MindMeister

It is so easy to use and gets great results every time

The output is limited even on the paid version so I need to pay extra for e.g. PPT output

MindMeister is a simple online tool for creating mind maps, project tasks or meeting notes. My team has used it for around 1.5 years and we have absolutely loved it. It helps in brainstorming the ideas with your hybrid team members and organize those ideas in a structured way. It has extremely intuitive UI and anyone can start using it without any training. You can upload different files from your local system or google drive. This features is extremely helpful when you want to attach details for a particular step. Once you have created a mind map, you can export it in different format like .pdf, .png, .docx, .pptx etc. and share it with your team members or client stakeholders.I love the collection of pre-built templates in MindMeister as it saves up a lot of time during ideation sessions.

A big drawback of MindMeister is that it doesn't allow you to create process/data flow diagrams (like BPMN). Due to this limitation, you might need to switch to a different tool. Additionally, we have faced a bit of a lag if the mind map is extremely detailed out or having large files attached to it. Also, its free plan only allows you to create a few documents and doesn't provide enough features.

As I use mind maps a lot I love to be able to have them available everywhere I go and to share them with my colleagues so we can work together on the same mind map. It offers everything mindmapping software should offer and it does it online (or through mobile app) so the only thing I need is the internet connection. The maps look very nice, there is a good number of templates and options (both map structures and design templates) so if you need a good mindmapping software I that is platform independent I could really recommend this one as I tried a couple of others before finding it. When you share the mind map with colleagues things get really great, especially during the ideation and planning stage of a project as everyone can add branches, expand on ideas which really helps make meetings more effective later.

This app also has the presentation mode that I have not found so useful. I see how it might be great to be able to present your mindmap to others instead of boring them with a slideshow, but I did not use it, so this would be the only thing that I am not really 'digging 100%. In essence, there is nothing bad about the app that I would highlight as it does its core function (mindmapping) really well. Of course, the free version has some limitations in terms of number of maps you can make and the export formats, but even the basic version can be enough for most users' needs.

I'm a visual thinker, creator, and planner. As such Mindmeister is extremely useful in realizing visual imagery and information, pretty much effortlessly. It comes with lots of templates to get you started if you find them more convenient. But it's also really easy to get a mind map started from a blank canvass. After you begin building the map, it is easy to apply global styles or to style individual elements.

Another great feature is the ability to take a portion of a map and create a new map out of it, optionally leaving a link in the originating map. Highly convenient.

There aren't many cons. I wish it were easier to capture ideas quickly for working with later using the mobile app. Also on my wish list would be a way to text search for icons.