Ten popular concept mapping tools

I was taken to task yesterday for limiting the list of software recommended in Best tools and practices for concept mapping. This morning I did some research and came up with a credible list of the ten most-recommended tools for mind mapping and concept mapping (out of fifty listed at least once). I eliminated titles that had not been updated in the past two years or were neither cross-platform nor web-based. The items are listed alphabetically.

Free desktop software for Win/Mac/Linux

• Cmap Tools
• Freemind
• VUE
• Xmind - Pro version has annual subscription cost

Commercial desktop software for Win/Mac

• iMindMap – also iOS and web-based
• Inspiration – also web-based
• MindManager – also iOS
• NovaMind – also iOS

Free web-based tools

• Bubbl.us – runs in Flash
• Prezi – upgrade for a fee, also commercial desktop software for Win/Mac/Linux