Freelancer Software Top Tools: The 95+ best online apps for freelancers and solo residents (2025)

But don't just take our word for it! To give you the most comprehensive picture possible of the performance of the apps and services listed here, we've compiled the average ratings from the eight largest review platforms online: TrustPilot , OMR (Online Marketing Rockstars), getApp , Capterra , Play Store , Apple Store, G2 , and Forbes Advisor . These ratings are often based on tens of thousands of genuine user reviews.

You can find these ratings under the “Score / Rating” for the respective offer.

01 Calendar Tools & Appointment Management

Being a freelancer has the advantage of a different workday, which provides variety. However, without self-discipline or a good system, it can be difficult to keep track of deadlines and appointments. Therefore, a calendar and meeting scheduling tools are essential for freelancers. These tools help to work in a structured and organized way.

Google Calendar

Many freelancers choose to purchase multiple Apple products because of their seamless synchronization capabilities. However, the free Google Calendar – part of the integrated Google Workspace app suite – is also very popular, especially among freelancers, as it is considered an effective tool for appointment management.

With new features specifically designed for business applications, it has been further enhanced. Therefore, it's no surprise that Google Calendar is considered a benchmark and helps many to organize their daily business lives more efficiently.

Google Calendar notifies you before your scheduled meeting (you can choose how many minutes in advance) and allows you to enter the location and other important details. It also offers comprehensive formatting options and hyperlinks so you can share notes and presentations before the meeting.

Google Calendar events can also be shared with other team members. So, if you work as a virtual assistant for multiple clients, you have the option to view and manage multiple calendars simultaneously.

Price: free

Calendly

With Calendly, you can easily organize your appointments and efficiently plan meetings. Using Calendly helps you minimize scheduling problems and focus entirely on your most important tasks.

Simply set your availability, share your calendar with clients, and allow them to schedule appointments that work for both parties!

An excellent tool not only for freelancers and small business owners, but also for any person or team who wants to make the most of their time.

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating

• Simple and customizable planning interface
• Integration with various calendars, including Google Calendar, Office 365, iCloud and Outlook
• Integration with numerous apps and services such as Salesforce, Zapier, Slack, and MailChimp
• Automatic time zone detection and adjustment
• Reminder and confirmation notifications for you and your customers
• Team planning and availability release
• Customizable branding options for a professional appearance

Free or monthly fee upon request

Picktime

Picktime accept appointment bookings around the clock .

Once you've set up your booking page, simply share it with your customers so they can select a suitable appointment. Both you and your customer will also receive notifications about the upcoming booking to ensure no appointment is missed.

This flexible tool integrates seamlessly with various platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet, allowing you to connect with (potential) customers worldwide. Furthermore, you can synchronize Picktime with your Google, iCloud, or Office 365 calendars to avoid scheduling conflicts.

With this practical tool for freelancers, you also have the option to create invoices, receive and securely process down payments or full payments – an ideal solution for managing your revenue and the growth of your freelance business.

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating Hands-on Video(s)

• Simple planning dashboard
• Customized forms
• Online bookings available 24/7
• Recurring bookings
• Memories
• Calendar synchronization
• Time zone conversion
• Invoice generator
• Reports

Free for up to 3 users

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Square Appointments

Square Appointments is an innovative scheduling platform with integrated payment processing , giving you all the tools you need to optimally manage your calendar and billing. With a fully integrated online booking page, payment processing, a website builder , and even a point-of-sale (POS) system, Square offers everything you need for a smooth workflow to manage and bill for an offline service.

Square offers a free full version for individual users and is particularly well-suited for self-employed individuals with a physical store. It's among the best free appointment scheduling programs and includes specialized tools for salons, gyms, music teachers, and home repair services. Square also supports businesses in selling goods, as every account includes an online store builder and an integrated point-of-sale (POS) system.

Although Square Appointments offers many features, it lacks video integration for conducting virtual appointments. Picktime scores points in this regard with a better option. If you don't use Google Calendar, your appointments cannot be synced with Square. Calendly offers a more efficient solution here, as it syncs with almost all platforms.

Feature Highlights:

• Free payment processing app for individual users
• Free point-of-sale (POS) system included
• Highly customizable invoice templates
• Multiple payment methods
• Online Store Builder
• Personnel management tools
• Protection against no-shows
• Social media integrations

Pricing: free for individual users, Plus for $29 per location and Premium for $69 per location; payment processing fees range from 2.5% to 3.5% depending on the payment method.

02 Cloud storage / Data transfer

The use of cloud storage has revolutionized the storage, sharing, and real-time work on files from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

For freelancers working remotely, a cloud storage solution essential for efficient collaboration with clients and contractors. Furthermore, cloud storage tools serve as a reliable backup solution, as hard drives are susceptible to viruses and wear and tear.

With the security of automatic data backup in the cloud, you don't have to worry about lost work – even in the event of sudden computer crashes, your data is protected.

