Comparison of Concept Mapping Software

This article compares the features of a number of concept mapping packages. We suggest that you first read our Introduction to Concept Mapping which discusses the uses and advantages of concept maps.

[Editor's note: This article refer to discontinued versions. We are currently updating it with the details of the latest versions. In the meantime if you would like more information or advice then contact us.]

The four packages we are going to look at are MindGenius for Education v1, Mind Manager X5 Pro, Inspiration v7.6, and Kidspiration v2.

1.0: How to create a map

In this section we are going to look at how each package lets you create, adapt and extend a concept map. This varies greatly in each program and produces very different looking maps. It is important that the method of creating a map suits your way of thinking and you may find that this is the deciding factor for which package you use.

1.1 Brainstorming

Brainstorming is the most efficient way of developing a concept map and so is an important function in concept mapping software. But brainstorming or rapid fire functions work differently in each package. This can greatly affect how you use the package and whether it is suitable for you. To show what sort of map appears when you brainstorm we have entered 4 ideas in a brainstorming session in each program. None of the diagrams took very long to draw but they all look very different. Within the text of the maps is some explanation of how each package lays out a brainstorming session.

Examples:

MindGenius: The layout during brainstorming depends on which map type you choose. The first example uses a web layout and the second an organisational chart.

Figure 1: web layout from MindGenius for Education

Figure 2: tree layout in MindGenius for Education

MindManager:

Figure 3: Mind map drawn in MindManager

Inspiration:

Figure 4: default web layout in Inspiration

1.2: Adding a new branch

New ideas can also be added to a concept map without using the brainstorming functions. Each program has a different way of letting you add new branches, which may affect how useable you find the program. Most programs use a button on the toolbar for creating new ideas. However, Inspiration and Kidspiration also use a symbol palette which allows you to drag and drop the shape of each node you want. This means you can add new nodes without linking them to other ideas. This can be an advantage for those people who want to put all their ideas down without any structure or links and then organise them later. But, unless the nodes are organised in the correct manner, other functions in the program, such as the text outline, may not function properly.

1.3: Changing the order & level of nodes

Being able to re-arrange ideas is your map is important for organising your thoughts and idea. After a brainstorming session you want to be able to move ideas to different parts of the map (e.g. to group similar ideas together) or to change the level of an idea (e.g. if an idea if a sub idea of another). Therefore being able to quickly and easily re-arrange ideas is a major functions of any concept mapping software.

We found that those programs which initially impose a structure as you enter ideas, (such as MindGenius and MindManager) have the easiest method of re-ordering and changing the level of the map nodes and branches. In the programs which allow you to enter ideas without linking them or imposing a structure, such as Inspiration and Kidspiration, it was more difficult to re-arrange branches with links having to be moved or re-drawn. This is an important point - some users may prefer to see all their ideas on screen at once before connecting them up manually while other users may prefer to see all their ideas on a level playing field around a main idea which they can easily re-locate, group and re-order.

1.4: Notes

Notes are a useful tool for adding more information to a map without cluttering up the view or distracting from keywords or ideas. Notes can also be used to bulk out a map into a first draft of a document which can then be exported to a word processing package. Both MindGenius and MindManager have extensive notes functions allowing you to extend and format your notes. For example you can add bullet points, tables and other objects or change the size of the font and underline or bold text. Inspiration has a more basic notes function and it can be more difficult to tell if there is a note attached to an idea. However, it is possible to add and edit notes in the outline view in Inspiration.

1.5: Attachments

Maps are frequently used as a way of summarising a lot of information in a visual manner. Therefore it is useful to be able to attach not only text to an idea but images, symbols, categories, resources, hyperlinks, files and other maps. In many cases images, files or hyperlinks can be used as the idea instead of text. Applying categories and resources to ideas can be useful for planning projects or simplifying large maps. For example, one of the tools repeatedly used in mind mapping is to apply visual symbols to help distinguish between tasks, ideas, status and priorities. MindGenius and MindManager provide the most attachment functions with the ability to attach any files or image. However, Inspiration provides the simplest way of attaching images, by cutting and pasting, or hyperlinks which can just be typed into the idea text.

1.6: Relating one branch to another.

