App to Make Concept Maps for Studying
See how a concept map links ideas with labeled connections, then let AI build one from your own notes, PDF or slides.
No credit card required
AI Generated Preview
Trusted by learners from top universities
CogniGuide at a glance
- What you get
- Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
- Exports
- Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
- Price
- Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
- Sign-up
- A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
- What you can upload
- PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.
How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify
Build Concept Maps From Your Material
Turn lecture notes and readings into a linked map you can explore and test yourself on.
Start From Your Own Files
Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text file or image, and the AI extracts the key concepts for you.
Expand Any Concept
Open a node and let AI add sub-concepts, examples and related ideas to deepen the map.
Quiz Yourself From the Map
Turn the finished map into a quiz, or make flashcards from the same notes, to test recall.
How to Make a Concept Map in an App
Three steps from raw notes to a concept map you can study, share or export.
- 1
Add Your Material
Upload your notes or slides, or type the topic you want to map out.
- 2
AI Builds the Map
The app identifies the main concepts and draws the branches and links between them.
- 3
Study, Edit and Export
Expand nodes, adjust labels, then export as PNG or PDF, share a link or take a quiz.
What a Concept Map App Should Do
A concept map app lets you show how ideas relate by placing concepts in nodes and joining them with labeled links. Unlike a simple list, a concept map shows the relationship between each pair, such as causes, is part of or leads to. Good apps let you build the map quickly, reshape it as your understanding grows, and export it for revision.
- Concept nodes: the core ideas, each named in a short phrase
- Labeled links: the words that explain how two concepts connect
- Hierarchy: broad ideas at the top, specific examples below
- Cross-links: connections between branches that show deeper understanding
- Export and sharing: PNG or PDF files and links for group study
Once your map is built, use it to explain topics aloud, spot gaps and plan revision. Upload your own notes to CogniGuide and get a concept map tailored to your course.
Concept Map App Questions
Answers about making concept maps and using them to study.
What is the difference between a concept map and a mind map?
A concept map uses labeled links to explain how concepts relate, and it can form a network rather than a single tree. A mind map radiates outward from one central idea and usually has no link labels.
Can a concept map app read my lecture slides?
Yes. CogniGuide accepts PDF, Word and PowerPoint files, plus text, Markdown and images, and the AI turns their content into a map.
Is there a free way to create a concept map with AI?
Yes. The free plan includes 5 creations a week and needs no payment. Paid plans raise those limits.
Can I turn a concept map into a quiz?
Yes. CogniGuide can turn a finished map into a quiz to test your recall, and it can also make flashcards from the same notes.