Dropbox

Dropbox is an extremely practical cloud storage program with many advantages. You can use it for free by accepting a certain storage limit and even earn more storage space by completing simple tasks.

It allows you to share files with friends and install them on different devices to make your work more efficient. If you need more space, you have the option to purchase additional storage.

With the option to install Dropbox on your computer, you can easily synchronize your online files and access them anytime.

Dropbox impresses with its versatility and ease of use.

Prices: from €18 per month (with annual payment)

Google Drive

Google Drive is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to Dropbox, as almost everyone has a Google account and therefore access to the suite of software tools such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides. These tools allow you to work online, collaborate with others in real time, and store files in your Drive.

Similar to Dropbox, the service is free and offers limited storage space (15 GB), which you can expand if needed. You also have the option to install Drive on your computer to synchronize your online files.

Pricing: free up to 15 GB

WeTransfer

If you work alone as a freelancer, sharing large files can be cumbersome. WeTransfer is the solution to this problem, as it allows you to send files up to 200 GB securely and easily. With this tool, you can track downloads and monitor your clients' activity.

Furthermore, you can quickly correct errors and maintain control over your content. Best of all, you have 1 TB of storage space available to securely store and organize your data.

Feature List:

• Download tracking
• Transfer changes
• Transfer limits
• Password-protected transfers
• Branded emails
• Custom colors and fonts
• Unlimited decks
• 1 TB storage

Pricing: WeTransfer offers a free version and a Pro version priced at either $12/month or $120/year per user.

Internxt

Internxt is a user-friendly cloud storage service specifically for privacy conscious users . With an intuitive user interface and a dedicated support team, it offers an excellent solution for those seeking a more secure and GDPR-compliant alternative to Dropbox and Google Drive .

Anyone looking for affordable, large, and secure cloud storage can confidently choose Internxt. It offers comprehensive end-to-end encryption, fast data transfers, diverse storage solutions, and a user-friendly interface. It provides everything you need to securely store your photos, videos, and other files and access them from any device.

Internxt uses intuitive end-to-end encryption to secure your files, which is evident in the decryption process that takes only a few seconds each time you open the web app. It's particularly worth noting that this encryption is included by default in all pricing plans.

Internxt's servers are located in Spain (Valencia) and, unlike some cheaper cloud storage solutions, it does not use a single data center but relies on a decentralized network.

Feature List:

• Encrypted file transfers
• Syncing & Backups
• Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption (military standard)
• Decentralized server network in Europe
• Up to 10 TB of storage
• Password-protected file sharing
• Access from any device
• Upload files up to 20 GB

Pricing: Internxt offers numerous plans; 1 GB is free, 200 GB starts at a regular price of €4.99 per month (or €45.99 per year).

MASV

MASV is considered the ultimate file-sharing tool for videographers and creative professionals. It offers the fastest and most reliable way to send time-sensitive files to your clients. Previous limitations and cumbersome plugins are a thing of the past with MASV.

MASV sets new standards in efficiency and speed and will help you present your work professionally, smoothly and without wasting time.

The data transfer speed is comparable to providers like Aspera, Media Shuttle, and FileCatalyst, but significantly more cost-efficient. A major advantage is the absence of minimum monthly fees – you only pay for your actual usage.

This fair pricing per GB allows you as a customer to avoid the high license costs that other providers charge.

The user-friendly, in-browser system, requiring no plugins, makes it easy for customers and partners to use. The well-designed portal system significantly simplifies the management of multiple brands or projects and has continuously improved over time.

Compared to other solutions, this system was extremely reliable and required less technical support. The clean design with individual branding options is also a definite plus.

Feature List:

• API with access controls/permissions
• Active Directory integration
• Activity dashboard + activity tracking
• Automatic backup
• Tools for collaboration
• Comments/Notes
• Customizable branding
• Customizable templates
• Data storage management
• Document storage
• Encryption
• Mobile access
• Real-time notifications
• Reporting and statistics
• Role-based permissions
• Search/Filter
• Secure data storage
• Third-party integrations
• Workflow Management

Pricing: Payment based on usage. $0.25/GB

03 Communication

Regardless of whether you are acquiring a potential customer or have already made a successful sale, it is of great importance to maintain contact with your company's prospects in order to remain involved in projects.

Discover our selection of reliable software for freelancers that enables communication with customers, suppliers, partners and employees worldwide:

Skype

Skype offers numerous features that make it the ideal tool for freelancers. With high-quality audio and video calls, meeting scheduling, screen sharing, and file sharing, Skype is versatile. Additionally, calls can be recorded and real-time translations are available.

Thanks to affordable plans, even customers without Skype can be reached. Overall, Skype is a practical and effective tool for freelancers to facilitate communication with clients.

Feature List:

• Audio and video calls
• Call recording
• Share screen
• Data exchange
• Share buttons
• Background effects
• Share location
• Intelligent answers
• Skype translator
• Intelligent search

Pricing: 100% free. However, you can optionally purchase Skype Credit and your own Skype Number.

zoom

In today's world, where remote work is playing an increasingly important role, having effective communication tools is essential. One such tool is Zoom , which quickly became the standard term for video calls in 2020 and is still used by small businesses today.

