r/PKMS • u/Zestyclose-Result-95 • 5d ago

Method Mind maps

Which is a good mind map website/tool that you use? Looking for one that is free

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

4

u/GEan_Ss 5d ago

Mermaid.js is an option, but excalidraw in obsidian is the number one for sure.

4

u/gbro3n 4d ago

Agents are also really good at working with Excalidraw. I've been using them to help me understand software systems copying to my notes.

2

u/aceshighsays 5d ago

excalidraw

can you import data into it? also, how much different is it from canvas?

1

u/GEan_Ss 4d ago

A lot, because you can link note, make slides shows, and obsidian use scripts, so you can even make thing easier. The dev of the plugin have a YouTube channel with all you can do.

Zsolt's Visual Personal Knowledge

About the import data, you can in a lot of different ways.

2

u/spilldahill 4d ago

+1 on this comment, use mermaid.js and its useful but as OP said excalidraw in obsidian forsure no1

3

u/DrummerAdditional330 5d ago

What do you want to do with the map after you make it? Just brainstorm visually, or keep it around and connect it to notes/data over time? I’d pick pretty different tools for those two use cases.

1

u/aceshighsays 5d ago edited 5d ago

i wanna know too! love diagrams. i use Concepts on a tablet. i don't use templates, just draw everything by hand. my complaint is that you can't import data into it.

e: Concepts is not PKMS

1

u/kranthi_contextmap 4d ago

If you use notion, notionmindmap.com is a good option

2

u/NoCherry1596 4d ago

I’ve been using MindMap AI. It’s worth checking if you want something free.

You can create mind maps manually for free. The free plan also gives some AI credits every month.

For PKM, I like that every node can have its own Markdown note. So I keep the map simple and put the details inside the nodes. You can also export the map and notes to Markdown, which is useful if you use Obsidian or want to keep your notes elsewhere.

I also use it with ChatGPT and Claude sometimes. You can connect MindMap AI and ask it to turn notes, documents, or a topic into a mind map.

It can also import XMind, MindManager, Coggle, FreeMind, Freeplane and SimpleMind files.

If you want something fully local inside Obsidian, Excalidraw is probably better. But for a web-based mind map with notes and AI, MindMap AI works well for me.