• Concept Map Maker Free

Lucidchart is a concept map maker that gives you the ability to visualize connections between ideas, events, or notes in order to better plan curriculum or outline projects. Sign up for a free trial today! Concept map maker to create concept maps online quickly. Multiple, professionally-designed concept map examples and templates to get a head start. As concept map consists from conception-blocks and links between them, you can use ConceptDraw library objects and add to a document as much objects as you need. ConceptDraw tools let you to edit, group, move objects, change their appearance and add text signs and raster or vector pictures.

Concept maps are slowly evolving into a useful tool of modern millennials who wish to simplify relationships and ideas in a graphical format rather than going the theoretical way. It makes use of connecting lines and boxes to establish connections between ideas. Their relationships are also revealed by using linking words and arrows in the form of a hierarchical structure. Today we are going to discuss 6 of the best concept map makers which you can avail for efficiently creating these project diagrams.

Concept Map vs. Mind Map

What Are the Criteria’s of A Good Concept Map Maker?

The concept map maker needs to encourage high-level thinking and brainstorming.

It should ideally promote collaborative learning.

A free concept map maker should spark creativity amongst its users.

While selecting a concept map maker, you need to make sure that it identifies the areas requiring further review.

It should synthesize information by integrating both new and old concepts so that you can gain a true understanding of the picture.

The concept map creator should allow users to communicate their complex ideas with each other for effective teamwork.

6 Best Concept Map Makers

1. EdrawMax

This all-in-one diagramming tool presents a drag and drop interface, which makes it an extremely user-friendly option. It allows users to customize every single detail using dynamic and smart toolkits. The results can be exported in a variety of formats and even printed as well as shared for greater versatility.

Pros:

• Offer users with a plethora of templates that can cater to a variety of career paths, fields, and needs.
• Files created can be exported to a variety of formats such as PDF, Visio, PPT, Word, Html, JPEG, etc.
• It also presents an online version which is as feature-packed as the software version.
• Users can create 260 varieties of diagrams ranging from technical ones to attractive infographics.
• The concept maps created can be shared on social media using an HTML link.

Cons:

• Nothing as such.

EdrawMax

All-in-One Diagram Software

• Superior file compatibility: Import and export drawings to various file formats, such as Visio
• Cross-platform supported (Windows, Mac, Linux, Web)

2. MindMaster by Edraw

You can now easily create concept maps for revealing connections between ideas and concepts with this concept map maker. This easy-to-use software doesn’t disrupt the creative flow while users visualize ideas and concepts. Users can insert tags, notes, attachments, and even comments for illustrating relationships between ideas.

Pros:

• It offers a note-taking tool that helps users efficiently organizing their content.
• Presents a user-friendly interface wherein users can organize their ideas.
• Present users with a large number of templates which help in the creation of eye-catching concept maps.
• Hand drawn function can be used for turning default border lines into natural wavy ones.
• Attachments and hyperlinks can be added for referring to supporting views.

Cons:

• Nothing to report.

EdrawMind

Full-Featured Mind Mapping Software

• Cross-platforms supported (Windows, Mac, Linux, Web)
• Brainstorming mode and presentation mode
• Group & real-time collaboration

3. Canva

This concept map maker can serve you exceptionally well while trying to simplify complex relationships with the use of various icons, lines, and shapes. Users can even control all the elements of their design using just a few drags and clicks.

Pros:

• Allow users to create visually-appealing and high-quality concept maps in no time.
• Presents an array of pre-designed templates and layouts which can be customized with a few clicks.
• The concept maps created can be shared through email or social media.

Cons:

• It might be difficult for amateur users to navigate.
• Lack of adequate editing options for fonts.
• It does not have any text-bending feature making it difficult to curve text around images, graphics, and other texts.

4. Visual Paradigm

Creating beautiful concept maps becomes a child’s play with this concept map creator, which allows users to decorate their concepts and ideas with attractive fonts and colors. The concept map diagrams can even be shared in commonly used formats such as PDF, PNG, SVG, and JPG.

Pros:

• Allow users to collaborate on projects through self-hosted or cloud server.
• Offer users an array of formatting options for delivering professional outputs.
• Model elements can be dragged and dropped into the document editor for building reports.

Cons:

• The interface is not adequately intuitive.
• Offer a large number of options that might just end up confusing the user.
• Some of the color effects on the diagrams are not up to the mark.

5. MindMup

You can explain the relationship between different components, visualize knowledge graphs, and even illustrate structural dependencies and flows using this intuitive concept map creator. Directions can be explained using arrows, and relationships can be explained through caption on lines for visualizing different relationship attributes.

Pros:

• Make it possible to depict the strength of connections using line styles.
• Allow users to connect with Google Drive so that they can access the concept maps whenever required.
• Users can take screenshots of the concept maps for being shared with other users.

Cons:

• Loading time might seem too long.
• Objects cannot be arranged with custom lines.
• Printing concept maps might cause the output to look either too small for reading or scaled.

6. Lucidchart

This visual workplace can drive up innovation by combining data visualization, diagramming, and collaboration. It allows in-editor chatting, which helps collate ideas from other contributors and give a final touch to the same. Users can retain control over editing permissions. They can also make use of presentation mode for presenting their concept map in a single click. G Suite integrations make it possible to both access and maintain the online concept map.

Pros:

• Offer various templates that help in merely plugging in your information and making edits as per requirement.
• Help in quickly organizing ideas by visualizing connections between them.
• Formatting options can be customized as per the requirement for gaining complete control over the concept map.

Cons:

• Loading time is too much at the very beginning.
• Integration with PowerPoint is not very straightforward.
• It does not integrate with other engines.

