You know that frustrating feeling when brilliant ideas pop up at random moments while scrolling through Instagram, reading an article, or chatting with a friend, but by the time you switch between ten different tabs and apps, the magic is gone?

Brainstorming apps solve this exact problem. They help you capture scattered thoughts and turn them into shareable ideas, whether you're creating mood boards, running remote workshops, or mapping out your next big project. The right app removes all the friction between "aha!" and "let's make this happen."

With Google Jamboard officially retiring on December 31, 2024, teams everywhere are scrambling to find modern alternatives. This guide compares the top brainstorming tools of 2025 with honest pros and cons, so you can choose fast and start creating today.

TL;DR: Our Top Picks

If you don’t have time, here are our top picks:

• Kosmik (Best Overall): AI-powered visual brainstorming with moodboards, mind maps, and auto-tagging that actually works

• FigJam (Best for Design Teams): Live audio, reactions, and seamless whiteboard workshops inside the Figma ecosystem

• Miro (Best Enterprise Whiteboard): Deep templates, robust collaboration, and clear pricing for large teams

Why Use Brainstorming Apps?

Remember the last time you tried brainstorming with sticky notes scattered across your desk? Or worse, hopping between email, Google Docs, Pinterest, and your notes app just to collect ideas?

Brainstorming apps fix this chaos in four key ways:

1. Speed from idea to artifact. Templates, digital sticky notes, and infinite canvases let you run workshops without the setup hassle. No more hunting for markers or running out of wall space.

2. Better remote collaboration. Shared canvases, real-time comments, and presence indicators make async brainstorming actually productive. Your team can contribute ideas on their own schedule, then sync up to discuss.

3. Visual thinking beats scattered notes. Mind maps and mood boards help you spot patterns and remember details that get lost in linear text. When everything's visual, connections become obvious.

4. Modern collaboration needs. Today's brainstorming tools use AI to speed up research, auto-organize content, and help teams collaborate seamlessly across time zones and devices.

What to Look For in a Brainstorming App?

Not all brainstorming tools are created equal. Here's what separates the great apps from the ones that waste your time:

1. Zero-friction capture. You should be able to clip, paste, and drag anything onto your board without breaking flow. If it takes more than three clicks, you'll lose momentum.

2. AI assistance that actually helps. The best tools use AI to generate ideas, auto-tag content, find similar images, or summarize notes, not just because it's trendy, but because it saves real time.

3. Flexible canvas modes. Some days you need an infinite whiteboard. Other times, a structured mind map works better. The best apps let you switch between modes or combine them.

4. Real collaboration, not just sharing. Look for live cursors, voice chat, voting, and reactions. Async comments are table stakes, you want tools that make remote workshops feel alive.

5. Templates and structure. Blank canvases can be intimidating. The best apps offer proven frameworks like retrospectives, SCAMPER, or design sprints to guide your sessions.

6. Smart search and organization. Auto-tagging, backlinks, and global search turn your brainstorm archives into a searchable knowledge base instead of digital junk drawers.

7. Predictable pricing. Watch out for per-seat costs that explode with team growth, confusing visitor policies, or free tiers with painful limits.

Now let’s dive deep into each brainstorming apps.

Best Brainstorming Apps (Ranked)

1. Kosmik: Best For Visual Brainstorming and Moodboarding

Think of Kosmik as your AI research assistant that lives inside an infinite canvas. It auto-tags everything you clip, then uses AI search to find related images and links without leaving your board. Plus you get mind maps and moodboards in the same workspace.

Pros:

• AI "find similar" feature discovers relevant content automatically

• Auto-tags recognize objects, colors, and subjects for instant retrieval

• Built-in browser eliminates constant tab-switching

• Seamless workflow from research to mind maps to final boards

• Free plan available to test the core features

Cons:

• Newer ecosystem means fewer third-party templates compared to Miro or Figma

• Mobile app is not available

Pricing:

Free plan available with core AI features; paid plans starts from $6.99.

Best For:

Designers, marketers, and researchers who want AI to handle the tedious parts of visual brainstorming so they can focus on the creative work

Why Kosmik is the best brainstorming app?

Kosmik solves the biggest creativity killer in brainstorming: context switching. While other tools make you jump between Pinterest, Google, notes apps, and whiteboards, Kosmik keeps everything flowing on one intelligent canvas. The AI doesn't just add features; it eliminates the busy work of finding, organizing, and connecting ideas so you can focus purely on creative thinking.

2. Miro: Best For Enterprise Workshops and Integrations

Miro's been perfecting collaborative brainstorming for years, with a massive template library and integrations that connect to your entire tech stack.