Sometimes it may be useful to show a relationship between ideas on different parts of a map without linking them. These are called mental connections or relationships and are only available in MindGenius and MindManager. In MindGenius a Mental Connection has all the same properties of a branch - it can have a names and notes, images or files associated with it - but it does not affect the structure of the map. It can be used to connect two branches on the map or to add free-floating text and pictures. When the text form of the map is exported all the properties associated with the mental connection appear under each of the ideas it was connected to. In MindManager a Relationship is shown as a line connecting two ideas. A name can be given to a relationship but this option must be turned on in the Preferences menu and there are no other properties associated with the Relationship. Inspiration allows you to add links between any ideas but this does affect the text outline version of the diagram.

1.6: Free text or images in your map.

Sometimes it is useful to be able to put text or images close to the map but not attached. For example this can be used to describe the background to the map or how to complete a map template.

Mind Manager is the only program which has this tool explicitly included although it is also possible to create free text and images with MindGenius, Inspiration and Kidspiration very simply using other functions.

2: Changing the layout of a map

The most important aspect of concept mapping is being able represent information visually. Therefore how you lay out the information may affect how easy it is to understand or interpret. A lot of the time the choice of layout and formatting depends on personal preferences. Some people may prefer to have as much flexibility as possible in determining the layout of their map as it helps them to understand the ideas and relationships involved. Others may prefer a more structured approach where they do not get distracted with re-arranging the map all the time. A compromise between these two approaches is to use templates where the user can set up a template. This can contain an empty map in the style they favour which can then be used again and again. In this section we will examine the layout options available in each program along with functions that can alter the format, style and template of a map.

Map layout functions

Inspiration has the most flexible approach to laying out a map as it allows you to move ideas to any location. However the functions for arranging a map into a set structure are limited - the structure is only imposed when you use the re-arrange function, it does not apply to any new ideas that are added afterwards. This means that you have to constantly re-arrange a map as you extend it. The map below has been arranged as a tree diagram but when new ideas were added they were arranged in a web layout.

Figure 7: Example of Inspiration's arrange function

MindGenius provided the best structured layout - with the ability to re-arrange the map into a variety of layouts at the touch of button. MindGenius also lets you define the layout of a map in a template. Although you can’t move ideas to any locations, MindGenius does let you alter the spacing of the map branches, both horizontally and vertically.

Other Map View functions

Both MindGenius and MindManager have filtering functions which enable you to filter out branches from the current view. MindGenius has various criteria that can be used to filter out branches including category, date range and whether a branch contains notes or not. You can also zoom-in to a branch of a map using the focus function which is particularly useful when working on a large map. MindManager has a function where selecting or unselected branches can be greyed out or hidden completely. Both these programs and Inspiration have options to specify which levels of the map are shown. This is a useful tool for simplifying large maps.

Inspiration and MindGenius also let you alter the background colour of the map; while MindGenius also lets you use images as a background - all of which can be saved in a template.

3: Outline View

One of the main advantages of using concept mapping software is the ability to see, edit and export a text version of your map. This enables you to effectively use concept mapping as an outlining tool. Each package has a different method of handling outlines.

Inspiration has the most advanced outline view, with the ability to edit and expand the map in the outline version. However, MindGenius has the advantage of seeing the text outline at the same time as the map (see screenshots, below). MindGenius also lets you apply an outline structure to the layout of your map which displays all the images, icons and colours of the map and where you can re-order, edit and add branches. Both these outline views are available at the click of a button.

Figure 8: MindGenius outline view

Figure 9: Inspiration outline view

MindManager provides few functions for viewing an text outline version of a map you can only viewed in print preview unless exported to MS Word or printed. This severely limits the use of the program as a drafting or pre-writing tool.

4: Importing and exporting maps.

Being able to share the content of maps with other people as well as manipulate the data in other applications is an important facet of concept mapping software. Similarly it is valuable to be able to import information whether it is from another map or a text document. These functions enable you to convert text into a visual format and back again. For example, it is possible to convert a word document into a visual map, and then from a map into a text document, a presentation or project plan. So what functions do our concept mapping programs offer?

