Presenting an online service through a website or app requires a design that the isn’t just usable, but also feels right. On one had, the presentation needs to encourage intuitive interaction, and on the other, the app should represent the service, with branding and voice.

UX tools like UXPin are the preferred solution, and increasingly these tools feature generative AI, ostensibly to save design time. 

UXPin is a US-based product which launched in 2010. It offers a browser app, desktop apps for Windows and macOS, and a prototype “mirror” app for Android and iOS. 

If you’re considering UXPin for your next project, we have evaluated it, focusing on price, features, usability, customer support, and how it compares with the competition.

UXPin: Plans and pricing

Monthly and annual payment plans are available with UXPin. You can start off with the free trial, which can then be upgraded into one of four scaled plans. (Alternatively, stick with the free version, with its limitations.) These are Essentials, Advanced, Merge AI, and Company. 

The Essentials plan is aimed at beginners, and affords 20 prototypes, interactions, animations, and states, and stakeholder approval system. Billed annually, the Essentials plan is $6 per editor, per month (annual billing – witjh monthly billing it is $8 per editor).

With the Advanced plan, you get all of the above but with unlimited prototypes, custom fonts, and conditional logic, expressions, and variables. Advanced is $29 per editor per month ($39 per editor with monthly billing).

Merge AI adds generative AI to everything above, plus setting roles and permissions. The AI element adds creation of AI components, themeable React libraries, and Tailwindd CSS integration. This plan is $39 per editor per month, or $49 with monthly billing.

With the Company option, you get everything from the other plans plus a 30-day version history, storybook integration, npm integration, patters, and a components manager. This is $119 per editor per month, or $149 when billed monthly.

If your operation needs even more from UXPin, an Enterprise option is available, with quotes on request.

UXPin: Features

Both desktop and browser versions of UXPin offer the same collection of UX wireframing and prototyping design tools.

The main design interface offers the usual collection of drawing tools, rulers, and drag-and-drop components. It is a little small though, and benefits from a larger physical display.

UXPin launches with a quick start guide, and a number of templates are provided. While useful, these are quite advanced examples – the tool is heavily geared towards complex prototypes, and supports imports from Sketch. Figma projects can also be imported, while projects can be integrated with Fullstory for usability testing.

It also includes drag and drop support for React libraries (including MUI, Ant-Design, and Bootstrap, or import your own). 

Other integrations include Git, Storybook, Adobe Fonts, Google Fonts, and Slack.

UXPin: Ease of use

While a number of support resources are provided (see below), the main thing you notice using UXPin for the first time is the sparsity of the design window. The lack of basic templates means you need to take the time to carefully explore the app. So, while the menus are all populated with useful components, and each component has properties that you can directly edit (e.g. CSS, HTML, JSX), finding and manipulating them can take time.

A result of this is that UXPin initially feels more suited to basic wireframing rather than in-depth design. The learning curve is steep. So, how do you dig into UXPin and experience its true power?

If you’re using the integrations – e.g. bringing projects across from Figma – then UXPin is easy to get started with. In fact, if you’re new to this undoubtedly powerful tool, importing your work from another platform is the best way to unlock its features. It suddenly evolves beyond wireframing and becomes a tool for more advanced UX design work.

UXPin: Customer support

The developers at UXPin are keen for you to make the most out of their software. With the very first login, a pop-up appears, listing various “essential resources.” These include video tutorials, product documentation, and step-by-step tutorials.

These take you through everything from downloading and using the software (and its mobile variants) to importing from other tools. 

A chat box is available both within the development window and on the UXPin website. Here, you can get answers for technical and billing issues, with automated responses in place if your question is outside of business hours.

UXPin has also published a collection of eBooks and white papers. While these don’t provide support or guides, they communicate important concepts and design philosophies. 

UXPin: The competition

We’re not short of choices when it comes to UX prototype and design tools. UXPin is up against a number of alternatives, each with their own strengths and shortcomings.

As UXPin is available as both a desktop and browser tool, comparison with similar tools seems appropriate. Figma and Framer are both key competitors to UXPin, with both desktop and browser versions.

In all cases, the experience is consistent between desktop and browser versions. This makes using the software on unsupported desktops easy. It also has advantages in work environments where installing your own software isn’t possible.

While all three are good choices, we found Figma to lag somewhat in the browser version. UXPin does not have this shortcoming. We’re also very impressed with its collection of resources and support chat, which was responsive and informative.

UXPin: Final verdict

Compared with some of the other tools out there, UXPin almost feels like a specialist, in-house product that shouldn’t be shared with the public. It really is an impressive piece of software, under-(UX)Pin-ed by an excellent set of resources and support tools.

The browser version works as well as the desktop apps, the integrations are impressive, and the ability to import from Figma and Framer is useful. 

UXPin is free to use long-term if necessary. This is useful if you feel you need more time with its tough learning curve.

We list the best graphic design software.

Optery remains one of the strongest data removal services going into 2026, offering a rare mix of broad broker coverage, flexible pricing, and detailed visibility into what’s being removed from the web. Whether you are an individual, a family, or a business, it is particularly appealing if you want both automation and verifiable proof that the data has actually been taken down.

Data brokers, people-search sites, and marketing databases continue to expand in 2026, making it increasingly difficult to keep personal and professional information under control. Optery positions itself as a dedicated data removal and privacy service, focusing on scanning for exposed profiles and then systematically opting you out of hundreds of sites, including high‑value sources like Google search results. Used alongside other privacy tools such as a VPN, password manager, and antivirus, it helps form a more complete online protection stack rather than a standalone solution.

We found Optery especially compelling because it combines automated removals with human privacy agents on its higher tiers, increasing the likelihood that stubborn brokers will actually comply with opt‑out requests. It is also one of the few services that places a strong emphasis on visibility and documentation, providing detailed exposure and removal reports that show exactly where your information was found and which sites have been cleared.

Optery: Plans and pricing

Optery’s consumer lineup still revolves around four tiers: a free plan plus three paid subscriptions—Core, Extended, and Ultimate—available on both monthly and annual billing. The free tier focuses on self-service removals and scanning, while the paid plans add automated opt-outs at various levels and human-assisted removals.