Pros:

• Huge template library for every workshop imaginable

• Rock-solid collaboration with guest access and admin controls

• Integrates with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, and dozens of other tools

• Clear pricing tiers that scale predictably

• Enterprise features like SSO and advanced security

Cons:

• Can feel overwhelming for simple visual research

• Per-seat pricing gets expensive for large teams

• Interface feels heavy compared to newer tools

Pricing:

Free tier available; Starter at $8/member/month, Business at $16/member/month (annual billing)

Best For:

Cross-functional teams running structured workshops, enterprises needing robust admin controls and integrations

3. FigJam (Figma): Best For Design-Centric Collaboration

FigJam is Figma's answer to collaborative brainstorming, built specifically for design teams. Features live audio chat, cursor reactions, and seamless handoffs to Figma design files.

Pros:

• Buttery smooth real-time collaboration with voice and reactions

• Perfect integration with Figma design workflow

• Intuitive interface that non-designers can actually use

• Strong mobile app for contributing on the go

• Voting and polling features for decision-making

Cons:

• Less robust than dedicated whiteboard tools for complex facilitation

• Limited AI features compared to newer competitors

Pricing:

FigJam access included with Figma seats; Content seats range from $5-$35/month depending on plan

Best For:

Product and design teams who live in Figma and want seamless brainstorming integration

4. Milanote: Best For Visualboards With Text + Assets

The Pinterest for professionals. Milanote specializes in visual boards that combine images, notes, links, and tasks in a clean, client-friendly interface.

Pros:

• Beautiful, intuitive interface that clients love

• Great for brand direction and creative briefs

• Handles mixed content (images, PDFs, notes) elegantly

• Strong mobile apps for capturing inspiration anywhere

• Simple sharing and commenting

Cons:

• Limited AI features compared to newer tools

• Free plan caps you at 100 items total

• Less suitable for complex workshop facilitation

Pricing:

Free (100 items); $9.99/month annual or $12.50 monthly per person

Best For:

Creative professionals creating mood boards, brand guidelines, and client-facing creative documents

5. Lucidspark: Best For Ideation to Planning with Lucid Suite

Lucidspark, the brainstorming companion to Lucidchart, designed to bridge the gap between messy ideation and structured planning.

Pros:

• Seamless transition from brainstorm to process diagrams

• Popular with operations and project management teams

• Strong facilitation tools for structured workshops

• Integrates well with project management platforms

Cons:

• Pricing feels high for small teams and students

• Interface can feel corporate rather than creative

• Limited visual inspiration features compared to design-focused tools

Pricing:

Free tier available; paid plans start from $9/month (Individual) and $10/user/month (Team).

Best For:

Teams already using Lucid tools, operations teams who need to turn ideas into structured processes

6. MindMeister: Best For Simple Mind Mapping

MindMeister makes brainstorming feel natural for people who think in hierarchies and connections. Instead of fighting with infinite canvases or overwhelming whiteboard features, it channels your brainstorming into clear, logical mind maps that actually make sense later. When your team needs to organize complex ideas into presentable structures, MindMeister's focused approach beats scattered sticky notes every time.

Pros:

• Incredibly intuitive for first-time mind mappers

• Presentation mode turns maps into slideshows

• Real-time collaboration with commenting

• Works well on mobile devices

Cons:

• Free plan limited to just 3 mind maps (pretty restrictive)

• Less visual than board-based tools

• Limited AI or advanced automation features

Pricing:

Free (3 maps); paid tiers typically $3.50-$10.5/user/month across various plans

Best For:

Students, consultants, and anyone who thinks in hierarchical structures rather than visual boards

7. Xmind: Best For Structured Maps

XMind, a mature mind mapping platform that recently added AI capabilities. Offers both desktop and web versions with competitive pricing.

Pros:

• Affordable Pro and Business options

• AI features available as separate add-on

• Strong export and formatting options

• Works offline (desktop version)

Cons:

• Less collaborative than web-native competitors

• AI features feel bolted-on rather than integrated

• Interface looks dated compared to newer tools

Pricing:

Free version available; Pro from ~$4.92-$10/month, Business ~$10-$18/seat/month

Best For:

Solo workers and small teams who want robust mind mapping features without premium collaboration costs

8. Whimsical: Best For Fast Wireframes and Mind Maps

Whimsical, a lightweight suite that combines flowcharts, wireframes, docs, and mind maps. Perfect for product teams who need multiple diagram types.

Pros:

• Fast, opinionated interface that reduces decision fatigue

• Multiple diagram types in one tool

• Generous free forever plan

• Great for quick wireframing and user flows

Cons:

• Advanced features locked behind paid plans

• Less suited for complex visual research

• Limited AI or automation features

Pricing:

Free forever for basic use; paid editions starts from $10/editor/month for advanced features

Best For:

Product managers and UX designers who need multiple diagram types in one clean tool

9. Mural: Best For Facilitation and Visitor-Friendly Sessions

Mural, built by and for workshop facilitators, with generous guest policies and strong facilitation tools for running effective remote sessions.

