What is a mind map and why is it useful
A mind map – also called a thought map – is like a visual roadmap for your thoughts. Imagine being able to arrange all your ideas on a sheet of paper so that you can immediately see how everything connects. That's exactly what a mind map enables.
Your main topic always sits at the center. From there, your thoughts branch out in all directions – like the branches of a tree. This visual representation suddenly makes complex topics manageable and helps your brain process information better.
Why does this work so well?
Mind maps utilize exactly this natural way of thinking:
Create clarity: Complex projects become understandable at a glance
Foster creativity: New ideas emerge through visual connections
Facilitate collaboration: Teams develop concepts together through brainstorming
Improve learning: Information sticks better through visual structure
Important criteria for simple mind mapping software
The right mind mapping software makes the difference between frustration and flow. But what really matters when you want to start as a beginner?
User-friendly interface
Imagine opening a new program and immediately knowing where to click. That's exactly what makes a good user interface. The best mind mapping tools show you with clear symbols and a clean structure how to create your first mind map.
Drag-and-drop is the magic word here: you simply drag elements with your mouse to where you want them. No complicated menu browsing, no hidden functions.
Short learning curve
Time is precious. That's why mind map makers that you can understand without hours of tutorials score points. Good software offers you ready-made templates – from meeting agendas to project plans. You choose a template, customize it, and are ready to go in minutes.
Smart onboarding guides you step by step through the most important functions. After five minutes, you know everything you need for your first mind map.
Real-time collaboration
Working in a team? Then real-time collaboration is worth its weight in gold. Modern brain mapping software allows multiple people to work on a mind map simultaneously. You see live how your colleagues add ideas – whether in the office next door or working from home.
This works like a shared document: everyone has their own cursor, changes appear immediately for everyone. This turns solitary brainstorming into a lively collection of ideas.
Clear exports and integrations
Your finished mind map shouldn't remain trapped in the cloud. Good mind mapping programs offer various export formats, such as:
PDF for presentations
Images (PNG, JPG) for documentation
Text formats for further processing
Even more practical are direct integrations. Connect your mind maps with Microsoft Teams or Google Drive. This way, the software fits seamlessly into your existing workflow.
Which tools are particularly beginner-friendly
Let's take a closer look at the most popular mind mapping apps. Each tool has its strengths – and also areas that can be challenging for beginners.
MindMeister
MindMeister runs completely in the browser – no installation needed. You sign up and can start immediately. This makes getting started particularly easy.
The interface is clean and self-explanatory. With just a few clicks, you create your first mind map, add colors, and invite team members to collaborate. Particularly practical: the extensive template collection gives you the right starting point for every occasion.
What distinguishes MindMeister:
Instant start in browser: No downloads, no updates – just log in
True team features: Comments, notes, and live collaboration
German software: GDPR-compliant with servers in Europe
Mobile apps: Switch seamlessly between desktop and smartphone
For large companies, there are advanced features like custom branding or SAML SSO. As a beginner, you can ignore these for now and focus on the core functions.
XMind
XMind is the classic among desktop applications. The software runs on all common operating systems and also offers offline functionality – perfect when you want to work on the go without internet.
XMind shines with versatility. Besides classic mind maps, you can also create fishbone diagrams or timelines. The interface initially seems somewhat more technical than pure web tools, but is logically structured.
One downside: the free version is significantly limited. For the full range of functions, you need a paid subscription.
Mindomo
Mindomo has made a name for itself particularly in the education sector. Teachers and students appreciate the well-thought-out templates for teaching materials and learning projects.
The special feature: Mindomo relies on context menus instead of overloaded sidebars. You click on an element and see only the options you currently need. This keeps the interface clean and clear.
The integrated presentation mode transforms your mind map into an interactive presentation – ideal for presentations or team meetings.
Miro
Miro is more than just a mind mapping tool. It's a digital whiteboard where you can place sticky notes, diagrams, and drawings alongside mind maps.
This versatility is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you have endless possibilities; on the other hand, the variety of functions can overwhelm beginners. If you only want to create mind maps, specialized tools are often the better choice.