MindGenius has the most advance importing and exporting functions with the ability to include images, attachments and notes into the exported files. These export functions can be accessed at the click of a button and can lead directly into other applications. The option to use MS Word or PowerPoint templates means that you can very quickly go from a map to a completed presentation or document. MindManager also lets you export to a Word document through the toolbar, while Inspiration allows you to export your outline view to a variety of text file formats. Maps can be saved as a graphics file in all these programs, although MindGenius is the only program which will allow you to include a graphic of the map when exporting to a Word Document or presentation.

5: Conclusions

We found that the most easy to use packages were MindGenius and Inspiration. While MindGenius and MindManager both had the most functions (particularly for exporting to other programs) we found the advanced functions much easier to access and more useful in MindGenius. Inspiration, although lacking in advanced features, is the best package for those users who want have complete freedom over how their map is laid out, while MindGenius provides the best brainstorming and structured layout approach.

	MindGenius for Education	MindManager (Business Edition)	Inspiration	Kidspiration
1.1.1 Is there a brainstorm function?	Yes automatic	Yes from button on toolbar	Yes from button on toolbar	No
1.2.1 What methods are available to add new ideas to map? Important for creating a map to suit your own thinking style.	Select idea and start typing in sub-idea or got to branch menu and select Add	Select idea then click New branch button to create sub idea. Right click on idea and select insert branch.	Select idea then click Create button to create sub idea. Drag empty idea box from symbol palette and then link it manually to the map using the link button.	Select idea then click Add Symbol button to create sub idea. Drag empty idea box from symbol palette and then link it manually to the map.
1.3.1 How can you change the location or order of the nodes? Important for re-organising your ideas.	The order can be altered by dragging a node to over the branch you want it next to. When an up arrow is shown then the node will be positioned above that branch and vice versa for a down arrow. The separation of branches can be altered by buttons on the toolbar.	The order of branches can be changed by dragging and dropping. Branches can only be positioned where a yellow appears and the separation of branches or layout can not be altered.	The position of a node can be changed by dragging it to a new location. This does not affect the order in the outline view. To alter that, ideas can be dragged and dropped in the list to alter their order.	As Inspiration
1.3.2 How can you change the level of a node? Important for re-organising your ideas.	Drag the branch to the outer edge of the branch you want it to be a sub idea of. When a left or right arrow appears then drop the branch. In the map explorer view this can be done by dragging the branch and dropping it over the branch you want it to be a sub idea of.	Drag branch to the edge of the branch you want it to be a sub idea of. A yellow arrow will appear in the location where the branch will be moved to.	In diagram view the only way to alter the level of a node is to alter the link between it and other nodes. This can be done by deleting the link and then reconnecting the node in the new location or by dragging the existing link end to the new node. In the outline view the level of a node can be changed by dragging it to its new location or by using the left and right buttons on the toolbar.	As Inspiration.
1.4.1 Can you add notes to ideas? Important for expanding your ideas. Necessary for using concept mapping for drafting documents.	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
1.4.2 How can you tell if there is a note attached to an idea?	A paper symbol appears to the right of the idea it is associated with.	A note book symbol appears to the left of the idea it is associated with.	When idea selected, top-left hand corner box is filled
1.4.3 Can you view the notes window while editing the map?	Yes	Yes	No
1.4.4 Are you able to format your notes?	Yes, including bullet points, numbered lists, tables, hyperlinks, images and symbols. You may also alter the background colour of the note	Yes, including bullet points, numbered lists, tables, hyperlinks, images and symbols.	No
1.4.5 Can you spell check your notes?	Yes	Yes	Yes
1.4.6 Can you export your notes?	Yes	Yes	Yes
1.4.7 Can you view your notes in the outline view? Important for creating a finished document.	Notes are not shown in outline view but can have notes editor open so that when an idea is selected the notes are shown.	No
