MindManager is a mind mapping and project management tool that aims to boost users’ productivity. It is designed to facilitate a wide range of project types, and includes cross-platform functionality and 3rd party integrations.
$105
per year
SmartDraw
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
SmartDraw is a diagramming and flow chart building tool from SmartDraw Software in San Diego, California.
MindManager has helped me structure and visualize complex product development workflows more effectively. I’ve mapped out processes, linked documents and data, and tracked tasks across teams. For example, visualizing feedback loops improved collaboration, while task integration …
Previously we used and loved Microsoft Visio, but the product has not improved much. The subscription pricing also increased so Visio is only licensed to users who need it. Everybody else now uses MindManager.
MindManager succeeded in every aspect, there is no real comparison possible. The sum of features that can be used with the MindManager is not available in any other product on the market. Based on that and on the continuous improvement of the MindManager there can not really be …
Particularly in the area of development and joint collaboration with other customers, this enables us to show, explain and develop content directly to teams, for example. The advantage over other products. It is simply a great simplification in the context of collaboration with …
MindManager stands out for its wide range of export options, customization and how they have enriched the format over time. As a constantly evolving tool, and having tried others, I consider it superior for the abovementioned reasons. Its cross-platform nature has been …
I have known and followed MindManager developments since 2000 and maintain my knowledge base. I even used it to create my wheel of life based on the Indian model and would also like to use the MM in a VR version. No tool offers comparable holistic functions - as well as - 25 …
I used Freemind before. At home I use SimpleMind Pro. Both are not listed in your drop-down. MindManager is the most sophisticated tool I've been working with so far, but the most expensive one, as well.
The primary reason for the switch was that I needed a lighter, no-frills tool. I saved big time on the licensing cost. A major need was the cross-OS platform, and this tool works irrespective of MacOS and Windows. I could not have found a better tool. Lucidchart is the next …
The choice missing in the above is Lucidchart and Lucispark. These are powerful tools to brainstorm and map processes. We consider that MindManager is much better for brainstorming and strategic planning. Lucidspark would easily get cluttered and disorganized.
MindManager covers all our needs (information management, brainstorming and planning, project management, sharing and collaboration) in one tool, and we do not have to jump back and forth between different applications. It's a very flexible tool that can be customized to your …
- the feature which are relevant for the majority of users are available in MindManager, and these feature can be learned easily and quickly; the alternative tools are more powerful (but have a lot of feature the standard user does not need) and are more expensive and difficult …
We opted for MindManager many years ago. The main reasons are the product's stability, continuous development, general range of functions, and export options, especially for Office.
The continuity in the product maintenance of MindManager and the options offered by the API for add-ins, direct COM access and the use of macros are decisive for us. This allows us to automate business processes without being bound and limited in a universe of a specific …
As starte in 2010 as an "early adopter" a lot of experience with MindManager has been gained over time. MindManager is in use as a "working horse" in my environment. While MindManager has pretty well managed to further develop the technology and to adapt with fast changing IT …
I have used a few others in the past (not listed in your product search, such as Freemind). I don't recall all of the Mind Mapping products I've tried, but MindManager definitely felt the most complete as a product and had a much more professional feel.
I have used Draw.io & MS Visio. I noticed SmartDraw offer more templates than draw.io. Additionally, its more affordable and can access across platforms. In general, SmartDraw provides what we need.
Co-Owner, Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Chose SmartDraw
SmartDraw is NEXT LEVEL! Microsoft is yesterday's news when it comes to creating charts. SmartDraw allows you to create and deliver dynamic charts and diagrams that truly convey the data you are inputting turning it into a stunning visual explanation.
As noted in first question, SmartDraw has them beat in every category I can think of (except for price; but need to keep in mind the old adage "you get what you pay for"!). This product allows for VASTLY-improved uploading of data than the Lucidchart product, and customer …
We have used Corel Draw and Adobe Acrobat. Both of those tools were good when they came out but the abilities of SmartDraw far outweigh both those tools. Corel Draw was also more complex to operate and do tasks, as was Adobe Acrobat in which some basic tasks took additional …
It is well suited for a quick prototype of product/development planning to show relationships amongst the APIs used. This helps developers understand the impact of the product changes and identifies the need to update integration components to avoid erroneous deployments. I have not personally experienced a less appropriate scenario at the moment.