Pricing for individuals remains very competitive by data-removal standards. Core starts at about $3.99 per month on a monthly subscription or roughly $3.25 per month with an annual subscription, positioning it among the lower-cost automated data removal options. Extended steps up to around $14.99 per month (about $12.42 monthly on annual billing), and Ultimate sits at $24.99 per month (around $20.70 on the annual plan), which aligns closely with what third‑party reviewers describe as $39, $149, and $249 per year, respectively, when purchased annually.

Coverage scales with price: Core handles removals from roughly 80–100 sites, Extended pushes coverage into the 200+ range, and Ultimate targets all of the 300–600+ broker and people‑search sites Optery monitors, depending on how you count international and niche sources. All paid plans are backed by a 30‑day money‑back guarantee, which makes it easier to trial the service without long‑term risk.

For businesses, Optery offers separate enterprise plans with per‑seat pricing, including Core Pro and Ultimate Pro options that scale to dozens or hundreds of employees and support advanced identity and access controls. Optery also offers discounts and options for family members in some plan structures, helping households and organizations protect multiple people under one umbrella.

Optery: Features

Optery’s feature set is one of its biggest strengths, particularly in how it blends scanning, removals, and proof. Even on the free tier, you get exposure reports, scans of Google search for your personal details, email and phone checks, and self-service opt‑out instructions for many brokers, giving you a strong baseline view of your public exposure.

On paid tiers, Optery moves from self‑service to automation. Core focuses on fully automated “bot‑only” removals across 80–100 sites, typically limited to a single name and one city or state per user. Extended introduces a “humans + machines” model, where automated tools are paired with human privacy agents, expands coverage to 200+ sites, and supports unlimited name variations and historical addresses for the same person.

Ultimate is where Optery differentiates itself most clearly. It adds coverage for the full list of supported data brokers (300+ and, in some third‑party tests, upwards of 600+ total sites checked), unlimited custom removal requests after a short onboarding period, and automated removal requests for outdated content to Google and Bing. Across all paid tiers, Optery provides periodic removal reports—often monthly or quarterly—that include screenshots and status updates, making it easy to verify that profiles have been removed or suppressed.

For families and small groups, Optery offers options to protect multiple people under a single subscription, with discounted rates when you add more members. For power users, there are also advanced capabilities, like expanded reach and maximize‑removals features, that aim to push opt‑outs as widely as possible across related brokers and aggregators.

Optery: Setup

Getting started with Optery is straightforward and mostly guided. You begin by creating an account, choosing either the free tier or a paid plan, then adding basic personal details such as your name, email address, and at least one address to enable accurate matching across data brokers.

Once your profile is set up, Optery runs an initial scan, generating an exposure report that highlights where your information appears and the severity of each exposure. If you remain on the free tier, you can use the dashboard’s links and instructions to submit opt‑out requests yourself; paid users can simply confirm their details and let Optery’s automated and human agents begin the removal process.

Enterprise customers have a more structured onboarding phase, typically involving bulk user provisioning via SSO/SCIM/SAML and policy configuration, but Optery provides admin dashboards and tools to streamline rollout across teams. In either scenario, the initial setup is usually a one‑time effort, after which Optery continues scanning and issuing removals in the background.

Optery: Ease of use

Day‑to‑day, Optery is designed to be low‑maintenance. The dashboard offers a clear overview of your exposure, showing which sites have active profiles, which have been removed, and where follow‑up is still in progress. For most users, the service runs in the background after initial configuration, with periodic emails or PDF reports summarizing progress.

One of the more user‑friendly aspects is the visibility into each broker: Optery often captures screenshots or structured evidence showing your information before and after removal, which helps reassure less technical users that real work is being done. This transparency is an area where it compares favorably to some rivals that provide only high‑level status numbers.

The trade‑off is that the depth of information and configuration options can feel a bit dense if you just want a “set it and forget it” experience, especially in the enterprise portal. Still, for privacy‑focused individuals and organizations, the combination of automation, detailed logs, and clear status tracking makes Optery one of the easier advanced services to live with day to day.

Optery: Security and privacy

Because Optery is handling sensitive personal data in order to remove it from brokers, its own security posture matters. The company is headquartered in the United States and emphasizes compliance with major privacy regulations such as CCPA and related state privacy laws, aligning its opt‑out workflow with legal rights to data deletion and restriction.

Optery uses a “humans + machines” model, but carefully scopes what information is shared with data brokers, typically limiting it to what is strictly necessary to confirm identity and process an opt‑out. Features like Maximize Removals and Expanded Reach increase coverage by sending more removal requests, and Optery’s documentation is explicit about the data elements included so customers understand the trade‑offs.

On the infrastructure side, Optery stores account data in secure environments and recommends keeping a subscription active because brokers frequently repopulate profiles and new exposures appear over time, which it mitigates with recurring scans and removals. The Ultimate plan’s integration with Google’s and Bing’s outdated content tools also shortens the window during which exposed data remains visible in search results, reducing the opportunity for bad actors to exploit cached records.

Optery: Support

Optery backs its product with a reasonably comprehensive support ecosystem, centered on a self‑service Help Center and direct email support. The Help Center covers topics like getting started, managing profiles, understanding your exposure reports, enterprise administration, and troubleshooting common issues, which reduces the need to contact support for routine questions.

For more complex or account‑specific issues, users can reach Optery via email, with higher‑tier plans—particularly Ultimate—receiving priority handling. The company also maintains a blog that explores broader privacy topics, provides deep dives on data broker behavior and legal frameworks, and publishes step‑by‑step opt‑out guides that are useful even if you are not a paying customer.

While some rivals now offer live chat or bundled phone support, Optery’s approach skews toward detailed written resources and email‑based assistance, which fits well with its documentation‑heavy, evidence‑driven style. For most technically comfortable users and business admins, that combination is more than adequate.

Optery: The competition

Optery competes in a crowded field that includes DeleteMe, Mozilla Monitor Plus, Kanary, Privacy Bee, IDX, and newer offerings like Incogni and DuckDuckGo’s privacy membership. Each service has its own strengths, and the best fit depends on whether you prioritize automation, international coverage, price, or bundled extras.

DeleteMe is one of the longest‑running names in the space, with a reputation for strong customer service and manual removals, though its coverage and interface can feel more traditional. Mozilla Monitor Plus leans on Mozilla’s broader ecosystem—often packaged with a VPN and other tools—and is attractive if you already trust Mozilla and want a single vendor for multiple privacy services.