1.5.1 Can you attach an image to an idea? Important tool to help memorise ideas or making your map more visual.	Yes by right clicking on the idea and then browsing for the file	Yes either by dragging and dropping from symbol gallery (where the user can insert their own images) or by inserting a new idea as an image.	Yes, either by dragging from dragging from the symbol palette, or by cutting and pasting an image or by right clicking and inserting a graphic.	Yes either by dragging from dragging from the symbol palette, or by cutting and pasting an image.
1.5.2 Can you use icons to categorise an idea? Enables you to add another dimension to your map.	Yes either from the icon toolbar or from the more extensive icon library which can be customised and extended.	Yes, known as codes, can be dragged from the toolbar to the idea.	No	No
1.5.3 Can you attach a file to an idea? Enables you to expand the information held within your map.	Yes, by right clicking and using attach option. A symbol then appears by the idea.	Yes, by right clicking and using define hyperlink option. A symbol then appears by the idea.	No	No
1.5.4 Can an idea be a direct hyperlink?	No	No	Yes	Yes
1.5.5 Can you attach a hyperlink to an idea?	Yes, by right clicking and using attach option. A symbol then appears by the idea.	Yes, by right clicking and using define hyperlink option. A symbol then appears by the idea.
1.5.6 Can you link another map to an idea?	Yes, by right clicking and using Linked map path option. A symbol then appears by the idea.	Yes, by right clicking and using define hyperlink option. A symbol then appears by the idea.	Yes, by double clicking on the top-right hand corner of an idea which will now be filled in. This will create a new map with the original idea as the main idea.	No
1.5.7 Can ideas be categorised?	Yes by right clicking and using Categories option. This shows a master list of categories which can be extended.	Only by use of code symbols.	No	No
1.5.8 Can resources and tasks be allocated to an idea?	Yes by right clicking and using Resource/Action option. This shows a master list of categories which can be extended. Actions can be exported to MS Outlook.	Tasks can be assigned though codes or by synchronizing with MS Outlook or MS Project.	No	No
1.6 Can you associate free text or images with the map?	Yes by using the mental connection function with no connector shown.	Yes using floating text or floating symbol functions.	Yes by adding new ideas but not linking them to the map.	Yes by adding new ideas but not linking them to the map.
2.1 What set map layouts or arrangements are available? Important for versatility and developing a map to suit your thinking style and uses.	Standard map layout with numerous order options; Organogram or organisation (top down tree) diagram; Funnel (bottom up tree) diagram; Input (left) tree diagram; Output (right) tree diagram; Affinity diagram; Graphical layout view. It is also possible to colour code each branch or add numbers.	Standard map layout; All left map; All right map.	Web diagram; Cluster diagram; Top down tree diagram; Bottom up tree diagram; Left Tree diagram; Right Tree diagram; Options to change lowest level stacking arrangement.	None available
2.2 What options are there to alter these layouts?	Can vary both horizontal and vertical spacing of ideas. There are numerous options to change the order the ideas appear in.	Can align sub ideas square or round to the main idea.	Can alter the location of each idea by dragging it.	Can alter the location of each idea by dragging it.
2.3 Can you design your own templates? Important for creating maps in your preferred style or for teachers developing maps for students.	Yes. This can be used to define the layout, font, colour (including background colour), connector type and printer settings. You can also design your own style for each level of the map and incorporate this into a template.	Yes. This can be used to define the font, connector type and print format. But templates can only be saved through the task pane which not available unless opened specifically.	Yes. This can be used to define the colour, font and shape of each idea. You can also define the layout of the map, but when you add new ideas it will default to the web arrangement.	No templates as such but you can change the default settings or you can create a new activity that will appear on the welcome page.
2.4 Can you set your own template to be the default?	If you save the template as default it will automatically be used when a new map is created. Otherwise the new command on the file menu will list all the templates.	This function has been removed in the MindManager 2002 Plus Pack for Business edition.	When you save a template you can set it to be the default which will be used when you create a new map. To use a different template use the template command on the file menu.	You may alter the default settings.
3.1 Is there a text outline view available? Important when using a map as a drafting tool to allow you see a text version.	Yes in the map explorer or in the map outline layout.	Limited a text outline can only be printed out (although it can be viewed in the print view option) or exported.	Yes by clicking the outline button on the toolbar	Yes by clicking the writing button on the toolbar.