As a developer i use it extensively for sharing ideas specially related for system design and application flows. Entire team finds it comfortable to use it, understand it and make changes swiftly. We use it for High Level System design. While discussing the only missing thing we find about it is the integration of an ide for Low Level Design but in my opinion this tool isn't made for that purpose.
There should be some more functionality in the Notes window, such as a "Paste Special " Icon in the notes area to maintain format control.
Although I create many of my own Web export templates, an add-on for web export design would be great, as I regularly create Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETP) in HTML export format.
The ability to sync Map shortcuts between devices would also be welcome. I use MM on three devices, and I have to add or amend the Map list individually. My maps are on OneDrive, so using them should not be that hard if they are cloud-based.
I feel the main issues of the old Mindjet seem to be gone with the Corel purchase. With the huge advance of sharing via browser HTML even 1 user can affect many. And, actually, using MM kind of forced my rigid brain to rethink how I categorize and classify information/projects.
The idea of paying $69USD for an annual cost is more than fair and a great model for Corel/Mindjet to keep rolling out improvements!
MindManager is very intuitive. The user interface is not cluttered and the ribbon icons are easy to understand. Several excellent "how-to" videos are available on the MindManager site as well as on YouTube. MindManager starts quickly and the user interface is very responsive. Launching other programs from MindManager such as Excel is very fast and issue free. The browsing feature is lightning fast. The drag-and-drop capability is also very fast and reliable.
I rated 8 because its simple to use and easy to create network topologies quickly. I liked the drag and drop option which makes designing the network topology and flow chart easier. In general its does what it needs to.
The application is quick and responsive. We are able to produce mindmaps and reports with ease. The program is not complicated at all and integrates well with software and programs like Microsoft Outlook and Teams, which we truly appreciate.
I have called technical support a few times. During the COVID Crisis, I called a few times repeatedly due to a rush request. The technical support guy called me back in minutes. He somehow knew that I had called repeatedly and wanted to make sure my issue was resolved immediately
They are always very helpful, we get computers every two years and I have to call them to move the license from one computer to another and they do it with a smile in their voice!
There is a wide range of online training through webinars led by expert users. They are particularly useful for explaining how to use new features and using MindManager 'in the real world' for projects, tasks etc.
MindManager stands out for its wide range of export options, customization and how they have enriched the format over time. As a constantly evolving tool, and having tried others, I consider it superior for the abovementioned reasons. Its cross-platform nature has been decisive, and although there are many alternatives in the form of web applications or the like, MindManager presents itself as a more complete and robust option.
As noted in first question, SmartDraw has them beat in every category I can think of (except for price; but need to keep in mind the old adage "you get what you pay for"!). This product allows for VASTLY-improved uploading of data than the Lucidchart product, and customer service is real, tangible service... they understand that when you have a question and need an answer, waiting 2 or 3 days for an email response is not acceptable.
MindManager allowed me to impress my audience by presenting complex cyber-security and information security concepts in a different and straightforward way. It meant income as instructor since I got the same diploma engagement three times in a row with the Mexico City government.
In March 2021, the CEO of GSB Solutions, a former employer, invited me to design an innovation program for the company. I used MindManager to create the program, explain the concepts, and the implementation plan. All in one mind map. After presenting it to the CEO, I was promoted from Operations Coordinator —a part-time position— to Innovation Manager —a full-time position— earning four times my initial salary. The same mind map served to visually manage the program for 18 months.
SmartDraw has provided good return for our internal purposes. Using it to understand an organization's structure and inner workings has been valuable. On the client side, creating steps and businesses processes has also been a big plus. It has helped decrease confusing reporting structures and has provided a detailed map for individuals to understand where they fit within their organization.
Unfortunately, SmartDraw has been somewhat inefficient with some of the more complex projects on our plate and has really deterred certain employees from even wanting to use it.