Xmind launched its AI version for automated mind-mapping by combining Xmind Works and Xmind Copilot. A team member of ours suggested it for collaborative brainstorming, as he has been using XMind for personal use. It’s been a month since we switched to this platform.
As a project management team, coming up with new ideas and communicating with each other was a real struggle. However, the integration of AI copilot for creative input and its workspace proved helpful for us in overcoming creative block and increasing productivity.
However, there’s more to it. Are you thinking of trying XMind AI? Before you jump into it, here is a detailed XMind AI review. Learn all about its functionalities, benefits, and drawbacks.
Xmind Review:
Part 1: Xmind AI Key Features
Xmind AI is a cloud-based mind mapping and brainstorming tool with an AI copilot. The tool is designed to promote creativity and collaboration. It helps facilitate the organization of thoughts, pattern visualization, and real-time co-editing. Here are some of its highlighting functions:
AI-powered idea generation: It instantly generates creative ideas and to-do lists, for enhanced workflow and creativity.
Auto-generated slides: Xmind AI transforms mind maps into visually appealing auto-generated slides to engage the audience.
Bi-directional links: You can create connections between topics effortlessly with bi-directional links. It allows for a more dynamic exploration of ideas.
Real-time collaboration: The XMind AI workspace allows multiple team members to work simultaneously. It helps in getting instant feedback and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Cloud-based access: Access your projects from any device with its cloud-based project space. It ensures that your data is synchronized and secure.
Version history: Xmind AI allows you to keep track of changes and revisions in your mind maps. So you can easily revert to previous versions when needed.
Part 2: How to Use Xmind AI Brainstorming, Presentations, and Collaboration
In this part, let's take a deeper look at Xmind AI's three major features: AI brainstorming, Smart Presentation, and Collaboration. We will see how to use each feature. Also, give you the details and feelings after using them.
XMind AI for Brainstorming
The XMind AI idea generation made brainstorming assistance seamless for our team.
It suggests topics, concepts, or themes to help kickstart focus brainstorming sessions. AI content suggestions provide related ideas to our initial thoughts, offering new angles to projects.
Moreover, the to-do list management AI offers task prioritization, automated reminders, and progress tracking. It suggests task prioritization based on deadlines and set reminders for tasks and deadlines. So, we could stay on track without the hassle of manual tracking.
How to XMind AI for Brainstorming
Step 1:
Open Xmind AI online and press New Map > Blank Map.
Step 2:
Once on the editing panel, insert the main topic in your map and access Copilot Assist from the bottom toolbar.
Step 3:
It will create further branches for you. You can also individually select one brand to expand.
XMind AI for Smart Presentations
The AI auto-generated slides helped us deliver in group discussions. The stunning and detailed slides make it easy to catch the team’s attention and get ideas across the board. What’s even better is that this feature allows focusing on refining the content, making presentations more impactful.
How to XMind AI for Smart Presentations
Step 1:
Once your mind map is complete, navigate to the Play icon in the top-right corner. It will enter the pitch mode for presentations.
Step 2:
Now, you can preview individual topics and discuss them.
Step 3:
Alternatively, navigate to the File menu from the top-left corner, select Export, and choose PowerPoint (Pitch). It will download your mind map presentation.
XMind AI for Collaboration
Xmind AI multiplayer collaboration offers simultaneous editing. It enables our team members to work on the same mind map or project simultaneously. With this, we were able to deliver on time and reduce delays, despite working remotely. Plus, in our group brainstorming sessions, everyone was able to contribute with new ideas via chat, promoting an inclusive environment.
How to XMind AI for Collaboration
Step 1:
Create a mind map and press Share from the top-right corner to invite team members to collaborate. Each collaborator can join via a link, making edits in real time.
Step 2:
You can also personalize invites by choosing who can view or edit your diagrams.
