EdrawMax vs MindMeister

March 19, 2025 | Author: Adam Levine
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EdrawMax
Empower Your Online Diagramming. Plan, visualize and collaborate better - all in EdrawMax Online. Real-time collaboration and cloud storage for easy access. Supports exporting in multiple formats, including Visio, PDF, and Word.
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MindMeister
We've built MindMeister from the ground up to facilitate collaboration. Because of its sleek design and simple to use interface, MindMeister has been positioned as the number one mind mapping and online collaboration tool available today. Behind the product is a very strong team of developers following the company's philosophy of bringing the very latest advancements in web 2.0 technology to you.

Both EdrawMax and MindMeister, in their own unique and peculiar ways, are mind-mapping tools. They both share a penchant for cloud synchronization, which ensures you can collaborate in real-time, even if you're on opposite ends of the galaxy. Both also offer templates galore, catering to every diagramming whim and allow for exports to formats such as PDF and PNG, should you ever need to immortalize your brainstorming session. If you’re the type to work while commuting or lounging in a hammock, both are available on desktop and mobile.

Now, EdrawMax is a slightly more ambitious beast. Launched back in 2004—before most people had figured out how to make a proper cup of coffee—it doesn’t just mind-map. Oh no, it goes on to include flowcharts, network diagrams, organizational charts and probably a few diagrams for things that don’t even exist yet. It's a bit like the Swiss Army knife of diagramming software, with enough tools to make an engineer or business professional weep with joy. And it comes from China, which is rather fitting because, much like the Great Wall, it’s big and intricate.

MindMeister, on the other hand, is the more laid-back, German cousin, arriving fashionably in 2007. If you prefer simplicity over complexity, MindMeister might be more your style. It focuses almost exclusively on mind mapping, which means it’s a tool built for brainstorming rather than diagramming the inner workings of an alien spaceship. With its minimalist interface and integration with MeisterTask for project management, it’s the sort of thing you’d use to jot down ideas for your next big, world-changing project—or just your grocery list.

See also: Top 10 Diagramming software
Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com