Brainstorming Software

Start brainstorming with mind maps

The Easy Choice for Brainstorming Online

Easy to Use

SmartDraw's automation makes it easy to add, delete, or move objects and SmartDraw will automatically realign and format your diagram. No more having to draw and connect shapes manually—SmartDraw does it all for you!

Easy to Manage as a Project

You can convert your mind map into a project chart in a single click and go from idea generation to an actionable plan.

View as Project Chart View as Mind Map

Easy to Work With Other Apps

SmartDraw is easy to work with no matter what other apps you use. You can add mind maps to:

  • Microsoft Office®
    • Excel®
    • Word®
    • PowerPoint®
  • Microsoft Teams®
  • Google Workspace
    • Google Docs
    • Google Sheets
  • Atlassian apps
    • Confluence
    • Jira
    • Trello

Easy to Save to Your Existing Storage Solution

SmartDraw works hand in glove with most file storage systems. You can save your mind maps directly to:

  • SharePoint®
  • OneDrive®
  • Google Drive
  • DropBox®
  • Box®

There is no need to create a parallel set of common folders and permissions, SmartDraw can just save files directly into your existing set up.

Easy to Share

Share your mind map with anyone, even if they don't own a copy of SmartDraw, with a link. You can also easily export any diagram as a PDF or common image formats like PNG or SVG.

Easy to Share

Easy to Get Help

Have a question? Chat or email us. SmartDraw support is in-house and free!

Easy to Get Help

Easy Collaboration

SmartDraw is the ideal collaboration tool for brainstorming. Ideate with your team and build a mind map as a group. Anyone can edit or leave comments and suggestions.

SmartDraw also works where you already communicate with your team. You can collaborate on mind maps in Microsoft Teams®, Slack or Confluence.

Collaborate on Mind Maps

The Secret to Unleashing Your Creative Genius with the Most Intuitive Brainstorming Solution

Scientific research shows that our brains like to work using association and visual patterns. So it only makes sense to allow our minds to use these natural methods in the most efficient manner possible.

Mind maps are an ideal tool for brainstorming. They encourage our minds to use the natural process of association. Ideas develop in a more free-form manner; unlike the restrictive linear "laundry list" system most of us have been taught to use.

Mind maps and concept maps for brainstorming

Fast, Automated Mind Maps Free You to Capture Your Creativity in Real Time

SmartDraw gives you fast, automated mind maps that are the perfect tool for brainstorming, planning, and managing information.

You can build a mind map three ways:

  • Drag and drop shapes to your page and connect them automatically.
  • Use the keyboard: hold down the "Ctrl" key and one of the directional arrows to add a new shape in that direction
  • Move your cursor over one of the shapes to see a gold outline of four arrows and click on any arrow to add a shape in that direction

With our one-click compact formatting control, your mind map will fit into a small space and look more attractive—no matter the size or scale.

Mind map keyboard shortcuts

Connect Your Mind Map to Trello®

Brainstorm freely and if you want to make an idea actionable, you can easily connect your visual to any existing Trello board for your team and create a Trello card. Updates from Trello will be automatically reflected on your mind map too.

Connect mind map to Trello

View Your Mind Map as a Gantt Chart

Project planning is often best done using a mind map. Brainstorm a to do list and arrange them into related groups. When you're ready, convert the fruits of your brainstorm into a functional project plan with assignments and due dates in just a single click. Changes made in one view will be automatically reflected in the other.

View your mind map as a gantt chart

Brainstorming Examples

Click on any brainstorming template below to edit it in your browser.

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3M logo
Amazon logo
AT&T logo
Cisco logo
Honeywell logo
Intel logo
Johnson and Johnson logo
Mariott logo
Abbott Labs logo
Motorola logo
Northrop Grumman logo
Oracle logo
Pfizer logo
Thermo Fisher Scientific logo
Verizon logo
Wells Fargo logo

Try SmartDraw's Brainstorming Software Free

Go ahead... unleash your creative genius with SmartDraw brainstorming software.

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