Free mind mapping software

Clean, intuitive mind mapping software

Visualize your ideas, collaborate with your team in real-time, and solve difficult problems faster.

In this use case

Mind mapping

Mind mapping FAQs

Related use cases

A collaborative mind mapping tool designed for teamwork

Quickly capture all your ideas in one place with your teammates
Collaborate visually with intuitive, inclusive tools — whether in real time, or asynchronously.
Kickstart strategy building, map user stories, plan design updates, and more with one of our free templates.
Turn ideas into actions by adding teammates, sharing with collaborators, or exporting your mural.

Mural's group mind mapping features bring everyone — across teams, departments, or whole organizations — into a shared visual space that allows every team member to contribute, boosting participation and ensuring that you'll never miss your team's best ideas, comments, or feedback.

Don't let your next great innovation get lost in endless email or message threads. Get started with Mural for free, and make your online mind mapping more efficient, engaging, and effective.

Start from a blank canvas or with one of Mural's dozens of brainstorming and mind mapping templates.
Each template includes facilitation tips to guide your team through each activity.
Add collaborators with unlimited visitors included with every membership.
Run an engaging real-time session or invite your team to share feedback asynchronously.
Resizable canvas expands to fit any project.
Embed or export your mind map mural for a record of all the amazing collaboration.

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Mind mapping FAQs

What is a mind map?

A mind map is a diagram, or visual representation of ideas. Start by placing the main concept in the middle, and add branches to related ideas. In creating a mind map, individuals, teams, or whole organizations can discover how ideas relate to one another, helping to build more effective strategies and solve problems faster.

What are the three key parts of a mind map?

The three key components of a mind map are the central theme or concept, the ideas that surround it, and the relationship arrows that show how ideas connect to the central theme, as well as to one another.

How do you create a mind map?

Building a mind map is simple: Start with your central theme, and then collect or brainstorm ideas that are related to it — these can be organized into subcategories. Connect each idea to the central concept, and look for ways that these ideas relate to one another, as well as to the overall theme. This can involve various levels of research, as well as collaboration across teams or departments.

How can a mind map maker be used for brainstorming?

A mind map maker can be a powerful tool for brainstorming. Here's how it can be used:

Visual organization

Mind maps provide a visual representation of ideas, allowing you to see connections and relationships between different concepts. This visual organization helps stimulate creative thinking during brainstorming sessions.

Idea generation

Mind maps allow you to quickly jot down ideas as they come to mind. By starting with a central idea and branching out, you can easily capture and explore various thoughts, concepts, and possibilities. This free-flowing nature of mind maps encourages a more expansive brainstorming process.

Collaboration

Mind map makers often come with collaboration features, enabling multiple team members to contribute and build upon each other's ideas in real-time. This fosters a collaborative brainstorming environment, where everyone can actively participate and share their thoughts.

Non-linear thinking

Unlike traditional linear note-taking, mind maps allow for non-linear thinking. This means you can jump between ideas, make connections, and explore different paths easily. This non-linear approach encourages more creative and out-of-the-box thinking during brainstorming sessions.

Organization and prioritization

Once you have generated a multitude of ideas, a mind map maker helps you organize and prioritize them. You can rearrange and group related ideas, identify key themes, and determine which ideas are most important or feasible. This helps streamline the brainstorming process and focus on the most promising concepts.

Inspiration and motivation

The visual nature of mind maps can be inspiring and motivating. Seeing your ideas visually represented can spark new connections and insights, leading to further brainstorming and idea generation.