3.2 Can the outline be viewed at the same time as the map view?	Yes	No	No	No
3.3 Can you edit the content of the map within the outline?	Only in the map outline layout. However, the map can be edited and the map explorer is updated simultaneously and the map explorer can be used for changing the level of ideas.	No	Yes	Yes
3.4 Can the outline be shown as a numbered list?	Yes		Yes	Yes
4.1 Can you open or import information and convert it into a map? Important if you wnt to create a map based on existing documents.	Yes	Yes	Yes	No, but can open Inspiration files.
4.2 What file format can you import?	Text file, rich text format, MS Word document, MS project file, Pocket Mindmap file.	MS Word document, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook or MS Project tasks. Text files can be copied and pasted into a new map.	Text files, rich text files.
4.3 Can you export the map as a graphic? Important if you want to view the map outside the program.	Yes as a bitmap, jpeg, or windows meta file.	Yes as a bitmap, gif, pcx, jpeg, png or a windows or enhanced met file format.	Yes as a Windows Meta file, bitmap, Mac pict, GIF or JPEG file format.	No
4.4 Can you export the text outline to a word processor? Important for using a map to draft larger documents.	Yes can save as MS Word file from toolbar or menu. Options include using your default MS Word or MindGenius template styles, including pictures, attachments, notes, mental connections or a graphic of the map. Or the map can be saved as a text or rtf file.	Yes can export to Word from the toolbar or menu. Options include selecting a Word template, exporting notes and including a graphic of the map.	Yes by exporting the outline view in rich text format.	No
4.5 Can you create a presentation based on the map? Important for using a map to draft presentations.	Yes can export to MS PowerPoint from toolbar or menu. Options include using your own slide design, altering the number of branches per slide, defining the index slide and including notes.	Yes can export to MS PowerPoint from toolbar or menu. Options include selecting a PowerPoint template. Also function for creating slide shows within MindManager	Yes can export to MS PowerPoint with the option to include notes.	No
4.6 Are there any other formats you can export or save a map as?	MS Project, html, XML, Pocket Mind Map format. Also possible to export actions to Outlook.	MS Project.	MS Project	No
4.7 Can mind maps be shared with people who do not have the software? Important if you want to share maps with those who do not have the software.	Yes MindGenius Viewer is a free program which lets you view MindGenius maps. The distribute functions lets you package maps, including attachments and linked maps if required with this viewer and then save it or email it.	Yes MindManager Viewer can be downloaded from the Internet which lets you view MindManager files. Pack and deliver functions allow you to distribute a map through email, ftp or by saving.	No. Also difficult to email as the file ending used in Inspiration is not accepted by many virus checkers and if you try to open the file in Windows it may try to install it as the file ending is the same as some internet settings.	No
5.1 Can you print a map?	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.
5.2 Can you fit the map to one page or on to multiple pages?	Option to select how many pages wide and tall are used or to print off at full size.	Option to select how many pages to fit the map to.	Option to select how many pages to fit the map to.	No.
5.3 Can you print the outline view?	Yes options to include images, notes, attachments and to add headers and footers.	Yes options lets you select bullets or numbering, whether notes are shown and how many levels are shown.	Yes with the option to include printing notes.	No.
6.1 What operating systems does the program run on?	Windows 95 or later.	Windows 95 or later.	Windows 95 or later; Mac System 7.1 or higher	Windows 95 or later; Mac System 7.1 or higher
6.2 What are the minimum specifications for running the program?	Pentium 90 or higher with 32mb RAM, 20mb hard disk space. Office 97 or later for export functions.	Pentium or higher with 16mb RAM, 32mb hard disk space.	PC: 486 processor or higher, with 8mb RAM, 30mb hard disk space. Mac: 2mb RAM, 30mb hard disk space & 16 available colours.	PC: 486 processor or higher, with 8mb RAM, 30mb hard disk space. Mac: 2mb RAM, 30mb hard disk space & 16 available colours.
7.1 How is the software licence structured for a single user?	Can be installed on 1 computer, to be used by one individual except in an educational setting where it can be used by any number of users.	Can be installed on 1 PC.	Can be installed on one machine. Teachers of schools which own multi-user licences can install it on their home computers.	Can be installed on one machine. Teachers of schools which own multi-user licences can install it on their home computers.
7.2 What is the single license, education price?	£57.00 + VAT	£199.00 + VAT	£59.95 + VAT	£39.00 + VAT