Studying & academic research from PDFs — MarginNote
Simple, free online mapping — Coggle
For a curated collection of powerful mind mapping and diagramming tools like MindNode Classic, MarginNote, and Diagrams, you can try them all with a single subscription on Setapp. Try free via Setapp.
Note-taking and decision-making are a part of my daily work. I'm grateful to a senior who introduced me to mind mapping software. But at the start, I would waste a lot of paper, pens, and time on note-taking. Since then, I've tried all kinds of mind mapping tools while working with different teams and clients. After a lot of experimenting, I've finally narrowed it down to the 7 best ones.
Feature-rich with real-time collaboration and templates but has a steep learning curve.
Free version available. Paid plan from $7/month
Integrated project and task management
Coggle
Beginner-friendly and flexible with real-time collaboration and Google Drive backup, but not suited for complex maps.
Free with paid plan from $5/month
Beginner-friendly online collaboration
XMind
Versatile with multiple structures and templates, great for brainstorming, but no real-time collaboration in the free plan.
Free with paid plan from $4.92/month
Structuring complex ideas and projects
Miro
Powerful for team brainstorming and presentations, with many features and templates, but limited free plan.
Free with paid plan from $8/month
Collaborative team whiteboarding and workshops
Complete guide to 7 essential mind mapping apps for Mac users
Mind maps let you visualize your thoughts and new ideas for better decision-making. Mind mapping allows you to organize scattered thoughts and notes into clear, visual diagrams. Let's say you're making a mind map about product development. You write "Product Development" in the middle. Then, you add branches that each point to sub-ideas, including new features, market trends, customer feedback, and competitor analysis.
Mind maps are typically used for:
Brainstorming and ideation
Ideas visualization
Project planning and management
Taking notes
Making decisions
Setting goals
In a nutshell, mind maps are perfect whenever you need to organize your thoughts and see the bigger picture at a glance. Now that we know all the benefits of mind mapping, let's review the seven top mind map makers I've shortlisted for you.
MindNode Classic for comprehensive mind mapping on Mac and iOS
If you're an Apple user, then MindNode Classic might be the best app for you to visualize ideas. It comes with a giant canvas to draw and connect your ideas like any other mind mapping software. The difference with other tools is that you get a detailed tutorial upfront, so even if you're a beginner with no prior experience, you'll quickly get the hang of it.
MindNode Classic is best for
Solo creators, students, and professionals who work across Mac and iPad. Anyone who needs a focused tool for brainstorming, presentation outlining, and organizing personal projects — without the overwhelm of complex features or a steep learning curve.
Problems MindNode Classic solves
Scattered ideas: The Focus Mode spotlights the current branch you're working on, helping you concentrate on one thought at a time.
Cognitive overload: It helps you deconstruct complex topics into smaller, manageable nodes that are easy to reorganize and connect.
Disconnected workflows: Allows you to export tasks from your mind map directly to Apple Reminders, Things, or OmniFocus, and other apps.
MindNode Classic feature benefits
You can fold and expand nodes to manage complexity and only show the level of detail you need.
The outliner view provides a linear, text-based perspective of your map that can be edited.
Supports texts, images, stickers, tags, tasks, notes, and more.
Allows you to use outlining and mind mapping side by side.
MindNode Classic strengths
Clean interface that feels native to macOS and iOS.
Syncing across Mac, iPhone, and iPad via iCloud is seamless and reliable.
Visual customization is easy with out-of-the-box themes and over 260 custom stickers.
Lightweights, so it works well on not-so-new MacBooks.
MindNode Classic has over 1,600 ratings on Setapp, and an impressive 99% of them are positive. Users absolutely love this app: "Great mind mapping app! I've found it really helpful for talk preparation—cuts down my prep time by helping me focus on expressing ideas succinctly, mapping the flow of thoughts and not getting bogged down in trying to be 'word perfect'."
MindNode Classic limitations
Doesn't support real-time collaboration.
Exclusive to Apple devices.
