7 Outstanding Concept Map Makers With their Incomparable Attributes
The concept map is a representation of your thoughts. It is crucial to determine how you use your imagination on a specific subject. Furthermore, a concept map is beneficial to learners because it helps them conceptualize complex issues or topics and leads them to reasonable solutions. In addition, this kind of map is the best fit for the students for their homework, essay writing, and reviewing for their exam preparation. With this being said, in making a concept map, one should be heedful since it should contain helpful, persuasive, and knowledgeable information. Therefore, it makes sense why you need a productive concept map maker for the job.
Yes, you can use your paper and pen to make a concept map. However, a concept mapping program makes a substantial difference. Also, using an app will make you more practical yet techy, as everyone wants. However, choosing an app is not that easy because you need to go for the ones that will be genuine with prominent attributes that will satisfy your need. Fortunately, as you go through this article, you will meet the ultimate online and offline tools that stood out based on the tryouts. So, without further adieu, let's choose the best among the excellent concept map tools below.
- Part 1. Top 3 Concept Map Makers Online
- Part 2. 4 Outstanding Concept Map Programs Offline
- Part 3. Comparison Among the Concept Mapmakers
- Part 4. FAQs With Regard Concept Map Making
As one main writer of MindOnMap's editorial team, I always provide real and verified information in my posts. Here are what I usually do before writing:
- After selecting the topic about the concept map maker, I always do a lot of research on Google and in forums to list the tools to draw concept maps that users care about the most.
- Then I use all the software mentioned in this post and spend hours or even days testing them one by one. Sometimes I need to pay for some of these concept map creators.
- Considering the key features and limitations of these programs for making concept maps, I conclude what use cases these tools are best for.
- Also, I look through users' comments on these concept map makers to make my review more objective.
Part 1. Top 3 Concept Map Makers Online
Top 1. MindOnMap
MindOnMap tops the best online tools for creating concept maps. This online tool has proven many things, not just in creating mind maps and diagrams. It also surpasses users' expectations in making flowcharts and concept maps through its great features and tools presented in the most facile interface. One of the top reasons everybody loves this free concept map maker is due to having the most straightforward navigation on its canvas. Imagine, you can use it even without keen assistance, for you can master it in just a few minutes.
What's best about it is that it offers users every element they need to develop a persuasive map. Imagine having beautiful themes, fonts, shapes, and hues into bringing out a map in various file formats to fit all platforms you use. Oh, using this software will also enable you to share the map with your friends for collaboration while maintaining it securely.
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PROS
- Flexible and accessible free concept map maker.
- The interface is easy to understand.
- Infused with great stencils.
- It has a collaboration feature.
- Come with beautiful charts and themes.
- It makes the process more manageable due to the hotkeys it offers.
CONS
- The adjustment to make a good template is a bit challenging.
- It’s internet dependent.
Top 2. PicMonkey
Next on the list is this PicMonkey. This online platform allows users to use numerous variety of concept map templates, enabling them to modify them on their preference. Surprisingly, PicMonkey gives chances to newbies to create different yet beautiful maps, diagrams, and charts by using ts other robust tools and editors to create new styles, fonts, and shapes. In addition, many are fond of the versatility of this tool because aside from being an online concept map maker, it is also known as a great photo editor that can turn your typical image into the loveliest one. However, as good as it may seem, this online platform couldn't give users complimentary service all the way, although it allows them to use its free trial for seven days, and beyond that will require them a reasonable amount for its plans.
PROS
- It comes with a collaboration feature.
- Offers templates for all its service.
- Making a concept map is relatively easy due to the templates.
CONS
- The features and templates are too minimal with the free trial.
- Users can't install and save the templates unless they subscribe to the plans.
- It is accessible via the internet.
Top 3. Lucidchart
Lastly, the concept map creator online provides sufficient features and tools that aid a user in creating substantial maps to present. Furthermore, Lucidchart has been making a name on the web today because it is indeed a great chart, diagram, and map maker. Not to mention its collaboration feature that allows users to work together in real-time. In addition to this, the templates and elements it offers are also quite good. However, just like the previous tool, Lucidchart couldn’t commit to giving unlimited editing, for it only be given if you subscribe to its premium account.
