Best Brainstorming Tools To Make Your Ideas Happen
Reading Time: 12 minutes Struggling to generate and organize your brilliant ideas efficiently?
You’re not alone. Did you know that people are 73% more likely to be creative when they use brainstorming tools?
Yep, having the right tool can truly ignite your idea-generation process.
To help you unleash your creativity, we’ve compiled a list of the best brainstorming tools to help you capture, organize, and refine your thoughts.
Ready to boost your creative juices? Let’s dive in!
Top 75 Brainstorming Tools
edrawsoft.comRecommended reading: Top 150K Best Software For Businesses
Methodology
The ranking of the brainstorming software is determined by considering several factors, including the number of citations and user reviews they have received.
Most Used Brainstorming Tools
1.
Miro is a versatile online collaborative whiteboard platform designed to facilitate brainstorming, creativity, and team collaboration. Key benefits include:
- Infinite canvas: Enjoy a limitless workspace for mind mapping, sketching, and organizing ideas.
- Real-time collaboration: Collaborate with team members simultaneously, regardless of location.
- Templates and frameworks: Access a library of ready-to-use templates for brainstorming, design thinking, and project management.
- Integration capabilities: Seamlessly connect with popular productivity apps, project management tools, and communication platforms.
- Multi-device access: Work on your ideas from any device, including desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Pricing: Free/Paid
Pricing page: https://miro.com/pricing/
2.
Lucidspark is an intuitive virtual whiteboard designed for brainstorming, collaboration, and visualizing ideas in real time. Key benefits include:
- Flexible canvas: Utilize an infinite workspace for organizing thoughts, mind mapping, and sketching ideas.
- Real-time collaboration: Work simultaneously with team members, regardless of their location, with live cursors and updates.
- Built-in templates: Access a collection of templates for brainstorming, project planning, and design thinking activities.
- Voting and tagging: Easily prioritize ideas and group them with color-coded tags, emojis, and voting features.
- Seamless integrations: Connect effortlessly with popular productivity tools, including Lucidchart and project management platforms.
Pricing: Free/ Paid
Pricing page: https://lucid.app/pricing/lucidspark
3.
XMind is a popular mind-mapping and brainstorming tool designed to help visualize, structure and share ideas. Key benefits include:
- Various chart styles: Choose from multiple chart styles such as mind maps, fishbones, and org charts to best represent your ideas.
- Theme editor: Customize your workspace with various styles, colors, and fonts to suit your preferences.
- Easy organization: Utilize labels, markers, and grouping features to categorize and prioritize your ideas.
- Collaboration options: Share your work with team members and collaborate through cloud platforms.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Access XMind on various devices, including Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms.
Pricing: Paid
Pricing page: https://www.xmind.net/pricing/
4.
Whimsical is a visual collaboration platform designed for creating flowcharts, wireframes, and mind maps, making it ideal for brainstorming and planning. Key benefits include:
- Intuitive interface: Enjoy a simple, user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Real-time collaboration: Work simultaneously with your team, regardless of their location, for seamless idea sharing and development.
- Versatile tools: Create mind maps, flowcharts, wireframes, and sticky notes to visualize your ideas better.
- Template library: Access a collection of pre-built templates to jump-start your brainstorming sessions.
- In-app commenting: Facilitate team communication and collaboration with built-in comments and discussion features.
Pricing: Free/Paid
Pricing page: https://whimsical.com/pricing
5.
SimpleMind is an intuitive mind-mapping tool for brainstorming, organizing ideas, and structuring thoughts. Key benefits include:
- Flexible layout: Customize your mind map layout, including horizontal, vertical, and list styles.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Use SimpleMind on various devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Multimedia support: Enhance your mind maps by adding images, videos, and hyperlinks to your ideas.
- Synchronization: Keep your work in sync across devices through cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
- User-friendly interface: Enjoy a straightforward interface that makes creating and editing mind maps simple and efficient.
Pricing: Free/ Paid
Pricing page: https://simplemind.eu/features-pricing/
6.
MindMeister is a feature-rich online mind-mapping tool designed for brainstorming, organizing, and sharing ideas visually. Key benefits include:
- Real-time collaboration: Work with team members, regardless of location, and view live updates.
- Presentation mode: Transform your mind maps into slideshows for effective presentations and communication.
- Integration capabilities: Connect seamlessly with popular productivity tools like MeisterTask, G Suite, and Microsoft Teams.
- Built-in templates: Access a library of ready-to-use templates for brainstorming, project planning, and more.
- Multi-platform support: Access MindMeister on various devices, including web browsers, iOS, and Android.