Zoom not only allows you to easily conduct high-quality video calls, but also to share your screen and collaborate on projects. This versatility makes it an invaluable tool for remote collaboration.

Thanks to its user-friendly interface and stable connection, Zoom allows every team member to easily stay in touch with each other – no matter where in the world they are located. This makes it possible to hold meetings or make important decisions as if everyone were sitting in the same room.

For small businesses, Zoom has become indispensable in a time when flexibility and efficiency are crucial. Using this communication tool helps ensure that all employees can collaborate seamlessly despite geographical distance. In other words, "Let's use Zoom" couldn't make more sense than now!

Feature List:

• Video conferences with up to 100 participants
• Screen sharing features for presentations and collaboration
• Virtual backgrounds to give your video calls a professional touch
• Recording and playback options for easy review of meetings
• Integration with popular tools like Slack and Dropbox

Pricing: Free in the basic version

Slack

Slack is an outstanding communication tool for freelancers and a messaging platform that enables real-time team communication and collaboration. It represents an excellent free solution for freelancers, allowing them to communicate easily and effectively with clients and team members.

Instead of endlessly sending emails back and forth, freelancers can use Slack to optimize communication in the form of streams and keep track of projects.

Due to its widespread popularity, Slack can be seamlessly integrated with a variety of other top tools for freelancers listed here, such as Google Drive, Trello, and Asana.

Feature List:

• Real-time messaging and file sharing
• Searchable message archives and customizable notifications
• Collaborative channels and direct messages
• Video and audio calls with screen sharing
• Customizable themes and emojis
• Security features such as two-factor authentication and data encryption

Pricing: free basic version

Microsoft Teams

Another excellent option besides Slack is Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Teams serves as a central hub for collaboration among teams spread across different locations. All content, tools, contacts, and conversations are accessible within the Microsoft Teams workspace.

Furthermore, the program allows direct access to common office solutions such as calendar functions, Word, Excel, SharePoint, OneNote and Skype for Business.

Since 2017, the chat-based collaboration tool Microsoft Teams has also offered the option of creating mixed project groups with internal and external employees. This feature was quickly made available to all Microsoft Teams customers, provided the company uses Azure Active Directory (ADD).

Once this is the case, external employees such as service providers, freelancers, customers, or employees of suppliers and partner companies can be invited to participate in Microsoft Teams. They can then collaborate in private and public channels within the application.

Brand new are AI tools that make online collaboration even more effective.

Pricing: free in the private basic version

04 Offer and contract design

A common mistake many self-employed people make is working without written contracts or clear terms and conditions.

A contract not only serves to create a professional impression, but also protects your interests and ensures that you are fairly compensated for your time and services. A contract specifies which services have been agreed upon (the scope of work), how much you will be paid, and when payment will be made.

Such an agreement provides you with written evidence in case of problems with the customer. It's important to know that contracts don't have to be complicated – there are free and low-cost options available.

Take a look at our recommendations for the best tools for freelancers regarding legal aspects and legal expertise:

Yousign

Yousign stands out for its user-friendliness and legal security, particularly thanks to its server locations within the EU. This e-signature solution is ideally suited for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and freelancers across all industries.

This software allows you to electronically sign documents, obtain approvals via a workflow tool, and even create form templates. With Yousign, you can optimize your work processes and save time and money.

Feature List:

• Custom Branding
• User & Rights Management
• internationalization
• API Integration
• Sign documents
• Reminder and expiry dates
• Mobile signatures
• Signature workflows

Prices:

The app's pricing starts at €25 per user for the "Team" package, while the "Business" package costs €40 per user per month. Subscription models for the API plans start at €75 per month for the "Basic" plan, the "Premium" plan costs €125 per month, and the "Ultimate" plan is available for €175 per month.

PandaDoc

PandaDoc allows users to create documents and have them digitally signed directly by customers. More than 200 templates are available. The analytics function enables users to effectively evaluate the signature process .

PandaDoc integrates seamlessly with many CRM systems. Its built-in eSignature technology complies with legal requirements.

Document collaboration is facilitated by robust features, enabling efficient communication within teams. Electronic signature functions save time and effort.

Feature List:

• Custom Branding
• Reporting
• Signature History and Audit
• Template creation
• Sign documents
• Reminder and expiry dates
• Mobile signatures
• Signature workflows

Prices:

In addition to the free version, there is the “Essential” package for $19 per user per month and the “Business” package for $49 per user per month.

Scribble

Skribble is another digital signature solution that helps companies streamline their signing processes online without interruption. As a comprehensive platform, Skribble offers a legally binding electronic signature for any type of contract – even where the law requires a written signature.

The usability of this signature solution stands out clearly in a positive way, in addition to meeting the highest Privacy requirements.

Users have the option of integrating Skribble into their existing business software. According to the company, the online platform is already used by over 2,000 businesses.

