Best free AI tool to make a mind map from text
Last verified 2026-10-10Paid placement never changes our picks.
Short answer
As of October 2026, start with Mapify if you want to paste text, a PDF or a YouTube link into a free account, Markmap if you want unlimited free maps from a Markdown outline, and Napkin AI if you also want diagrams from the same text. The main catch: free AI credits are small, and Markmap has no built-in AI.
Top picks
Mind maps from text, PDFs, YouTube videos and web pages
- Free tier
- 30 one-time AI credits; 5 document and 5 YouTube conversions; no top-tier model
- Starting price
- From $9.99
- Platforms
- Web, Chrome extension, iOS, Android, macOS
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
Free gives 30 one-time credits, which run out fast; Basic is $9.99 a month with 1,000 monthly credits.
Unlimited free maps from a Markdown outline
- Free tier
- Entirely free; MIT licence; no paid tier
- Starting price
- Free
- Platforms
- Web, VS Code extension
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
No built-in AI: input must be a Markdown outline, which a chatbot can write for you.
Turning text into mind maps, diagrams and infographics
- Free tier
- 500 AI credits per week; unlimited editing; PNG/PDF export; Napkin branding
- Starting price
- See pricing page
- Platforms
- Web, API
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
Free gives 500 AI credits a week with Napkin branding; the page does not say which plans include mind maps.
Maps from text, files, links or media on any device
- Free tier
- See pricing page
- Starting price
- See pricing page
- Platforms
- Web, Chrome extension, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
Free users get limited AI trials with unpublished caps; no prices appear on the homepage.
AI mind maps in desktop apps, including Linux
- Free tier
- 500 AI trial tokens; 100MB storage; watermarked exports; 100 topics
- Starting price
- See pricing page
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
Free has 500 AI trial tokens and watermarked exports; the monthly price shows two different figures.
Real-time team mind mapping with hosting in Germany
- Free tier
- 3 mind maps; unlimited collaborators; AI creation/editing in beta, counts not s…
- Starting price
- See pricing page
- Platforms
- Web, iOS, Android
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
Free allows 3 maps; AI map creation is labelled beta and paid prices were not shown.
Teams already brainstorming on a Miro whiteboard
- Free tier
- 3 editable boards; AI limited trial (FAQ: 10 credits per month)
- Starting price
- See pricing page
- Platforms
- Web, iOS, Android
- Last verified
- 2026-10-10
Free keeps 3 boards editable; the pricing page gives conflicting figures for free AI credits.
Prices come from each tool's fact block. "See pricing page" means we have not confirmed the number on the official pricing page in the last 30 days, so we do not show one.
How to choose
- If you want no quota at all → Markmap (free and MIT-licensed; ask any chatbot for a Markdown outline, then paste it into the online editor).
- If your source is a PDF, web page or YouTube video → Mapify (Free lists 5 document and 5 YouTube conversions plus 30 one-time credits; Basic is $9.99 a month).
- If you want desktop apps, including Linux → EdrawMind (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and web; free exports carry a watermark).
- If you map with a team in real time → MindMeister (live collaboration and hosting in Germany; free allows 3 maps) or Miro if your team already uses its whiteboard.
- If you want mind maps plus flowcharts and infographics → Napkin AI (500 free AI credits a week, with Napkin branding on visuals).
How we checked
- 7 of 7 picks have a Toolsfine fact block.
- 6 of 7 picks had their pricing checked on the official site in the last 30 days.
- 1 of 1 models also suggested Mapify.Panel: Claude (2026-10-10).
- Verified on 2026-10-10.
Listed in other directories
| Tool | theresanaiforthat.com | futurepedia.io | toolify.ai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mapify | Listed | Not checked | Not checked |
| Markmap | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| Napkin AI | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| GitMind | Listed | Not checked | Not checked |
| EdrawMind | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| MindMeister | Listed | Not checked | Not checked |
| Miro | Not checked | Listed | Not checked |
"Not checked" means we could not open that directory's page; it does not mean the tool is missing there.
Where sources disagree
- Xmind: Often recommended, and in our model panel, but its text-to-map feature is Premium-only and Free gives 50 one-time AI credits. It is not in our library yet, so it is listed under also mentioned.
- Miro free AI credits: Miro's pricing table calls free AI a limited trial, while its FAQ says 10 credits a month. Check in your account.
- EdrawMind price: The individual plan shows two monthly figures side by side, likely a new and an old price, so we publish no number.
- Unpublished limits: GitMind does not publish free AI caps or prices on its homepage, and Napkin AI does not say which plans include mind maps. Both may change without notice.
Also mentioned elsewhere
Other sources name these tools for this job. They are not in our picks because we have not checked them yet.
- Xmind · Official siteCross-platform mind-mapping app; AI text-to-map needs Premium, Free has 50 one-time AI credits.
- Whimsical · Official siteDiagram and whiteboard tool with AI mind maps; free exports are watermarked.
- Mindomo · Official siteMind and concept maps with AI brainstorming; free accounts get one AI credit.
- Ayoa · Official siteMind-mapping app whose AI map building is only on the paid Ultimate plan.
- Mermaid Chart · Official siteText-based diagrams including a mindmap syntax, with AI help; pricing not read.
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Related answers
Changelog
- 2026-10-10 · Picks, prices and sources re-checked
- 2026-10-10 · Page updated
- 2026-10-10 · First published
Last verified 2026-10-10 · next re-check 2027-01-08. Report an error
Paid placement never changes our picks. Data: JSON