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CogniGuide

Free Mind Map App for Windows Users

See how a mind map organizes a topic into branches, then create your own map from your notes, PDF or slides in any Windows browser.

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

Why Windows Users Choose CogniGuide

Build a study map from your own material without installing software on your PC.

Build From Your Own Files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file and get a mind map from its content.

Expandable Branches

Open any node with AI to add detail, and edit node text to match your course notes.

Export and Share

Export your map as PNG or PDF for printing, or share a link with classmates.

How to Make a Mind Map on Windows

Three steps from a file on your PC to a finished map you can study.

  1. 1

    Upload or Type a Topic

    Add a PDF, Word, PowerPoint or text file from your Windows folders, or type a topic name.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI organizes your material into a central idea with main and sub-branches.

  3. 3

    Study, Expand and Quiz

    Expand any branch, export a PNG or PDF, or turn the map into a quiz to test yourself.

Using a Free Mind Map App on Windows

A free mind map app for Windows lets you sketch ideas as a branching diagram in your web browser. A mind map starts with one central topic and adds main branches for key themes, then smaller branches for details. Because the layout is visual, you can see how ideas connect before you memorize them. Many students and professionals use this format for essays, exams and project planning.

  • Central topic: the main idea placed at the center of the map
  • Main branches: the major themes that support the central idea
  • Sub-branches: supporting facts, examples and definitions
  • Connections: links between branches that show cause or relation

Use the finished map to review before a test, plan a presentation or outline an essay. Then create a personalized map from your own notes with CogniGuide.

Free Mind Map App for Windows: Questions

Answers about using a free mind map app on a Windows computer.

Do I need to install software to make a mind map on Windows?

No. CogniGuide runs in your web browser, so you can make a mind map on Windows without downloading an installer. Open the site, upload a file or type a topic, and the map is built for you.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free plan allows 5 creations a week and requires no payment. Paid plans raise those limits.

Which files can I upload?

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

Can I turn the map into a quiz?

Yes. Any map can be converted into a quiz to test yourself, and the same notes can also become flashcards.