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating Hands-on Video(s)

• Cloud-based
• Internationalizable and scalable
• Signature History and Audit
• Template creation
• Sign documents
• Reminder and expiry dates
• Mobile signatures
• Signature workflows
• German support

The "Individual" package for single users costs €9 per month. The "Business" model for companies costs €36 per user per month. Customized enterprise packages are also available.

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DocuSign

DocuSign also allows freelancers to streamline their document workflow and save time that they can then dedicate to their core business. As a self-employed individual, it's crucial to focus on your core business and avoid wasting time on unnecessary paperwork.

DocuSign allows you to digitally sign and quickly process contracts and agreements. This frees up more time for your core work and enables you to be more productive.

Fortunately, the tool is now also available German language version

Feature List:

• Sign and send documents from anywhere, anytime, and on any device
• Legally binding and secure digital signatures that meet industry standards
• Integration with popular tools like Dropbox, Google Drive and Salesforce
• Automatic reminders and notifications to keep you informed and ensure timely signing
• Templates and reusable forms to save time and effort with frequently used documents

Prices: from €9/month

airSlate signNow

The e-signature software signNow is another versatile tool that can be used on various devices. Its cloud-based SaaS solution offers numerous advantages for businesses.

Key benefits cited by airSlate Inc., the company behind signNow since 2017, include the easy signing and collection of e-signatures , the creation of online fillable templates, and the automatic sending of documents to multiple recipients.

With its streamlined portfolio, signNow has already proven its worth to thousands of businesses. airSlate SignNow is committed to protecting your sensitive data by adhering to global, industry-specific security standards.

Feature List:

• Send documents with electronic signatures
• Send documents via link
• Fillable fields for PDF documents
• Demo templates
• Role setup in the editor
• Request that the recipients enter/draw/upload a new signature
• Enter the signatory's name in the signature stamp
• Merge documents into a single PDF
• Self-managed private cloud e-signature solution
• Drafts for signatories
• Numerous integrations with other SaaS tools

Prices:

There are four different packages to choose from: Business, Business Premium, Enterprise, and integration with the airSlate Business Cloud. The latter includes signNow and other useful tools for $50 per user per month. Standalone versions of signNow are available from $8 to $30, depending on the features included. With all these options, signNow is a compelling solution for businesses of all sizes.

05 Legal certainty / Legal protection / Legal assistance

Contracts and legislation concerning contract law, copyright, sales law, and Privacy are daunting for many people due to a lack of legal knowledge. Large companies often have their own legal department.

For beginners, freelancers, and self-employed individuals, this is a virtually insurmountable field. Therefore, assistance and support are needed.

white paper “Service Contracts with Freelancers” is a good starting point for quickly drafting and evaluating contracts.

Lawyers charge high hourly rates for reviewing contracts, so online legal portals a good and cost-effective alternative:

smartlaw

Smartlaw offers its users a comprehensive service for legal certainty in all areas of life . The platform allows users not only to create contracts, letters, and other legal documents, but also to manage them effectively and access them from anywhere.

The possible uses are diverse: from legal tips and decision-making aids to checklists and detailed instructions, users are offered a wide range of support. Whether it's about correctly drafting important documents or initiating legal proceedings – with Smartlaw, users have a reliable foundation for their legal security.

The user-friendly interface allows everyone, regardless of their legal experience, to quickly and easily access relevant information and templates. With Smartlaw, it's now easier than ever to protect your rights and address related issues without obstacles.

In a world full of complex legal regulations, Smartlaw can make a freelancer's life much easier by providing an all-in-one solution for legal issues.

Prices: from €24.90 per month for freelancers and companies

eRecht24

eRecht24 is one of the leading digital information platforms when it comes to internet law, Privacy , and e-commerce. As part of the legal tech market, it supports thousands of website operators and agencies daily in ensuring their online presence is legally compliant.

With eRecht24 Premium, users receive professional tools and plugins for creating templates, checklists, and contracts. Furthermore, eRecht24 Premium members have access to topic-specific live webinars and a free initial consultation with the partner law firm Siebert Lexow for any legal questions.

With eRecht24 Premium, website operators have all the necessary tools at their disposal to ensure their website complies with legal requirements. An indispensable offering for every freelancer with an online presence in today's market.

Prices: from €15/month

24/7 Law

The law firm “Recht 24/7” was founded in 2003 by Christina Schröder to offer professional and affordable legal advice online around the clock. Since then, the firm has grown significantly and established itself as a leading provider in the German legal services market.

The lawyers at Recht 24/7 are available quickly and easily to help with legal questions. Simply book a legal consultation, upload your case, and receive an answer within 24 hours.

With Recht 24/7, it has never been easier to obtain legal advice.

Prices: vary depending on the individual case

JuraForum.de

Juraforum.de is the ultimate legal portal on the internet , offering an immense range of information and support services for law students and those interested in legal matters since its founding in 2003. Numerous forums and reference works cover a wide variety of legal topics – from criminal law and insurance law to labor and education law.

