- Use Mind Map to visualize your thoughts. Brainstorm, plan projects, or take on more complex tasks like building story maps, roadmaps, or journey maps on the endless canvas with all the information in front of you.
- With the help of Capterra, learn about Zen Mind Map, its features, pricing information, popular comparisons to other Mind Mapping products and more. Still not sure about Zen Mind Map? Check out alternatives and read real reviews from real users.
In our opinion, Zen Mind Map is the best, and most well-rounded mind mapping solution. The team was able to develop a super minimal and simple UI, which is very easy to use. The keyboard shortcuts are also very handy. Best of all, the software is 100% free to use as of now. Scores: Mind-mapping features: 5/5; UI/UX: 5/5.
Mind Mapping is a method of brainstorming that facilitates idea generation. It is a form of brainstorming that is often used by students, entrepreneurs, writers and anyone who wishes to expand upon a thought. The highly effective method involves writing down a specific word or phrase in the centre of a page. Then you draw branches that eventually connect to new ideas that are connected to the main idea.
Mind-mapping has been around for years and people have been effectively using this method to study and to expand upon a thought. However, with the new age of technology, this system of brainstorming can certainly be improved and made more efficient and effective by using software.
Zen Mind Map
In this article, we will give you 10 of the best and most efficient mind mapping software programmes to enhance your brain storming process.
What Do You Need in an Effective Mapping Software Programme?
Each of the best brainstorming tools comes with unique benefits, but they all offer at least the following:
- Endless Space to Create: You want endless space to create, without an endless platform to create, you will feel limited in what you can do with your maps.
- File Attachment: You want to be able to attach your files such as images and documents.
- Ability to Collaborate: If you work with a team or a partner, you want to be able to connect and collaborate with them when you are mind mapping.
- Ability to Share: Save and send your files to colleagues or business partners, also you should be able to save them to your device.
TLTR (1 sentence review):
- Zen Mind Map: The simple & free mind map software. Great for beginners.
- Coggle: Great for people who have just started mind mapping
- Mindly: Great for iOS and Android – for those who want to mind map on their smart phones.
- Draw.io: Better for flowchart. OK for mind maps. But 100% free.
- MindMup: Designed for web use
- MindMeister: Great for team mind mapping
- Scrapple: for fast and efficient mind mapping
- SmartDraw: For single straight line mind mapping
- Stormboard: Great for presentations or meetings
- SimpleMind: Great export to PDF feature.
1. Zen Mind Map
In our opinion, Zen Mind Map is the best, and most well-rounded mind mapping solution. The team was able to develop a super minimal and simple UI, which is very easy to use. The keyboard shortcuts are also very handy.
Best of all, the software is 100% free to use as of now.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 5/5
- UI/UX: 5/5
- Collaboration: 4/5
- Speed: 5/5
2. Coggle
If you have just started out with this method of brainstorming then Coggle is a good place to start.
When you first enter the platform, you are presented with the main thought bubble, which is the primary focus of the brainstorming process. You can add new ideas by clicking on the addition sign. You can design your mind map by moving the sections around if you wish. One of the most unique things about Coggle is that you can actually use Markdown formatting to make it easier to layout your mind map.
Samsung mobile usb driver for mac os. Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 5/5
- UI/UX: 2/5
- Collaboration: 3/5
- Speed: 4/5
3. Mindly
This is excellent for anyone who wants to brainstorm on their mobile device. However, it doesn't mean it is perfect. Mindly makes brainstorming a little more interesting than other mind mapping software programmes. Start mind mapping with the main idea and then start designing your mind map according to your own preferences. Mindly makes it easier to mind map on a mobile device, but it's certainly not the most comfortable way to mind map (using a mobile device).
There is actually a desktop edition for Mindly, so you can connect your mobile version to it to make it easier to access your map when you need to on your Mac or PC.
Scores:
Zen Mind Mapping
- Mind-mapping features: 5/5
- UI/UX: 2/5
- Collaboration: 2/5
- Speed: 5/5
4. Draw iO
Draw iO gives you total freedom to input anything you want such as web links, change colors, attach files and add text as well as pictures.