Using MindNode Classic in your workflow
As soon as you launch it, you'll see a blackboard where you can add images, blocks, emojis, and many more elements. Its focus mode spotlights the current branch and fades out the rest. If you're a night owl, you get the Dark mode for brainstorming.
Once you've mapped out a project, you can use the "Share to" function to send tasks to your favorite to-do app. For example, you can select a few nodes that represent action items for a new marketing campaign, share them to Apple Reminders, and they will appear as a new checklist, preserving your structure.
"As a video editor, my ideas often come in scattered pieces — MindNode helps me map them out visually and make sense of the chaos. It's my go-to for planning scripts, shot lists, or entire projects when I need clarity fast", shares Stefan-Radu Gogolan, video editor, digital marketing specialist.
Pricing info on MindNode Classic
MindNode Classic is available on Setapp as part of a $9.99/month subscription.
MarginNote for note-taking and deep study
If you're in a profession involving a great deal of note-taking, like a student, lawyer, or researcher, you need mind map software with some good features. That's what MarginNote offers.
MarginNote is best for
Deep reading and learning. Students, academics, lawyers, and researchers who need to learn or analyze huge PDFs, ePubs, and textbooks.
Problems MarginNote solves
Shallow learning. Lets you add notes, mind maps, links, and videos directly in the text — expandable, so they don't clutter the page.
Lost context: Keeps everything you add directly linked to its source in the original document.
Forgetting information: You can generate flashcards from your notes for quick review and spaced repetition.
MarginNote feature benefits
The split-view feature lets you read a document on one side while building a mind map on the other.
Includes a built-in web browser for quick research (Google, Wikipedia, etc.).
Supports bidirectional links between annotations, mind maps, and source documents.
You can add images, tags, scribbles, and even audio comments to your annotations.
It syncs notes across your Apple devices with iCloud, so you can access information on iPhone or iPad.
MarginNote strengths
Great for creating logical mind maps with annotations directly from source materials.
Creates flashcards automatically from your notes.
Create printable PDFs from your notes and mind map.
I've heard from some app users on Reddit that the learning curve with MarginNote can be a bit steep at first, but once you get the hang of it, the app feels brilliant and hard to replace: "MarginNote is hands down the most powerful document markup software I've ever found/used. It's great for deep diving into a topic and creating useful notes from highlights while you read. Even has spaced repetition quizzing. It's probably best for students but I've found it useful personally for taking notes while reading books. It's very complex but very powerful."
MarginNote limitations
Takes some time to learn the app's ins and outs.
Rather designed for focused learning and reading than for general-purpose brainstorming.
Using MarginNote in your workflow
Among the best features in MarginNote are split view and outline mode. Split view lets you read and take notes side by side — like on paper, but collapsible and resizable. Say you're reviewing a legal case file in PDF: highlight key precedents, add commentary, drag annotations onto a canvas, and build a mind map of how the arguments connect. Outline mode gives you a bird's-eye view of all your highlights and annotations in one place.
Pricing info on MarginNote
MarginNote is available on Setapp as part of a $9.99/month subscription.
Diagrams for basic flowcharts and visualizations
I used Diagrams for drawing a couple of product life cycles, and it worked amazingly. What I like the most is that it's incredibly easy to use. Diagrams offer a range of palette presets and shapes to create truly personalized mind maps.
Diagrams is best for
Mac users who need to create simple, clean diagrams, flowcharts, or organizational charts. Those who want to avoid the complexity of professional diagramming tools.
Problems Diagrams solves
Overly complex tools: You get just the essential features needed for simple diagramming.
Starting from scratch: The app can automatically generate a diagram from an indented text outline, letting you focus on the structure first.
Poor aesthetics: The app offers a range of palette presets and styling options — and they are easy to apply
Diagrams feature benefits
Supports flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and mind maps.
Includes an infinite canvas with grid support to help with alignment.
Lets you attach notes and links to elements.
Diagrams strengths
It has a large range of text formatting and styling options to customize your project.
100% beginner-friendly.