Visitors can find information here on virtually every area of ​​law, including specialized fields such as copyright law, contract law, and inheritance law. A user-friendly lawyer search function allows users to quickly find suitable experts by area of ​​expertise and region.

Furthermore, you can obtain legal advice online and download documents. This comprehensive service is supplemented by information on specific rulings and laws.

The website offers a comprehensive collection of judgments and laws, a glossary of key legal terms, and over 100 different legal forums. It covers current legal discussions, political topics, and all possible areas of law – from adoption law and Privacy to competition law. Whether civil service law, press law, or criminal law, information on everything can be found here. The site is an invaluable resource for all legal questions and discussions in the legal world.

Juraforum.de is therefore the best place to go for anyone looking for sound legal information and support on the internet.

Price: free

JustAnswer Lawyer

Andy Kurtzig, the CEO, founded JustAnswer.com in the USA in 2003 out of a personal need for fast, easy, and affordable answers from real experts. Since 2009, over 100,000 registered users in Germany alone have placed their trust in this world's largest online platform for all kinds of questions.

JustAnswer is a website where you can ask urgent questions online to qualified and vetted experts (e.g., lawyers, tax advisors, etc.). The provider will refund your money if you are not completely satisfied. You have the option to set the urgency and price for the answer yourself.

You'll receive your answers around the clock in no time. The service covers 200 different specialist topics across nine subject areas, such as "Legal Questions" or "Help with Computer Problems," which could be particularly interesting for business owners.

More than 1,500 specialists are available to those seeking advice, including tax advisors and IT professionals. We have used this service dozens of times and have been consistently satisfied. JustAnswer has saved us a substantial four-figure sum on consulting fees to date.

Pricing: Question-only service for lawyers from €49/month

YourXpert

The online platform for expert advice, YourXpert, aims to support those seeking help with specialist knowledge without further confusing them. Problems or questions can be quickly and easily referred to the appropriate expert via email, chat, or telephone.

Lawyers, tax advisors, and other experts are available to offer support. Currently, 158 experts are available. For the areas of "Law and Tax," experts must provide proof of their professional registration to yourXpert.

Billing is usually a flat fee for a question via email or per minute for questions via telephone or chat.

Many experts also offer a money-back guarantee: If an answer is not satisfactory, the money will be refunded.

Prices: e.g., contract review from 84 euros

ARAG JuraCheck

The new ARAG JuraCheck tariff from the Düsseldorf-based legal expenses insurer ARAG offers the option of having contracts legally reviewed to avoid legal problems. Unlike conventional legal expenses insurance policies, JuraCheck intervenes even before a legal dispute arises, allowing customers to review and adjust contracts early on.

There is no waiting period, and all private life contracts are covered, with the exception of investments and real estate transactions. However, important limitations include the fact that only contracts that are not yet finalized are covered, and older contracts are not protected.

Feature List:

• Contract review: Simply upload your contract and a lawyer will review your case immediately
• Web check for company websites
• Tax hotline: Consultation with a lawyer specializing in tax law
• ARAG JuraTel telephone legal advice: 24/7
• Terms & Conditions - Check

Overall, ARAG JuraCheck offers a compelling way to proactively resolve potential conflicts.

exali professional liability insurance for freelancers

Freelancers, the self-employed, and businesses should be aware of the risks associated with professional errors. High claims for damages could jeopardize their personal assets or liquidity.

For this reason, it is essential to take out professional liability insurance. This offers protection against financial losses, property damage, personal injury, and potential consequential damages such as lost revenue. exali is a reliable partner for customized insurance solutions for freelancers, the self-employed, and agencies.

Exali's insurance policies, specifically tailored to digital professions in IT and telecommunications, IT engineering, media, consulting, and e-commerce, ensure optimal protection. Architects and lawyers can also find suitable professional liability insurance at exali.

Prices: For an IT expert starting their own business, the annual net premium for insurance starts at approximately 283 euros per year in the smallest option.

06 Graphic Design Tools

Many self-employed people who offer marketing services often get drawn into graphic design – even if they make it clear that it is not their strength.

Fortunately, freelancers have access to many free and inexpensive graphic design tools to create visual content that will impress clients. We've also compiled a list of the best graphics tablets under €1,000 here .

Check out our selection of the best graphic design software for freelancers:

Canva

Canva is undoubtedly one of the best tools for freelancers in 2025. It's a graphic design tool that allows web designers, content creators, and graphic designers to create appealing designs online in no time, without needing extensive design knowledge or specialized software.

Canva makes it easy social media posts , presentations , marketing materials , and much more – all with professional-looking templates and user-friendly design tools. Thanks to Canva, freelancers can effortlessly produce high-quality visual content that effectively showcases their brand and sets them apart from the competition.

intuitive user interface makes it easy for even beginners to create impressive designs. The wide range of editing options offers endless creative possibilities for customizing your projects. With just a few clicks, you can adjust colors, edit text, and add graphics – all without the need for complicated training in complex design software.