Pricing: Free/Paid
Pricing page: https://www.mindmeister.com/mind-map-pricing
7.
MindMaster is a versatile mind-mapping tool that streamlines brainstorming, idea organization, and project planning. Key benefits include:
- Multiple structures: Choose from mind map structures like radial, tree, and fishbone to represent your ideas best.
- Styling options: Customize mind maps with themes, colors, and fonts to match your preferences.
- Gantt chart integration: Convert mind maps to Gantt charts, enabling efficient project management and planning.
- Collaboration capabilities: Share your work with team members via cloud platforms.
- Cross-platform availability: Access MindMaster on different devices and platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Pricing: Paid
Pricing page: https://www.edrawmind.com/pricing.html
8.
Bubbl.us is an easy-to-use online mind-mapping tool for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, and collaborating. Key benefits include:
- User-friendly interface: Enjoy a simple, intuitive interface for creating and editing mind maps with minimal effort.
- Real-time collaboration: Work with team members simultaneously, regardless of location.
- Customization options: Personalize your mind maps with colors, fonts, and styles.
- Export formats: Save and share your work in various formats, including PNG, JPEG, and PDF.
- Web-based access: Use Bubbl.us directly in your web browser without additional software installations.
Pricing: Free/Paid
Pricing page: https://bubbl.us/pricing
9.
IdeaBoardz is an online collaborative platform for brainstorming, idea generation, and retrospectives using virtual sticky notes. Key benefits include:
- Simple setup: Create your board quickly and easily with minimal effort.
- Real-time collaboration: Work with team members simultaneously, regardless of location, to share and develop ideas.
- Customizable boards: Use color-coded sticky notes, labels, and categories to organize your ideas.
- Voting feature: Prioritize ideas and suggestions by enabling voting on each note.
- Export and import: Export your boards as PDF, Excel, or CSV files for offline viewing, and import existing notes from Excel or Google Sheets.
Pricing: Free
10.
Canvanizer is an online collaborative platform for brainstorming, idea visualization, and business modeling using canvas-style templates. Key benefits include:
- Pre-built canvases: Access a variety of templates for business models, lean startups, SWOT analysis, and more.
- Real-time collaboration: Work with team members simultaneously, regardless of their location, to share and refine ideas.
- Customizable layouts: Tailor your canvas with color-coded notes, labels, and categories for better organization.
- Easy navigation: Switch between multiple canvases in your workspace with the click of a button.
- Export options: Save and share your canvases as image or PDF files for offline viewing or further collaboration.
Pricing: Free
11.
MindNode is a powerful and intuitive mind-mapping app designed for brainstorming, visualizing ideas, and organizing thoughts on iOS and macOS devices. Key benefits include:
- Seamless interface: Enjoy a clean, clutter-free interface for efficient mind map creation and editing.
- Quick Entry feature: Effortlessly add and connect new ideas to your mind map with minimal effort.
- Personalization options: Customize your mind maps with various styles, colors, and themes.
- Focus Mode: Concentrate on specific branches of your mind map to minimize distractions and enhance productivity.
- Cross-device synchronization: Sync your mind maps across your Apple devices using iCloud Drive for a seamless experience.
Pricing: Free/Paid
12.
Stormboard is an online collaborative brainstorming and idea management platform using virtual sticky notes and whiteboards. Key benefits include:
- Real-time collaboration: Work with team members simultaneously, regardless of location, to share and refine ideas.
- Customizable templates: Choose from various pre-built templates for brainstorming, project management, and more.
- Interactive whiteboards: Use visual tools like sticky notes, arrows, and shapes to organize and categorize your ideas.
- Voting and prioritization: Enable voting on ideas and prioritize them based on team feedback.
- Integration capabilities: Seamlessly integrate with popular tools like Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, and Trello for a streamlined workflow.
Pricing: Free/Paid
Pricing page: https://www.stormboard.com/pricing
13.
GitMind is a user-friendly online mind mapping and flowchart tool for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, and project planning. Key benefits include:
- Intuitive interface: Easily create and edit mind maps and flowcharts with a simple drag-and-drop system.
- Real-time collaboration: Work with team members simultaneously to share and develop ideas, regardless of their location.
- Customization options: Personalize your mind maps with themes, colors, and styles.
- Template library: Access a variety of pre-built templates to suit different purposes and industries.
- Cross-platform support: Use GitMind directly in your web browser, and enjoy compatibility with Windows and macOS.
Pricing: Free/Paid
Further reading
What Is Brainstorming Software?
Brainstorming tools, often known as mind-mapping software, enable you to digitize the entire process of brainstorming ideas and collaborate with your colleagues on projects more efficiently while maintaining your creativity.