Part 3: Ratings and User Revies on Xmind AI
Ratings
- G2: 4.3/5
- Capterra: 4.5/5
What Users Like Most
Users love the free version of this mind-mapping tool. They say it is easy for us to use and learn the tool feature with the free version as a beginner. Furthermore, they also admire tool export into multiple formats to share easily and real-time collaboration to work on the team's ideas seamlessly.
What Users Dislikes
Users think that Xmind does not have an intuitive interface. They found the tool difficult to use for non-tech users, making it challenging to make themselves familiar with drawing. Many users think they have to spend some time learning and exploring how to use various features.
Part 4: Pricing Plan of Xmind AI
Xmind AI offers plans for individuals and teams. For the regular work yearly, the pricing plan is better to work seamlessly which is available with a discount.
For Individuals
- Free Plan
- Premium Plan: $15/Month; $99/Year
For Teams
- Free Plan
- Business Plan: $10/Month; $18/Year
Top Xmind AI Alternatives
Don’t stop at Xmind AI and look for even better alternatives. Here are my top two AI mind-mapping tools that can replace XMind AI.
Edraw.AI: AI Diagramming with Real-Time Collaboration
Like XMind AI, Edraw.AI can create mind maps, generate presentations, and allow real-time collaboration. But it doesn’t stop here. The tool even lets you create other diagrams like flowcharts, timelines, tables, etc, using just text prompts.
Moreover, its AI collection of tools offers diagram suggestions, summarizes documents, creates stunning designs, and extracts text from images. What makes it my first choice is its intuitive interface, making diagramming a breeze even for newbies.
Features of Edraw.AI
- AI diagram generation: Edraw.AI transforms text commands into accurate, visually appealing diagrams. And, you can edit the generated diagrams in the canvas.
- AI mind mapping: It allows you to quickly brainstorm or visualize ideas using automated mind maps. Enter a text prompt or use its premade prompts and it will convert it into a mind map.
- Slide generation: Edraw.AI transforms your diagrams into an extensive slideshow. You can present it directly from the canvas or export it in a PPT format.
2. Whimsical: A Virtual Workspace for Teams
Whimsical is a perfect workspace for teams stepping into virtual mind mapping and management. Its AI can create diagrams like flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps, and sticky notes. Plus, the Whimsical mind mapping space lets you organize your thoughts with multiple nodes for easy understanding. Here, the collaboration scope further adds to the experience.
Features of Whimsical
- Whimsical offers free AI mind map templates.
- If you are struggling to start your new project, use Whimsical ChatGPT-powered mind mapping space. It uses text prompts to create and optimize mind maps.
- You can structure your project with simple hierarchies for clear communication.
Which AI Mind Map Tool Should You Choose
Confused about which one to pick? Let’s compare all three, so you can decide which one suits your needs best.
Features | Whimsical | Edraw.AI | Xmind AI |
AI Capabilities | AI mind mapping, diagram generation, automated documentation | AI mind mapping, diagram generation, summarization, integrated chatbot, and OCR extraction | AI mind mapping |
Templates | Ready-to-use templates for various applications | Diverse quick-start templates for mind maps, flowcharts, tables, etc. | No templates |
User Experience | User-friendly interface | Very intuitive interface with Drag-and-drop functionality and easily accessible controls. | Requires experience in navigating through the interface |
Collaboration | Real-time co-editing and feedback | Real-time co-editing and feedback | Real-time co-editing and feedback |
Conclusion
Xmind AI copilot feature offers powerful mind mapping and brainstorming solutions, so you can organize ideas and information effectively and efficiently. After using it for quite some time, I would say it definitely delivers what it claims. However, Xmind’s interface makes it a challenge to make diagrams as it is complicated to try out many features and is time-consuming.
In comparison, other mind-mapping tools like Edraw.AI and Whimsical have been better for our productivity. Firstly, their intuitive interface makes it super easy to make mind maps. Secondly, I found the AI-generated ideas more detailed and structured on Edraw.AI. Last but not least, the free templates offer a quick start for our brainstorming sessions, which is a plus point for these alternatives.