, among others. Infinite nesting of infinite canvases.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
+5 - 109 likes97 Miro alternatives
A scalable tool for real-time and asynchronous team collaboration across devices with an infinite canvas, suitable for strategy planning and real-time feedback.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
+5Top Miro Features
- 534 likes47 Lucidchart alternatives
Cloud-based tool for diagramming and collaboration, with 20M users globally, supports Visio import/export and features UML modeling and more.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
+6Top Lucidchart Features
- 24 likes15 Obsidian Canvas alternatives
A plugin to make your canvas work like a mindmap.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- 138 likes127 TheBrain alternatives
TheBrain helps you organize all your Web pages, contacts, documents, emails and files in a context-driven visual map.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
+2TheBrain Features