Concept maps are slowly evolving into an indispensable tool for this generation. Suitable for individuals as well as teams, concept maps help connect dots, find gap spots, and establish connections between ideas.

These smart drawing tools not only simplify the process of visually organizing information, but also make graphically representing ideas an effortless activity.

Here, we'll take a look at seven of the best concept map makers you can use to make your own.

1. SmartDraw

SmartDraw helps you visualize the ideas you have by organizing them and grouping them into local hierarchies.

Its intelligent formatting, professional design themes, presentation ready nature makes it a powerful concept maker tool that you can use for any purpose. With SmartDraw, you can also convert your concept map into a Gantt chart almost instantly.

Moreover, it allows easily integration with Microsoft Office and Google Workspaces apps, besides connecting easily to Trello. With pre-designed templates, you can convert your brainstorming session into an actionable work plan in no time.

2. Lucidchart

Lucidchart is one of the best concept map makers available online because it's much more than a concept map maker. It's a complete visual workspace with advanced data visualization tools and collaboration features that help you drive innovation and ideation.

It's often relied on by educators and students as the ultimate teaching and learning tool because it helps you create study guides, plan curriculum, and outline writing projects with ease.

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You get complete control over the look and feel of your concept maps, all thanks to the customizable options available. Even, your business ideas will get an upgrade with Lucidchart.

You can identify new problems, simplify complex relationships, and promote creative problem-solving with concept maps that illustrate ideas quickly and clearly. Moreover, there are templates to fall back upon and customized options to help you send a personalized message every time.

3. Visme

Being free and easy to use, Visme is a concept map maker that helps you create brilliant concept maps in a matter of minutes. Using Visme, you can also collaborate with your team members on a project and ideate on big ideas together.

It has a great user-friendly interface that makes brainstorming easy and effortless for one and all. It is great for marketers, educators, communicators, and anyone else who wants to convey complex messages through simple ideas and images.

You'll find professionally designed templates that you can easily edit to suit your needs, or you can choose to create concept maps from the scratch. There are countless ways to share your concept maps with your audience. Visme also supports workspace app integrations.

4. Creately

With Creately, visualizing concepts and their relationships becomes incredibly convenient. That's because information can be graphically organized in various forms while collaborating with your peers in real-time.

It has a drag and drop interface that makes the entire process a hassle-free experience. It also has customizable concept map templates that can be used to quickly visualize information and share it. Plus, you can automatically draw with Plus Create and pick color themes.

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In addition, you can import images, vectors, and more into your canvas while also embedding documents and references for easy access.

You can publish, present, print or share your concept maps with teammates, educators, students, and anyone on the planet. With Creately, you'd always be on the same page with your team members because you can have discussions and follow-ups on the same canvas.

5. Zen Mind Map

a view of zen mind map

Being the simplest tool to create concept maps and mind maps, Zen Mind Map helps you create stunning concept maps with a few clicks, or keyboard shortcuts.

It provides a "zen workspace" for teams and individuals because there are no sidebars and floating icons to distract you from the center of your brainstorming session: your content. You'll always find your content in the center.

With a minimal and intuitive interface, Zen Mind Map aims at making the entire process a smooth one. One unique thing about Zen Mind Map is how you can style these concept maps with emojis and have unlimited fun.

It also makes downloading and sharing your concept maps an easy affair. When you publish a live document, all your changes get updated automatically. There are free templates to help you start ideating quickly and streamline your thoughts effortlessly.

6. GitMind

Aimed to increase your productivity, GitMind is an entirely free concept map maker that has a vast template gallery and stylish themes to help you unleash your creativity.

While the interface might take some time getting used to, its features make it stand out as a smart concept map making tool. You can save and sync your concept maps across all devices in addition to personalizing them with images, icons, and color.

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Structuring your complex thoughts and their relationships becomes easy, and you can share your ideas with anyone, anytime.

Moreover, real-time team collaboration features makes it a good choice for big teams who are willing to work, ideate, and innovate on-the-go.

7. Miro

The key to any successful project implementation or execution is getting the big picture right. To accomplish that, you must link key concepts and bring an embedded structure to the information. Miro's Concept Map Maker allows you to do just that.

It facilitates visual collaboration between teams and is trusted by 25 million users. Miro has concept map templates that help you build great concept maps for professional and personal reasons.

In addition to being a concept map maker, it helps you execute visual project management, do interactive workshops, and perform Agile planning whenever, wherever.

Ideate and Innovate Better With Concept Maps

When you use well-structured concept maps for your projects, you end up unlocking a new level of creativity while generating ideas that are cutting-edge. Generating new ideas is never an easy affair.

With the right concept map maker, you can graphically organize all the important information. You can also visualize it to help bring about better understanding for yourself and others in the team.