Furthermore, Canva provides a wealth of pre-made layouts that can serve as inspiration or directly as the basis for your own project. Time is often scarce for freelancers – thanks to Canva, you save valuable time when creating your visual content. Easily accessible features like drag-and-drop make the design process more efficient and simplify your work in the hectic daily life of a self-employed professional.

Feature List: 

• Thousands of pre-made templates for various design projects
• Customizable design elements, including fonts, colors, and images
• User-friendly drag-and-drop interface for easy design creation
• Collaboration features for sharing designs with team members and clients
• Integration with other tools such as Dropbox, Google Drive and Trello
• Mobile app for designing on the go

Pricing: free basic version (Canva Free), Canva Pro (unlimited access to premium content) for €11.99/month

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is not just a collection of design tools , but an indispensable tool for freelancers in creative fields. With this software, they have access to powerful applications for graphic design , video editing , web development , and photography .

The subscription model ensures that users always receive the latest versions of the programs – thus keeping them up-to-date with the latest technology and enabling them to implement their projects professionally.

Adobe Creative Cloud offers flexibility, creativity and functionality at the same time, making it a smart investment for any creative professional.

Feature List:

• Access to 20+ professional software applications
• Regular software updates and new features to keep up with industry standards
• Collaboration tools for team projects or working with clients
• Cloud storage for easy access to files from any device
• Integrated design templates and asset libraries for faster project creation

Pricing: Creative Cloud (all applications) = €66.45 / month

Affinity Designer / Affinity Photo

Tools for freelancers can quickly add up to a considerable sum, and although Adobe Creative Cloud is undoubtedly one of the best on the market, there are also more cost-effective alternatives.

Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo have gained significant popularity in recent years. Affinity Designer is an award-winning vector graphics software that sets a new industry standard in design.

The extremely fluid and feature-rich app is available for Windows, macOS and iPad and is preferred by many professional illustrators, web designers, game developers and other creatives who want to create high-quality concept drawings, print projects, logos, symbols, UI designs, mock-ups and much more.

Prices: from €74.99 (one-time fee)

Figma

Figma is a cutting-edge collaborative design tool that has been revolutionizing the world of web, mobile, UI, and UX design since 2016. With Figma, designers can not only use classic design features but also work efficiently on developing digital prototypes.

Figma's primary goal is to make the design process more efficient, faster, and easier.

A particular advantage of Figma is the ability for multiple people to collaborate simultaneously on the same file: changes are saved in real time and are immediately visible to all involved.

Figma helps teams create, share, test, and deploy high-quality designs. This is achieved through the integration of tools that optimize workflows and foster collaboration between teams across different time zones. Figma thus accelerates and improves the design process while ensuring that all stakeholders always have access to the latest information.

With its versatility, user-friendliness, and innovative functionalities, Figma is undoubtedly one of the best design collaboration tools on the market. However, Figma reaches its limits with more complex projects and more realistic requirements. In these cases, ProtoPie the better choice.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• Numerous features for collaborating on a design
• Simplifying work processes from idea generation to handover
• Automatic layouts (create dynamic, flexible layouts)
• Whiteboard
• Design Documentation
• Chat / Messaging
• UI Design Tools
• Prototyping
• Website Mockup Builder
• Version control
• Extensive export functions

Figma already offers a wide range of features with its free “Starter” package, while the “Professional” subscription unlocks additional features at a monthly cost of 12 euros per user.

For larger teams or companies, there's also the "Organization" package, priced at €35 per month per user. This investment is definitely worthwhile for professional designers and companies looking to optimize their workflow. Fortunately, the software is free for students and teachers.

• A complete UX design tool
• Affordable price levels; students receive it free of charge
• Makes real-time online collaboration effortless
• Can actually simulate the execution of an application?
• Figma is constantly improving and frequently introduces new and exciting additions

• Sometimes delayed in working and sometimes unresponsive
• With many sketches and new designs, it can be a little difficult to find your way around the app, as you constantly have to zoom in to the right level

07 Prototyping / Project Visualization

Prototyping , and especially from users, allowing for easy adaptation of concepts. This results in an application that meets the highest standards of user-friendliness.

The following tools provide optimal support for freelancers and teams during this project phase:

InVision

InVision is an indispensable tool for website designers, specifically designed to make their work more efficient. It is undoubtedly one of the best and most powerful design prototyping tools on the market.

While not directly used for creating designs, it allows for the easy transformation of static designs into fully interactive prototypes. Animations, gestures, and transitions can be added to the uploaded designs using InVision.

This creates a realistic user experience, and designers have the opportunity to playfully develop their concept. With this tool, they can precisely demonstrate how their website or app should function – even before the actual programming begins.

InVision revolutionizes the workflow of designers, empowering them to transform ideas into tangible formats. Anyone looking for an excellent tool for creating interactive prototypes simply cannot ignore InVision!

