Exploring the virtues of mind-mapping apps for macOS
All these tools allow you to arrange, rearrange and organize thoughts
Last week I told you I’ve become enthralled with a brainstorming and notetaking technology known as mind-mapping and that I’ve been playing around with four different mind-mapping apps for macOS.
Overall, they are more alike than different. All have rapid-fire modes that let you create multiple nodes in quick succession. A new node appears for each new thought or topic, which gives you a basic mind map to work with.
You can drag-and-drop to arrange or rearrange nodes and the connections among them.
All of the apps feature a variety of shapes, lines and labels, and all of them let you customize a node or nodes quickly and easily.
For me, the best feature in all of them is the way you can easily switch between your mind-map and an outline.
As I mentioned last week, outlines have been my primary organizational tool since time immemorial. This is the killer feature of mindmapping software — I love to start by brainstorming a visual mind-map, and then use a traditional outline to organize and prioritize all those items.
The apps are all relatively easy to learn and use.
Still, if you’re running a business, working with a team or looking for more than mind-maps and outlines, MindManager is probably most appropriate, as it may well live up to its claim to be “the world’s most powerful mind-mapping software.”
In addition to a full complement of mindmapping and outlining features, MindManager also integrates powerful features not available in other apps. For example, it offers tools for project management, including Gantt charts (bar charts that illustrate project schedules) and comprehensive cost tracking.
It can sync data from websites, apps, spreadsheets and more for you to include in mind-maps. There’s also an iOS and Android app that lets you jot down your thoughts while on the go and then automatically forward the text (or images) to MindManager 13 on your Mac.
It’s worth noting that three of the four apps — XMind, MindNode and iThoughtsX — are included in the Setapp subscription app service with more than 150 curated and (mostly) high-quality apps for $9.99 a month.
If you’re interested in mind-mapping, all four apps offer trial versions, so I encourage you to check out mind mapping risk-free. The next time you need to brainstorm, outline, or take notes, give mind-mapping a try. There’s nothing to lose, and you may find it more efficient than your current technique. Plus, it’s more fun than creating an outline.
One last thing: While researching mind-mapping, I discovered a website called Biggerplate ( www.biggerplate.com), the self-proclaimed
“Home of mind-mapping.” With thousands of free mind-map templates and examples, it’s a great place to explore what you might do with your mindmaps!
Resources
XMind 2020. XMind Ltd. $59.99 a year or $39.99 for six months. www.xmind.net
MindNode. IdeasOnCanvas GmbH. $19.99 a year or $2.49 a month. www.mindnode.com
iThoughtsX. toketaWare. $49.99. www.toketaware.com
MindManager for Mac 13. Mindjet. $349. www.mindjet.com
Setapp. Setapp Ltd. $9.99 a month. www.setapp.com
Biggerplate. Free. www.biggerplate.com