Software

Give your ideas free rein with these five brainstorming apps

By // February 19, 2014, 3:50 PM PST // jlwallen

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  • Give your ideas free rein with these five brainstorming apps

    Sometimes you need to see your thoughts laid out before you so you can come up with the perfect solution. Often, this just means a scrap of paper and a pen. But if you prefer a more organized tool to help sort out your inner chaos, these mind-mapping applications may help.

    Note: This gallery is also available as an article.

    Image: iStockphoto.com/poelenr

  • Coggle

    Coggle is a web-based mind-mapping app with a straightforward interface. Once you sign in with your Google account, you can add unlimited items (images, check boxes, links, and more), format text, and drag and drop items to build your map.

  • Coggle

    When you’ve finished your Coggle map, you can download it as an image file (PNG only) or a PDF. If you want to add items such as links and lists or apply special formatting, you'll need to know a bit about Markdown. Check this page for more information on how to use it.

  • The Brain

    The Brain is a Java-based mind-mapping tool for Windows, Linux, and Mac. There are two versions: Free and Pro. You get a free, 30-day trial of the Pro version with a single download. After the 30 days, you can add thoughts and notes, but you won’t be able to add attachments (such as documents), see additional views, search with web pages, or use auto-folder visualization and templates.

  • The Brain

    There is a much steeper learning curve for this particular take on mind mapping because The Brain is quite powerful. In fact, it might well be the most powerful mind-mapping tool you’ll ever use. Its one downfall is that because it is written in Java, it’s a bit slower than other tools of this nature.

  • FreeMind

    FreeMind is another cross-platform mind-mapping tool that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. Released under the GNU General Public License, FreeMind is one of the best open source mind-mapping tools available. It's flexible, consistent across platforms, allows for complex diagrams (with nearly unlimited branches), and lets you add links, graphics, icons, and encrypted nodes.

  • FreeMind

    Creating a mind map is far simpler in FreeMind than in most other tools. That ease of use (and a somewhat old-fashioned interface) does not in any way mean that FreeMind is lacking in features. It's just as feature-rich as any tool in its category. After you complete a map, you can export it as HTML/XHTML, PDF, OpenDocument, SVG, or PNG.

  • SimpleMind Free

    SimpleMind Free is an Android and IOS mind-mapping tool that offers an easy-to-use interface with drag, arrange, and edit topic ability on the Mind Map page. You can add multiple mind maps and as many items as needed.

  • SimpleMind Free

    SimpleMind Free doesn't let you add hyperlinks or links to files, and there are other limitations as well. But it does let you undo/redo, reconnect topics using drag and drop, cut/copy/paste, and apply visual styles. It also offers unlimited page size for maps.

  • Labyrinth

    Labyrinth is a Linux-only mind-mapping tool written in Gtk and Cairo. It offers a bare-bones interface that allows you to create mind maps quickly, with zero learning curve. Labyrinth is the tool you need when you don’t want bells and whistles getting in the way of creating simple, quick mind maps. A mind map can be as large as you need it and you can navigate around it using the edge arrows of the Labyrinth window.

  • Labyrinth

    This tool is as minimal as you can get and still get your work done. One bonus feature is the ability to add freehand drawings to your mind map.

Give your ideas free rein with these five brainstorming apps

Sometimes you need to see your thoughts laid out before you so you can come up with the perfect solution. Often, this just means a scrap of paper and a pen. But if you prefer a more organized tool to help sort out your inner chaos, these mind-mapping applications may help.

Note: This gallery is also available as an article.

Image: iStockphoto.com/poelenr

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By Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic and Linux.com. He’s an avid promoter of open source and the voice of The Android Expert. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.