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CogniGuide

A Free App for Mind Mapping

Turn your PDFs, slides, or typed topics into interactive mind maps with AI. Expand any branch, edit text, and export when you are done.

No credit card required

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Trusted by learners from top universities

University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of MichiganGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

CogniGuide at a glance

What you get
Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
Exports
Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
Price
Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
Sign-up
A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
What you can upload
PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.

How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify

What the Free Mind Mapping App Does

Build maps from your own material, then shape and study them in one place.

Maps from your files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown or image file and get a branched map.

Expand any node

Select a branch and let AI add sub-topics, so a rough outline grows into a full map.

Study from the map

Turn a finished map into a quiz, or create flashcards from the same notes.

How to Make a Mind Map in the App

Three steps from your notes to an editable, shareable map.

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload a file or type a topic into the free app.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The app organizes the content into a branched mind map in moments.

  3. 3

    Edit, expand and export

    Refine nodes, expand weak branches, then export as PNG or PDF or share a link.

Free Mind Mapping Apps: What to Look For

A free app for mind mapping lets you organize ideas as a visual tree, with a central topic and branches for each subtopic. Good free tools let you start without payment, add your own material, and edit the result. Mind maps work best when the main branches reflect how the subject divides, so the layout helps you see relationships at a glance.

  • Central topic: the single idea every branch connects back to
  • Main branches: the major categories or themes of the subject
  • Sub-branches: supporting details, examples and definitions
  • Export options: PNG or PDF files for notes, slides or printing

Use the map to review before a test, plan a project or outline an essay. To make one from your own notes, create a personalized mind map with CogniGuide.

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Free Mind Mapping App Questions

Answers about getting started with a free mapping tool.

Is there a free app for mind mapping that uses AI?

Yes. CogniGuide has a free plan that lets you create five maps a week with no payment needed. Paid plans raise those limits.

What file types can I use to make a map?

You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text or Markdown files, and images, or simply type a topic.

Can I edit the map after AI creates it?

Yes. You can edit any node's text, expand branches with AI, and reorganize the map to fit your notes.

Can I turn my mind map into a quiz?

Yes. CogniGuide can turn a finished map into a quiz to test yourself, and the same notes can become flashcards.