The online mind map smackdown

During the last year and a half, a number of web-based tools for mind mapping have evolved quickly into competent business applications. Several of them are now approaching the functionality of desktop mind mapping software.

I've been planning to create a comparison chart that details how the offerings of each of the major developers of web-based mind mapping software tools compare, but just couldn't seem to get around to it - until recently. During a recent web search, I came across a chart produced by blogger Tiffany Brown that compared MindMeister, Mindomo, Mind42 and Comapping, and provided brief reviews of each of the programs. It was dated July 2007 - almost a year old, an eternity in Web 2.0 terms - and so I contacted Tiffany to see if I could use her chart as a jumping off point to an up-to-date comparison. She said yes!

I first made a detailed set of features and performance criteria, drawn from a similar chart that I offer for desktop-based mind mapping software, and added in other capabilities that are unique to these web-based tools. I then sent the form to each developer, asking them to fill in the required data. Finally, I compiled their answers into a detailed side-by-side comparison chart, which is now available for you to download.

This detailed chart covers criteria such as:

• Overview (versions, pricing)
• Map formats supported
• Map level features
• Topic-level features
• Import options
• Export options
• Publishing options
• Collaboration
• Other features

This is the most comprehensive comparison of web-based mapping tools ever created. And it's yours by clicking here.

By the way, if you're interested in reading Tiffany's original report, my comparison chart contains a link to her blog post at the bottom of the last page.

Comments

[George Wade]

Why didn't "somebody" WebMMp that chart ? It would have illustrated several points all at once, wouldn't it ?

[Ron C. de Weijze]

I wish the synthetic side of mindmapping were valued as much as the analytic side of it.