Freelancing is great because you get to be your own boss, but being your own boss comes with an additional set of responsibilities that you likely didn’t have in the past. And when you don’t have a boss breathing down your neck eight hours a day, you can easily get side-tracked with other, often irrelevant, tasks.
So, to help you stay on course, we’ve devised a list of the 50 best, must-have tools to help make your life as a freelancer a hell of a lot easier.
Sounds too good to be true? Keep reading!
Invoicing / Finance
1. PayPal
PayPal is a very popular payment option among freelancers, allowing you to send invoices and collect payments through a variety of methods, including bank transfers and credit and debit cards. It’s super easy to use, and you can transfer money to your personal bank account or use it for your online shopping sprees.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
2. Invoice2go
This handy tool has a ready-made invoice template that you can edit and send within a few minutes. But that’s not all: it can also be linked to your Stripe account (if you already have one) to collect payments.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($9.99/month)
3. FreshBooks
This convenient accounting tool allows you to manage all your finances through one simple app. You can collect and make payments, manage your expenses, and track your time.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($5.70/month)
4. QuickBooks
If you’re looking for accounting software to manage your business online, QuickBooks is all you need. This great tool even lets you send invoices while you’re on the go — perfect for any busy entrepreneur.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($15/month)
5. Stripe
Stripe is an online and in-person payment processing platform that supports 135 currencies and several payment methods, allowing you to offer your services more easily to clients abroad. It also allows freelancers to accept local payments through both debit and credit cards.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
6. Zelle
Zelle provides another quick and easy way to transfer money between different parties, so long as each person’s banking institution supports the digital payments app. Currently, more than 2,000 banking apps support Zelle; meanwhile, both sender and recipient must have US bank accounts.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
Time management / Appointments
7. RescueTime
Guilty of procrastinating? This cool tool will run in the background of your computer and track what you’re spending most of your time on to help you identify any routine habits that may need changing — like a Facebook ban, for example.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
8. Toggl
Like RescueTime, Toggl will analyze your daily habits to ensure that you’re using your time as effectively and efficiently as possible. It will also break down your hours by project to identify what's making the most income. After all, time is money!
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
9. Focus Booster
This awesome time-tracking tool has a built-in timer which connects to Chrome and notifies you when it’s time to take a break, ensuring your productivity levels are kept high throughout the day.
Available on desktop (free)
10. Timely
Timely is great if you have a lot of deadlines to meet — you can track your hours automatically, control your project and view team performance (if you happen to be working with someone else on the job).
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($9/month)
11. Appointy
If your work requires you to meet with clients in person, Appointy is one of those apps you’ll want to check out. It offers both free and paid plans and allows you to display your booking interface in over 20 languages.
Available on Android and iOS (free)
12. Calendly
Chances are that, as a freelancer, you already rely on an online calendar such as Outlook or Google’s own. Calendly’s free plan integrates with such calendar providers as well as messaging and conferencing apps, like MS Teams, allowing your customers to view your availability, book meetings with you, and stay in touch.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
13. Setmore
Another popular tool for small businesses, Setmore provides a range of handy features; one that’s certainly worth mentioning is the Facebook and Instagram integration that allows your clients to book one-on-one sessions with you through your social media profiles!
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
Project management
14. Trello
This highly talked-about project management tool is rightly listed as one of the best. Its user-friendly interface allows you to create separate projects and checklists for a neat and organized to-do list.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
15. Basecamp
Basecamp is ideal for startup companies and virtual managers, and allows all members to communicate on discussion boards, assign tasks to different groups, and keep track of project progress to make sure no one is slacking.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($15/month)
16. MindMeister
If you’re the creative type who likes a good mood board, you can use this tidy online tool to capture, develop and share your ideas — without harming any trees in the process.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
17. Freedcamp
Freedcamp is a simpler version of Basecamp 3 — but as the name suggests, it’s free. It can be used by a single user or multiple users, and lets you access task lists, mood boards and charts.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
18. TickTick
Running a freelance business can be overwhelming; the tasks never seem to end! To make life a little bit easier without dulling your passion for what you do, TickTick cleverly combines productivity and time management support in one. Its standout features include intelligent reminders, a Pomodoro timer, and a focus mode.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
19. Clockify
Clockify is a time-tracking software that facilitates project management for single users and team members alike. It offers a forever-free version as well as a seven-day PRO trial that doesn’t require any payment details.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
Productivity
20. Evernote
Are you guilty of jotting down notes on post-its but then end up losing them? If so, Evernote is the perfect tool for you, which lets you capture, organize and share notes.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
21. LastPass
Do you regularly forget your passwords? If so, make way for LastPass! This nifty tool stores all of your passwords in a private keychain so you’re never locked out of important websites again.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
22. Notion
This cool tool helps boost your productivity by keeping everything you need accessible on one platform — from spreadsheets and calendars to task boards and beyond. You won’t need anything else to keep you going!
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
23. TeuxDeux
TeuxDeux is similar to keeping a handwritten to-do list, with the added option of adding alerts and reminders for tasks. Best of all, its simple design won’t distract you from getting things done.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($4/month)
24. Freedom
Taking breaks is as essential to productivity as being able to stay focused and work hard. When you’re a freelancer, you’ve got to take care of all aspects of your business on your own — and, given that most things are done digitally, you most probably spend a lot of time looking at screens all day. The Freedom app can limit the time you spend on distracting websites both during and outside working hours!
