If you are looking for a good Mind Mapping program consider to check out XMind.

As mind mapping alternatives I have also listed some decent online programs:

• Mindmeister and Mind42 are both pretty feature rich programs.
• Bubbl.us and text2mindmap are very simple bare bones solutions that you can check out without registering.

Moreover if you want to create diagrams and charts here are some solutions for you

• Lucidchart, Creately and Gliffy are tools to create diagrams and flowcharts.
• Google Chart Tool lets you create pie charts, line charts, bar charts in javascript

Note: At the bottom of this page you will find some more interesting information (Further Reading).

XMind

This is the program I use for my Mind Maps. It is an open source desktop based software (50 MB) for Windows, Mac and Linux (and in my opinion the best Mind Mapping Software that is available for free.)

Desktop based alternatives:

• Cayra (Free / no longer supported and it refused to work on my PC. Looks good though)
• CMap (Free)
• Freemind (Free)
• Freeplane (Free / based on Freemind)
• MindManager (Commercial / 20$ month or 360$ / Note: There seems also to be a free online version called Mindjet Connect)
• iMindMap (Commercial / Pretty system heavy when I tried it the last time about a year ago…The pricing seems also to be not very transparent at first because there are tons of upgrade packs etc. It looks nice though)
• MindNode (For Mac only / Free or 20$)

Mindmeister

“MindMeister brings the concept of mind mapping to the web, using its facilities for real-time collaboration to allow truly global brainstorming sessions.”
Free Version: 3 Mind Maps
Share and collaborate on maps in real time

Mind42

“Manage all your ideas, whether alone, twosome or working together with the whole world – collaborative, browser-based and for free”
Free Version: Unlimited Maps
Share and collaborate on maps in real time

Bubbl.us

Quick and easy mind mapping with bubbles.

Text2MindMap

Converts your text instantly into an elastic mind map.
“Text 2 Mind Map is a web application that converts texts to mind maps. It takes a structured list of words or sentences, interprets it, and draws a mind map out of them.”

LucidChart

“We have rethought and redesigned the entire diagramming process to make it as easy as possible. Draw flow charts, wireframes, UML diagrams, and more with just a few clicks.”
Free Version: 60 objects per document

Creately

Flowcharts, Wireframes, Mindmaps, UML & more
Free Version: 1 user, 5 diagrams

Gliffy

Easily create professional-quality flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, technical drawings, venn diagrams, org charts, wireframes…!
Free Plan: 1 user, 5 diagrams, 2mb storage, public diagrams only

Google Chart Tool

Easily create charts of all sorts in javascript.

Alternative Chart Tools:

• Highcharts JS
• JS Charts

Further Reading

• What Is A Mind Map? (Wikipedia)
• Exploratree – a library of ready-made interactive thinking guides
• 99 Mind Mapping Resources, Tools, and Tips (College Degree)
• List Of Mind Mapping Software (Wikipedia)
• Tools For Arranging Ideas (TIGSource Forums)