Online brainstorming essentially allows you to generate ideas and discuss them with your team members in real-time. Imagine not having to look for a pen and paper every time your imagination strikes.
What Is Mind Mapping Software?
Mind mapping software is a diagramming software that allows users to organize brainstorming sessions into topics and relationships.
Mind maps are diagrams that arrange essential words and lines to divide cognitive processes into subjects, subtopics, and relationships between them.
While this can be done by hand, brainstorming applications are accessible on various platforms, allow for convenient digital saving, and may include other features that support cooperation.
Why Should Your Team Be Using Brainstorming Apps?
Is Mind Mapping Effective?
Mind mapping works because it is more than just a visual representation of information; building a mind map fuses connections in your long-term memory, aiding recall. This is because you are participating in active learning. Passive learning occurs when you stare at a mind map on a poster, meaning very little to no information is retained in your long-term memory.
Color-coding the branches as you build the mind map aids your brain in categorizing and sorting the information. Using visual representations of ideas instead of words allows for a multi-sensory learning approach, improving your capacity to remember and recall information over time.
Thanks to the branches and sub-branches, you can learn various cross-references, relationships, and connections. This is characterized as “radial” learning, as opposed to “linear” learning; mind-mapping needs a broader set of skills to develop (than, say, a list) and process, and as a result, is a very effective learning tool.
What Are the Brainstorming Techniques Alternatives to Traditional Mind Mapping?
- cluster diagramming
- graphic organizing tools, e.g., Fishbone Diagram, Venn Diagram, etc
- visual tools designed for graphic facilitation
- rich pictures or creative doodles
- rapid viz
- causal loop diagramming, as practiced in systems thinking;
- matrices often used in business applications, like 2×2 matrix, nine-block matrix, etc
Wrap Up
And that’s it – our top picks for the best brainstorming tools to help you tap into your creative potential and supercharge your idea generation.
Remember, the right tool can make a massive difference in unlocking your creativity and taking your brainstorming sessions to the next level.
So, explore these incredible options and find the one that resonates with your needs and workflow. Happy brainstorming, and may your best ideas come to life!
FAQs
Brainstorming tools are software applications designed to facilitate the generation, organization, and collaboration of ideas among team members. These tools provide a digital platform for users to brainstorm, discuss, and develop ideas in a structured and efficient manner, helping to improve creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making.
The best brainstorming tools should offer the following key features:
• Intuitive interface and ease of use
• Support for various brainstorming techniques, such as mind mapping, affinity diagrams, or idea boards
• Real-time collaboration and sharing capabilities
• Tools for organizing, categorizing, and prioritizing ideas
• Integration with other productivity and communication tools
• Availability across different platforms, such as desktop and mobile devices
• Secure data storage and privacy protection
Brainstorming tools offer several benefits to businesses, including:
• Enhanced creativity and problem-solving by providing a structured platform for idea generation
• Improved collaboration and communication among team members
• Streamlined decision-making through organized and prioritized ideas
• Time savings by reducing the need for physical meetings and manual idea organization
• Increased engagement and participation from team members
The cost of brainstorming tools varies depending on the provider, features offered, and the number of users or projects. Some tools are free with basic features, while others require a subscription or a one-time purchase. Compare the features and pricing of different tools to find the best fit for your needs.
Many brainstorming tool providers offer mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to create, edit, and collaborate on ideas. This can be especially useful for remote teams or those who need to brainstorm ideas away from a computer.
To choose the best brainstorming tool for your business, consider the following factors:
• Ease of use: The tool should be user-friendly and accessible to all team members.
• Collaboration features: Ensure the tool offers real-time collaboration and sharing capabilities for effective teamwork.
• Customization: Look for a tool that allows you to customize the brainstorming process to suit your team’s specific needs and preferences.
• Integration: Choose a tool that can integrate with your existing productivity and communication tools, such as project management or messaging platforms.
• Support: Opt for a provider that offers reliable customer support and regular updates to the tool.
Yes, most brainstorming tools are designed to facilitate remote collaboration, allowing team members to contribute ideas, provide feedback, and work together on projects regardless of their physical location. Real-time collaboration features make it easy for remote teams to brainstorm and develop ideas as if they were in the same room.
Some brainstorming tools are tailored specifically for creative teams, offering features such as visual idea boards, sketching tools, or multimedia support. These tools can help creative professionals brainstorm, organize, and collaborate on ideas more effectively, leading to improved outcomes and more innovative solutions.
Some brainstorming tools integrate with popular business applications, such as project management tools, communication platforms, or cloud storage services. Integrations can help streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and provide a more seamless experience for your employees.