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
25. Pocket
Lifelong learning is essential for every freelancer’s success. For creative types, so is exposing yourself to different ideas, thus informing your brainstorming process and your work. The Pocket app allows you to save, manage and read articles you find online, keeping it all in one safe place.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
Social media / Marketing
26. Buffer
Are you struggling with managing your online presence? If you answered “yes”, this cool software can save you. Buffer allows you to schedule posts across your social media accounts so you don’t miss the vital times to catch your target audience.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
27. MailChimp
If you want to send out professional marketing emails to your subscribers, MailChimp is the tool to use. It has a user-friendly design and is easy to navigate.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
28. Behance
For the creative type, Behance is definitely a platform worth utilizing. Owned by Adobe, it allows users to discover and showcase creative work, acting as both a source of inspiration and a type of online portfolio.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
29. Loomly
For the freelance social media manager, Loomly’s Base plan provides access to 10 social media accounts (and to 2 users), meaning both you and your client can look at what’s been scheduled. It also features post analytics, a hashtag manager, and post preview and optimization tips.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($42/month)
30. Zoho Social
Social media influencers and educators can benefit from keeping an active online presence. Zoho Social’s Standard plan integrates with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn and more, starting at just $15 per month.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($15/month)
Legal
31. Bonsai
Bonsai allows you to create and e-sign free documents from prewritten templates. It offers time-tracking functions, invoice templates, expenses and budget sheets, and contract agreements.
Available on iOS and desktop ($21/month)
32. LegalShield
Shake by LegalShield helps you create, sign and send new contracts at the click of a button. You’ll no longer need to physically mail a written contract, which will save heaps of time.
Available on desktop ($49/month)
33. ShareFile / RightSignature
If you want to get a legally binding document signed in no time, consider using a website like RightSignature which will transfer the document in seconds.
Available on desktop ($10/month)
34. DocuSign
DocuSign provides a convenient way of sending and signing contracts over the internet in real time. With over 1 million customers, the platform has been trusted by the likes of Apple, Santander and Unilever.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop ($10/month)
Backup
35. Dropbox
Scared of losing any vital information? If so, store everything in the cloud using Dropbox — you can even create separate folders for different projects and clients, and access them from any device.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
36. Carbonite
This useful app not only stores your data on the cloud system, but it also backs it up automatically — just in case you forget to do it yourself! You'll also be able to securely access your files on any device, whether it's your phone, laptop or tablet.
Available on desktop ($2/month)
37. OneDrive
If you’re always on the go, you can rely on OneDrive to store your files in the cloud and access them from any location and any device — allowing you to ditch the USB sticks and hard drives for good!
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
38. Box
Founded in 2005, Box offers cloud-based content management, collaboration and file sharing tools to freelancers and businesses alike. Free personal accounts are available, as well as business accounts starting at $15 per month.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
39. Google Drive
Google Drive integrates with Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, all of which can be utilized to the freelancer’s advantage. Choosing to store your data and create new files here guarantees that your information remains secure and safely guarded thanks to the decades of work and development that have gone into Google’s products.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
Content / Website creation
40. Canva
If you’re looking to effortlessly boost your presence on social media and promote your services, Canva can be a lifesaver. With countless free design templates to choose from, you can quickly create eye-catching posts, banners and backgrounds for your social profiles or website!
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
41. ChatGPT
OpenAI’s generative AI tool ChatGPT can come in handy when you’re writing up copy to promote yourself and your services. It can also generate suggestions for impactful bite-size copy on your website, such as for headers, menus and buttons.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
42. ContentShake AI
ContentShake AI was created by Semrush to make freelance writers’ lives a little bit easier. It generates articles based on your search criteria, giving you ideas and editable content you can tweak and quickly add your personal touch to.
Available on desktop (free)
43. Wix
In the digital age, it’s near impossible to survive as a freelancer without your own website. For those without a background in web development, however, this can be tricky to arrange. Wix allows users to create impactful websites with intuitive, easy-to-use tools!
Available on desktop (free)
44. Squarespace
Squarespace offers another website building and hosting service. Initially, it was created for building blogs, but has since evolved to incorporate e-commerce features, like an integration with Stripe for accepting payments.
Available on desktop ($16/month)
45. Durable AI
Durable AI is an artificial intelligence-powered website builder. You simply plug in the category your work falls under, such as “coaching” or “fitness”, your location, and the name of your business, and you have your own website within seconds.
Available on desktop ($15/month)
Client communication / Conferencing
46. Grammarly
Error-free copy matters in building your credibility as a professional, even when your subject has little to do with copywriting or editing. From the posts you create to promote your services on social media to the email exchanges with your clients, a typing assistant like Grammarly can help ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward.
Available on desktop (free)
47. Hemingway Editor
The Hemingway App is a simple text editor that makes suggestions to improve the readability of your text. Simply write your blog entry or social media caption and paste it into the app: what can be improved will be immediately highlighted for you.
Available on desktop (free)
48. Zoom
If your work requires you to meet with your clients online, Zoom offers a range of features besides audio and video call capabilities that make collaboration easier. These include generating meeting summaries and composing chat responses with Zoom’s AI Companion.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
49. Google Meet
Most computer users will be familiar with Google’s products. Google Meet specifically has more than 300 million active users a month, meaning there’s a good chance your clients will know how to use it. This can save time and make online exchanges easier!
Available on Android, iOS and desktop (free)
50. Fireflies
Fireflies can save you precious time and eliminate miscommunication between you and your clients. It allows you to record your voice conversations, transcribe what’s been discussed, and search for particular information.
Available on desktop (free)
Final thoughts
Whether it’s to discuss briefs, share files, brainstorm or boost the quality of your work, there’s a software program out there that’s been designed with the freelancer’s unique needs in mind.
With so many of these tools offering free versions or trials, finding the ones that work best for you and harnessing them to up your productivity should be quick and easy!
What are your favorite freelance apps and tools? Join the conversation down below and let us know!
This article is partial update of a previous version originally published on July 4, 2018 by staff writer Joanna Zambas. In the update, we added 20 additional tools and reviewed the existing information for accuracy.