Mind mapping is a terrific visual method for capturing thoughts and ideas. For business or personal use, a mind map is ideal for brainstorming sessions and helps you organize your concepts easily.
If you own a Mac and want a stellar mind map app, the App Store has plenty. The problem is that most are paid and expensive at that. But luckily there are several free apps that have great features and are a breeze to use.
1. SimpleMind
Getting started with SimpleMind Lite is just as the name implies: simple. The app has an intuitive interface that lets you create a mind map in a snap.
First, pick your style. You can choose from a variety of options like bright colors, chart, grayscale, and colors on black. Then to add nodes, you can either click the plus sign on your current node or the Add Child Topic button from the toolbar. To insert text into a node, click the T on the current node or double-click inside the shape.
Other features include:
- Undo and redo buttons
- Print and zoom options
- Freeform or horizontal layouts
- Color palettes and custom colors
- Easy deletion and clipboard options
You can use SimpleMind Lite for free and without ads. But if you would like additional features like Dropbox and Google Drive sync, media and document options, or app customizations, check out the paid version.
Download: SimpleMind Lite (Free)
Download: SimpleMind ($30)
2. XMind: ZEN
If you want an app that lets you begin with a template, check out XMind: ZEN. You can choose from over 25 templates that offer different colors, layouts, and diagram styles.
To add nodes, click either the Topic or Subtopic buttons from the toolbar. To insert text, just double-click inside the shape. You can freely move the nodes without losing their connections or turn subtopics into main topics.
Other features include:
- Full set of icons such as priority, numbers, tasks, stars, and symbols
- Stickers for education, business, travel, sports, weather, and more
- Zen mode for full-screen mode with a night-view option
- Ability to add notes or summaries to nodes
- Sharing via local file save, social media, or URL
Xmind: ZEN gives you awesome features for free. But if you would like to unlock the iOS or full versions, you can check out the in-app subscription plans. You might also take a peek at mind map apps specifically for iOS.
Download: XMind: ZEN (Free)
3. QMindMap
QMindMap Lite is a little more limited with its free features. But this completely freeform tool lets you create main topic nodes with a click of the toolbar button.
To add subtopic nodes, click inside the current node and select either the branch or the box and then drag. You can type in your text by double-clicking the shape.
Other features include:
- Branch or freehand lines
- Ability to add media to nodes
- Color adjustments for nodes, lines, and text
- Hiding and unhiding of nodes
- Cross connections between nodes
QMindMap Lite lets you create basic mind maps for free. But like similar apps, you can purchase the full version if you would like features such as exporting and iCloud support.
Download: QMindMap Lite (Free)
Download: QMindMap ($13)
4. Junkyard
Junkyard is another cool and easy mind mapping app for Mac. What’s nice about Junkyard is that you receive all features for free. There is a small ad at the bottom of the window that you can remove with an inexpensive in-app purchase. But if you don’t mind the ad, then this is a great freebie.
To create a node, click the Settings (gear icon) button on the sidebar. To add a child node, do the same and then drag the arrow from the parent to it to form the connection. And you can enable full-screen mode for more canvas space.
Other features include:
- Outline view of your mind map
- Many font options and five color palettes
- Shapes, colors, and borders for the appearance, lines, and groups
- Automatic alignment guides
- Connection line labels
Download: Junkyard (Free)
5. Mydea
Mydea Lite is a good free mind mapping app if you enjoy adding icons, symbols, and even links to your diagrams. You can choose from five layout options like mind map or fish bone and select a style which applies colors and shapes to your mind map.
The toolbar is intuitive and lets you create topics and subtopics with a click. Double-click inside a node to add the text. If you want a number or progress symbol, just hit the Assets button. Move all nodes freely and zoom in or out for different views.
Other features include:
- Ability to add notes to nodes
- Ability to include hyperlinks in nodes
- Hide and unhide nodes or groups of nodes
- Add tags that you can attach to nodes
Mydea Lite lets you add up to 20 nodes per mind map. If you would like to add more, you can look at the paid version which also provides support for XMind documents and importing or exporting in Markdown format.
Download: Mydea Lite (Free)
Download: Mydea ($8)
6. SimpleMindMap
One final app to check out on your Mac is SimpleMindMap. This one offers a host of interesting and useful features.
For basic mind maps, click the plus sign inside a node to add a child. Or use the blue and pink plus sign buttons in the toolbar for brother and child nodes. You can then double-click a node to add text or use the text box in the toolbar. You can move and resize the nodes and diagram freely while keeping the connections.
Other features include:
- Click a node’s minus sign to hide all child nodes
- Change the line and fill color of nodes
- Choose node and child node shapes
- Add objects like emojis and symbols
- Modify the canvas with grid and snap features
SimpleMindMap lets you create mind maps with a limit of 80 items for free. For simple maps, this is ideal. But if you need more, you can upgrade via in-app purchase to the full version for unlimited items.
Download: SimpleMindMap (Free)
How Do You Mind Map on Your Mac?
These free mind map tools are great for basic diagrams and help you get the job done. Whether you like modest mind maps with just a few nodes or those that go a bit further and contain many, there is sure to be an app here that you will like.
If you would rather use Microsoft Office, then check out how to turn Word documents into mind map apps. Or take a look at these helpful mind map templates for Microsoft Word.
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