Kanary positions itself around fast scans and transparent reporting and directly compares its coverage and speed against Optery and DeleteMe, often at a mid‑range price point. Privacy Bee and IDX tend to bundle identity monitoring and security features with data removal, making them appealing if you want a more “all‑in-one” security suite rather than a dedicated removal tool.

Incogni, which has grown quickly in popularity, focuses heavily on large‑scale automated removals and often comes in cheaper for families, but it may not match Optery’s depth of proof and visibility into each individual removal. Across recent independent roundups, Optery regularly appears among the top recommended personal data removal services, particularly at the Ultimate tier, where its site coverage and reporting stand out.

Optery: Verdict

Optery continues to stand out in 2026 as one of the best data removal services for users who care about both breadth of coverage and transparency into what’s being done on their behalf. Its combination of a genuinely useful free tier, flexible paid pricing, automated and human‑assisted removals, and strong broker coverage—including automated removal of outdated content from Google and Bing—puts it ahead of many rivals, especially at the higher end.

There are trade‑offs: the interface and reporting depth can feel like overkill if you just want something completely hands‑off, and some competitors offer more robust real‑time support channels or lower family pricing. Even so, if your priority is claiming control of your personal information across as many data brokers and search results as possible, Optery’s Ultimate and Extended plans are extremely compelling options for both individuals and organizations.

For anyone building a serious privacy stack in 2026, alongside a VPN, password manager, and security tools, Optery deserves a place near the top of your shortlist.

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Not many design tools fall into the open source category. Penpot is different in this regard, aiming to “provide an open-source & open-standards platform.” 

It’s web-based, particularly suited to web design, and boasts all the features you would expect from this type of app. There is even a collection of editor tools.

Part of Kaleidos, Penpot was launched in 2019 after a few years’ development. As of 2024, 80,000 teams are cited, including groups at Google and Microsoft. This makes it a compelling option on any list of design software to consider.

Our evaluation looks at Penpots features, ease of use, customer support, comparisons with competing tools, and its affordability.

Penpot: Plans and pricing

Three options area available for Penpot. First, the Free option, with unlimited teams, unlimited designers and developers, unlimited design files (including drafts), team libraries, and community support.

The Professional tier has everything you get in Free, plus a preferred hosting region, and premium support. 

Meanwhile, the Enterprise option adds to the above with advanced admin, security, two-factor authentication, and single sign-on (SSO), a choice of cloud hosting (Penpot, your own cloud, or local cloud), team access controls, link sharing controls, logs and analytics, enterprise plugins, and certified builds.

You will notice we haven’t specified any pricing for the Professional and Enterprise options. Prices are available on request for both options, so you need to contact Penpot, probably after having run the Free version on a trial basis, to get a company-specific quote.

Penpot: Features

Signing into Penpot for the first time, you’ll find a polished design interface, with the tools to create flexible layouts for any display. Custom fonts, asset uploads, and other expected design features can be found. Each element of the design can be inspected, code checked and revised. Prototyping supports interactive flows, interactions, and transitions, allowing you to specify the aims of the app or site in real terms.

Penpot is available purely as a browser app, with no downloadable version for Windows or Mac. However, while the software stores your data in the cloud, Penpot trumpets its open-source, open standards philosophy. In short, your creations are yours.

Integrations with other elements of your design and development workflow are possible via the Penpot API. While Penpot is primarily web-based, that doesn’t mean that you cannot host it yourself. Local deployment to Elestio and Docker are available, ensuring full privacy and control over your design and development data.

Penpot: Ease of use

We’ve reviewed a few browser-based UX tools, and one or two suffer from performance issues. This hasn’t been the case with Penpot, which works effortlessly, smoothly handling demands such as adjusting layers, adding assets, and previewing work.

Almost everything within the design pane can be controlled. Assets can be repositioned and re-aligned, layers brought forth and sent back, flipped, grouped, and more. While specific style controls can be found on the right pane, a context menu can summoned to aid with positioning elements. It’s a little long, but doesn’t include anything you won’t use.

Should the blank project seem a little intimidating, a collection of templates are included with Penpot. One of these can be loaded up and manipulated, giving you the opportunity to investigate the software’s features. All design aspects can be viewed and tweaked, and interactions created. Links to other project boards can also be established – useful when developing new screens to an already released project.

The biggest strength of Penpot is its focus on designers and developers. This is a UX design tool that allows designers to play to their strengths. Meanwhile, the developers can easily review the code of the creations, scaling and optimizing as necessary. This seamless workflow is conceived to align development and design teams, avoiding conflict. 

Penpot: Customer support

Running into issues with software can be frustrating. Fortunately, various support options are available with Penpot. Beyond the user guide and contributing guide (for reporting and tracking bugs) there is a detailed technical guide for getting local installation right.

A vast collection of reference materials can also be referred to. These include community questions, FAQ, and troubleshooting tools. It’s searchable, and there is even the opportunity to contribute your own Penpot-created libraries and templates. 

Don’t forget this software is open source, and you can review the code and contribute on the Penpot GitHub page.

If you can’t find a solution in these resources, you can contact the Penpot team directly via email.

Penpot: The competition

Framer and UXPin are among Penpot’s strongest competitors. Both of these offer a compelling prototyping experience, with advanced design options and enough for developers to get their hands dirty with.

There is little between these tools in terms of functionality and outcomes. Design space features and previewing, libraries, templates, and the ability to get straight into the app, these tools are all similar. However, Penpot does have a key advantage with its open-source philosophy and clear statement of ownership concerning your creations. At a time when many design tools are introducing AI tools to “streamline” design, this is refreshing.

The self-hosting aspect of Penpot is also refreshing, if you have the hardware.

Penpot: Final verdict

Penpot stands out among a crowded collection of design tools by offering an easy sign-up and attractive templates. They really highlight what is possible with this tool, which goes a long way towards becoming familiar with its features.

As noted, this software is open-source. While in most cases it won’t matter where it is hosted, simply having the option to run it from your own Docker set up is a huge advantage that competing tools don’t offer. 

All this aside, perhaps the best thing about Penpot is that when you’re done with the trial version, you can keep using it for free. You’re not going to enjoy the advanced features this way, but for amateur designers or anyone training on the software, this is a key advantage. The lack of specific pricing is a shortcoming, however.

We list the best graphic design software.

