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Open source AI mind map generator: a hosted option for your notes

DeckOwl is a hosted tool. Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, or photo of your notes and get an editable mind map you can explore branch by branch. The Free plan needs no credit card to start.

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Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

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Open source versus hosted mind map tools

Open-source mind map software gives you the code, so you can inspect it, change it, or run it yourself. People searching for an open source AI mind map generator often want that control, but they also want the AI to do the first draft from their own notes. DeckOwl is a hosted study tool rather than an open-source project, so it suits students who want a finished map without setting anything up.

Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, notes, or page photos
Get an editable map you can reorganize
Explore branches without leaving the browser
Move the same material into flashcards or quizzes

Example open source license mind map branches

Common open source licensesMIT · Apache 2.0 · GPL · BSD

Permissive licensesAllow reuse in proprietary software · Usually require keeping copyright notices · Examples: MIT, BSD

Copyleft licensesDerivative works must stay open · Source must be shared with users · Example: GPL

Open source vs. free softwareOpen source emphasizes open development and code access · Free software emphasizes user freedoms · Many licenses meet both definitions

Ways to contribute to a projectReport bugs in the issue tracker · Submit pull requests · Improve documentation

Generate the full set

Upload almost any source

Add PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or photos of pages. Photos are read with text recognition.

Editable, explorable maps

Rename, move, or expand branches to shape the map around how you think about the material.

Study from the same material

Turn the same upload into flashcards with spaced repetition or quizzes with explanations.

How it works

Upload your material

Start with a lecture PDF, a set of notes, or a photo of a textbook page.

Generate the mind map

The AI pulls out the main ideas and groups them into branches.

Edit and explore

Reshape the branches, drill into sub-points, and keep the parts you need.

Open source itself is a topic worth studying. Licenses such as MIT, Apache 2.0, and GPL set different rules for reuse, modification, and sharing, and a mind map is a quick way to compare them. Building the map from your own lecture slides or readings keeps the structure tied to what your course actually covers.

Explore related topics

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Open-source mind map app alternative

AI mind maps from your PDFs and notes, with a note that DeckOwl is not open source.

Open source mind map software guide

Open source mind map software compared with a hosted AI mind map generator.

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Frequently asked questions

What does open source mean for software?

Open source software makes its source code publicly available under a license that lets people use, study, modify, and share it. The license spells out the conditions for each of those actions.

What is the difference between permissive and copyleft licenses?

Permissive licenses such as MIT and Apache 2.0 let people reuse code in proprietary products with few conditions. Copyleft licenses such as GPL require that modified versions be shared under the same license.

Is DeckOwl open source?

No, DeckOwl is a hosted tool you use in the browser rather than an open-source package you install yourself. The Free plan includes 3 generations per month with no credit card needed.

Can I export my mind map?

The Free plan is for studying in the browser without exports. Plus, at $39/year or $7.99/month, adds PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export along with unlimited generations.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.