Whether you’re a full-time freelancer with multiple projects on the go, or you’re thinking about picking up a new side hustle, freelance work has the flexibility and freedom a lot of workers crave. You can set your own schedule, work remotely, and be selective about your workload and projects that you're passionate about.
You can work freelance jobs across all kinds of industries, such as copywriting, design, web development, video editing, data analysis, and more.
The path to freelance work can open up a whole new world that may seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t always have to be! From finding your next gig to invoicing your clients, familiarizing yourself with these easy-to-use tools will make taking on freelance work one of the best decisions you'll ever make.
Productivity & Project Management Tools for Freelancers
IFTTT
IFTTT - short for If This Then That - helps you integrate all your different apps, devices, and services so they work together, saving you time and keeping you organized. Users can create "Applets," which are custom automations specifically designed to make your workflow easier. For example, through IFTTT, social media managers could create an Applet that saves all Instagram posts directly to Dropbox.
Trello
Visual learners and organizers will appreciate Trello's interface! Keeping track of projects, assigning tasks, and creating deadlines can all be done directly in this app. Users can create boards for each project and add cards to represent tasks. Trello will ensure you never forget a task or miss a deadline!
Toggl
It's important to be properly compensated for your work as a freelancer, which means you should be keeping track of how many hours you've worked on a project. Instead of setting a timer on your phone every time you start a task, Toggl allows you to easily track how much time you spend on each individual task. Having this data handy will also allow you to discuss realistic project timelines with future clients and propose proper project budgets and pay.
Finance Tools for Freelancers
Bonsai
Creating a contract for each client is a necessary step to protect yourself and to ensure you know exactly what’s expected of you for the amount of compensation you’re receiving. Bonsai not only allows you to create and modify contracts, but it also gives you the ability to create and send invoices in easy to use, pre-made templates. Plus, the integration with commonly used tools like PayPal and Stripe allows you to get paid quicker!
Freshbooks
This free accounting software is a must for many full-time freelancers. Not only will Freshbooks allow you to do accounting tasks such as tracking expenses and budgets, it also provides users with time tracking, project management, and invoicing capabilities. Bonus: the software also has the ability to accept credit card payments.
PayPal
Commonly used to purchase goods online, PayPal is also a helpful way for freelancers to get paid, especially when working for an international company and dealing with different currencies. PayPal is available in over 200 countries, making it a popular choice for payment worldwide.
Job Search Tools for Freelancers
Proposify
To land new clients and take on new projects, you’ll often find yourself creating client proposals as a way to pitch new ideas and projects. Proposify makes creating proposals less tedious, with pre-designed templates you can modify to fit your needs. Design options such as adding images, videos, tables, and more allow you to make your proposal stand out and catch the eye of your future clients.
Upwork
When it comes time to finding new freelancing jobs, Upwork is a popular option for freelancers across all sectors. Freelancers are able to bid on projects posted by a variety of hirers, from individuals looking for help to large corporations. The site is often seen as a good way to start your freelancing career and get the first few projects under your belt.
Fiverr
Beginning as a site that offered quick gigs for the low cost of $5, Fiverr has since evolved to include projects and tasks of all different scales and sizes. Companies from around the world use Fiverr to find freelancers that can complete a wide range of tasks from design to coding. Fiverr is a great option for freelancers looking to build their resume in their chosen field.
Curious about breaking into tech?
It's a booming industry full of opportunities — including the freelance life, where you can be your own boss! Learn more about how to get started in our free guide: