The Cmap Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Cmap in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Cmap
The Insider’s Guide
Free concept-mapping software from IHMC for school and research
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among whiteboard and mind map tools, read from Cmap’s own pages.
Made by Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Cmap’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Cmap’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 53 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade
Cmap, or CmapTools, is concept-mapping software from the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC). Users build concept maps on a computer, link them to other maps and resources, and share them through a server or the Cmap Cloud. A browser version and an iPad app work with the same cloud account.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Cmap, taken from its own pages and our grades.
A registration form comes before the installer, and shared editing means setting up a server.
- 1
Best for free concept maps for classrooms and research
Editing the same map at once needs a CmapServer, the iPad app charges for syncing and export, and the installer asks you to register first.
- 2
It is free
Cmap has no paid plan at all. CmapTools is free for educational, personal and commercial use; the vendor asks for donations.
- 3
It runs on 5 platforms
Web, macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS.
- 4
Concept maps linked to resources
Users link a concept map to other maps and to resources such as images and videos, and can publish the result on the web.
- 5
Cmap Cloud
A free cloud account stores maps and shares them among CmapTools, CmapTools in the Cloud and the iPad app. A viewer embeds a map in a web page.
- 6
Browser version
CmapTools in the Cloud runs in Chrome, Safari and Firefox on a desktop or laptop, and exports to CXL, JPG and SVG.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 53 of 61
That is against the other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Cmap is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Cmap at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS
- Made by
- Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC)
- Category
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for free concept maps for classrooms and research
CmapTools is a free concept-mapping program from the IHMC research institute, with a desktop app, a browser version and a free cloud account. Editing the same map at once needs a CmapServer, the iPad app charges for syncing and export, and the installer asks you to register first.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free to download and run, for education, personal and commercial use, with donations requested. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright, with no cap a normal person would reach, though the vendor describes commercial use as a beta test. |
| Features | C | Concept maps linked to other maps and resources, a cloud account and a viewer. Gaps the listing shows: simultaneous editing needs a CmapServer, and on iPad syncing and export are in-app purchases. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. A registration form comes before the installer, and shared editing means setting up a server. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, Linux, an iPad app and a browser version. No Android app and no API or integrations list. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Cmap is for
- Fits if you teach or study with concept maps and want a free program
- Works for researchers who link maps to images, videos and other maps
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want live shared editing without a server, since that needs a CmapServer
- Skip it if you want a polished phone app: the iPad app lists iOS 7 or later and charges for sync and export
- Not for you if you need the browser version on a tablet or phone, as it is meant for desktops and laptops
- Watch out: the installer asks for your name, organization type and country first
- Watch out: the vendor describes commercial use as a free beta test
Good to know
Good for
- Teachers and students building concept maps in class
- Researchers and organizations building linked knowledge models
- Anyone who wants free software that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Worth knowing
- The desktop download asks for registration with name, organization type and country before the installer is released.
- The vendor says the basic software is free for education and US federal agencies, and is offered free as a beta test to other users, including commercial ones.
- On iPad, syncing with the Cmap Cloud and export are in-app purchases, and the listed requirement is iOS 7 or later.
- The browser version is meant for desktops and laptops, not for tapping on tablets and phones.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Cmap is free to use.
Free to download and run, for education, personal and commercial use, with donations requested.
Free
$0
CmapTools for desktop, CmapTools in the Cloud and a free Cmap Cloud account; donations are requested.
The free plan
CmapTools is free for educational, personal and commercial use; the vendor asks for donations.
Read from cmap.ihmc.us on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS
Free concept-mapping software from IHMC for school and research. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: real-time collaboration, mind mapping, diagrams.
Concept maps linked to other maps and resources, a cloud account and a viewer.
- Concept maps linked to resources
- Users link a concept map to other maps and to resources such as images and videos, and can publish the result on the web.
- Cmap Cloud
- A free cloud account stores maps and shares them among CmapTools, CmapTools in the Cloud and the iPad app. A viewer embeds a map in a web page.
- Browser version
- CmapTools in the Cloud runs in Chrome, Safari and Firefox on a desktop or laptop, and exports to CXL, JPG and SVG.
- Synchronous editing on a CmapServer
- Two or more people can edit the same map at once on a CmapServer, with folder-level permissions to view, annotate or edit.
- Many interface languages
- The single download includes 18 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Japanese.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Cmap is made by Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC).
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
53/61
Other whiteboard and mind map tools it is graded above
Cmap's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 53 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 53 of 61) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Cmap has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 62 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Cmap’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 47 of 61
- AFree plan and trialAbove 53 of 61
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 61
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 61
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 22 of 61
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 whiteboard and mind map tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Cmap is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Cmap is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 53 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade.
What you could make
- Mind mapping: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A diagram editor.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- What a company asks for before it lets staff use something: roles and permissions.
What this rests on. Cmap’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
MindManager, Freeplane, MindMup, Coggle and Mindomo
The 5 tools Cmap is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
MindManager
Free trial · from $99/yr
Mind mapping and diagramming software with Gantt charts.
- Cmap has a free plan. MindManager does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Cmap lists a Linux app.
- Only MindManager lists an Android app.
- 2.8GPA
Freeplane
Free
Free, open source mind mapping app for the desktop.
- Only Cmap lists a web app.
- Only Cmap lists an iOS app.
- Freeplane is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
MindMup
Free plan · from $6/mo
Web mind mapping with a free tier and simple paid plans.
- Only Cmap lists macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS apps.
- MindMup also covers notes and presentations.
- 2.4GPA
Coggle
Free plan · from $5/mo
Collaborative mind maps and flowcharts in the browser.
- Only Cmap lists macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS apps.
- Coggle is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Coggle also covers Markdown.
- 2.6GPA
Mindomo
Free plan · from $7/mo
Mind maps, outlines and Gantt charts with real-time editing.
- Only Mindomo lists an Android app.
- Only Mindomo lists a browser extension.
- Cmap also covers diagrams.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Cmap free?
Yes. Cmap is free to use.
How much does Cmap cost?
Cmap lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Cmap work on?
Cmap is available on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS.
Does Cmap have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Cmap is listed for Web, macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS.
Is Cmap open source?
Cmap is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Who makes Cmap?
Cmap is made by Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC).
What are the alternatives to Cmap?
The closest alternatives to Cmap in our directory are MindManager, Freeplane, MindMup, Coggle and Mindomo.
How does Cmap compare with other whiteboard and mind map tools?
Cmap's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 53 of the 61 other whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, and level with 5.
Is Cmap good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Cmap A for value for money. Cmap has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Cmap?
Cmap is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Cmap’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Cmap's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC). Prices change, so check cmap.ihmc.us before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Cmap, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/cmap
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Cmap: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/cmap
Know someone choosing between whiteboard and mind map tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/cmap/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded whiteboard and mind map tools after Cmap, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Whiteboards & Mind Maps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 62 whiteboard and mind map tools we grade, compared
- Microsoft Whiteboard Insider's GuideFree collaborative canvas built into Microsoft 365 and Teams3.4 GPA
- draw.io Insider's GuideFree diagram editor that saves files to storage you choose3.2 GPA
- tldraw Insider's GuideFree online whiteboard with a local desktop app3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Cmap’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Cmap is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC). Prices and plans change: check cmap.ihmc.us before you buy.