Best Mind Map Software 2026

Whether you’re getting started with mind map software or looking to update your toolkit, this article outlines our picks for the best mind map software options in 2026.

We’ve been the independent software-neutral home of mind mapping since 2008, and both our team and our community of nearly 300,000 members use a wide variety of mind mapping software products. We’re regularly asked by our members and clients to recommend products, and while “best” will always depend on your own specific needs when choosing mind mapping software, the following article outlines what we’re recommending this year, and why. 

Note: Some product links or discount codes below may provide Biggerplate with referral or affiliate income, but this has no effect on our choices. Some of the products listed below pay no money to Biggerplate at all, and many companies that pay Biggerplate money are not featured here. Our list is based purely on our current view of mind mapping software products and the companies behind them. Nobody can pay their way onto our list. 

But before we begin, let’s outline why you should ignore most (if not all) other articles claiming to reveal the best mind map software this year:

1. They’re SEO focused nonsense

Most of the articles you see, and which are now (annoyingly) feeding AI recommendations, have been written purely for SEO purposes, often by bloggers/websites/companies who have little or nothing to do with mind mapping, but who want to attract clicks for “mind mapping” search queries. Hubspot… we’re looking at you. 

Most of these articles contain very poor guidance, cobbled together from a quick bit of google searching, and often citing products that are inferior to others, or even dead products from companies that no longer exist. With the advent of generative AI, it’s unfortunately even easier now for people/companies to churn out these articles, thereby feeding a cycle of nonsense.   

The result? Keyword slop with useless consumer guidance. 

2. They’re listing “Pay to Play” products only

Another type of article features “best” recommendations that are based only on who they could get some money from. Most high quality products won’t engage with these type of “pay to play” schemes (because they don’t need to pay for dodgy publicity/links), and therefore they don’t appear in the lists.

The result? A listing of mostly inferior mind mapping products who were willing to pay a bit of money for some fake praise and a web link. Unhelpful. 

3. They’re written by the software developers…!

Very much connected to the first type of rubbish are SEO focused “Best” articles written by mind mapping software vendors themselves, either on their own websites, or (more fiendishly) on ‘neutral’ looking websites that they actually own. These articles unsurprisingly arrive at the conclusion that their product is the best, usually by handily comparing themselves to products that are obviously inferior, or by using criteria that are in no way universal. Likewise, “Product A vs Product B” comparison pages fall into the same category of self-serving SEO focused rubbish that (according to leading SEO experts) Google is likely to start penalising in the not-too-distant future… thankfully. 

The result? Loss of trust in the companies that use these low quality practices, even if their products are good. Just stop… all of you. 

So, rant over, here’s an article written by an independent authority with nearly 20 years in the space, and no way for anyone to engineer their way onto our list. Enjoy!

(Do you have a different opinion on the ‘best’ in any category? Join our Linkedin Group and let us know your opinions)

Best All Round Mind Map Software: Xmind

Over the last few years, we believe Xmind has moved firmly into the lead position when it comes to providing the best all round mind mapping software experience. 

For starters, Xmind is one of very few mind mapping software options that can genuinely claim to work across all devices and platforms. Whether you want to mind map in native mobile apps for iOS/Android, offline on your desktop computer, or online in the browser, Xmind has you covered with a seamless synchronized set of applications. 

What we love about Xmind is that they have continued to innovate and improve their product while others in the space have seemingly slowed or stopped. From excellent AI integrations, to recent project and task management additions, Xmind have managed to achieve something others have struggled with; building into, onto, and around a strong mind mapping software without compromising that as the heart of the product.

Combining a great design style that users love, and a pricing model that is refreshingly accessible for even the top product ($99/year for the full Premium suite), we believe Xmind will be setting the pace in mind mapping software in the year ahead. 

Learn more at Xmind.com

Save 10% on Xmind with discount code BIGGERPLATE

Best for Projects and Planning: MindManager

If you’re taking on larger scale project planning and in-depth task management, then we think MindManager still remains the gold standard in mind mapping software for this type of work.  

While the folks at Alludo (formerly Corel… formerly Mindjet…) seem to forget sometimes that their product is known first and foremost for mind mapping, the essential mind mapping functionality in MindManager is as strong as ever, and has perhaps the greatest ability to handle working with very BIG mind map files. Layered on top of this robust mind map functionality is task information, gantt, and filtering capabilities that elevate MindManager above other mind mapping tools when it comes to planning and managing the combination of large scale and granular detail of complex projects. 