Zen Mind Mapping Software
This software is not specifically for mind-mapping so you'll have to find your way around it to figure out exactly how to mind map but when you get the hang of it, mind mapping becomes a fun and interesting exercise.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 2/5
- UI/UX: 4/5
- Collaboration: 3/5
- Speed: 5/5
5. MindMup
MindMup is a simple and effective mind mapping app. The great thing about it is it comes with a highly efficient mind-mapping toolbar which makes it simple to access everything you need to mind map.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 4/5
- UI/UX: 1/5
- Collaboration: 4/5
- Speed: 4/5
6. MindMeister
MindMeister is a strong, well put together mind mapping platform. You can input videos and attach files, and most importantly, you can collaborate with team members easily.
Zen Mind Map
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 5/5
- UI/UX: 4/5
- Collaboration: 5/5
- Speed: 3/5
7. Scrapple
Scrapple is a flexible brainstorming system, with this, you don't have to start with a main thought like other platforms. It has a very minimal and straightforward system however, you can't collaborate with this app. It limits you to only be able to collaborate with those who are in the same workplace.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 4/5
- UI/UX: 1/5
- Collaboration: 2/5
- Speed: 3/5
8. SmartDraw
SmartDraw is perfect for those who are not interested in mapping with curves and circles. This allows you to mind map in straight lines and with blocks and lines.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 1/5
- UI/UX: 3/5
- Collaboration: 4/5
- Speed: 4/5
9. StormBoard
An interesting twist on mind mapping, Stormboard allows you to use sticky notes instead of the usual circles and curvy lines. It lets you process ideas and themes quickly and efficiently. Collaboration is simple and straightforward with StormBoard.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 3/5
- UI/UX: 5/5
- Collaboration: 5/5
- Speed: 5/5
10. SimpleMind
9. StormBoard
An interesting twist on mind mapping, Stormboard allows you to use sticky notes instead of the usual circles and curvy lines. It lets you process ideas and themes quickly and efficiently. Collaboration is simple and straightforward with StormBoard.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 3/5
- UI/UX: 5/5
- Collaboration: 5/5
- Speed: 5/5
10. SimpleMind
The distinctive feature that SimpleMind offers is that you can upload a PDF and it transforms the PDF into a comprehensive mind map.
Scores:
- Mind-mapping features: 4/5
- UI/UX: 3/5
- Collaboration: 4/5
- Speed: 4/5
Many users were thrilled when we first released the mind map view, others weren't so sure of the benefits. So I'm here to clear things up. First things first…
What is Mind Mapping?
According to Tony Buzan, the inventor of mind mapping, mind mapping is:
https://downjfil574.weebly.com/blog/fruit-smash-game. 'a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlock the potential of the brain. It harnesses the full range of cortical skills… in a single, uniquely powerful manner. In so doing, it gives you the freedom to roam the infinite expanses of your brain.'
That's quite a lot to take in. Let's break it down to it's two main components:
Graphic technique: A mind map is essentially a way to represent ideas graphically, or visually.
Harnesses cortical skills: By ‘cortical skills', Buzan is referring to your brain's abilities to process various inputs such as words, colors, and images, as well as its strengths in logic and spatial awareness.
So now we've got the idea… how do we take advantage of them?
How to create a Mind Map
On Buzan's site, mind mapping is broken down into 7 stages. These 7 stages are the basic ‘rules' applied to mind mapping, however, as you'll see later on, they can be tweaked a little!
- Start at the center of a landscape page.
- Use an image or picture as the central idea.
- Use lots of colors when creating the map.
- Connect branches to the central image, and keep adding branches to each level as you extend out.
- Make the branches curved.
- Use only one keyword per line.
- Use images throughout the map.
Here's Tony himself breaking the method down:
Starting with a large blank space gives your brain the 'freedom to spread out in all directions and to express itself more freely and naturally'. Some people might be intimidated by this big blank space, which is why you start the map with a central image.
The old adage ‘an image is worth a thousand words' holds true.
