Radial (central node with branches) is the most beginner-friendly layout because it mirrors natural thought processes and keeps all main ideas equidistant from the center. Hierarchical (top-down) is better for outlines or decision trees, while flow diagrams suit process mapping.
When to use each:
Start with radial for versatility; if your map becomes sequential or structurally linear, switch to hierarchical or flow to improve readability and focus.