Feature List:

• Collaborate in real time with team members and customers, from anywhere in the world
• Create interactive prototypes with animations, gestures, and transitions
• Gather direct feedback on your designs and prototypes
• Organize and manage design files and projects in one central hub
• Use InVision's Design System Manager to keep branding and styles consistent across projects
• Easily export design assets and specifications for developers
• Integrate it with other design tools like Sketch and Photoshop for seamless workflows
• It can be integrated with other tools from this list, such as Trello, Slack, and Basecamp
• Version control and comments (for easy workflow communication)
• Freehand: Teams can collaborate by sketching and presenting designs to get feedback – even if they are not physically in the same place.

Pricing: from $25 per month per user

ProtoPie

ProtoPie is the prototyping tool of choice for many freelancers and companies of different sizes, enabling them to transform UI/UX design ideas into highly interactive prototypes for mobile devices, desktops, web, IoT and custom hardware.

This tool enables designers to create more in less time and to explore, validate, and test design solutions and ideas by creating highly realistic, production-like prototypes without the need for programming.

ProtoPie is frequently used by the world's leading design teams in companies across numerous industries, including the automotive industry. Companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, Samsung, Bytedance, Tencent, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, and thousands more are among its users.

This versatile software solution is suitable for both beginners and experienced designers. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, even users without programming knowledge can effortlessly create complex interactions and animations. ProtoPie's drag-and-drop functionality makes creating interactions between different elements incredibly easy. Furthermore, the intuitive timeline editor allows for the seamless design of complex animations.

ProtoPie Connect enables seamless device connections for testing and optimizing interactions. Device preview ensures a consistent user experience, while features like cloud storage and design handoff facilitate collaboration and sharing.

Figma 's prototyping features are ideal for quickly creating prototypes with just a few clicks, users recommend using ProtoPie for more realistic models.

To fully leverage ProtoPie's potential, we recommend seeking out tutorials or resources to learn how to effectively set up rules. Understanding and mastering ProtoPie's rule-based logic is essential for developing dynamic and interactive prototypes. When getting started with ProtoPie, it's advisable to begin with basic animations before venturing into more complex interactions.

ProtoPie is undoubtedly a powerful tool, but it still has potential for further development. Future updates could, for example, enable the recording of 4K interactions and the integration of custom code for specific prototyping scenarios.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• AI-powered UX/UI and interaction design
• Dynamic and multimodal interactions
• Device-to-device connections
• Usable without programming knowledge
• Automated prototyping
• AI-driven analysis
• Flexible Integrations
• Cloud storage
• handover record
• Team libraries

Usable free of charge with restrictions for up to 2 prototypes; premium plans with extensive features start from $25 per month per user.

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• Enables highly realistic prototypes including complex interactions and device integration
• Remarkably user-friendly design tool
• ProtoPie Connect enables seamless device-to-device connections for testing and refining interactions
• Animations with programming, IoT support
• Support for multiple devices, support for APIs

• ProtoPie is difficult to master. You have to spend a lot of time figuring out how everything works.
• With many sketches and new designs, it can be a little difficult to find your way around the app, as you constantly have to zoom in to the right level

If you are finding it difficult to choose between Figma and ProtoPie , the following hands-on video may help you:

08 Video editing

FlexClip

FlexClip is a versatile and user-friendly online video editing tool that empowers individuals and businesses to effortlessly create stunning videos. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, FlexClip revolutionizes the video editing experience, enabling users to produce professional, high-quality videos without extensive technical expertise or expensive software.

FlexClip simplifies the video creation process with its extensive library of customizable templates suitable for various purposes such as social media posts, marketing campaigns, presentations, and more. Users can easily personalize these templates by adding their own content, such as text, images, and music, to create unique and engaging videos that captivate their audience.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• AI-powered content creation: Transform text into videos, generate images, get script suggestions, create subtitles, and use text-to-speech.
• Extensive editing tools: Enjoy drag-and-drop editing, trimming and merging, compressing and converting videos.
• Extensive media library: Access to millions of royalty-free stock media, cloud file storage, and custom font uploading.
• Versatile templates: Choose from thousands of predefined templates for various video categories.
• Text and overlays: Add titles, subtitles, and other text elements to your videos.
• Transitions and effects: Improve the flow of your video with transitions and visual effects.
• Audio editing: Add background music, sound effects, and voice recordings.

FlexClip offers a free basic version that allows users to access fundamental features. For advanced features and unlimited access to premium content, users can subscribe to FlexClip Plus for $9.99 per month.

• Intuitive design
• Many tools on offer
• Easy to use
• Good adaptation
• Free video maker available

• Uploading media will delay processing
• The free option has low export quality
• Subscription costs can add up

InVideo AI

InVideo AI is an innovative platform that uses artificial intelligence to greatly simplify and accelerate the video production process. Simply by entering a topic or instruction, the tool generates a script, creates scenes, adds voiceovers, and customizes everything.

Choose from a huge selection of 5,000 professionally designed templates for your application and effortlessly customize generated videos to match your brand. The platform also offers a comprehensive video editing interface for further customization.

