The mind map and the conceptual map is the graphic representation of ideas, to rework information and data in a visual way. In practical terms, these are schemes that can be drawn on a sheet with a pencil, where an attempt is made to divide an idea, a project or a problem into different phases by linking them together hierarchically or by association. It is therefore a way to divide a problem or a project to try to tackle it point by point. Being able to cope with intricate situations therefore becomes easier if, from the outset, the main critical points are identified and dealt with one by one. A conceptual map has a hierarchical structure that involves all the elements of the object of communication: the main concepts, the links between these concepts and therefore also the path of all reasoning. Concept maps are therefore also an excellent tool to use for school (see the concept map guide for students here).
In this article we see a list of the best free programs and the best web applications available to create "Mind Maps" or conceptual maps in a simple and fast way.
READ ALSO: Create flowcharts: best online apps
Best concept map programs
The graphical representation of the concept maps could be similar to a flowchart or flowcharts, the same that are taught in elementary schools (this is to say that you don't need a master's degree in economics to understand what brainstorming is). Below we have collected the best free programs to create free mind maps .XMind
Xmind is a free multi-platform open source software that has the characteristic of also connecting to the Internet, thus becoming an excellent IT tool for creating personal concept maps or for group collaboration.
The program is widely used in the world, given its open source nature it can be used without problems even in the business environment without having to pay any type of license. The interface will allow you to quickly create any type of conceptual map, but the lack of the Italian language could create some difficulties for users who do not chew the English language well.
FreeMind
Another free and open source program that we can use on PC, Mac and Linux is FreeMind.
FreeMind is a multi-platform software for creating mental or conceptual maps in order to collect ideas on a digital interface. FreeMind is simpler and can be used to organize information, divide contents, summarize documents or articles, structure projects, create flowcharts and so on. It works by drawing nodes which can then be compressed and expanded and which may also contain links to web pages. The interface is very simple to use, it works by dragging the elements via mouse and there are many different graphic elements to differentiate the nodes also with colors.
VUE
VUE (Visual Understanding Environment) is another open source program dedicated to mind mapping and available for Windows, for Mac and for Linux.
It is a software suitable for all users who want to create graphs or conceptual maps to teach, learn, organize and solve. The main feature of this product is the ability to create interactive presentations and information paths, which are very useful in training or to offer a further boost to the concept map presentations in the office, school or university.
MindMaple
MindMaple is a very easy and simple program to create fast concept maps, without losing too many steps in the actual creation.
With an interface similar to that of Office, we can immediately create our concept maps or mind maps by choosing from the ready-to-fill templates, to which we only need to add our ideas or our links.
The app is also available for Android and iOS, a great advantage for those who have to create a concept map when they are away from home, at work or in the office.
cmaptools
CMapTools is another program that works well and can be downloaded for free to create mental and conceptual maps.
With this program we will be able to customize every aspect of the conceptual map, choosing the background, the type of connection, the type of vignettes and the colors, so that we can create an accurate project in every detail.
Particularly suitable for school presentations, since it allows you to insert images and links for each node of the map, so that you can expand the speech as the lesson or exam continues.
Other programs to those seen so far we can see them in the following list:
- Scapple: excellent program for Windows and Mac with which to make diagrams and mind maps.
- AYOA: another valid multi-platform program for creating concept maps.
Sites for creating concept maps
In addition to using the programs, we can rely on web applications, which in this field present themselves as highly evolved and powerful enough alternatives to stand up to the programs seen so far. The best sites that offer mind mapping and shared and collaborative work online are listed below.Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us allows you to quickly create customized concept maps with bubbles or balloons and to share them with your work colleagues to refine and modify them always online.
In this case we return to talking about graphical guided maps in which each phase is enclosed by a square or a circle and where each element binds to the other hierarchically or in an associative way.
Mind42
Mind42 is an online tool for creating custom graphics with herringbone diagrams, knots and colors.
The nodes are expandable and compressible and the interface lends itself perfectly to create conceptual paths or to draw ideas and projects. In addition to our own projects, we can take part in other people's projects or download ready-to-use conceptual maps, to be customized according to our needs.
Mindmeister
Mindmeister is similar to the previous one but much more flexible and full of features.
Thanks to the interface in Italian and the ability to bring their work to PC, smartphone and tablet (as well as from the site), it is considered by many to be the best platform where we can create our conceptual map or our diagram, choosing among the numerous ready-made models and enabling the modification also to our colleagues or to the other people we work with.
Creately
Creately is one of the best online tools for creating diagrams, mind maps, graphs, process flows and the like.
For the amount of tools offered we can compare it to Microsoft Visio, since it is possible to collaborate with people on multiple flowcharts, models, network diagrams, presentations and sitemaps. You can easily create charts using drag and drop, and resizing shapes. Reviews can be made by other people or colleagues who can leave comments. At the end of the work we can export the diagrams as an image, a PDF file, an XML data file, or send them by e-mail to all colleagues.
Mapul
If we are looking for a site in order to quickly create a conceptual map without too many steps, we recommend you try Mapul immediately.
Using the tools made available online and simply moving the mouse we can create beautiful conceptual maps or very elaborate diagrams, which we can also share online or associate with one or more collaborators, so that we can also work with several hands on the same concept or do brainstorming before deciding what to do.
Other websites similar to those seen so far we can view them in the following list:
- Wisemapping is a completely free to use (open source) web application.
- Mindomo, on the other hand, is the most complete web application for creating mind maps.
- Gliffy is particularly suitable for creating diagrams as a tool for collaboration between several people; it looks like an online Visio.
- Comapping suitable for work projects or for education.
- Coggle is a completely free site on which you can work online (without having to download anything). Mind maps can be exported and saved in PDF or PNG.
- Stormboard has a shared whiteboard where multiple people can stick notes.
- Simplemind is one of the most popular mind map applications, which can only be used for free via the app for Android or iPhone.
- Draw.io: excellent online program to be able to create our concept maps for free and in Italian.
Conclusions
Creating mind maps can be very useful at work or during studies to schematize the work done or to set the objectives of a study path (thesis or short paper) or to set a work goal. Even if little used in Italy the sites and programs to create mental maps and diagrams are not lacking, it will be enough to choose the one that best suits our needs.If instead of the conceptual map we have to create a graph, we recommend you read our guides on the Sites to create pie charts, lines and bars, free and online and How to create graphs on Word .
We need a very detailed infographic to express a very broad concept at a temporal level "> web applications to create an infographic.
