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CogniGuide

Free Mind Map App for Mac

CogniGuide runs in your Mac browser. Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file and get an interactive mind map you can expand, edit and export.

No credit card required

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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 Map App Does

Start on the free plan and turn your own study material into a mind map without installing anything.

Maps from your own files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file or image, and the AI turns its content into a branching mind map.

Expandable branches

Expand any node with AI, edit its text and reorganize branches to fit how you think about the subject.

Quiz and export next

Turn the finished map into a quiz, make flashcards from the same notes, or export as PNG or PDF.

How to Make a Mind Map on Mac

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

  1. 1

    Upload or type a topic

    Add a PDF, Word, PowerPoint or text file from your Mac, or type the subject you want mapped.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The generator splits your material into main topics, subtopics and details as connected branches.

  3. 3

    Study, expand, export

    Expand weak branches, edit wording, quiz yourself or export the map as a PNG or PDF.

Free Mind Mapping Apps for Mac Users

A free mind map app for Mac lets you organize ideas visually without buying software. A mind map starts with one central topic and branches outward into subtopics, then details. Browser-based tools like CogniGuide run on any Mac, so you can map lecture notes, reports or textbook chapters from Safari or Chrome.

  • Central topic: the main subject placed at the center of the map
  • Main branches: the major themes that split the subject apart
  • Subtopics: supporting ideas, causes, examples or steps under each branch
  • Details: facts, dates or definitions attached to the smallest nodes

Use the map to review before an exam, plan a project or check your understanding. When you want a map built from your own notes, CogniGuide can generate one from your files.

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Mind Map App Mac Free: Common Questions

Answers about using a free mind map app on a Mac.

Do I need to download anything to use it on Mac?

No. CogniGuide works in your Mac browser, so you can create and edit maps without installing a desktop app.

What file types can I use?

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

Is there a free plan?

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

Can I make a quiz from my mind map?

Yes. You can turn a finished map into a quiz to test yourself, and create flashcards from the same notes.