Whether they’re involved in a digital project or something physical, most people likely need to brainstorm at one point or another. While brainstorming means thinking of a large number of ideas for a new product, an improvement to an existing product, or for a marketing campaign that can help increase revenue and profits, it can be hard to come up with new ideas — and even harder to narrow these ideas down to one that you can use.
Table of Contents
best free apps for brainstorming
Company Careers
English
Deutsch
English
Español
Français
Italiano
Português (BR)
Русский
日本語
中文(简体)
Product
Take a Tour
Features
Project Templates
Apps & Integrations
Security
Watch Live Demo
Solutions
TEAMS
Project Managers
Marketing
Creative
Professional Services
Product Development
Company-Wide
All teams
USE CASES
Enterprise Project Management
Agency Project Management
Agile Project Management
Project Portfolio Management
Resource Management
Working From Anywhere
All use cases
Pricing Resources
LEARN MORE
COVID-19
Resources
Blog
Webinars
Case studies
Educational Guides
ABOUT
Partners
Company
Careers
Newsroom
Events
SUPPORT
Professional Services
Help Center
Community
Interactive Training
Enter your business email
Get started for free
COLLABORATION · 5 MIN READ
13 Free Brainstorming Apps and Tools to Spark Innovation
By Brianna Hansen, August 14, 2021
13 Free Brainstorming Apps and Tools to Spark Innovation
The key to brainstorming isn’t just getting as many people as possible in a room so they can collaborate on the greatest ideas ever. It requires a bit more work to get the most out of your brainstorming session.
Sometimes, the best brainstorming sessions are accompanied by a simple tool that allows you to record and visualize the progress of ideas. This allows your team to see the flow of ideas and gives more context around next steps.
If you’re already familiar with the rules of brainstorming, it’s time to start looking at some virtual collaboration tools to help unleash your team’s creativity.
For Collaborative Brainstorming
Bubbl.us
This web-based mind mapping app allows you to build, save, and share up to three mind maps on the free plan. This straight-forward tool makes it easy to start brainstorming from almost any device (since there’s no need to download anything), and turn those ideas into useful presentations. You can try out their paid plans by starting a 30-day free trial.
Coggle
This tool lets you create and share intricate mind maps. From complex brainstorming to simple ideation, Coggle provides a space where you can build and download diagrams so your ideas will always be accessible and actionable.
Freeplane
Built in Java, Freeplane is an open source application that can freely position, order, classify, group, or connect any node. Style the map using shapes, colors, and edge type.
You can structure nodes in terms of content, such as text, formula, icon, image, hyperlink, or even at a hierarchical level. Protect your mind maps by adding a password, or share and collaborate on them using the drag and drop, search, and publishing features.
LucidChart
LucidChart provides a powerful and easy-to-use flow chart maker that helps create professional diagrams for visual collaboration. You can start from scratch, or pick from their variety of templates. Integrations include G Suite, Confluence, and JIRA, and you can pull content from sources like YouTube, Dropbox, and Facebook as well.
Mind42
This tool may not be the most visually appealing, but it gets the job done. Mind42 allows you to build simple diagrams in your web browser and share with others. Very basic functionality—good for high-level brainstorming.
MindMap
MindMap is a Google Chrome extension that has Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box support all built in. Save your work to local storage, in the cloud, or print and export finished mind maps as an image. You can even attach URLs or hand-drawn images to the individual nodes.
Popplet
Popplet is the simplest tool to capture your thoughts and ideas. Because it’s useful in both offices and classrooms, it’s extremely visual and utilizes images and diagrams to build projects. Multiple people can access the same project within Popplet, where they can build presentations, include tags, and categorize projects all within the tool. A mobile app is also available for iOS users.
Wisemapping
Another web-based, collaborative tool, Wisemapping offers a free mind mapping tool for teams and individuals. If there’s a feature you’d like to add to make the solution better, they offer a sponsorship program where you can fund or raise money to build the new feature.
For Solo Brainstorming
Eyewire Creativity Cards
Neither an app or a tool, this website simply provides simple suggestions and exercises to help enhance creativity. Simply refresh the page to see a new exercise.
Here’s one example:
FreeMind
This open source mind mapping tool was built in Java, and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Features include one-click navigation, easy drag-and-drop, uploading images, and exporting mind maps. Don’t let the outdated interface fool you; this tool is easy-to-use in every sense of the word, and extremely functional.
MindApp
Super basic and to-the-point, MindApp lets you dive right into the free tool without downloading, installing, or even leaving their homepage. Save your mind maps in the tool directly, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This tool comes with a pre-built mind map diagram, which you can play with and customize as you wish.
Moodstream
Augment your brainstorming environment and mood with soundscapes and visualizations. This tool allows you to add background images and set the tone to enhance individual creativity and improve overall mood.
Visual Thesaurus
This neat online search engine allows you to enhance your associative thinking. Once you search a term, the tool spews out a word map with words associated with the search term. The map groups words that are similar, so you can easily see how words relate to each other.
Now that you’ve selected your brainstorming app, it’s time to learn some techniques! Check out these 7 Techniques for More Effective Brainstorming.
TWEET
SHARE
SHARE
SEND
CREATIVE TEAMS BRAINSTORMING TOOLS & SOFTWARE ADVICE
Comments 0
Recommended Articles
Rules of Brainstorming: A Manager’s Guide to Producing Great Ideas
COLLABORATION 7 MIN READ
Rules of Brainstorming: A Manager’s Guide to Producing Great Ideas
Let’s go over the do’s and don’ts of brainstorming and some brainstorming techniques to…
0 SHARES
7 Techniques for More Effective Brainstorming
COLLABORATION 10 MIN READ
7 Techniques for More Effective Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a useful method to bring together a wide range of viewpoints….
0 SHARES
Effective Brainstorming (Video)
COLLABORATION 3 MIN READ
Effective Brainstorming (Video)
Brainstorming project ideas can be challenging. Some ideas get lost due to…
0 SHARES
Leading сompanies сhoose Wrike
Download our mobile app
for your Android or iOS device
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
About
Company
Careers
Blog
Events
Newsroom
Contact Us
Wrike
Product
Pricing
Project Templates
Customers
Apps & Integrations
API
Security
CA Notice at Collection
Solutions
Marketing
Creative
Project Management
Product Development
Professional Services
All Teams
Resources
For Project Managers
For Marketers
For Productivity
For Collaboration
Wrike Free eBooks
Project Management Guide
Mobile collaboration software
For customers
Help Center
Webinars
Interactive Training
Community
User Conference
Wrike Status
Wrike Support
For partners
Wrike Partner Program
Latest in Wrike Blog
PERT Charts vs. Gantt Charts — What Are the Differences?
How To Carry Out a Requirements Analysis
How To Do a Feasibility Study
Hot Tips for Content Calendar Creation
What Is Risk Identification in Project Management?
How to Write a Business Case (With Example)
A Spotlight on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
How Wrike helps you
Salesforce project management
Gantt charts
Collaboration tools for students
Task management
Google project management tools
Guides
Project Management Guide
Professional Services Guide
Kanban Guide
Agile Guide
Remote Work Guide
Return To Work Guide
Marketing Guide
Scrum Guide
Follow us
Language: English
©2006-2022 Wrike, Inc. All rights reserved. Patented. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service. Cookie Preferences
Conclusion
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Check out other publications to gain access to more digital resources if you are just starting out with Flux Resource.
Also contact us today to optimize your business(s)/Brand(s) for Search Engines