5 Best Brainstorming Tools Review: EdrawMind, XMind, Mindomo, Coggle, and Miro
So, when an idea dawns on you, could you write it down? This is the best way to keep them in mind and bring them to life. However, if your idea has several moving parts, like a big project, you have to do more than write down your idea on a piece of paper. You are thinking of a bigger picture, imagining new possibilities, and spotting gaps, and generating good ideas in bulk. You require tools to keep up with it. This is when brainstorming tools come into play.
Brainstorming tools are primarily designed to spark, collect, and organize ideas. It can open up your ability to brainstorm remotely as you simultaneously record the ideas. Options range from test-based tools mimicking a whiteboard to visual platforms letting you chart out related ideas and form a plan to convert them into reality.
Brainstorming software lets you come up with ideas whenever you require them. With these tools, you can share ideas with the team members instantly. If you use this, you do not have to search for a pen and paper whenever your creativity kicks in.
If you are still wondering why you should use these brainstorming tools, take a look at the reason given below.
- A bunch of features and its flexibility make your work entertaining and inspire creativity in the long run.
- Online brainstorming software is portable and lets you be creative anywhere, anytime.
- The tools stimulate you to think divergently and consider various possibilities than you otherwise would have during a usual brainstorming process.
- A brainstorming tool helps you move a few steps forward as you think creatively. You do not just stop with one idea but think further ahead.
- In case you have gotten a good idea, just keep going. Online mind mapping tools help in generating many good ideas and then select one that will help in reaching your goal.
- Brainstorming software drives everyone on your team to display their creativity, even the ones who are shy and are not eager to share their ideas about anything.
Now, you know how useful a brainstorming tool is for you and the business as a whole. So, let’s proceed to take a look at the top 5 brainstorming tools that can boot up your team’s creativity. Read on to learn about the best mind mapping software.
Top 5 Brainstorming Tools
EdrawMind
EdrawMind, formerly known as MindMaster, is the best way to brainstorm ideas, mind mapping, take notes, and plan your project. This is a highly productive tool that comes with a range of examples and templates for simplifying brainstorm diagrams, project timelines, creating mind maps, sketch maps, and SWOT analysis.
With EdrawMind, you can monitor any information or data with complete ease. Thanks to its great variety of graphics, texts, and diagramming tools, a suite of organizational applications, it stands out from the other brainstorming tools that are available.
The tool provides comprehensive support for project management, brainstorming, note-taking, and knowledge management. There is a suite of 33 preset styles and different art clips that can improve the quality of your presentation and brainstormed ideas.
EdrawMind has 12 mind map structures and more than 700 stylish clipart. With this, you can transform your mind map into a Gantt chart. EdrawMind lets you collaborate and share your mind map with complete ease. With a single click, you can share your visuals in PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, Word, or HTML. Furthermore, its streamlined print preview showcases the diagram page breaks and has amazing zoom capabilities. It can convert word, HTML, and markdown into a mind map with just a single click.
Using EdrawMind, you can present your ideas through a mind map in a meeting or class directly. It helps in analyzing complex ideas.
Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web
Pros
- Read-made symbols that are easy to integrate.
- Comes with advanced presentation modes.
- It has 33 preset styles and 700+clip art.
- Mind mapping examples gallery with 4000+ mind maps
- Can be easily shared with one click to Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- It has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
Cons
- Gantt chart mode is only available in the pro version.
- Lack of integration with other apps.
Free Trial and Pricing
- Free Trial: The free plan with basic features.
- Pricing
Subscription Plan: $39 for 6 months
Lifetime Plan: $145 one-time payment
Website: https://www.edrawmind.com/
XMind
XMind
XMind is an open-source brainstorming and idea management tool with commercial extensions for Apple OS X, Windows, and Linux Operating systems. The software has a lot going for it, including its annual subscription option for its Pro version.
The tool doesn’t have an installation process. So, you will only have to download files, unzip them into your preferred folder, and run the application file. It has easy-to-use features that can deal with everyday tasks and offers higher competitiveness. XMind is used to export your mind map to different formats, including HTML, PDF, and TXT.
Compatibility: Windows, Linux, macOS
Pros
- It is simple to use and has a simple-to-use interface.
- You don’t have to shift through multiple menus to accomplish a task.
- It has Evernote integration.
- The software features portable installation.
Cons
- Not the speediest mind mapping tool.
- Cloud synchronization often results in conflict.
- You need to have a subscription to export to other versions.
Free Trial and Pricing
Free Trial: No time limit, but many features are inactive.
Pricing: The pricing plan for the mapping software starts from $39.99 for 6 months.
Website: https://www.xmind.net/
MindMeister
MindMeister
MindMeister is another online brainstorming tool that helps in capturing, developing, and sharing ideas, visually. This is a web-based, cross-platform software that you can use to brainstorm ideas, plan projects, and take notes.
You choose a template provided by MindMeister to create the mind map. The map template library has several options that you can choose from. Its collaboration tools let you share your mind maps with as many people as you want. The History Mode lets you see the changes that have been made to the mind-map over time.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Pros
- Includes designed templates.
- Has a clean and easy-to-use interface.
- Let’s you share mind maps with as many people as you like.
- Has comment and edit features.
- History Mode lets you see the changes that have been made.
Cons
- Not compatible with Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Support contact options are limited.
- Output is limited even on the paid versions.
Free Trial and Pricing
Free Trial: Basic Plan with 3 mind maps.
Pricing Plans: The Personal plan starts at $2.49 per month.
Website: https://www.mindmeister.com/
Coggle
Coggle
Coggle, the mind mapping tool lets medium-sized organizations, groups, and large industries share their view with different facets in a simple manner. With this brainstorming tool, you can hone your ideas concisely and display them precisely. Not only does it enable you to mind map on a personal workspace but, it lets you share them with your associates and partners by making them public in a shared space.
You can use Coggle for arranging your notes and taking them wherever you go. So, you can easily chalk out a concept when you have an idea. The mind maps can be exported in image files, mm.extension, and PDF files.
Compatibility: iOS and Android
Pros
- Simple and easy to use.
- Doesn’t require you to download or install the software.
- Collaborates and shares easily.
- Lets you drag and drop an unlimited number of images from the computer to the app.
- A basic plan is available for free.
Cons
- The free version is limited.
- It is slow to respond to larger mind maps.
- Not easier to customize the mind app.
Free Trial and Pricing
Free Trial: Unlimited days with limited features.
Pricing Plans: Awesome plan starts from $5 per month.
Website: https://coggle.it/
Miro
Miro
Miro is a web-based solution that is full of ideas and well-organized. It supports a process of online brainstorming sessions for creative teams. Miro has over 120 pre-built templates. Thus, you can move from ideation to execution in just one canvas. It has a fun tool called the SCAMPER template. This encourages new users to check out existing problems through various lenses. It can lead to a deeper understanding of a creative solution.
Compatibility: macOS, Windows, and Android
Pros
- A visually appealing website that is easy to use.
- Comes with ample templates to choose from.
- Ready for collaboration.
- Everything looks polishes.
- Offers screen sharing features.
Cons
- The screen sharing feature has some bugs.
- Not a good option for individuals.
- No built-in Gantt view to see the tasks on a timeline.
Free Trial and Pricing
Free Trial: No time limit, but many features are inactive.
Pricing Plans: Team plans start at $8 per member when billed annually.
Website: https://miro.com/
Conclusion
No matter if you are brainstorming as a part of the team or alone, there are various kinds of brainstorming tools that enrich and support the process. In this increasingly virtual world, more and more organizations are using brainstorming software to support creative and collaborative projects. So, why not have a try.