Diagrams limitations
Not suitable for professional tasks, as it lacks features like data linking or complex layers.
Performance can slow down with very large and intricate diagrams.
No iOS version.
Using Diagrams in your workflow
A great workflow is to start by typing out a process in a text editor using simple indentation for hierarchy. You can then paste this text into Diagrams, and it will instantly create a connected flowchart for you, which you can then customize with colors and shapes.
Pricing info on Diagrams
Diagrams is available on Setapp as part of a $9.99/month subscription.
ClickUp for mind mapping with project management
ClickUp combines mind mapping and project management tools in one place. What does this mean? You can brainstorm, plan (create tasks), and execute (assign responsibilities and set deadlines), all within the same platform.
ClickUp is best for
Teams and individuals who want an all-in-one tool that helps seamlessly transition from brainstorming and planning to execution within a single ecosystem.
Problems ClickUp solves
Disconnected tools: Eliminates the need to switch between a mind map app for ideas and a project manager for tasks.
Ideas getting lost: Lets you convert any node in your mind map into an actionable task. Brainstorming sessions will finally lead to concrete outcomes.
Manual setup: Offers ready-to-use templates and customizable views to help you start quickly.
ClickUp feature benefits
Chat functionality within projects.
The real-time collaboration features.
AI assistant, ClickUp Brain, helps generate ideas for your mind map.
ClickUp strengths
Allows you to turn items from your mind map into actionable tasks with assignees and due dates.
Offers multiple views of your data, including List, Board, and Calendar, in addition to Mind Map.
ClickUp limitations
Learning all the features can take time.
Some users report that exporting mind maps in standard formats like PDF or JPG is difficult.
Using ClickUp in your workflow
You can turn a vague idea into a robust project plan in a jiffy. For instance, start a mind map for a "New Website Launch." Create main branches for "Design," "Development," and "Content." Under "Design," add a node for "Create Mockups." With one click, you can convert that node into a task, assign it to a designer on your team, and set a due date, all without leaving the mind map view.
Pricing info on ClickUp
ClickUp offers a free version with some limitations. Paid plans start from $7 per user per month.
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Coggle for simple, collaborative online mind mapping
Coggle is my top recommendation if you're a beginner and need a mind map online tool. This web-based mind-mapping platform makes creating and sharing beautiful mind maps a breeze. It works online, so there's no need to download anything.
Coggle is best for
Beginners, students, and teams who need a simple, accessible, and collaborative mind mapping tool for quick brainstorming sessions online.
Problems Coggle solves
Software installation: As a web-based mind mapper, it can be reached from the browser.
Data loss: It continuously auto-saves your work and lets you manually back it up to the cloud (Google Drive or other locations).
Collaboration barriers: Changes appear instantly for all participants.
Coggle feature benefits
You can create loops and join branches to create more flexible and complex diagrams.
It allows you to add unlimited images and floating text to annotate parts of your map.
You can view the full change history of your map and revert to any previous version.
Coggle strengths
Extremely easy to use.
Supports strong export options including PDF, PNG images, Microsoft Visio, .mm format, and plain text.
Coggle limitations
The free version limits you to 3 private diagrams. Public diagrams are unlimited, which raises privacy concerns for sensitive work.
It's not well-suited for creating very large or complex mind maps, as performance can degrade.
Using Coggle in your workflow
When I was using it for a decision-making task, I was amazed to see how Coggle automatically backed up my task on Google Drive to protect my work from sudden loss or deletion. Its real-time collaboration feature is perfect for remote teams. You can invite colleagues via a link, and everyone can add and edit nodes simultaneously, with each person's cursor visible on the screen.
Pricing info on Coggle
Coggle offers a free plan with public diagrams. Paid plans for private diagrams start from $5 per month.
XMind for brainstorming and planning complex projects
Planning complex projects is never a walk in the park. You need a tool that can transform all of your ideas into a clear, organized, and visually captivating mind map. XMind is such a tool.
XMind is best for
Individual professionals, project managers, and students who need a powerful tool for structuring complex information and planning detailed projects.
