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CogniGuide

Software to Create Mind Maps With AI

See how a mind map is organized into a central topic, branches and details. Then build your own map from notes, a PDF or a typed topic.

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 Good Mind Map Software Should Do

Start from your own material, keep the structure editable, and move from the map to real study tasks.

Build From Your Files

Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, a text or Markdown file, or an image to start the map.

Clear Branch Structure

Each main idea becomes a branch, with subtopics and details nested below it for easy scanning.

Study Beyond the Map

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

How to Create a Mind Map in CogniGuide

Three steps take you from raw notes to an editable map you can study and share.

  1. 1

    Add Your Material

    Upload a file or type a topic into the generator.

  2. 2

    AI Builds the Map

    The AI groups ideas into a central node with expandable branches.

  3. 3

    Edit, Expand and Quiz

    Refine node text, expand any branch with AI, then export or test yourself.

Choosing Software to Create Mind Maps

Software to create mind maps helps you place a central idea in the middle of a page and grow related ideas outward as branches. Good tools make the structure easy to edit, so you can reorganize topics as your understanding changes. The example below shows a typical layout: one central topic, several main branches, and supporting details at the ends of each branch.

  • Central topic: the core idea placed at the middle of the map
  • Main branches: the major categories that split from the center
  • Subtopics: the supporting ideas nested under each branch
  • Details: examples, dates, definitions or formulas at the ends

Use the finished map to review before a test, plan a project, or outline an essay. Create your own map from your notes with CogniGuide, and it will be ready to edit in minutes.

Mind Map Software Questions

Answers about choosing tools and building maps from your own material.

What should I look for in mind map software?

Look for easy editing, clear branch structure, export options such as PNG or PDF, and the ability to share a link. Also check whether it can start from your existing documents rather than a blank page.

Can mind map software read a PDF or slides?

CogniGuide accepts PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text, Markdown and image files, and the AI turns their content into a map.

Can I turn my mind map into a quiz?

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

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free plan allows 5 creations a week with no payment needed, and paid plans raise those limits.