If you’re experienced with UX design, you have probably used any tool at your disposal to outline an interface wireframe. Pen and paper is the traditional option, but the best mind map software and flowchart tools make great substitutes. 

One tool that can handle UX design, flowcharts, and mind mapping is Mockitt. Available as desktop or browser app, Mockitt appears to be one of the most complete tools around. It’s part of the increasingly expansive Wondershare, (which already offers a mind mapping tool, EdrawMind), a Chinese software company.

While publishing good software, Wondershare does have a bad reputation for bundling crapware alongside its applications. So, is Mockitt good enough to overlook this?

Mockitt: Plans and pricing

Mockitt is available in various forms, and with a collection of price plans. You can, of course, get started for free – the Starter option lets you create 3 files, and 3 pages per prototype, flowchart, or mind map. You also get 3 project spaces and 30 uses of the Mockitt generative AI tool.

The Professional plan is $8 per person per month (annual price - $12 per month if paid monthly), with automatic renewal. This affords far more files (100) and pages (3000 per prototype, unlimited for mind maps and flowcharts). Mockitt AI also has unlimited use, and the Professional option includes premium templates, HTML export, and exclusive customer service.

Finally, for larger organizations, the Enterprise option is available. This costs $12 per person per month ($15 if paying monthly) and offers unlimited everything. You also get logged activity, an exclusive domain, and data handover support.

Payment can be made by PayPal, Google Pay, credit card, or bank transfer.

Mockitt: Features

As noted, Mockitt boasts three key functionalities: UX prototype design, mind mapping, and flowcharts. 

These are all enhanced with generative AI, which can be used to create prototypes and components using a simple prompt. The software is intended for UX designers, but can be just as easily used by anyone. This includes marketers, developers, and product managers.

Meanwhile, if you’re finding designing specific items a challenge, you can rely on templates. Aside from the built-in options, a library of community templates, developed by other users, can be selected.

Mockitt: Ease of use

Mockitt is available in four ways: browser, Windows (7 or later), macOS (Big Sur 11.6.0 or newer), and Ubuntu Linux (14.04 or later).

However, when we tested Mockitt, the desktop apps for Windows (tested on Windows 10) and Ubuntu (23.10) had two glaring issues. First, both failed to login to the Google account associated with Mockitt when testing the browser version. This resulted in crashes on both platforms. Second, and also concerning, is the initial view in the desktop app. 

It appears to be the actual Mockitt web page, which suggests the “installed app” is little more than a browser interface. Consequently, there seems little reason to use anything other than the browser version of Mockitt.

(On the plus side, we checked for any crapware and there was none.)

Mockitt boasts “Prototyping, flowchart and mind map all at once” but how accurate is this claim? To find out, we evaluated the software by creating a UX interface, a flowchart, and a mind map.

Mockitt’s multiple functionalities each have their own set of tools. So, the flowchart mode has all the shapes and arrows and colors you need. The mind mapping view, meanwhile, has a collection of basic tools, inferior to those available in EdrawMind (another Wondershare product).

The real stand out feature of Mockitt is the prototyping tool – the mind mapping and flowchart feel bolted on. In fact, the prototyping and wireframe tools offer better flowchart and mind mapping options than the individual features. 

It doesn’t make sense.

That said, the prototyping tool in Mockitt is excellent. A collection of tools for building UX designs, it has everything you need to output a basic wireframe in minutes, or a full interface (that takes longer though). Meanwhile, generative AI is able to create a design for you with a single sentence. It’s quite basic, but there is scope for that to become a compelling feature in this software.

One thing you will notice with the browser version is that it feels very close to Mockitt‘s desktop app. The user interface and position of menus is very similar, as is the way the mouse interacts with your project. To all intents and purposes, the browser app is a desktop experience, which makes it particularly impressive.

Mockitt: Customer support

Whether you’re using the desktop or browser version, Mockitt has a number of tools to help you minimize issues. 

An online user guide is provided, but curiously there is no knowledge base for Mockitt. Other Wondershare tools are supported in the Help Center, however, which is a strange oversight. Direct support is possible via the contact page, or you can spend a moment with the Wondershare AI Assistant. This provides useful responses to questions about the software. More help can be found in the Mockitt blog, but this is more a collection of design tips.

The absence of a dedicated support tool for Mockitt, or even accessible knowledgebase articles is somewhat puzzling, however.

Mockitt has a Trustpilot TrustScore of 4.6 from 28 reviews.

Mockitt: The competition

By attempting to cover three types of advanced diagramming, Mockitt has a considerable collection of competitors. You’ve got tools that do mind mapping, flowchart apps, and of course, UX design apps.

Mockitt is best compared with other UX design apps. Notable competitors include Figma and UXPin, which are both excellent points of comparison. Mockitt stands alongside these as a strong alternative, offering a comfortable workspace with all the features you could need. In fact, in reality the differing workspaces are the main differences between these tools.

Mockitt: Final verdict

Mockitt provides an excellent UX design tool, with handy mind mapping and flowchart tools for the complete workflow. Concerns over Wondershare’s reputation for crapware are unfounded on the desktop versions, but those apps didn’t seem to support the same Google sign in as the browser version.

Affordable, scalable for larger teams, and a match for the competition, Wondershare Mockitt also includes a good generative AI feature. With strong customer support, a good reputation, and a workspace that lets you get down to business, Mockitt has everything you need for UX mock-ups and more.

We list the best flowchart software.

The best mind map software has become increasingly important in the workplace. Whether as an aspect of project management or ideation for personal development purpose, mind maps are widely used.

Rather than splurging thoughts onto paper (which can be lost or damaged), mind mapping software ensures longevity, development, and collaboration.

Ayoa is a replacement for iMindMap, by Chris Griffiths and mind mapping creator Tony Buzan. Griffiths and the OpenGenius team have developed Ayoa to go beyond basic mind mapping, producing a browser-based and mobile tool for individual and team use.

Retaining features like freehand drawing and adding modern features, Ayoa is positioned as the de facto mind mapping platform. But should you choose Ayoa? To find out, we evaluated Ayoa’s plans, pricing, customer support, features, ease of use, and its competitors.

Ayoa: Plans and pricing

Ayoa offers three pricing tiers. 

First is the free version, with unlimited mind maps.

