Top 15 Best Brainstorming to Help Teams Collaborate in 2023

Posted by The Friday Team

Last updated: July 27, 2023

Are you looking for a great brainstorming tool to help teams collaborate and generate ideas in 2023? It can be hard to find the right technology but luckily, we have compiled a list of the top 15 best brainstorming tools that will make your life easier.

With these brainstorming methods, teams can come up with creative solutions to complex challenges while better promoting problem-solving skills amongst members. They’re designed to spark creativity and support collaboration – dissect every idea into actionable pieces so everyone on the team is working as efficiently as possible.

Check out our list and choose from some of the most popular online tools available!

1. ClickUp

ClickUp is a productivity and project management tool that includes a variety of features to support idea generation and collaboration. It allows users to brainstorm in real-time, share feedback instantly, and keep track of progress. The platform also has built-in task management tools to help prioritize tasks and ensure everyone knows what actions need to be taken.

Use ClickUp for project management, collaboration, brainstorming, and task management all in one place. ClickUp is not just a brainstorming app but also a work management tool for teams that need a highly-organized way to stay productive.

ClickUp Best Features:

Create Mind Maps to visualize the structure of your projects with ClickUp’s Whiteboards
Use ClickUp’s Whiteboards to collaborate with your team and brainstorm
Apply an existing template from ClickUp’s library of more than 1000 ready-to-use templates

ClickUp Limitations:

Short learning curve for new users

ClickUp Pricing:

Free Forever Plan
Unlimited plan at $5 per user per month
Business plan at $12 per user per month
Business Plus plan at $19 per user per month
Enterprise plan available for custom pricing

Sign up for ClickUp for free, no credit card required.

2. Mural

Mural is a digital workspace designed specifically for collaborative brainstorming and ideation. It offers a variety of features to support team collaboration and creativity. One of the key features of the app is its digital canvas, which offers a range of templates and tools for creating different types of visualizations.

Mural also features collaboration features, allowing team members to work together on the same board in real time. Mural’s collaborative functions allow users to add comments, vote on ideas, and communicate to share their thoughts and feedback. This works best forr remote teams working on complex projects together. Its visualizations, collaboration tools, presentation mode, export options, and customization features make it a powerful tool for team productivity.

Mural Best Features:

Digital whiteboards for brainstorming
Collaboration tools such as comments and voting
Integration with other productivity tools

Mural Limitations:

Limited customization options in the free version
Steep learning curve for some users
Some features may be overwhelming for simple brainstorming sessions

Mural Pricing:

Free trial available
Paid plan starts at $12 per user per month

3. MindMeister

MindMeister is a cloud-based mind-mapping tool that allows users to create visual diagrams to organize and develop their ideas. It offers a variety of features to support idea generation and organization. MindMeister is a versatile tool that allows users to add text, images, videos, links, and attachments to their mind maps, making it easy to capture different types of information.

The app has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to get started and create their first mind map in minutes. MindMeister’s customization options, collaboration features, and ease of use make it an excellent choice for capturing and organizing ideas.

MindMeister Best Features:

Multiple mind map formats
Collaboration tools such as comments and voting
Integration with other productivity tools

MindMeister Limitations:

Limited customization options in the free version
Tools can be too complex for some teams
Occasional bugs and glitches

MindMeister Pricing:

Free plan available
Paid plan starts at $4.99 per user per month

4. XMind

XMind is a powerful brainstorming and mind-mapping tool that helps teams generate ideas and organize them into actionable plans. It offers a wide range of features for thinking, creative ideas, structuring thoughts, and connecting related ideas. XMind uses a redesigned engine to deliver faster and more efficient performance for a seamless user experience.

Make a mind map with a proper color scheme and style that matches your need.XMind's Smart Color Theme allows you to choose the color you like and achieve a consistent look throughout your map instantly. Spend less time making a terrific mind map with the app’ssmart algorithm. XMind uses algorithms to choose the best color for every detail of your mind map.

Xmind Best Features:

Multiple mind map formats (including fishbone diagram)
Variety of brainstorming features such as brainstorming mode and mind map editor
Collaboration tools such as comments and voting
Integration with other productivity tools

Xmind Limitations:

Steep learning curve for some users
No free version

Xmind Pricing:

Single user plan starts at $149 per user per year
Team plan starts at $99 per user per year

5. IdeaFlip

IdeaFlip is a digital brainstorming tool that allows users to createvirtual sticky notes and collaborate with others. This web-based brainstorming application designed to help teams and individuals generate, organize, and prioritize ideas. It offers a range of features that facilitate the brainstorming process and make it easier for teams to collaborate and innovate.

IdeaFlipallows users to create and share digital sticky notes with their team members in real-time through a digital board. This makes it easy to capture ideas from multiple sources and organize them into categories or themes. Any user may also organize, vote, annotate, and connect these notes together.

IdeaFlip Best Features:

Shareable and customizable Ideaflip sticky notes
Collaboration tools such as comments and voting
Integration with other productivity tools

IdeaFlip Limitations:

Limited customization boards and users with the free version
Tools are limited to online brainstorming and collaboration

IdeaFlip Pricing:

Free trial available
Paid plan starts at $12 per user per month

6. Stormboard

Stormboard is a digital collaboration and whiteboard application that allows users to create virtual sticky notes and collaborate with others in real-time. Users can add comments on sticky notes, make changes to the board, and chat with each other to foster collaborative workspaces.

Stormboard offers a range of templates and frameworks to help teams get started quickly. These include business model canvas templates, project management templates, and retrospectives templates. The tool also provides reporting and analytics tools to help teams track progress and performance.