Long seen as the enterprise tool of choice when it comes to mind mapping, MindManager has a well earned reputation for professional mind mapping that aligns and integrates well with the Microsoft products often used within large businesses. Biggerplate member data shows that MindManager is currently the preferred choice at large organisations like Boeing, HP, and the Centers for Disease Control further endorsing the credentials of this long-standing leader in the field. 

Learn more at MindManager.com

Best for Online Collaborative Mind Mapping: Mindomo

One of the very first online collaborative mind mapping tools created (launched in 2007), Mindomo has remained at the forefront of online mind mapping all this time, without getting distracted from their core product and purpose (as others have). As a result, we feel Mindomo offers the best bet in 2026 for anyone wanting to do simple, elegant, collaborative mind mapping online with others in real time. 

Creating shared mind maps with simple read or edit permissions for others is incredibly easy in Mindomo, and new users will be greeted with one of the most minimal and intuitive interfaces around, making it easy for anyone to dive into the collaborative mapping process. 

Mindomo have a long-established reputation for keeping things simple, and going about their work and product development in a low key, highly consistent, and ever-improving manner. With a fantastic suite of synchronized mobile and desktop apps and online access, we’re big Mindomo fans, and think you will be too. 

Learn more at Mindomo.com

Best for Mixed Diagrams: MindManager

If you’re looking for a mind map software that can also create other diagrams and visuals, then we think MindManager is the one to look at in 2026. A strategic move a few years ago saw MindManager add flowchart, concept mapping, swimlane, and timeline capabilities to their powerful mind mapping tool, along with some other visual types (“onion diagram” anyone?)

While the diagram functionality might take a little learning if you’re used to operating in “mind map” mode, the capabilities within the software for creating multiple visual representations are extensive and impressive. Internally at Biggerplate, we will often use the mind mapping mode to brainstorm and organise our ideas for a project or process, and take from this the key components that need to go into an illustrative flowchart, all of which can be created in MindManager. 

Learn more at MindManager.com

Best for Apple Fans: MindNode

While other products may have iOS/Mac versions, only MindNode is 100% Apple focused, and it shows. MindNode is one of those companies that never seems to take a wrong step with their product development. Elegant design and an intuitive user interface are on the surface of a powerful mind mapping tool with a large and loyal following among Mac users. 

Regularly featured in Apple’s own marketing images and collateral, and continually updating their product to take advantages of the latest advances in Apple technology (Apple Vision Pro mind mapping anyone?) For this reason and many more, MindNode are our pick of the crop if you want mind mapping software that is tuned into all the latest Apple tech. 

Learn more at MindNode.com

Best for Neuro-inclusivity: AYOA

For anyone seeking mind mapping solutions to help themselves or others with needs such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia or Dyspraxia, we recommend taking a look at AYOA in 2026.  

The team at AYOA have a long track record in the mind mapping world, having previously developed the highly successful (but now retired) iMindMap product until 2016. After a couple of post-iMindMap years trying to find their position in the mind mapping space, AYOA today shows all the positive traits of a refined focus and clear user profile emerging some years back. The result is product development, support resources, and marketing messaging that is all clearly focused in the same singular direction: neuro-inclusive mind mapping and productivity. 

AYOA is well established within the UK government’s DSA (Disable Student Allowance) and Access to Work programs to help neurodivergent individuals in education and the workplace. This requires the team to meet strict compliance requirements, and show specialism in this field, which they have done time and time again. Within the product, you’ll find numerous features designed with clear neurodiverse learners and users in mind, such as dyslexia mode, the Idea Bank, and Special Interst AI functions. For an excellent overview, see our free video on How AYOA Helps Neurodivergent Individuals

All this focus on neuro-inclusivity doesn’t mean that AYOA is only for neurodivergent brains, but rather that AYOA has been designed for every type of brain. For creative mind mapping, innovative AI integrations and more, we believe AYOA is now right up in the leading pack, and likely to stay there in 2026. 

Learn more at AYOA.com

Conclusion

If this is the year that you get started with mind mapping software, or is perhaps the year you abandon your old software for something more current, then we hope the above article helps you explore some of the best mind mapping software options out there. There are many great options not listed here, and if you need a bit more guidance, then get in touch and we’ll be happy to help. 

This article was entirely written by a human being, and no part of it was generated using AI. Any typos, incorrect information or general nonsense is entirely down to a human…. so enjoy.