Pros:

• Generous visitor model, guests can join without paid seats

• Excellent facilitation tools and workshop templates

• Strong enterprise governance and security

• Time-boxing and voting features for structured sessions

Cons:

• Less design-native feel compared to FigJam

• Can be overkill for simple brainstorming needs

• Pricing varies significantly by plan tier

Pricing:

Free plan available; Team+ around $12/user/month, Business around $17.99/user/month

Best For:

Professional facilitators and teams who run frequent cross-organizational workshops

10. ClickUp Whiteboards: Best For Idea to Tasks in One Place

Whiteboards embedded in ClickUp's project management platform. Turn sticky notes directly into trackable tasks without switching tools.

Pros:

• Seamless bridge from ideation to execution

• Turn brainstorm items into tasks with one click

• All your project context in one platform

• Competitive pricing for the full PM suite

Cons:

• Whiteboard features less mature than dedicated tools

• Can feel cluttered if you just want simple brainstorming

• Limited AI or visual inspiration features

Pricing:

Free forever tier available; paid plans from $7/user/month annual

Best For:

Teams who want to eliminate handoffs between brainstorming and project execution

Quick Comparison Table

Use-Case Cheat-Sheet

Here's how to pick the right tool based on what you're actually trying to do:

• Fast AI-assisted ideation & moodboards: Kosmik (AI search, find-similar, auto-tagging)

• Design/UI workshops: FigJam (live audio, emojis, votes) or Miro (enterprise scale)

• Mind mapping first: MindMeister or Xmind (simple to advanced mapping)

• Client moodboards: Kosmik or Milanote (easy sharing and collaboration)

• Mind mapping first: MindMeister or Xmind (simple to advanced mapping)

• Idea to execution: ClickUp Whiteboards (turn stickies into trackable tasks)

How to Choose the Right Brainstorming App

Don't overthink this. Here's a 15-minute framework to pick your tool and get started:

1. Pick your primary mode. Do you think in visual boards, structured mind maps, or text docs? If you're constantly saving inspiration images and links, start with Kosmik.

2. List your must-haves. AI assistance, workshop templates, guest access, specific integrations. FigJam and Miro excel at workshop features, while Kosmik shines for AI-powered research.

3. Check the free plan limits. Some tools cap you at 3 mind maps or 100 items. Others changed their seat pricing in 2025. Don't get surprised later.

4. Run a 30-minute test. Import some sample content, invite a colleague to co-edit, try an AI feature or template. You'll know immediately if the tool clicks.

5. Calculate upgrade cost vs time saved. AI that cuts your research and organizing time in half is worth more than saving $2 per month on seats.

The best brainstorming app is the one you'll actually use when inspiration strikes. Pick one that fits your natural workflow, not the one with the longest feature list.

Research-Backed Tips to Run Better Brainstorming Sessions

Here's what actually works, according to recent research:

• Add structure to avoid wandering. Pure "no criticism" brainstorming often produces mediocre ideas. Try frameworks like brainwriting (write ideas individually first), SCAMPER (substitute, combine, adapt, modify, put to other use, eliminate, reverse), or simple prompts to guide thinking.

• Healthy debate improves creativity. Classic brainstorming rules like "no criticism" can actually hurt idea quality. Constructive challenges and building on others' ideas leads to better solutions than pure acceptance.

• Keep outcomes visible. The best brainstorming sessions create artifacts people can reference later. Post your boards somewhere visible, turn ideas into tasks, and follow up on decisions made during the session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best free brainstorming app?

For visual boards, Milanote offers a generous 100-item cap, while Miro and Whimsical have solid free plans for basic collaboration. MindMeister gives you 3 mind maps to start. If you want AI-assisted visual brainstorming, Kosmik's free plan lets you test the core features.

What replaced Google Jamboard?

Google retired Jamboard on December 31, 2024. The most popular alternatives are Miro (for enterprise features), FigJam (for design teams), and Kosmik (for AI assisted moodboarding).

What's the best app for mind mapping specifically?

MindMeister and Xmind are the traditional go-tos for pure mind mapping. But Kosmik now supports mind maps on the same canvas where you do visual research and moodboarding, which is handy if you work visually.

Do I need AI in my brainstorming tool?

AI is most valuable when it reduces overhead rather than trying to replace creativity. Auto-tagging assets, finding similar images, and surfacing related links, like Kosmik does, can save hours of manual research. Skip AI features that feel gimmicky.

Final Thoughts

The best brainstorming happens when technology gets out of your way and lets ideas flow freely. Whether you're creating mood boards, running design workshops, or mapping complex problems, the right tool should feel like an extension of your thinking, not a barrier to it.

Kosmik tops our list because it combines the visual flexibility of traditional mood boards with AI that actually saves time. Instead of hunting through browser tabs for inspiration, you can search, clip, and organize everything in one flowing canvas. The auto-tagging works remarkably well, and the built-in browser means you never lose momentum switching between tools.

Get started with Kosmik’s free plan and create your first brainstorming board in minutes.