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CogniGuide

Free Mind Map App for Students and Teachers

See how a mind map organizes a topic into branches, then create one from your own notes, PDF or slides with the free plan.

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 Map App Does

Build maps from your material and keep studying with the tools on each map.

Maps From Your Own Files

Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file and get a structured mind map.

Expandable Branches

Open any node to add detail with AI, edit the text, and reorganize ideas as you learn.

Quiz and Flashcards

Turn a finished map into a quiz, or make flashcards from the same notes to test recall.

How to Use the Free Mind Map App

Three steps from raw notes to a map you can study, share or export.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

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

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The app organizes your content into a main topic with labeled branches.

  3. 3

    Study, Expand and Export

    Expand nodes, take a quiz, then export as PNG or PDF or share a link.

Free Mind Mapping App: A Quick Guide

A free mind map app turns scattered information into a visual diagram. A mind map starts with one central idea and branches out into subtopics, details and examples. Students use this layout to see how ideas connect before an exam or essay.

  • Central topic: the main idea placed at the center
  • Main branches: the key categories that split from it
  • Sub-branches: supporting details and examples
  • Links: connections between related concepts

Once you have a map, review it branch by branch, then quiz yourself. CogniGuide can build a personalized map from your own notes in minutes.

Free Mind Map App Questions

Answers about mind maps and using the free plan.

What is a mind map used for?

Mind maps show how ideas relate to one central topic. They help with brainstorming, note review, planning essays and remembering how subtopics fit together.

How is a mind map different from an outline?

An outline lists ideas in a linear order, while a mind map arranges them radially around a central idea. The branch structure makes relationships easier to see at a glance.

Which files can I turn into a map?

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

Can I use the free plan and turn maps into quizzes?

Yes. The free plan includes 5 creations a week with no payment needed, and each finished map can be turned into a quiz to test yourself.