Choosing your hours and determining where and when to work are only two benefits of being a freelancer. These advantages, however, can have drawbacks. Indeed, managing the complexities of multitasking, keeping track of finances, and arranging everything can quickly become too taxing and onerous, taking up too much of your time to allow you to do much else. That’s why knowing the best apps for freelancers can make a huge difference in simplifying work and boosting productivity.
1. Trello – Among the Best Apps for Freelancers
According to Lauren Barette, a former Allio Finance social media intern, Trello helps her manage her time and stay organized.
To keep my to-do list up to date and to see exactly what I’m working on, who I’m working for, and whether there’s a deadline, I use a free Trello board. I also appreciate that I can use my phone to complete tasks, add notes, and attach files.
The software is advertised as “simple, flexible, and powerful” on its website. To understand who is doing what and what needs to be done, all you need are boards, lists, and cards.
2. Clockify – Time Tracking Made Simple (One of the Best Apps for Freelancers)
Successful freelancing requires managing funds and maximising productivity, and the right apps can make all the difference, according to Andrew Latham, CFP, SuperMoney’s director of content.
“Freelancers can eliminate the guesswork in their billing by using a time-tracking app like Clockify, possibly uncovering five to seven hidden billable hours each week,” he said.
3. ChatGPT – Why It’s Considered One of the Best Apps for Freelancers
According to Barette, she also makes heavy use of ChatGPT for her work, searching for ideas for content and captions.
When I worked with various clients, I created social calendars using ChatGPT. It offers ideas for content, advice on when to post, and strategies for creating more interesting content. It can also be useful for drafting captions and screenplays,” she added.
Latham claimed that ChatGPT not only expedites the writing process but also enhances the caliber of the content, which may lead to a rise in customer retention and satisfaction.
4. Todoist – Task Management in the Best Apps for Freelancers List
According to Latham, Todoist’s sophisticated features for task management might save two to three hours every week by helping users prioritize and manage their chores more effectively.
According to the website, the software, which has 30 million users, will assist you in “becoming focused, organized, and calm.”
5. DayOptimizer
According to Trevor Lohrbeer, co-founder of DayOptimizer, this program assists in creating daily schedules that maximize how independent contractors carry out their day, which can help them increase their income in a number of ways.
To start, time blocking is used to improve focus. “Working in several time blocks throughout the day induces an artificial sense of time scarcity in each block, which helps our brains become more focused,” he said.
Because persons with different chronotypes are more productive at particular tasks at particular times of the day, it also maximizes what gets done when.
Finally, it ensures that non-billable tasks are completed.
“Freelancers sometimes become so preoccupied with billable work that they neglect crucial non-billable tasks, like sending invoices or pursuing new business, which are two crucial activities that increase revenue,” he continued.
6. Zoho
You won’t have to worry about this part of your business because Zoho will assist you in managing your receipts and keeping track of your expenses.
For independent contractors and gig workers who want to keep tabs on their spending without going over budget, it provides a free plan.
To help you better understand where your company spends money, the platform may also generate reports based on the spending data it gathers for you.
7. EarnIn
Thanks to gig worker advances from EarnIn, gig workers can now have their daily earnings advanced up to $100.
When there are lengthy intervals between gig paydays, this might be especially helpful for managing spending.
The startup claims that 66% of gig workers who have been using this software are now able to pay their expenses on time, 73% can budget more effectively, and 49% can cover an emergency of $400.
8. Fiverr and Midjourney
For many Fiverr freelancers, Midjourney, a generative AI tool that can translate natural language cues into visuals, has changed the game, according to Yoav Hornung, head of verticals and innovation at Fiverr.
“It not only speeds up the creative process, but it also gives the process a lot more flexibility, which benefits both parties,” Hornung stated.
He clarified that AI artists can produce hundreds of concept images in a short amount of time using a range of prompts, which they can then send to their clients for approval.
9. Canva
About design work, the majority of independent contractors would profit from utilizing a platform such as Canva, which facilitates the creation of visuals even for those without prior knowledge.
You can design your logo, digital products for your company, and social media posts. You can save money by outsourcing graphic-related tasks because the product is user-friendly.
10. Google Drive
You will need to save your content somewhere as a freelancer, and Google Drive is a good option for this. To manage all of the files you need for a digital project, you can create shared folders with clients.
Plus, you can give your clients access to spreadsheets, photos, and anything else in your projects.
11. Genius Scan
With the help of the scanner app Genius Scan, you can swiftly scan paper documents while on the road and export them as several PDF files.
The Association of Ghostwriters’ founder and executive director, Dr. Marcia Layton Turner, is a freelance writer who frequently utilizes it to scan signed contracts or writing samples to submit to potential clients.
I can simply open it on my iPhone and begin scanning pages, which makes it quite simple. A separate piece of equipment on my desk is not necessary. After scanning the documents, I can email them to a client or myself or convert them to PDFs,” she said.