Second is the Ayoa Mind Map tier, $10 per user per month (£7.50) with annual billing. This adds image libraries, sharing, and tasks to the features found in the free option. Some other benefits of the paid version include AI generation, task management, and collaboration. This includes integration with Zoom.

Third is Ayoa Ultimate, which adds AI assistance, whiteboards, Gantt charts, exports and imports, and team chats. This is $13 per user per month (£10) with annual billing. As you may have guessed, Ayoa Ultimate is more suited to large teams. Meanwhile, Ayoa Mind Map is intended for advanced personal use. 

Payment for Ayoa is via credit card or PayPal.

Ayoa: Features

So, what does Ayoa offer to entice you to choose it – or upgrade – for you mind mapping purposes. How does it help you to create diagrams of associations, concepts, and develop non-linear ideation?

First, and importantly if you have been mind mapping with Chris Griffiths’ software for a while, is iMindMap support. If you have mind maps developed in that tool, they can be imported into Ayoa.

Elsewhere, Ayoa provides a collection of tools that are intended support frictionless mind mapping. These include a simple user interface, freehand drawing (on mobile or with a tablet/stylus peripheral) and cloud storage integrations. Dropbox and Google Drive are supported, along with integrations with Google Calendar and Google Contacts. 

These last two are part of Ayoa’s task management system. This is an extension of the collaborative features seen in some of the other mind mapping tools.

Ayoa supports the usual collection of diverse styles and formatting, offers templates, and lets you import images. In late 2023 it introduced “maps in maps.” This is a system that supports the inclusion of mind maps within a subtopic bubble of the current mind map. One can be imported from a separate mind map, or a portion of the existing project “pulled” into the bubble.

As noted, Ayoa is web based, and runs in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox. Mobile apps for Android and iPhone are available; there is also an iPad version.

Certain features are paywalled, however. For example, freehand drawing (which is a shame), and exporting in PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and OPML formats.

Ayoa: Ease of use

Getting started with Ayoa, you can create an account with Google, Facebook, or Apple. This enables instant access to the free version, with the option to create a new mind map or use a template. A wide selection of templates are available, covering every use from business to personal and study activities.

With a mind mapping project initiated, you can begin building it by adding a label to the main box. The mind map is easily built, with new branches and boxes for each subtopic, with a click of a + button. These float around the edge of the boxes, along with buttons for context menu and a drag handle. This repositions boxes, stretching and shrinking branches as necessary.

Various formatting tools are included, the mind map can be zoomed in and out of, and notes and media added. For mass-editing, multiple elements can be selected at once, and a tidy tool deals with any messy branches.

We tested the Android version on mobile. While the navigation of the interface and adding branches works in much the same way as desktop, context menus differ. Rather than small boxes, these open in complete new windows, which can be jarring. Otherwise, the mobile experience is good, with immediate access to mind maps you’ve already created on desktop.

Ayoa: Customer support

Ayoa is ridiculously easy to use. You can easily lose an hour just playing with it and exploring the features. Should you run into any problems, various avenues are available to get support for using the mind mapping tool.

To begin, check the Ayoa Help Center. This includes video tutorials (also available to view on YouTube), help guides, and an FAQ. Direct contact can also be made, using Ayoa’s Contact Us page. This can be used to request assistance with using the tool, account queries, bug reports, etc. You can even make suggestions for new features.

The Ayoa support team operates 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and aim to respond to messages within 24 hours.

Ayoa has a great reputation on Trustpilot, managing a score of 4.1 from 36 reviews. 

Ayoa: The competition

With such strong competition in the mind mapping market, you might be wondering why Ayoa is worth choosing. Aside from it being a competent and easy to use tool, we think Ayoa has a key advantage. 

Its pedigree – not just as an evaluation of iMindMap, but of the work of Tony Buzan – counts for much. You’re experience mind mapping through your browser (or mobile) as he intended.

Other tools (e.g. EdrawMind, Freemind, and Scapple) are good, and Coggle is particularly strong as a browser-based mind mapping application. But Ayoa just edges it, helped by its affordability and strong customer reputation.

Ayoa: Final verdict

With so many alternatives available, Ayoa stands out as an easy to use, accessible mind mapping solution. Derived from a respected mind mapping application, Ayoa has most of the features you need built into the free version. Pay for the tool, and you get to enjoy a collection of advanced options that are suitable for team access. 

Collaboration, exporting, and even integrations with Zoom and Google make Ayoa a compelling mind mapping application. Its good Trustpilot score underlines how well-regarded the tool is. 

We list the best flowchart software.

If your project requires flowcharts or mind map software, one app that is easy to get started with is Coggle. 

It has been around for over 10 years, and its developer intends that it will always be free to use. However, two paid options with enhanced features for teams and collaborators are also available.

This is a browser-based application, which requires a login using a Google, Apple, or Microsoft account. There is no desktop version of Coggle.

Once you sign in, the tool is ready to use, and it is easy to get started with your first mind map or flowchart.

Coggle: Plans and pricing

Three plans are available for Coggle. The free option is quite attractive and suitable for most single use cases. It’s also an ideal way to evaluate the software, and supports inviting 3 people to try the Awesome plan for free.

(Note that the free plan does not support creating flowcharts; however, you can edit flowchart templates.)

The Awesome option is $5 a month and adds a number of features, including collaboration and high-res uploads. A $50/year payment option is available, giving you 2 months free.

For teams using Coggle, the Organization tier is $8 per user per month. This adds SAML single sign-on, personal workspaces, bulk export, and detailed user and data management. 

Payment is by credit card, via the Stripe service. 

Coggle: Features

One of the key features of Coggle is its inherent simplicity. The menus are minimal, contextual, and for most of the time, hidden. This approach lets you simply get on with the job of composing a flowchart or expressing a mind map. 

The software boasts a collection of useful features. Mind maps and flowcharts created in Coggle can be exported as images and PDFs. They can also be exported into Microsoft Visio format.

Elsewhere, the tool supports real-time collaboration (included in the free mode), private diagrams, public sharing, and includes 1600 icons. Branches and elements can be auto-arranged, text boxes disconnected or relinked, and line style and paths controlled. 

Overall, Coggle is a feature-rich mind mapping and flowchart creation tool intended for use in a modern browser. This includes mobile devices, too. We tried Coggle in Firefox and Chrome on a Samsung Z Fold4. Aside from a minor revision to the UI, it worked perfectly.

Coggle: Ease of use

Coggle is geared towards providing space to create your own flowcharts and mind maps, rather than relying on templates.

A new project can be initiated easily. After clicking Create Diagram, a new workspace is created. Here, you’re presented with the first item, which awaits a title. The item can be resized by dragging the corner, text formatted (markdown is supported), hyperlink added, and images inserted. Further items can be linked and created by clicking the + symbol at the appropriate side. Anything can be moved and replaced, deleted, edited, and a keyboard shortcut reference is provided for help. 

Controls for each element can be opened by long clicking. This is a useful mechanic that brings up menu features (hit Shift to toggle the menu items) without cluttering the workspace. Collaborators can be added using the + button in the top-right corner, next to your own profile image. 

It’s simple.

If templates are required, these can be found in the Gallery. Initially, an item in the gallery is an image that can be shared on Facebook or Twitter/X. However, if you click the image to open it, and select Use as Template, it is converted for editing. Once this is done, the template is added to the Created By You collection, where you can find it later.

Using templates is the only way to create flowcharts in Coggle’s free tier.

Coggle: Customer support

The best way to find answers to issues with Coggle is to consult the knowledge base. Accessible via coggle.help, this highlights particularly popular articles, along with articles grouped by category.

Meanwhile, within Coggle itself, you’ll find a search tool, situated at the foot of the shortcuts reference pane. Using this launches a new browser tab, displaying the relevant results from the knowledge base. Some solutions include videos, which you can also find on YouTube. However, the Coggle YouTube channel is limited to a small group of videos and has not been updated since 2013.

Direct support is available to free users via email, which is initiated by selecting Contact Us from the main menu. 

Coggle: The competition

With its free version providing a good taste of the mind mapping experience, Coggle is a compelling choice. However, it is not the only application of its kind available. Other tools, available for desktop, mobile, and in your browser, are worth looking at.

Alternatives to Coggle include a combination of free and paid tools. Mindmaster, Mindmeister, Freemind, Scapple, and Edrawmind are all strong candidates. If you’re looking mainly at flowchart features, meanwhile, Canva Flowchart Maker should also be considered.

Is it an easy choice? Not really. All of these tools are easy to use, but Coggle’s extensive free version sets it apart.

Coggle: Final verdict

Coggle is perhaps one of the simplest tools you will find on the web. Creating mind maps is frictionless, and if you pay for the pleasure, flowcharts are just as simple. When you need to get your thoughts down as quickly as possible, this is important.

While the web app is free to use, and is so feature-packed it can be evaluated as such, unlocking the premium versions enables full online collaboration. Unfortunately, customer support appears to be limited to the knowledge base and an email address, with no stated response time.

While the competition for mind mapping and flowchart tools is pretty strong, Coggle is among the best. It may miss some advanced features, but they’re typically the ones you find on desktop apps. Cloud storage is built in, and while it doesn’t have a generative AI feature, using Coggle is so easy you don’t need it. 

We list the best flowchart software.

Mind mapping is a key element of project management and development. Including mind mapping within your workflow helps team members to visualize ideas and understand data. This in turn can help to generate ideas, explore connections between them, and ensure everyone involved in a project understands the target, and their own contribution. 

Pen and paper, or pen and whiteboard, is one way to get to grips with mind mapping. However, a better option is to rely on software. Mind mapping software tools are useful for ideation and brainstorming. They have purposes in business, education, project management, marketing, and strategy and planning.

While some generalized tools have been used over the years, dedicated mind mapping applications are a better option. One such example is EdrawMind, available with free and paid plans, from Edrawsoft, and recently acquired by Chinese company Wondershare.

Known for bloatware and other frustrations, Wondershare has a bit of a bad reputation. Is EdrawMind free of these issues?

EdrawMind: Platforms

EdrawSoft has ensured its software is available pretty much anywhere you have access to a screen. EdrawMind can be used on Windows, macOS, and Linux (DEB and RPM). Windows 7 or later, Mac OS X 10.10 and later, and pretty much any current Linux OS will run it. iPhone and Android versions are available, along with a dedicated iPad app. EdrawMind is also available as a browser-based version.

This is EdrawMind Online, which gives you a good feel for the software. However, it is a little similar to Canva Flowchart Maker, and you’ll need to create an account. Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter/X, and PayPal are all login options for EdrawMind Online.

EdrawMind: Plans and pricing

Various plans are available for EdrawMind. These encompass single product and bundles with other efficiency tools in the same stable.

Most significantly is the EdrawMind lifetime, available for $118 (£98.99). This compares well with the annual plan, $59 (£49) every 12 months. Both plans give you access to the software on 3 PCs, 3 mobile devices, and online tools. 10GB of storage is also available. (A semi-annual plan of $39 (£32.99) every 6 months might suit if your requirements are short-term.)

Could more tools be beneficial to your project? If so, EdrawMax, EdrawProj, and EdrawMind are available in a bundle, with a lifetime price of $245 (£203.99).

The software comes with a free version, but unsurprisingly, this has limitations. Key among these are the use of just 2 sheets, the lack of a formula editor, fishbone diagrams, circular, bubble, and sector maps, and custom themes. Check the EdrawMind free vs pro comparison for full details.

EdrawMind: Features

EdrawMind’s collection of features is intended to provide all the tools you need to create effective mind maps. 

It starts with a sleek functional user interface, with ready made templates for basic and advanced purposes. You can work in an infinite canvas, choosing custom themes and layouts relying on 22 structures. Various integrations are provided, too, with Pexels, Iconfont, and support for built-in clipart and emojis. User templates can also be created.

EdrawMind also boasts an AI idea creation tool. This is available in some versions of the app (not Linux) and on the web version.

EdrawMind: Ease of use

Mind mapping with EdrawMind is pleasantly straightforward. Simply select a template and begin mapping. After entering a label, tap TAB to create a subtopic, and build the mind map that way. Alternatively, an Outliner tool is included to create the mind map from a list.

Standard formatting tools are included in EdrawMind, along with different theme colors, styles, and background images and textures. EdrawMind projects can be exported as slideshows and PDFs, and even converted in Gantt charts. Clip art and other visual elements can be incorporated into mind maps.

It’s all as simple as click, drag, and label. Within a few minutes, a useful mind map can be created.