Problems XMind solves
Rigid structure: Allows you to mix multiple structures like Fishbone, Matrix, and Timeline charts within a single mind map.
Blank page syndrome: A large library of pre-made templates helps you start quickly.
One-dimensional thinking: You can quickly switch between different chart types to analyze your ideas from various perspectives.
XMind feature benefits
Supports a wide variety of structures, including Tree, Org Chart, and Logic Chart.
ZEN Mode offers a full-screen, distraction-free environment for focused brainstorming.
You can export your mind maps to a wide range of formats, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
XMind strengths
Provides powerful features in a beginner-friendly interface.
The ability to customize text styles, colors, and themes is extensive.
Offers a robust free version.
Cross-platform: available on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
XMind limitations
No real-time collaboration in the free version.
Has limited integrations with other task management or cloud storage tools.
Using XMind in your workflow
With the pre-made templates, you'll be able to jump-start your project. For example, when planning an event, you can start with a standard mind map for brainstorming ideas. Then, switch to a Timeline structure to lay out the schedule and key milestones. For a root cause analysis of a problem, the Fishbone (Cause and Effect) structure is ideal. This flexibility lets you use the best visualization for each part of your project.
Pricing info on XMind
XMind offers a free version. The paid plan with full features starts from $4.92 per month.
Miro for visual collaboration and team innovation
I've used Miro a lot to create presentations and visualize ideas for stakeholders. This virtual whiteboarding platform is a game-changer for promoting healthy collaboration within my team.
Miro is best for
Remote and hybrid teams, workshop facilitators, and product designers who need a flexible, infinite canvas for collaborative brainstorming, planning, and innovation.
Source: miro.com
Problems Miro solves
Disengaged remote meetings: Interactive features like voting, timers, and live reactions keep team members engaged during virtual workshops.
Creative chaos: The infinite canvas allows teams to capture ideas freely using sticky notes, diagrams, images, and mind maps, then organize them into structured plans.
Siloed information: Miro integrates with popular tools like Jira, Asana, and Slack.
Miro feature benefits
Canvas can hold spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and more alongside your mind maps.
It offers over 300 pre-built templates for various use cases, from simple idea generation to complex project planning.
Miro Assist, an AI feature, can automatically generate and expand mind maps.
Miro strengths
Works great for both real-time and asynchronous collaboration thanks to features like comments and cursor tracking.
The Presentation Mode allows you to share your mind maps and boards in a clean way.
The tool is extremely flexible and supports a wide range of visual collaboration beyond just mind mapping.
Miro limitations
The free plan is limited to three editable boards, which can be restrictive for active teams.
The interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for new users due to the vast number of features.
Using Miro in your workflow
I really like its collection of thousands (literally!) pre-built mind map templates for any use case. Another thing I love is Presentation Mode. It lets me share my mind maps in a clean, professional way during webinars and meetings, and makes it easy to move from one part to another. For a team workshop, you can set up a Miro board with different frames for each activity: a mind map for initial brainstorming, a section with sticky notes for affinity mapping, and a voting area to prioritize ideas.
Pricing info on Miro
Miro offers a free plan with limited boards. Paid plans with more features and unlimited boards start from $8 per user per month.
Choose the right mind mapping software to have peace of mind
After testing out and reviewing these seven mind map apps, I realized there's no one-size-fits-all. When choosing the best mind mapping software, you need to consider your creative needs. Basically, look for customizability, flexibility, actionability, and collaboration, which matter the most.
Whether you're looking for a mind map for complex projects or something as simple as planning a trip, my list covers all the best tools to match your needs and style.
I think MindNode Classic is an easy-to-use mind mapping app for beginners and professionals, while MarginNote combines note-taking with mind mapping capabilities. You can find both apps at Setapp, a subscription platform with 250+ iOS and Mac apps. If you want to see how these apps work and whether one of them is a good pick for you, use the free 7-day trial.
Top-rated on Setapp
Top-rated on Setapp
