What are the best programs and tools to make schematics and concept maps? 2022 list

Who has not used this tool at least once in their life? Surely at school or work you had to elaborate them, so you should know that the schemes and concept maps they are extremely useful to represent an idea graphically, thus linking different concepts.

So if you have done it, you should know that they are one of the best ways to study and explain any knowledge, but sometimes this can be a bit tedious to work out. Reason why we access the Internet to find ways to simplify our work.

That is why in this section we are going to teach you why you should use them in your life. We also bring you a list of the best programs to design them more easily and quickly.

What are concept maps and schemes and what types are there?

A concept map is a learning tool that works by outlining concepts of a specific topic. It is considered excellent when it comes to retaining information because it is a slightly more graphic representation of the subject in question, and it is proven that visual communication is much more effective for the brain.

In addition, it is an active knowledge, since the individual who is doing it must soak up the content well in order to develop it. So that this fact of elaborating them, executes in itself a deep study, This is because you have to order the ideas and link them so that in this way everything you do remains in your memory and thus get the most out of it when it comes to showing off that information.

There are several types of concept maps, but they all have the same basic characteristics, the main one is the hierarchy, that is to say, that the scheme starts from a main idea and is developed according to the importance of the following sub-ideas. The other basic feature is the simplicity with which the theme is developed and that allows rapid visual absorption and quick understanding of the content.

Then each branch of the map responds to a sub-idea and they communicate through propositions, which usually at the end synthesize a general idea or final conclusion that gives the understanding of the content.

Basically there are only four types of conceptual maps from which some derivations start, these are:

• Hierarchical: It consists of placing the main idea at the top and developing the other concepts by scale of importance.
• of spider: In this case, the main idea goes in the center and from there the secondary ideas emerge in branches or “spider legs” in a clockwise direction.
• Organization chart: These structure the information in a linear way, so they can be read in one direction and are easier to understand. The disadvantage compared to the previous ones is that they only allow keywords, so they are not as complete.
• Systematic: They are very similar to the previous one, but these are more complete because they can be broken down into branches that include other ideas.

List of the 20 best free and paid programs and tools to design schematics and concept maps

Surely with what we mentioned above you will want to study or carry out different activities with them. Well, as you saw, they are an important tool that we can take great advantage of. and apply them to a lot of jobs and processes.

Below you will know the ones that will work best for you to obtain a good organization in your tasks:

microsoft visio

Despite being a vector drawing tool, Microsoft gradually reduced its design capabilities in this tool and left more functions for creating flowcharts, network diagrams, and organization charts.

Yes ok it is not a specific one to make conceptual maps, if it is a leader in the creation of corporate schemes and very useful in the meeting tables of many companies. It is licensed from Microsoft and is available for all systems.

Xmind

this is a program for the development of concept maps and schemes, especially for the presentation of professional projects, whether academic or professional. It is a free license software so you can have it on any computer for free, you can also use the portable version, you just have to download it from its official website.

It has different functions that make work easier and it also has the possibility of sharing work online with project partners, for when they need to work together. The most important is that they can then be printed in all the necessary sizes or exported to Microsoft or PDF formats.

SmartDraw

It is a software for creating diagrams and concept maps that works through a processor that simply receives the information and throws the content already organized and aligned in different components, depending on the template that we have chosen, it would only be up to us to give it a personalized touch.

With this software you have the opportunity to use it installed on your computer or use the online version and save yourself this step. It should be noted that you can support your projects in any virtual cloud that you have by linking the profiles. It is a free program and compatible with Windows, iOS Mac, and Linux.

Creately

It is a software of creating projects using diagrams with a large number of models. It is an online service and has an installable version, but only for mobile phones. It is a simple program to use and something interesting is that you have the possibility of working together with other users related to your project, and thanks to all those minds working together there will be a greater variety of ideas and a better synthesis of concepts.