EdrawMind: Creating a mind map with AI

Generative AI provision in EdrawMind is effective. Using a simple prompt, we were able to generate a mind map of 49 individual topics/subtopics. The prompt, “create a mind map for the steps of evaluating software,” required some formatting, but generally had pleasing presentation.

An estimated 30-45 minutes was saved by relying on AI to create that mind map. Generation took less than a minute, making this a significant feature of EdrawMind. It essentially saves time by automating repetitive processes, and is a smart addition to the software.

EdrawMind: Customer support

If you run into any difficulty using EdrawMind, a collection of resources are on offer.

These are available using in-app shortcuts or browsing directly to the online resource. Here, you will find a live chat tool, an FAQ, user guide, video tutorials, and a direct contact option. The EdrawMind support team can handle technical issues as well as account and license questions, renewals and refunds, and sales.

We were particularly impressed with the built-in chat tool, which offers swift responses to conversational messages.

However, a couple of things are worth considering. First, Edrawmind doesn’t have a good Trustpilot score, either pre-Wondershare acquisition or since. Second, and perhaps most important, is Wondershare’s reputation for installing software that you don’t need. 

EdrawMind: The competition

Plenty of other mind mapping tools are available, so what makes EdrawMind stand out?

With existing tools such as Mindmaster, Mindmeister, Freemind, and Scapple, Edrawmind really needs to offer something new. The AI feature pretty much covers that, and while important, it is comparatively minor.

While all of these tools offer solid mind mapping, EdrawMind keeps things focused. Generative AI saves time, but the user interface is so pleasing to use you might forget about the AI option.

EdrawMind: Final verdict

Installing EdrawMind on your PC or phone puts you in control of a simple and reliable mind mapping application. It has clear controls, mind maps are easy to edit and style, and AI generation from a single command. If you’re looking for a mind mapping tool, EdrawMind is one to place at the top of your evaluation list. You’ll get a good flavor of what’s on offer from the mobile version.

Although not cheap, the customer support options are good. The only strike against EdrawMind is Wondershare’s existing reputation of bundling crapware. If you want to risk it, EdrawMind provides a good mind mapping experience.

Mind mapping is a key element of project management and development. Including mind mapping within your workflow helps team members to visualize ideas and understand data. This in turn can help to generate ideas, explore connections between them, and ensure everyone involved in a project understands the target, and their own contribution. 

Pen and paper, or pen and whiteboard, is one way to get to grips with mind mapping. However, a better option is to rely on software. Mind mapping software tools are useful for ideation and brainstorming. They have purposes in business, education, project management, marketing, and strategy and planning.

While some generalized tools have been used over the years, dedicated mind mapping applications are a better option. One such example is EdrawMind, available with free and paid plans, from Edrawsoft, and recently acquired by Chinese company Wondershare.

Known for bloatware and other frustrations, Wondershare has a bit of a bad reputation. Is EdrawMind free of these issues?

EdrawMind: Platforms

EdrawSoft has ensured its software is available pretty much anywhere you have access to a screen. EdrawMind can be used on Windows, macOS, and Linux (DEB and RPM). Windows 7 or later, Mac OS X 10.10 and later, and pretty much any current Linux OS will run it. iPhone and Android versions are available, along with a dedicated iPad app. EdrawMind is also available as a browser-based version.

This is EdrawMind Online, which gives you a good feel for the software. However, it is a little similar to Canva Flowchart Maker, and you’ll need to create an account. Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter/X, and PayPal are all login options for EdrawMind Online.

EdrawMind: Plans and pricing

Various plans are available for EdrawMind. These encompass single product and bundles with other efficiency tools in the same stable.

Most significantly is the EdrawMind lifetime, available for $118 (£98.99). This compares well with the annual plan, $59 (£49) every 12 months. Both plans give you access to the software on 3 PCs, 3 mobile devices, and online tools. 10GB of storage is also available. (A semi-annual plan of $39 (£32.99) every 6 months might suit if your requirements are short-term.)

Could more tools be beneficial to your project? If so, EdrawMax, EdrawProj, and EdrawMind are available in a bundle, with a lifetime price of $245 (£203.99).

The software comes with a free version, but unsurprisingly, this has limitations. Key among these are the use of just 2 sheets, the lack of a formula editor, fishbone diagrams, circular, bubble, and sector maps, and custom themes. Check the EdrawMind free vs pro comparison for full details.

EdrawMind: Features

EdrawMind’s collection of features is intended to provide all the tools you need to create effective mind maps. 

It starts with a sleek functional user interface, with ready made templates for basic and advanced purposes. You can work in an infinite canvas, choosing custom themes and layouts relying on 22 structures. Various integrations are provided, too, with Pexels, Iconfont, and support for built-in clipart and emojis. User templates can also be created.

EdrawMind also boasts an AI idea creation tool. This is available in some versions of the app (not Linux) and on the web version.

EdrawMind: Ease of use

Mind mapping with EdrawMind is pleasantly straightforward. Simply select a template and begin mapping. After entering a label, tap TAB to create a subtopic, and build the mind map that way. Alternatively, an Outliner tool is included to create the mind map from a list.

Standard formatting tools are included in EdrawMind, along with different theme colors, styles, and background images and textures. EdrawMind projects can be exported as slideshows and PDFs, and even converted in Gantt charts. Clip art and other visual elements can be incorporated into mind maps.

It’s all as simple as click, drag, and label. Within a few minutes, a useful mind map can be created.

EdrawMind: Creating a mind map with AI

Generative AI provision in EdrawMind is effective. Using a simple prompt, we were able to generate a mind map of 49 individual topics/subtopics. The prompt, “create a mind map for the steps of evaluating software,” required some formatting, but generally had pleasing presentation.

An estimated 30-45 minutes was saved by relying on AI to create that mind map. Generation took less than a minute, making this a significant feature of EdrawMind. It essentially saves time by automating repetitive processes, and is a smart addition to the software.

EdrawMind: Customer support

If you run into any difficulty using EdrawMind, a collection of resources are on offer.

These are available using in-app shortcuts or browsing directly to the online resource. Here, you will find a live chat tool, an FAQ, user guide, video tutorials, and a direct contact option. The EdrawMind support team can handle technical issues as well as account and license questions, renewals and refunds, and sales.

We were particularly impressed with the built-in chat tool, which offers swift responses to conversational messages.

