- Tools
- Visual thinking
- Heptabase
Heptabase for neurodivergent founders
Heptabase is a note-taking app where notes live as cards on visual whiteboards.
PaidWhy it helps neurodivergent founders
You can see how ideas connect, instead of scrolling through folders. It suits people who learn by arranging things.
How founders use it
- Research a market and map what you find
- Connect notes from books and podcasts
- Plan a long piece of writing
Alternatives to Heptabase
Open source, privacy-first, eco or free options, if one of those matters more to you.
- Obsidian Canvas (opens in a new tab) Privacy-first (free, notes stay on your device)
Keep it all in one place with Humble
You'll use Heptabase alongside lots of other tools. Humble keeps your AI chats, links and tasks together, so you can find any of it again in one click.
More visual thinking tools
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Free plan
FigmaA design tool and whiteboard (FigJam) for arranging ideas in space.
Helps with: Thinking in picturesBuilding with AI
Alternatives Penpot (opens in a new tab) Open sourceExcalidraw Open source
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Free plan
MiroAn online whiteboard with sticky notes, templates and AI.
Helps with: Thinking in pictures
Alternatives Excalidraw Open sourcetldraw Free
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Free
ExcalidrawA free whiteboard with a hand-drawn look.
Helps with: Thinking in pictures
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Free
tldrawA fast, free whiteboard that opens instantly in your browser.
Helps with: Thinking in pictures
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Whimsical
Free planA tool for mind maps, flowcharts and wireframes.
Helps with: Thinking in pictures
Alternatives draw.io (opens in a new tab) Open source
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Napkin AI
Free planAn AI tool that turns your text into diagrams and visuals.
Helps with: Thinking in picturesReading long text
How we pick tools: our neurodivergent team uses these tools, or founders in our community told us they help. Some links are affiliate links, marked "Affiliate link". If you sign up through one, we may earn a small fee at no cost to you. It never changes what we list.