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CogniGuide

Software for Creating Mind Maps

Turn your PDFs, Word or PowerPoint files, notes or a plain topic into an interactive mind map with expandable branches.

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 Software Does for You

Build a map from your own study material, then refine it as you learn.

Build From Your Files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or Markdown file, or an image, and get a map of its main ideas.

Expand Any Branch

Open a node with AI to add sub-ideas, and edit node text whenever you need to change it.

Study and Share

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

How to Create a Mind Map

Three steps from raw notes to a map you can study and share.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload a file or type the topic you want to map out.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI groups your content into a central idea with branches.

  3. 3

    Study, Expand, Export

    Expand branches, take the quiz, then export or share the map.

Choosing Software for Creating Mind Maps

Mind map software arranges ideas around a central topic, with branches for the main themes and smaller branches for details. Good tools let you start from a blank canvas or build the structure automatically. A useful mind map shows how ideas relate, not just a list of words. The best choice depends on whether you want manual control, automatic structure from documents, or both.

  • Source input: whether the tool reads PDFs, slides or only typed text
  • Branch structure: how easily you can add, move and nest nodes
  • Editing: how simple it is to rename, reorder or expand ideas
  • Export: PNG, PDF or shareable links for classmates or colleagues
  • Self-testing: whether the map can become a quiz for revision

Use the map to plan an essay, revise for an exam or organize a project. Then generate a personalized mind map with CogniGuide from your own notes.

Explore related topics

creating mind maps in WordLearn how to create mind maps in Word with SmartArt, shapes and outline view, plus a sample map you can adapt. Build a map from your own notes in seconds.creating a mind map in PowerPointCreating a mind map in PowerPoint is easier with a clear method. This page shows the steps, layout choices and a sample map to copy.apps for creating mind mapsApps for creating mind maps compared by how they build maps from your files. See what to look for, then make a map from your own notes or PDF.online tool for creating mind mapsCreate interactive mind maps from your PDFs, slides or typed topics with this online tool.creating concept maps online freeLearn how creating concept maps online free works, with a sample map and steps to build your own.

Mind Map Software Questions

Common questions about creating mind maps with software.

What makes mind map software useful?

It lets you arrange ideas around a central topic and see how they connect. Automatic tools also structure the branches from documents, which saves time when you have lots of notes.

Can mind map software work from a PDF?

Some tools do. CogniGuide accepts PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown and image files, then builds an interactive map from their content.

Is there a free option for creating mind maps with CogniGuide?

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

Can I turn a mind map into a quiz?

Yes. CogniGuide can turn a map into a quiz to test yourself, and it can also make flashcards from the same notes.