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CogniGuide

Free Mind Mapping Software for Mac

Turn your PDFs, slides and notes into an interactive mind map in your browser, which works on any Mac. The free plan includes 5 creations a week.

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 Mac Mind Mapper Does

Build maps from your own material, then expand, edit and quiz yourself from the same map.

Build From Your Own Files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or Markdown file, or an image, and get a mind map in minutes.

Expand Any Branch

Click any node to have the AI add sub-branches, then edit the text to fit your course.

Export, Share or Quiz

Export PNG or PDF, share a link, or turn the map into a quiz to test what you remember.

How to Make a Mind Map on Your Mac

Three steps from a file or a topic to a map you can study, edit and export.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload your lecture slides, PDF or notes, or simply type the topic you want to map.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI organizes the content into a central idea with expandable main and sub-branches.

  3. 3

    Study, Expand or Export

    Edit nodes, add detail with AI, take a quiz, or export the map as PNG or PDF.

Choosing Free Mind Mapping Software for Mac

Free mind mapping software for Mac lets you organize ideas visually without buying a desktop license. A good mapper starts with a central topic and splits it into main branches, then sub-branches for details. Look for tools that handle your existing files, let you edit nodes freely, and export clean images or PDFs for printing and sharing.

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

Once your map is built, use it to revise, plan an essay or prepare for an exam. Upload your own notes to CogniGuide and get a personalized mind map in minutes.

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Free Mac Mind Mapping Questions

Common questions about free mind mapping on a Mac.

Is there a free mind mapping app for Mac?

Yes. CogniGuide's free plan lets you create up to 5 mind maps a week in your browser, with no payment needed.

How do I make a mind map from a document?

Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, and the AI turns its headings and key points into a map with branches you can expand.

Can I export my mind map as a PDF?

Yes. You can export your map as a PNG or PDF to print, attach to an assignment or share with classmates.

Can I turn a mind map into a quiz?

Yes. CogniGuide can turn a map into a quiz so you can test yourself on the branches you have studied.