Mind-Mapping.org features an extensive mind map matrix comparing varying categories of mind map applications and services, and a breakdown of their offerings. It’s from this matrix that I’ve filtered the 3 free, easy-to-use and embedable mind map applications in this issue.

Let’s look at my favored 3 apps: Mindmeister, Bubbl and Mind42.

Mindmeister offers a wonderful mind mapping UI and experience with their web-based mind mapping application. Their Basic edition affords you to share and collaborate up to 3 mind maps. You can import mind maps from Freemind and MindManager too.

When you’re ready to embed your map to your blog, click the “Share Map” button, bottom left of the map.

When the pop up dialog appears, click the “Publish” tab, turn “ON” the publish option, and click the “Embed map” button.

The next window will reveal Settings that are modifiable, ie. frame width, height and zoom levels.

Click the “Copy to clipboard” button to copy the embed code. Now, paste it into your blog post.

Your mind map should now be published, like above. Notice that you can drag and move the above map. That’s the critical difference between embedding a mind map versus inserting an image of your mind map into your blog post.

If you would prefer to Export the mind map as an image for showcase on your blog, then click the “Export” button at the top of the map.

You’ll be directed to this dialog box.

(1) Click the drop down table to select the “Image File” option.

(2) Select your choice of image format.

(3) Click the “Export” button. Simply upload your image to your host and paste it in your blog. Click to view what your exported mind map could look like.

Bubbl.us is another free web application for mind mapping. You can collaborate with colleagues on your mind maps, embed your mind map on your blog and also export your maps as an image.

First, let’s experiment with embedding the mind map to a blog.

Click the “Menu” button to the bottom left of the map page. Select the “HTML Embed Code” button.

Copy the HTML embed code, then paste it to your blog.

Now, you see the result of a Bubbl.us mind map embedded in your blog post, as seen above.

Next, let’s experiment with exporting and inserting your mind map image to a blog post.

Click the “Menu” button, and click the “Export” button.

Select the “Image” radial button, and choose the “Image Format” you prefer. Once you’ve exported the image, insert it into your blog post.

Click to view how your Bubbl mind map image export looks in your blog post.

Next, we have Mind42.com (spelt as Mind – For – Two), another collaborative, browser-based mind map application that’s free to use.

Let’s try embedding this mind map first, shall we?

(1) Click the “Export” icon, located in the far left sidebar toolbar. A dialog box will appear with export options.

(2) You’ll see options for exporting your map to an image or other formats, but let’s leave this alone for now and come back to this in a moment.

(3) Click the “Open Publish Dialog” link to view additional publishing options.

(1) Checkbox “Publish the map” to activate the integration code. It’s your choice if you want your mindmap listed in Mind42′s public map index.

(2) Select the iFrame code and paste it into your blog post

The above embedded Mind42 mind map looks good with alignment and zoom features.

Personally, I prefer how Mindmeister lays out their embedded mind map, with a touch more discreet branding than Mind42′s.

Let’s see what the image export looks like from Mind42, shall we?

In the same export dialog box, select the export format. I’ve selected JPEG as my choice. After download, insert into your blog post.

Click to view your Mind42 mind map image export. The Mind42 mind map image export looks pretty plain jane, but then again, it was published with no snazzy customization.