When it comes to organizing ideas and thoughts, mind mapping is an ideal method. Thanks to Tony Buzan, the inventor of mind mapping, we can quickly organize our thoughts for business or personal uses.

Although there are plenty of Mac mind mapping apps available in the App Store, most of them require payment and not worth it just for occasional users. Luckily, here we found the 9 best mind mapping software for Mac.

Top Free Mind Mapping Software for Mac

GitMind (Web)

GitMind Website on Mac

GitMind is a free browser-based mind mapping application. It has an extremely simple interface and numerous mind map templates to choose from. The template categories vary widely from project management to wedding timeline. Thus, when you need some graphic tools to present your ideas intuitively, and you have no idea about designing a mind map, GitMind is the best choice for you.

Features:

  • Automatic layout
  • Support team collaboration on one map
  • Hundreds of free editable mind map templates
  • Retrieve history versions & secure cloud storage

Get Started: GitMind Website

SimpleMind (macOS, Windows, iOS, Android)

SimpleMind

SimpleMind is as easy to use as its name implies. The most unique function of SimpleMind is you can import a PDF file and transfer it to a mind map. It’s extremely useful when you want to mind map the ideas in an e-book or an article. For mobile versions, users can add video and voice memos to mind maps. It’s dedicated to simplifying the process of making a mind map.

Features:

  • Allows to convert PDF to mind maps
  • Users can create reusable mind map styles

Download: SimpleMind Mac Version

FreeMind (Any OS)

FreeMind

FreeMind is a premier open-source mind mapping application written in Java. Though FreeMind may not be updated any longer, it’s still very popular for making mind maps. FreeMind users built a mind map gallery voluntarily so that you can refer to it for inspiration. FreeMind allows users to export mind maps to HTML files. Moreover, since FreeMind stores maps in XML files, it takes little risks of switching away to another mind map tool.

Features:

  • Can switch to other mind map tools
  • Limited support for fancy graphics

Download: FreeMind

iMindMap (macOS, Windows, iOS)

iMindMap

Ayoa was previously called iMindMap, but includes much more than mind mapping. If you are looking for an alternative to Trello for project and task management, Ayoa is what you need. Its task side panel stores due dates, file attachments, and checklists. What’s more, you can even receive a daily review email to check upcoming deadlines.

Features:

  • Real-time collaboration on mind maps and task boards
  • Instant messaging
  • Sync with Google, Evernote and Dropbox

Download: iMindMap Mac Version

Mindly (macOS, iOS, Android)

Mindly

If you are looking for some tools which could maximize your creativity, Mindly is the answer. One concept leads to another and with Mindly it’s even easier to form a universe of thoughts. To some degree, its expanding hierarchical structure is not always befitting formal cases.

Features:

  • Sync data on different devices
  • Keeps focused on one element

Download: Mindly Mac Version

MindMeister (Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows)

MindMeister

For MindMeister, it’s worth mentioning that it allows you to embed live videos into the canvas. You may add members of the team and also comment on ideas. Since MindMeister is integrated with MeisterTask, it makes project management even more convenient.

Features:

  • Supports to import FreeMind, XMind, MindManager files
  • Users can create an animated presentation of the mind map

Download: MindMeister Mac Version

Draw.io (Web, macOS, Linux, Windows, Chrome OS)

Draw.io

With Draw.io, you can almost create anything you want, not only mind maps. Besides an extensive shape library and various templates, it also integrates with Confluence and Jira. Confluence users can convert Gliffy to Draw.io with one click and Jira users can find every diagram related to Jira issues.

Features:

  • Works online & offline
  • Integrates with Google Drive, Office 365 and etc
  • A little harder than common mind map makers

Get Started: Draw.io Website

Coggle (Web)

Coggle

Coggle is a browser-based mind mapping tool as well. It’s special because of its multiple starting points, floating texts and images. Users can control line paths and change text alignments in Coggle. Additionally, users can invite collaborators by sharing a link and they can edit the mind map anonymously, which means no registration is required.

Features:

  • Team members don’t need to log in to collaborate
  • Still can view diagrams if subscription expired

Get Started: Coggle Website

MindMup (Web)

MindMup

MindMup is an online option for mind mapping. Google and Office 365 authentication make account management easier. Users can also add measurements to mind map nodes to present important factors.

Features:

  • Convert mind maps to PDF, PPT and outlines
  • Users can create a storyboard of idea slides

Get Started: MindMup Website

Conclusion

Above are the best 9 mind mapping software for macOS we selected in 2020. Whether you like simple and fast solutions, or you have a rigid standard on designing and displaying, you can find an application that fits you.

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