The brain is far better at processing images than text, so a central image will give you something to connect with and associate new and old ideas with. The use of colors throughout the map works similarly. Colors are far more exciting to your brain than plain black and white, and you can quickly associate concepts with them.
Here's a mind map to help you wrap your head around mind mapping:
Digital vs. Hand-drawn mind maps
You may have noticed that in Tony Buzan's prescribed mind mapping method, using a software tool like Zenkit fails at the first step: start at the center of a landscape page. Screens 4 3 5 – access your computer remotely settings.
Obviously Zenkit and other digital mind mapping tools don't let you use pen and paper, and while there is definitely some benefit to hand-drawing maps, digital maps have their own benefits:
- You can rearrange the map whenever it suits you to easily add information you missed earlier.
- You can embed documents and links to help you gain a wealth of extra information.
- You can expand and collapse trees, which makes it much easier to store much more information in a digital mind map.
- Digital mind maps stay ‘alive' longer because you can update them at any time.
- You can share and collaborate on digital maps.
- You can export your maps to other software.
And in Zenkit specifically: a mind map isn't just a mind map! Finished brainstorming your next project? Switch over to Kanban view and start working on it immediately! Your mind map will always be there, even as the project moves forward.
The key to mind mapping
‘Association' is the key to why mind mapping is so effective. Branches stemming from a central idea are used because that's how your brain works — when you link ideas and concepts together (associate them), you're far more likely to remember them later on, and you're far more likely to come up with new ideas associated with the ones you've already written down, too!
Ever started a list of ideas, and then got stuck after only a few? A mind map can help! Because of association, your brain will automatically fill in the gaps. Because of this, you can generate a ton more ideas in a much shorter amount of time.
Or what about when you're learning a new concept, or trying to get an overview of your organization's hierarchy? Mind maps help you get an overview of a topic and delve into the details of it, without you having to read down a list or check another page for reference. Your mind can easily flow from one concept to another without being disrupted. This teaches you to think better by helping you learn and connect different ideas.
What to use Mind Maps for
Because they're inherently so flexible, mind maps can be used for pretty much anything!
You can use mind maps to manage a huge range of tasks because of their visual aspect — from learning new things, to planning a project, taking notes, solving problems, or making decisions. In terms of organization, you can use it to group various tasks by type, department, country, difficulty. whatever you need!
Here are two common ways you can use mind maps in Zenkit:
Mind Mapping for Learning
Studying isn't always that fun! Especially if it means late nights spent paging through textbooks and frantically highlighting notes. There must be better way…
When you draw out a mind map, you are building a network of deeply interconnected facts. Linking facts in this way tells your brain that these facts are important and worth remembering. When you link one fact to a concept you already know, that new fact has an anchor. The new fact is stored in a cluster of neurons, which make it far less likely to be forgotten when your brain needs to clear space for new memories.
Say you're learning a new language and have a ton of new vocab to remember. The best way to remember words that refuse to stick, is to associate them with things you're already familiar with. There is actually a wonderful German word that describes exactly this process: ‘Eselsbrücke' (donkey bridge).
Zenkit is based in Germany, so some of us English speaking team members have had to learn German. Our PR guy, Eric, learned the word for blueberry (Heidelbeere) like this: Heidelbeere sounds kind of like Heidelberg, ‘berg' means mountain or hill, ‘Blueberry Hill' is an awesome song, therefore, Heidelbeere = blueberry.
I know. I'm sorry. Here's the the song to make you feel better:
Mind Mapping in Business
Mind mapping is an excellent (and oft undervalued) tool for businesses. It can be used for note taking during meetings or interviews, for analysis and problem solving, brainstorming and project planning, or during presentations and decision making. Even using it literally as a map of your organizational structure or workflow can be helpful.
Our friends over at Biggerplate have got a great collection of business mind map templates to get your ideas sparking!
That's it from me this week! I hope this post has given you a few insights and ideas about how to use Zenkit's mind maps. And as usual, we're open to feedback! We'd love to hear your thoughts about the blog, the mind map view, or anything you want to chat about! Comment here or send us an email.
Cheers,
Siobhan & the Zenkit Team
Was this article helpful? Please rate it!