Inspiration 9

This is a tool creation of projects, oriented and adapted to enhance creativity and content learning embodied in the different schemes that we are carrying out. It provides many features that help to project the information in the best desired way.

In turn, it has a library of images related to pedagogical topics and some basic topics that can be used in our maps. It is a paid license program and is available on Windows.

CmapTools

This is one of the best professional tools for the elaboration of conceptual maps and diagrams. It is widely used by academies, corporations and even government entities for various purposes.

This is a computer software but it also has a complete version for iPad. It gives you the possibility of adding multimedia content that improves the reader experience and all the content is backed up on an online server for greater security.

canvas

You don’t need to be a design expert anymore with Canva and its amazing templates you can create and design professional-grade concept maps without much effort and saving time. This is an excellent graphic design tool that includes many useful features for map and schematic development.

The best thing is that it is online, therefore it is accessible from any browser and also for any operating system, as it even includes mobile applications.

GoConqr

It is an online virtual environment that facilitates the creation of concept maps and that includes very useful tools for learning. In addition, it also allows the creation of mental maps.

This service is geared more towards the area of ​​learning for young people and It is recommended as a study complement in high school and high school.

MindGenius

This concept mapping software is oriented towards the labor and business area, because it provides tools to carry out professional presentations and to meet your business needs with well-structured and simple ideas for quick understanding. It is a simple computer software and compatible with many formats.

Mind Manager

This wonderful software meets the expectations of large companies that require the collective concept mapping through a backup in a virtual cloud. It is available for Mac OS and Windows. Its advantage is that the documents can be easily exported to Microsoft Office.

Free Mind

It is a program for the design of mental and conceptual maps, with which you will have several instruments to develop your projects from your computer. It is a useful program for analyzing and compiling ideas that, after being organized and structured, come out in Java format, but can be exported to any format of your choice. It is available free for Windows, Linux and Mac OS.

Mind Jet

This is another great work tool widely used for creating schematics and it is excellent at structuring user information through a simple interface. It is possible to share your projects with other users and has integration with an infinity of applications related, some mentioned in this post, including Microsoft Visio.

Personal Brain

It is an interesting mapping program, outstanding in the graphical representation of network information through diagrams and mental maps. It includes its own search engine and it is possible to add any element to your project. It is available for any browser and also in mobile versions.

Mapul

This is a web application that enhances the creativity of its users and makes it easier for them to the creation of concept maps on any topic they like.

You also have the possibility of illustrating it as you see fit, without a doubt each project will be duly categorized and developed. It is found on any device and in any browser, with a free version and a paid version.

lipten

This is another new web application that has the peculiarity that all its diagrams are created with hexagons, a method that they have implemented so that there is a relationship between ideas, one next to the other, as if it were the cells of a tissue.

All hexagons are wrapped and can be color coded to give our schematic a better look. The data can be exported to other formats once the project is finished.

ImindQ

One of the best online software for the creation of mental and conceptual maps and the schematization of ideas by stimulating brainstorming and innovation. It allows you to completely customize your project giving you complete control over backgrounds, themes, typography, colors and patterns. It is a paid software, but it has a free trial version and it is visible with any browser.

Maptini

It is a tool for collective use. for the creation of mental maps, conceptual maps, diagrams, organization charts, among other things. It is available only for Apple users in installation and via web. It allows users to be synchronized with the changes that are made and everything is backed up in the cloud.

MindMaple

It is a payment tool that has many functions when it comes to create outlines and organize information into ideas, to speed up learning and the way of explaining.

It is very useful in creating maps, making it possible to include images, notes and links. It has a version for Windows computers and has a trial version.

MindMeister

We are talking about one of the best web applications for creating maps, by organizing and projecting ideas.

The free version is very complete, but you can pay to have access to better services, presentations, online collaboration and project management. Being an online service, it is available for any browser.

ideament

we are facing a paid app very complete that It covers all the needs when making mental and conceptual maps, thanks to a refined schematization of our contents, which once ready we can export wherever we want.