Conclusion

Concept mapping serves as a beneficial exercise for hypothesizing, brainstorming, discovering new knowledge, finding solutions as well as connections between different concepts. You can use any of the concept map makers mentioned above for making the most out of this functionality.

Visualize knowledge and organize it with ease. Use a professionally designed concept map maker to structure information in one of the most understandable and comprehensive ways.

Create a concept map which illustrates exactly what your brain thinks. Transpose your thoughts into a concept map using Mindomo’s features to personalize it as you imagine it. There are no limits to your imagination, or to the possibilities to build your concept map.

Customize your concept maps as you prefer: change the shapes, colors, font, size, background, add images, icons, videos, notes, links, etc. All the information you need is right there, organized in a comprehensive way, easy to read, understand, and memorize.

Drag and drop the topics with precision and arrange them anywhere on the map.

Create your offline or online concept map from scratch or use one of the concept map templates to get some inspiration:

• Concept map for kids

Copy and edit any of these concept map templates.

Once you add the concepts and ideas, create relationships between them represented by arrows. Each arrow can be edited, changing the color, weight, shape, pattern, or arrow position.

Moreover, you can write linking words on the label. It gives context and makes your concept maps more understandable.

When you create a concept map you don’t have to limit it to only one to one relationships. Therefore, add many-to-many relationships when you feel the need to connect more concepts and ideas with each other.

Unleash your creativity and let yourself think outside the box, finding new connections while you create your map.

Mindomo is high quality software which allows you to work on your maps along with your team members. Share your work and collaborate with others in real time, editing together. Improve your efficiency and save precious time. “More heads are better than one”.

• You can see all the changes instantly and the ones that you shared your work with will see yours. This way, any at a distance meeting is not a problem anymore. You can work from anywhere as you would be in the same place as your team members, even if you are on a different side of the world.
• “Playback history” allows you to see exactly all the changes made to your maps by the members of your team. You will be up to date all the time.
• Chat directly on Mindomo, without losing time and energy focusing on multiple apps. You have all in one.
• You have multiple options when you choose to share your work (concept maps).

• Share your concept map with specific people.
• Make the map public.
• Share your concept map only with people who have a link giving them rights to view it.
• Share it only with people who have a link giving them the right to edit it.

Mindomo is more than just a regular map tool, you can also create mind maps, outlines, and Gantt charts. The best part is that you can convert any of these diagram types into another with only one click! For instance, you can start by creating a mind map and then convert it into a concept map.

Or maybe you want to create a business plan and you create a concept map with all the necessary information. After it’s done you can directly turn it into a professionally designed Gantt chart. This is the perfect graphic representation for project planning.

When you are using a map maker the integrations will be very handy to simplify the creation process.

Concept maps are visual tools and customizing them with images and video files should be one of the main features. You can add images and videos using 2 methods: search or import them from your computer, Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.

You can sign up using your favorite identity provider, for example, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Office 365 and more.

If you are using this map maker for education, you can also integrate it with your learning management system. For example, you can integrate it to Google Classroom, Moodle, Desire2Learn and more, Blackboard, Canvas, itslearning, Schoology, etc.

Better understanding

Flexible layout

Improve memory

Relationships between topics

Easy to use and accessible

Collaborative/ Live edit

Platform independent

Offline-online synchronization

Templates

Convenience

Import/Export

Free account

A map maker can be used in a huge variety of situations from different domains: work, education, or personal life.

Work

In business, a concept map can help being intuitive, flexible, easy to use, collaborative, and a perfect tool to structure information.

For instance, you can structure a business plan, use it for analysis, brainstorming sessions, taking notes during meetings, planning business meetings. Unlike creating mind maps, the concept maps are more explanatory thanks to the connections between ideas.

Moreover, a concept mapping software comes in handy for digital to-do lists which are the most efficient. Why? You are able to attach documents, images, videos, or even audio files.

You can set priorities, add checkable tasks, and even structure them on days of the week. In addition, you can share your work with your team if you have tasks together or you go together on business trips.

A concept map can be a great learning and discovery tool. Little kids can start learning colors, animals, the alphabet, or anything else. Use some concept map templates to inspire and create more materials for the kids, including images, videos, and icons. Use many colors to make it attractive, so it can keep the attention and make it more interesting than a plain text or a book.

Humans learn better by doing than by reading. Let the kids create some maps, using their imagination and creativity. Moreover, students can benefit from the same advantages. Even if they have already developed their mind, understanding and learning are easier with a concept map. Besides learning, there are many other uses in education. For example, taking notes, assignments, structuring a CV or an essay, preparing presentations, and more.

Teachers can structure courses, give assignments and integrate the tool with the learning management systems.

Many people use concept mapping for personal development or improving time management. It is a great tool that helps you become more organized and this way you develop new skills, which is useful in any domain. Create to-do lists, or create monthly plans. You can do all of these creating mind maps as well. However, concept maps are more suitable for complex information which requires connections between ideas.

However, if you prefer to develop yourself in a different way you can use concept mapping to create vision boards. Add images, videos, links, or notes.

Inspire yourself everyday. Moreover, you can start learning new things about what you are passionate about. Create concept maps and put all the information in one place.

Build a concept to make a list of books, movies, TV series that you want to read or see. This way you won’t forget about them. Another great way to use a concept map is to create book summaries.

This way, when you want to go back to a book you love you can take a look on the map. You don’t have to re-read it again. Refresh your memory by concept mapping.

Concept Map Maker Free

Start your concept mapping journey with Mindomo. Create a free account and start creating maps from scratch or using templates, play with all the functionalities and share your work with members of your team.