Miro's strength lies in collaboration. Video chat integration and real-time cursors make it the perfect tool for remote teams.
Lucidchart
Lucidchart comes from the world of diagrams and offers mind mapping as one of many functions. The professional templates and seamless integration into Microsoft Office make it attractive for companies.
For pure mind mapping beginners, however, Lucidchart is often too much of a good thing. The software can do significantly more than you initially need – and this is also reflected in the price.
How to start a mind mapping project in your team
Your first collaborative mind map workshop is coming up? With the right preparation, it will be a success.
1. Define goal and topic
Before you open the software, clarify the most important thing: What do you want to achieve? Brainstorming for the new marketing campaign? Planning the summer party? Or structuring a complex project?
The more concrete your goal, the more focused the team works. Formulate it as a question: "How can we improve our onboarding process?" provides clearer direction than "collect onboarding topics."
2. Record central concept
Every mind map needs a center point. Place your main topic there – short and concise. In our example, that would be "Onboarding Improvement." All further thoughts develop from this center.
3. Create main branches and distribute
Define the most important categories as main branches. For onboarding, these could be: "First Week," "Mentoring," "Training," and "Feedback."
Distribute the branches to different team members. This way, everyone has a clear area of responsibility and can focus on it.
4. Conduct joint brainstorming
Now it gets lively. Everyone simultaneously adds their ideas to the respective branches. The real-time function immediately shows what others are contributing. This inspires new thoughts and prevents duplications.
Timeboxing helps: Set 15-20 minutes for the first round. This keeps energy high and prevents endless discussions.
5. Condense and prioritize ideas
After brainstorming comes structure. Go through the collected points together:
Combine similar ideas
Mark the most important points with colors
Define concrete next steps
The colorful collection of ideas becomes a clear action plan.
Tips for productive collaboration with mind mapping software
Small tricks make the big difference. These tips help you get the most out of your mind mapping tool.
Use templates for help. Why reinvent the wheel? Use ready-made templates for recurring tasks. Most tools offer templates for meetings, project planning, or brainstorming. You save time and provide structure.
Use colors and symbols strategically. Our brain loves visual cues. Use colors to mark priorities: red for urgent, green for completed, yellow for in progress. Icons make your mind map even clearer.
Use comments. Not every thought fits directly into the mind map. Use comments for explanations, questions, or additional information. This keeps the main structure clean, but important details aren't lost.
Make backups. Even though cloud-based tools save automatically – export important mind maps regularly. A PDF on your hard drive provides security.
Define clear roles. Who can edit, who can only read? Set permissions before sharing the mind map. This prevents accidental changes and chaos.
Mobile and online use of mind mapping programs
The boundaries between office and on-the-go are disappearing. Modern mind mapping apps adapt to this reality.
Browser Version: The Freedom of the Cloud
Browser-based tools like MindMeister offer maximum flexibility. You work on the desktop in the office, switch seamlessly to the laptop in the café, and take another look on your tablet in the evening. Your mind maps are always up to date, regardless of which device you use.
The big advantage: no installation, no updates. You just need a modern browser and an internet connection.
Mobile Apps: Capture Ideas Where They Arise
The best ideas often come when you're on the go. Mobile mind mapping apps for iOS and Android let you capture these flashes of inspiration immediately. Touch operation is optimized for smartphones – you create mind maps with finger gestures instead of mouse clicks.
Many apps offer offline mode. Perfect for train rides without reception or airplane mode above the clouds. As soon as you're online again, everything synchronizes automatically.
How to successfully get started with mind mapping
Choosing the right mind mapping software is like choosing the right tool: it depends on what you want to do with it. For beginners, three things matter most: an intuitive interface, quick success experiences, and good collaboration possibilities.
Most providers have free versions or trial periods. Use this opportunity. Create a test mind map on a topic that really interests you. This way, you'll quickly notice if the software suits you and meets your requirements.
Ready for your first mind map? Start for free with MindMeister – directly in the browser, without installation. In just a few minutes, experience how simple visual thinking can be: www.mindmeister.com
Start your first mind map now!