However, a couple of things are worth considering. First, Edrawmind doesn’t have a good Trustpilot score, either pre-Wondershare acquisition or since. Second, and perhaps most important, is Wondershare’s reputation for installing software that you don’t need. 

EdrawMind: The competition

Plenty of other mind mapping tools are available, so what makes EdrawMind stand out?

With existing tools such as Mindmaster, Mindmeister, Freemind, and Scapple, Edrawmind really needs to offer something new. The AI feature pretty much covers that, and while important, it is comparatively minor.

While all of these tools offer solid mind mapping, EdrawMind keeps things focused. Generative AI saves time, but the user interface is so pleasing to use you might forget about the AI option.

EdrawMind: Final verdict

Installing EdrawMind on your PC or phone puts you in control of a simple and reliable mind mapping application. It has clear controls, mind maps are easy to edit and style, and AI generation from a single command. If you’re looking for a mind mapping tool, EdrawMind is one to place at the top of your evaluation list. You’ll get a good flavor of what’s on offer from the mobile version.

Although not cheap, the customer support options are good. The only strike against EdrawMind is Wondershare’s existing reputation of bundling crapware. If you want to risk it, EdrawMind provides a good mind mapping experience.

Almost every business needs a flowchart design tool. While the basic idea for one or multiple processes might be outlined on paper, a digital representation is more useful. That’s where the best flowchart software comes in useful.

But there is a potential roadblock. Designing flowcharts typically requires expensive subscription software. If this is something you’re new to, or if you’re looking to bring process overview in-house, you might be considering a tool like Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart.

However, several good quality free tools are available. One of them is Canva Flowchart Maker, a browser-based tool available as part of the Canva design suite.

Canva Flowchart Maker: Plans and pricing

Canva’s Online Flowchart Maker is completely free to use by a single creator. All the usual free Canva options are available with this. All you need to use the tool is a Canva account, which can be created with your own email address, or with a Google or Facebook account.

Note, however, that Canva’s AI illustrator is unsuited to flowchart creation.  

A small number of templates are limited to Canva Pro users. Meanwhile, advanced features such as online collaboration and brand kits require a subscription. Naturally, this will depend on your specific needs and expectations from the tool.

Canva Pro is £100 ($120) per year, per person, whereas Canva Teams is £90 ($100) per year, per person, for a minimum of three. (Monthly prices are from $12.95). The Canva Teams option includes role assignment, ownership transfer, and even user reports, among many other additional features.

Therefore, organizations wishing to use Canva Online Flowchart Maker in a collaborative sense will need to subscribe. 

Canva Enterprise is also available, with quotes available upon request.

Canva Flowchart Maker: Features

Canva Online Flowchart Maker is a relatively straightforward tool. It offers the choice of starting from scratch, or relying on a number of templates, with appropriate elements.

Templates

These cover everything from workflows and roadmaps to SWOT analysis and other visual presentation tools. In total, 25 templates are available, which can be dragged into Canva’s main area. From here, they can be restyled, edited, and adapted at will.

Elements

Canva provides a set of contextual elements depending on what you are designing. For flowcharts, this means lines and shapes, which can easily be dragged into the design window. Elements can be added to templates, or used to build a brand new flowchart from scratch.

Editor

The main design window features various editing tools to adjust the size, color, type face, and position of each element. Text can be added to flowchart shapes, arrow length adjusted and repositioned, elements grouped, moved, and resized.

Border thickness can be adjusted, lines dashed and broken, and flowchart elements brought forward or pushed backward in the design. Context menu tools and menu bar options provide complete control over every aspect of the flowchart.

Meanwhile, Canva’s drawing and uploading features can be applied, as can branding templates.

Canva Flowchart Maker: Ease of use

As you will have gathered, getting started with this flowchart tool is easy enough. You have a choice between selecting and editing a template, or starting entirely from scratch.

With the first option, simply select a suitable flowchart from the templates list. Color schemes and fonts are easily changed in the editor, and you should soon have the the flowchart looking good.

Starting from scratch is a little different. With this option, you need to build the flowchart shape-by-shape, adding color and text as you go. Arrows can also be added to the mix, until you have a flowchart that does the job.

But while straightforward to use, Canva Flowchart Maker lacks some advanced flowcharting features. For example, the selection of templates are limited to pure meeting-room flowcharts. Diagramming isn’t an option, and there is no way to handle linked data with Canva. This makes Canva Flowchart Maker a comparatively flat, basic option – much like an introduction to flowcharts.

In that regard, it is an excellent tool.

Canva Flowchart Maker: Customer support

No dedicated support for Canva Flowchart Maker is provided. Instead, you will need to access the main Canva support pages to gain assistance.

Support covers every aspect of the design website, from billing to design. Direct chat is not an option for support, however. Fortunately, there is also the provision of a vast, searchable knowledgebase, available by visiting Solutions to most issues can be found here.

If not, you will need to log an issue, complete with categorization and description, optional screenshot, and await a solution. While the quality of Canva’s support responses (sent via email) are good, they can take time to arrive.

Canva Flowchart Maker: The competition

Plenty of flowchart alternatives are available. Canva Flowchart Maker’s main competitors include Microsoft Visio, available both as a desktop tool and as a browser app. Other options include Zapier Canvas and draw.io, and all three cover basic flowcharting and more advanced features.

Zapier Canvas and draw.io both lean heavily into AI features, something that Canva Flowchart Maker does not. This is despite Canva having an increasingly prominent generative AI feature. It probably won’t be long before AI is an option for creating flowcharts in Canva, but it isn’t available at the time of writing.

But these are just a handful of the competing flowchart apps. Canva Flowchart Maker is simple enough to use, but it lacks the depth of the competition.

Canva Flowchart Maker: Final verdict

Canva is a hugely popular tool that has revolutionized desktop design, opening up a collection of resources to the world. Desktop design has been democratized, industry  tricks opened to the public, and Canva Flowchart Maker is an element of that.

If your opinion of Canva is more cynical, you may feel that the flowchart tool is merely a sales funnel. Whether that is the case or not, Canva Flowchart Maker remains a simple flowchart designer. It’s an excellent entry-level tool.

While it isn’t as comprehensive a flowchart and illustration tool as some competing offerings, it can handle basic designs. As the tool is free aside from a few advanced features, this makes it a top choice for flowchart design.

We list the best mind map software.