Biome map generator

Mind mapping apps for writers can transform how you organize your research and ideas, but finding the right one for family history projects and stories proved challenging.

Biography text map software Dissertation by Mindomo Team. More Info Blog. Faq What is Mind Mapping? Free Download Fully-featured 7-day trial.

Back in , this led me to conduct an in-depth comparison of the top mind mapping software options available. This is an update of that post, focusing on what mind mapping apps work for both storytelling (fiction and nonfiction) and professional articles.

If you’re not familiar with them, mind maps are visual thinking tools which represent information in a graphic format.

Kind of like brainstorms on steroids. Traditionally, a central idea is surrounded by “branches” of associated topics.

Mind maps help users see relationships between thoughts and ideas.

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That’s why they are so helpful in research. You discover things such as record sets you&#;ve yet to search or how ancestors may have other common connections.

In writing, they can help determine and develop themes, structures, and connections. You can assess the facts you already have and identify missing context. And you can brainstorm ideas on how that context likely affected individuals in the past.

You can even develop a &#;character map,&#; brainstorming about what you know, theorize, and speculate about a person and what makes them tick.

Advantages of Mind Mapping Apps versus Pen and Paper

If you’re like me, your mind maps sometimes run off the paper.

Biography text map software download Curriculum Vitae by Mindomo Team. Brainstorm your way through writer's block. Mind Map Examples. For Teams.

Or you pick up the wrong color pen and you end up retracing everything.

That doesn’t happen with software. You don’t have to start over time after time when you change your mind. And they have a professional, finished look on your blog or presentation.

Of course, on the other hand, there is someone inherently creative about drawing and doodling.

Since what we’re after is developing our ideas, whichever method you feel more at home with is probably the best one for you to use.

Mind mapping Software Comparison

The following represent affordable options I viewed as helpful to writers. I tested them all with mind maps I had (or would have) made on paper.

In addition, I was looking for tools accessible for both Windows and Mac/Apple users.

Text map software lexis All rights reserved. Get for Windows. Style text with different formats. Simplified how the zoom widget in the statusbar functions.

After making a lot of sample mind maps, I narrowed down the list for writers and family storytellers to MindMup, Coggle, Wisemapping, Scapple and Xmind.

Coggle

Coggle is browser-based “freemium” product which requires internet connection to use.

Vendor website:

Sample Coggle Mind Map

Coggle Features and Pricing

Coggle Free Forever

$0

• 3 private diagrams
• Unlimited public diagrams
• Over icons to use
• Unlimited image uploads
• PDF & Image downloads
• Unconnected text boxes
• Export as .mm and text
• Export for Microsoft Visio
• Embed mind maps anywhere

Coggle Awesome

$/Month

• Unlimited private maps
• Additional shapes, text alignment
• Control of line style and paths
• High-res image uploads

Pros

• Every change is saved in real time
• Unlimited history to go back to earlier version of your maps
• Ready to use icons saves time over uploads
• Allows unconnected comments, chats, and texts

Cons

• Uses keyboard shortcuts rather than menu with icons, which makes interface less intuitive
• Coggle auto-arranges branches, making fine-tuning tricky.

Wisemapping

Vendor website:  

Open-sourcedWiseMapping is browser-based app, thus also requiring internet connectivity.

A similar sample mind map with writing topics related to George More.

WiseMapping Features and Pricing

This software offers collaboration, linking, embedding, and exports.

Pros

• Intuitive interface with menu and short-cuts
• Easy to change colors and borders of nodes
• Branches taper towards nodes, giving appealing tree-effect
• Open sourced software is free

Cons

• Branches auto-arrange in free version, making it difficult to re-shape your map

 

MindMup

Vendor website:

MindMup is a freemium, web-based application.

Sample MindMup mind map to better understand the context of an ancestor.

 

MindMup Features and Pricing

Pros

• Intuitive, easy to move things around, change color and font sizes
• Attach files and notes to nodules of the map
• Download will export to image or pdf files, even outline if the map has annotated content
• Curvy or straight-line options
• Create an embed code to use mind maps on your website or social media.
• Personal Gold (lowest paid version) starts at $/month

Cons

Scapple

Vendor website:

Scapple is a software that you purchase and download to your personal computer, aka a “desktop app.”

A character development sample mind map

Scapple Features and Pricing

Pros

• Very intuitive interface, simply double click to add a note
• Software, not a subscription
• Can be used off-line
• Completely free-form
• Affordable option

Cons

• No mobile or browser version
• No templates

Scapple Free Trial

• Exactly same as the full version
• Trial lasts 30 days

Scapple Purchase

$21 Onetime purchase

• Download from
• Discount for educational license

Xmind

Vendor website:

Xmind offers downloads for desktop and mobile apps and has both IOS and Android versions.

Because it offers a wide variety of templates, rather than showing you a map I created, I’ll insert a screen grab from their website.

Xmind Features and pricing

Free

• 10 maps
• 3-day version history
• Unlimited topics

Pro 

$10/month (as of 1/18/ it may be about 50% cheaper if you pay for it annually)

• 50 maps Unlimited colored branches
• Add equations, topic links, and attachements
• Add numbering and tasks
• SVG, markdown, and more export formats
• Custom themes

 Premium

US $ 15 / month

Everything in Pro, plus

• AI-generated to-dos
• day version history
• Unlimited storage space
• Unlimited collaborative files

Pros

• Lot of templates
• Presentation (Pitch) ready exports

Cons

• Big learning curve
• Complex interface
• Higher price

Other

Most mind mapping reviews focus on business goals, but Xmind score well with writers, speakers, and other professionals and was recommended as a best mind mapping software of by PC Magazine.

Mind mapping apps for Writers who are Apple or Mac Users

The above apps are all for IOS and Windows.

If you’re an Apple product person, check out ithoughts and/or MindNode. Both have strong ratings and active development communities.

Biography text map software free More like this. How to use the Author Biography Template Learn how to create an author biography using this mind map template. Kickstart from an existing starting point. Move easily between mind map and contents.

iThoughts appears to be popular with power users, while MindNode users value its aesthetics and ease of use.

Mind Mapping Apps for Writers: My Recommendations

Note: Your taste and preference may vary from mine, as well as patience with learning new technologies.

Look at the screen grabs from my projects and see if a particular mind mapping software appeals to you.

If it does, try it out.

For the money, Wisemapping and Scapple win. Because I often work in places without readily available, secure Wi-Fi, Scapple will be my software of choice. However, I’ll stick with Coggle for presentations due to its colors and branches.

Your Turn

Have you used a mind mapping app for writing or family history storytelling?

What do you like? Why?  Share your thoughts with other readers below.