Turn your PDFs and notes into a free mind map
Upload a PDF, DOCX, slides, or photos of pages and get an editable mind map you can click through and rearrange. The free plan includes 3 generations a month and studying in the browser.
Why a free mind map app helps with dense material
Long lecture notes and textbook chapters are hard to hold in your head as a list, which is where a free mind map app earns its place.
- Upload PDFs, DOCX or PPTX files, plain notes, or photos of pages.
- Edit branches and rearrange topics after the map is generated.
- Explore by expanding and collapsing sections as you review.
- Three free generations a month, with no credit card needed to start.
Upload what you already have
PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or photos of pages. Photos are read with text recognition.
Editable and explorable
Expand branches, reshape the structure, and follow the connections between ideas.
Free to start
Three generations a month on the free plan, with no credit card needed. Plus adds unlimited generations.
How it works
Upload your material
Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX file, your notes, or a photo of a page.
Generate the map
DeckOwl builds a branched map of the main topics and their subpoints.
Edit and explore
Rename, move, or expand branches until the map matches how you understand the topic.
A mind map shows how a topic branches: the central idea sits in the middle, with subtopics, definitions, and examples radiating outward. Seeing those links makes it easier to spot what you have not understood yet than rereading a page of bullets.
DeckOwl mind maps are editable and explorable, so you can reshape the structure as your understanding grows. On the free plan you study in the browser, and file exports are part of the paid plans.
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Frequently asked questions
How many branches should a mind map for one lecture have?
Aim for one central idea with five to seven main branches, each holding a few supporting points. If a branch needs more than three levels, split it into its own map.
Are mind maps better than flashcards for memorizing facts?
Mind maps are better for seeing how concepts relate, while flashcards suit exact terms and definitions. Many students organize a topic with a map and then turn the key branches into flashcards.
Is the free plan really free?
Yes, the free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, with no credit card needed. Unlimited generations require Plus.
Can I export my mind maps?
Export is a paid feature. Plus includes PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export, while the free plan keeps your study in the browser.
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