Xmind Is My New Favorite Way to Plan Projects Visually
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The Good
- Works across devices
- Is very simple to use
- Can be accessed by multiple users
The Bad- The best features cost money
Table of Contents
A mind map is a hierarchical diagram that connects related concepts and makes it clear how they all tie into one another. It's awesome for productivity, as you can use it to break to-do lists down into smaller, manageable tasks that add up to major accomplishments, but it's also great for studying, as it can help you see how all the topics you're dealing with interconnect. Students and learners use mind maps for brainstorming, word-associating, note-taking, and more. They can even be used for group projects, helping you break down ideas and delegate tasks. You can, of course, use a regular sheet of notebook paper to create one, but erasing and re-connecting bubbles is really annoying. That's why I prefer to use apps dedicated to mind mapping instead.
One of the best apps for this is Xmind, and while it's a little on the expensive end to get the most out of it, it does speed up the process of creating these webbed wonders by quite a bit. You use it like you'd use any mind map: Star by placing your main idea in the center, then use arrows to branch off into related tasks and concepts, off of which you can draw even more arrows that break them down more. You're left with a sprawling web of smaller ideas that all, by adding together, create the large concept in the middle.
Xmind is easy to use and very accessible
What I like about this app is that it's just really easy to use. You type, you drag, you drop, and that's really all you do. You can access it via your phone app or your desktop browser, which means you can work anywhere at any time. Personally, I think it's just a lot simpler to type and arrange a map on the larger screen of your computer, but I found that all of the desktop features are available on the mobile app if you prefer a portable option. Rather than appearing in a menu bar along the bottom of the map, as they do on a computer, they pop up when you tap on a particular bubble on the app. That's really the only difference, so you can absolutely use the mobile app to create and edit your maps. As an example, here's what I did to create a fast, easy outline for a hypothetical essay on the rise of Pilates' popularity in the United States, using my computer:
I started by selecting a template (more on that in a minute). The one I chose was for packing to move, but removing the existing images and text was as easy as clicking them and deleting them. I entered in my own text to encompass what three different sections of the essay would look like, using the tools along the bottom menu bar to add new bubbles and arrows that branched off of existing bubbles. With the menu bar on the top right, you have the option to add labels, change colors, and add symbols that represent how much of a certain task has been completed, whether something needs special attention, etc. In under five minutes, I created the following mind map outline just by using the bottom navigation row and dragging and dropping my graphics around the screen.
This sort of approach is really useful for visual learners, as you can "see" how the main topics branch off of the central topic and also how each of those lends itself to other subtopics. You can make subtopics on subtopics, if you want, webbing this baby out farther and farther. Spending time brainstorming, then creating visual representations of how everything links together, makes it a lot easier to write your essay when the time comes. In addition to studying, this same process can also be useful for making org charts, family trees, grocery lists, business plans, schedules, and timelines, too. The app provides you with plenty of templates for all of those and more, which leads me to...
You don't have to start from scratch
Xmind comes pre-loaded with a variety of templates so, unlike with other image editors, it's not on you to create each text box, bubble, graphic, and arrow. In grad school, I spent way too much time fiddling with Canva or my word processor, trying to create cohesive graphics and flowcharts. Those tools are great for other types of content, but since Xmind's templates are already created for you, it far exceeds them when it comes to mind maps and other similar charts. And don't get me started on how much easier this is than Excel or Google Sheets. You don't have to enter in a bunch of data, then format it into a chart that's difficult to edit—you can just start with a template and type directly into it.
That's great news for me, since I can learn visually, but I certainly am not the creative type who can create visually. When I'm studying or brainstorming, I also don't really have time to build my own mind map from scratch. Being able to select a pre-set template and just fill it in with my own content is a major win. You can also import existing files as long as they're in Markdown, OPML, TextBundle, or Docx formats.
The app supports multiple users
Outside of how easy it is to use, Xmind also shines in how easily sharable it is. If you have a group project, everyone can access a shared map and edit it together, which makes breaking the project down and delegating responsibilities very simple. You can change colors and designs really easily, so this can be as simple as making your portions of the project red, your classmate's blue, and another classmate's yellow. Everyone can see and edit it, which will keep the project cohesive and make sure everyone stays on-task. (I am an avowed group project hater, so any tool that streamlines the process of working with other people is good in my book.)
You will have to pay for Xmind's advanced features, but a free plan exists
The good news is that a lot of the app's basic features are accessible for free: You have a three-day version history cache to see previous edits and versions of your maps, unlimited topics and maps, and rich text styles, all without paying. If all you're doing is making simple maps—not outlining really intense projects or creating detailed to-do lists—you can absolutely get by with this version.
The other good news is you do get a two-week free trial of Xmind Premium when you start using Xmind, but after that, you'll have to pay if you want advanced features. The Pro tier costs $10 per month while the Premium tier is $15 per month, but if you choose to pay annually, Pro is $59 and Premium is $99. Pro gives you more color and slide options, plus the ability to add equations, topic links, numbering, tasks, and attachments to maps. You'll also net custom themes and more export formats. Premium adds AI-generated to-do lists to the package, alongside a 30-day version history cache, unlimited storage space, and unlimited collaboration.
Overall, this is a great app for creating mind maps, especially since you don't actually have to "create" anything, thanks to the templates. You can fill in whatever you need and keep it moving, which gives you more time to plan, study, and actually get things done. The pricing scheme is reasonable, the interface is simple to use, and the options to access Xmind through the mobile app or desktop browser and edit collaboratively are a huge bonus. If you're a visual learner, this one's for you.
Lindsey Ellefson is Lifehacker’s Features Editor. She currently covers study and productivity hacks, as well as household and digital decluttering, and oversees the freelancers on the sex and relationships beat. She spent most of her pre-Lifehacker career covering media and politics for outlets like Us Weekly, CNN, The Daily Dot, Mashable, Glamour, and InStyle. In recent years, her freelancing has focused on drug use and the overdose crisis, with pieces appearing in Vanity Fair, WIRED, The New Republic, The Daily Beast, and more. Her story for BuzzFeed News won the 2022 American Journalism Online award for Best Debunking of Fake News.
In addition to her journalism, Lindsey recently graduated from the NYU School of Global Public Health with her Master of Public Health after conducting research on media bias in reporting on substance use with the Opioid Policy Institute’s Reporting on Addiction initiative. She is also a Schwinn-certified spin class teacher and won the 2023 Dunkin’ Donuts Butter PeContest that earned her a year of free coffee. Lindsey lives in New York, NY.
