Turn your notes into an editable mind map on your Mac for free
Upload a PDF, DOCX, slide deck, or photo of a page and get a mind map you can edit and explore. Start on the free plan with 3 generations a month.
Choosing free mind map software for a Mac
Most students on a Mac don't want a blank canvas to draw on. They want free mind map software for Mac that starts from the lecture notes or readings they already have. DeckOwl reads your PDF, DOCX, PPTX, or text and builds a map of the main ideas, which you can then expand and rearrange.
- No download needed: works in your Mac browser
- Free plan: 3 generations per month, no credit card
- Map from PDFs, slides, Word files, or photos of pages
- Plus adds unlimited generations and PDF or DOCX export
Upload what you already have
PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text, or a photo of a page. Photos are read with text recognition.
Editable and explorable
Expand branches, rearrange ideas, and reshape the map as your understanding grows.
Works in your Mac browser
No app to install. Open DeckOwl in your Mac browser and study on the free plan right away.
How it works
Upload your material
Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, notes, or a photo of your pages.
Generate the map
DeckOwl builds a mind map from the main ideas in your material.
Explore and edit
Expand branches and adjust the structure to match how you study.
The free plan includes 3 generations per month and lets you study in the browser, so you can test it on real course material before deciding anything. Exports to PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV are part of the Plus plan at $39/year or $7.99/month.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this free mind map software for Mac?
Yes, the free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser at no cost. Exporting to PDF or DOCX requires the Plus plan.
How do I make a mind map from lecture notes?
Start with the main topic, then group related ideas into branches with two to four sub-points each. Use the outline your notes already have as the first level of branches.
How many branches should a study mind map have?
Most maps work well with five to seven main branches, each holding a few sub-points. Keep sub-points short enough to recall from memory.
Do I need to install an app on my Mac?
No. DeckOwl runs in your browser, so there is nothing to install. You can sign up without a credit card and start on the free plan.
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