7 Best Brainstorming and Mind Mapping Tools

Brainstorming is essential to develop creative solutions to problems. Your analytical mind is structured in a predictable way, but the creative mind requires freedom to create and move freely. Brainstorming allows it to have this freedom. Although many people brainstorm with pen and paper, it is not uncommon for real-time collaboration to require the ability to work remotely.

There are many mobile apps and ideas software that can be used to fuel all of your brainstorming sessions. We have compiled a list of the top mind-mapping software for iOS, Android, and Mac to help you choose one that suits you best.

7 Best Brainstorming and Mind Mapping Tools

1. Scapple

Scapple is a brainstorming tool that was created with writers in mind. It was created by Literature and Latte, the same people behind Scrivener. It’s an easy-to-use tool that is affordable. The full license costs $18 and works on both Windows and Mac. You can also get a 30-day trial for free to see if the program is right for you.

It doesn’t have all the best features, but it is perfect for early planning stages. You can easily lose focus on any project if you let your mind wander and allow yourself to be absorbed by the goals.

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2. Coggle

Coggle is for collaboration. It begins with a central idea from which you can create an almost endless number of ideas and thoughts. Coggle’s bright colors and flowing charts help you keep your ideas organized and make them visually appealing. This makes it easy to follow and read.

Coggle offers three tiers. The free plan gives you three private diagrams. There are infinite public diagrams. You can also access more than 1600 icons and more. The Awesome plan costs $5 per month and offers more privacy features. The Organization plan costs $8 per member per month and is targeted at teams.

3. Lucidchart

Lucidchart is another tool that was designed with teams in mind. Although it isn’t as visually appealing as other options, Lucidchart has a corkboard background where users can drag and move different shapes to create diagrams and timelines. Other members of the team have the ability to leave comments and vote for ideas once they are on the board.

Lucidchart has four levels: individual, team, and enterprise. While the free plan is adequate for most private users, the individual plan is more suitable for creative professionals and costs $7.95 per month. The team plan costs $9 per user per month, while the enterprise plan costs according to how many users you have and how large your company is.

4. MindMeister

MindMeister is one of the best mind mapping tools. It works best when it’s intuitive. MindMeister can be used for anything, including mind mapping and project planning. It also allows you to create lists and maps in one layout. It’s designed to encourage collaboration and teamwork, with the inclusion of collaboration features that enable unlimited numbers of people to collaborate on one mindmap or flowchart.

MindMeister’s creative tools allow you to create mind maps that are unique. Comment features allow others to leave comments on each node. There are four pricing tiers available: personal, business, professional, and free. The basic plan costs $4.99 per month. The pro plan costs $8.25 per month, while the business plan costs $12.49 per month.

5. XMind

XMind is a great brainstorming app because it is compatible across all platforms. It is compatible with Windows and macOS as well as Android, iOS, and Android. Paid plans can be purchased every six months or every year. All features are included in the price. XMind costs $39.99 for six months or $59.99 annually.

Pitch Mode makes it simple to share your ideas with others in Powerpoint format. However, it works as you would expect. This app is great for brainstorming on the move, as you can access your mind map from your mobile device and then continue working on it when your computer returns.

Also read: 10 Best Apps to Keep Your Brain Active

6. Miro

Miro is one of those mind-mapping apps that works best when used in a group, and not for one user. Miro has an unlimited canvas that allows you to spread your ideas as needed. It functions a lot like a whiteboard and allows team members to work simultaneously on multiple areas. This is great for project management when there are many areas to concentrate on simultaneously.

There are many tiers, just like other platforms. You can use the free version to work with three boards. The Team option ($8 per month) allows you unlimited access to boards and visitors. The Business Plan costs $16 per month and is designed for advanced collaboration.

7. WiseMapping

WiseMapping is a free open-source mind mapping software. It is affordable, making it an ideal tool for educators. The collaboration tools allow anyone to use them. Your mind maps can be embedded in blog posts and web pages, as well as exported to many different file types.

WiseMapping is an open-source project that offers a lot of user-friendly functionality. It continues to evolve based on its users’ needs. Give it a try if you are looking for an affordable option.

Mind mapping is something worth looking into, even if it doesn’t seem to work for you. No matter if you have to work with restrictions or If you’d rather use a template to help guide your thoughts, there are plenty of free mind mapping tools available to help you out.