PROS
- It is accessible since it’s an online tool.
- It comes with beautiful ready-made templates.
- Allows users for online collaboration.
- A concept map generator with a presentation mode.
CONS
- The free subscription is only limited to editing only three documents.
- Restrictions on toolbars are also observed.
Part 2. 4 Outstanding Concept Map Programs Offline
1. FreeMind
FreeMind is a free mind mapping tool that was turned into highly productive software. In addition, it has an elegant canvas allowing you to create concept maps ideally. Despite that, FreeMind also provides features, icons, and shortcut keys that make you arrange the concepts you incorporated quickly. Oh, the best part of it is that this software is open-source, which also lets you use it unlimitedly.
PROS
- Totally free concept map maker.
- Comes with hotkeys for a more accessible function.
- Its interface is neat and straightforward.
CONS
- The Mac version has a more challenging procedure than Windows.
- It's not updated.
- The interface is so simple it makes it look not very interesting.
2. Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word makes a vast difference in concept mapping. This program for documentation is incorporated with so many illustrations that everyone will enjoy while using it. Though it seems so impossible for you not to know Microsoft's software, we will still provide you with more insights about it. Did you know that Word also comes with a collaboration feature? This well-known software allows users to share their documents to Cloud for collaboration. On the other hand, everyone who has been fond of using this concept map tool knows its limit when it comes to a different device other than Windows.
PROS
- It is intuitive and dependable.
- It offers more than you expect.
- Provide stunning templates.
CONS
- It's paid software.
- Not applicable on Mac OS devices.
3. XMind
Next in line is this desktop tool roaring higher in making creative maps. XMind comes with a simple interface and a simple editing panel that we should give credit for giving users a straightforward procedure for making a concept map. Also, it offers users the chance to export their projects in various file formats, including ones for the image. Accessibility-wise, this concept map creator promotes a sync data feature that will allow you to sync to other computer platforms and various mobile devices.
PROS
- It comes with presentation features.
- It allows users to use a wider screen.
- With sharing feature.
CONS
- It should enhance the tollbar functionality.
- It has limited customization on shapes, width, and styles.
4. Freeplane
Finally, we have another open-source software for mind mapping, the Freeplane. This desktop tool is equipped with lovely stencils that allow you to showcase your ideas via mind mapping. Not just that, it also extends its remarkable ability to create flowcharts and diagrams, helping users to distribute, comprehend, and conceptualize their thoughts more simply and quickly. This free concept map maker enables you to access it not only on Windows but also on Mac and Linux.
PROS
- It comes with a unique integration.
- Equipped with a password to protect maps.
- It is intuitive.
CONS
- The interface is old-fashion.
- Its accessibility needs improvements.
Part 3. Comparison Among the Concept Mapmakers
| Concept Map Makers | Platform | Price | Feasibility |
| MindOnMap | Web, Mobile | free | 95% |
| PicMonkey | Web, Mobile | Basic: $7.99 / mos. Pro: $12.99 / mos. Business: $23.00 / mos. | 94% |
| Lucidchart | Web | Individual: $7.95 / mos. Team: $27 / mos. | 95% |
| FreeMind | Window, Mac | free | 93% |
| Word | Windows, Web | $149.99 Free online. | 94% |
| XMind | Windows, Linux, Mac | $59.99 yearly | 95% |
| FreePlane | Windows, Linux, Mac | free | 92% |
Part 4. FAQs With Regard Concept Map Making
Can I use the Paint as a concept map tool?
Yes. Paint is equipped with beautiful elements that you can use in making conceptualized ideas on a map.
Can I rely on Google suites to make a concept map?
Yes. Using the Drawing app of Google Docs, you will be able to produce comprehensive maps such as concept maps. Click here to learn how to make a concept map on Google Docs.
Does Freeplane offer a collaboration feature?
Nope. Freeplane works offline and doesn’t have a collaboration feature.
Conclusion
You probably realized that many great tools could help you in concept mapping. May this post enables you to decide which mapping tool you should use later. All of them are deserving. You have to weigh if you need the offline tool more or the online concept map maker. Regardless, we still highly recommend you to use the MindOnMap, try its great features, and thank us later.