Stormboard Best Features:

Whiteboard sticky notes to sketch out ideas and brainstorm concepts
Save time with automated template creeation that is relevant and aligned to your business goals
StormAI helps you work faster by providing real-time assistance

Stormboard Limitations:

Limited customization options in the free version
Steep learning curve for some users
Some features may be overwhelming for simple brainstorming sessions

Stormboard Pricing:

Free trial available
Paid plan starts at $10 per user per month

7. Lucidspark

Lucidspark is a virtual whiteboard that offers a variety of features to support idea generation and collaboration. This collaboration tool is designed specifically for brainstorming. It offers several features that make it an ideal tool for teams looking to generate and organize ideas in real-time.

Lucidspark offers several idea-generation tools, such as mind maps, flowcharts, and concept maps. These tools help users connect related ideas and create a clear and concise representation of their thought process. The app's collaboration tools allow team members to work together on the same canvas at the same time. Users can add comments, vote on ideas, and chat with each other to foster communication and teamwork.

Lucidspark Best Features:

Virtual canvas allows users to visually capture their ideas and organize them into categories
Collaboration tools such as comments and voting
Integration with other productivity tools

Lucidspark Limitations:

User interface can be improved
Features and functions such as automation can be added

Lucidspark Pricing:

Free trial available
Individual Starts at $7.95
Team Starts at $9/user
Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing

8. MindNode

MindNode is a mind-mapping tool that allows users to create visual diagrams to organize and develop their ideas. MindNode is an excellent collaboration and brainstorming application that offers several features specifically designed for these purposes. Its mind-mapping features and collaboration tools make it a versatile and powerful tool for team productivity.

The application offers customization options, allowing users to tailor the look and feel of their mind maps with different themes and styles. This helps users create a personalized workspace that supports their creativity and productivity. MindNode provides users with multiple export options, including PDF, images, and text outlines, making it easyto share their ideas with others who may not have access to MindNode.

MindNode Best Features:

Multiple mind map formats
Outline helps users brainstorm in an organized and structured method
Categorize and add context to your ideas with Visual Tags

MindNode Limitations:

Limited customization options in the free version
Limited collaboration tools for online or remote teams

MindNode Pricing:

Free Editor Available
MindNode Plus: $2.49/Month, $19.99/Year

9. WiseMapping

WiseMapping is a web-based mind-mapping tool that's ideal for brainstorming and project management. It offers a range of features designed to help users capture ideas and organize them effectively. One of the key features of WiseMapping is its customization options. Users can add different types of nodes to their maps, including images, text, and links. They can also customize the style and color of their maps to suit their needs.

WiseMapping also offers collaboration features, allowing team members to work together on the same mind map in real-time. Users can add comments, share links, and collaborate on ideas seamlessly. The app’s interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy for users to get started and create their first mind map in minutes. Additionally, WiseMapping offers keyboard shortcuts, which makes the task even easier.

Best Features:

Free to use and requires no software installation
Offers a range of collaboration tools for remote teams
Supports mind mapping and flowchart creation

Limitations:

Some users may find the interface to be outdated and clunky
Limited functionality compared to more advanced tools available

Pricing:

Free to use

10. Microsoft Whiteboard

Microsoft Whiteboard is a whiteboard and collaboration tool built for teams to work together on projects. It is designed to facilitate the brainstorming process by providing a virtual whiteboard to sketch ideas, create diagrams, and share them with others. The app is free to use and can be accessed from the web or mobile devices.

One of the key features of Microsoft Whiteboard is its versatility. Users can add text, drawings, sticky notes, images, and more to their boards, making it easy to capture different types of information. Additionally, users can customize the colors, shapes, and styles of their boards to fit their needs. Microsoft Whiteboard offers collaboration features, allowing team members to collaborate on ideas and work on projects at the same time.

Microsoft Whiteboard Best Features:

Real-time collaboration tools such as comments and voting
Integration with other Microsoft Office tools

Microsoft Whiteboard Limitations:

Limited customization options in the free version
Steep learning curve for some users
Some features may be overwhelming for simple brainstorming sessions

Microsoft Whiteboard Pricing:

Free plan available
Office 365 plan at $5/user/month

11. Ayoa

Ayoa is an online meeting and brainstorming tool designed to help teams collaborate, organize, and develop ideas. This AI-powered tool empowers users to come up with great ideas, get tasks done, and stay connected with their team, It is designed to make brainstorming and collaboration easier by providing a range of features such as whiteboards, project management tools, and collaboration tools. Ayoa also offers visual maps and diagrams that help users organize their ideas and increase productivity.

Ayoa Best Features:

Freehand organic mind maps to connect your thoughts and ideas
Use Whiteboards to build dashboards and capture information on your digital note board
Multiple views and mind map options to organize your ideas and workflow

Ayoa Limitations:

Limited customization options and tools with the free version
Steep learning curve for some users

Ayoa Pricing:

Free version available
Mind Map: $10/user per month
Task: $10/user per month
Ayoa Ultimate: $13/user per month

12. Mindly

Mindly is a simple yet powerful mind-mapping tool that's ideal for collaborative brainstorming. It offers a range of features designed to help users capture and organize their ideas effectively. Mindly is an excellent brainstorming tool that offers several features specifically designed for collaborative brainstorming sessions. Its simplicity, collaboration tools, portability, and integration features makes it a powerful tool for team productivity.

The tool allows users to create virtual mind maps that can be used to plan projects, take notes, and more. One of the key features of Mindly is its simplicity. The app has an easy-to-use interface, which makes it easy for users to create their first mind map in minutes.