Comparison Between Making Mind Maps with Software and Hand Drawing

Some people prefer to draw pictures for mind mapping, because they think it is easy, style flexible and cost none; While others thinks the different way, they think using software is a better choice, for it is professional and looking great. What do you think? This article can help you distinguish the differences between hand drawing and using software for mind mapping.

We would like to compare the two ways in some fundamental differences such as tools, speed, flexible, style, cost and quality.

• Tools
  - Software: Computer, mind mapping software or web based mind mapping tool.
  - Hand drawn: Pen and Paper
• Speed:
  - Software: Faster because there is no drawing skill required, One more thing is that you can new map from mind mapping templates or your existing mind map.
  - Hand drawn: Creating good looking mind map will take some time even hours because new map is need to create from blank paper and cannot make from exiting map.
• Flexible:
  - Software: Flexible in rearrange topics, edit errors, changing style and structure as well as decoration until you get what you want.
  - Hand drawn: Hand drawing is less flexible in editing mistake, but it is flexible in the way you style your map.
• Style:
  - Software: Limited numbers of styles
  - Hand drawn: There is just no limitation for style.
• Cost:
  - Software: It may cause you from several to hundred dollars for professional mind mapping software.
  - Hand drawn: Pen and Paper is main cost for creating mind map by hand drawing. It only costs you few dollars for that.
• Quality:
  - Software: Look more professional and beautiful because images, icons and clip arts are designed by professional and available for you to add into the map.
  - Hand drawn: It is drawn in paper using pen, it can lose the quality easily.

Which way you like to choose?

We have complete the comparison of the two ways to make mind map, now you must have your own decision. For me, if i think of the speed, quality, flexible and ease, I have to admit using mind mapping software is better solution for creating mind map.