As a content creator, digital marketer, or freelancer, InVideo can significantly simplify your video editing. The tool removes the typical obstacles faced by many non-professionals, allowing you to easily create and edit content – ​​whether you're a beginner or looking to take your production to the next level.

We are impressed by InVideo's ease of use when it comes to creating, customizing, and editing high-quality videos. Thanks to a wide variety of customizable templates, an integrated video editing tool, and even an AI video generator, video editing for various purposes is significantly simplified.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using InVideo. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming at first, the lack of a direct social media posting function could be a deal-breaker, and the constant rendering can sometimes be annoying.

Nevertheless, the positive aspects outweigh the negatives. This app truly shines when it comes to the rapid production of high-quality videos with impressive voiceovers for social media, YouTube, and branding. All you need are your ideas and text instructions.

InVideo AI is not a replacement for professional software: A key part of InVideo's value proposition is speed and simplicity through pre-made templates and AI generators. However, for advanced, professional videos, this comes at the expense of originality and authenticity. For these, you should use industry standards like Adobe Premiere Pro .

It is therefore advisable to find out whether InVideo is suitable for your needs.

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating Hands-on Video(s)

• Text to Video / Cloud-based AI Video Creation
• Text Prompt Editor
• User-friendly UI
• 5,000+ video templates
• 50+ voice outputs
• AI Voice Cloning
• Multiplayer Editing for Online Collaboration
• Cloud storage
• Media Library / iStockPhoto quota (from Business Plan)

InVideo's pricing structure is designed to be flexible in order to meet the diverse video production needs of its users, from beginners to professionals.

In addition to a free trial plan for the editor, InVideo offers two paid plans (starting at $20 per month) designed to tailor pricing to individual use cases. This allows video creators of all experience levels to find the optimal balance between features, limitations, and cost.

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09 Taxes, Finance, Invoicing & Accounting

Accounting and taxes are often unpopular topics and are frequently delegated to tax advisors, even when the paperwork is chaotic. This may be convenient, but it can also be costly. For freelancers, creating an income statement using online solutions can be a good option to simplify their accounting.

It is also possible to hire freelance accountants, who are less expensive than tax advisors. A combination of self-employment and external assistance can significantly reduce overall costs.

In any case, it is advisable to use one or two online tools that at least semi-automatically handle invoicing, document recording, booking preparation and payment reconciliation.

Here we have compiled what we consider to be the most helpful tools with an affordable subscription model for you:

LexOffice

Every entrepreneur, whether freelancer, small business owner or start-up founder, should definitely consider using accounting and tax return software lexoffice .

The online accounting software lexoffice is an invaluable tool for managing a wide range of office tasks and bookkeeping. It offers functionalities such as creating quotes and invoices, as well as preparing your tax return – all combined in one program.

Even without extensive knowledge or special training, you can easily use the application and optimize your workflows.

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating Hands-on Video(s)

• Write, record and send invoices, quotes, delivery notes and order confirmations
• Receipt capture (also possible via mobile app)
• Reconciliation of incoming payments
• Automatically generate and send VAT returns and recapitulative statements to the tax office
• Profit and Loss Statement & Income Statement Reports
• Special invoice types (down payment invoice, English invoice, EU invoice, XRechnung invoice)
• Sales statistics & reports
• Online Banking
• payroll
• Cash book and open items
• Cancellable monthly
• No minimum contract term
• including data backup, updates and support

From €6.90/month (package “S”). However, we recommend package “L” for freelancers at €19.90 per month. Free trial access for 30 days.

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Kontist

Kontist 's free account offers a free starter account with SEPA transfers, scheduled transfers, and a virtual Visa Business Debit card. A physical card can be added for €29 per year. There are no fees if monthly transactions exceed €300.00; otherwise, a fee of €2.00 applies.

Each transaction costs €0.15, with the first 10 transactions being free. Using the Kontist Free business account is worthwhile for regular transactions exceeding €300.00 per month.

With Kontist Premium , freelancers have the opportunity to take their business to the next level and automate processes. For a monthly fee of €9, users receive not only the features of the free Kontist Free account, but also a physical debit card and automatic reserve allocation after tax calculation and transaction categorization.

The dynamic tax prepayment and the integration with the accounting software lexoffice are particularly impressive. For a small additional fee of €3 per month, you can even use both services – an unbeatable offer Terms & Conditions apply) to save time and effort.

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating Hands-on Video(s)

• Business account with overdraft facility / Full online banking with (virtual or physical) credit card and Google & Apple Pay
• Accounting with receipt capture and real-time tax estimation
• Invoicing
• Direct integration with lexoffice and FastBill
• DATEV Export
• Interface to external accounting systems
• VAT returns (from the “Accounting” package)
• BWA / Business Analysis (from package “Accounting”)
• AI-supported posting of transactions (from the “Accounting” package onwards)
• Business tax return
• EÜR / Income and Expenditure Statement (from package “Complete”)
• VAT and trade tax return (from package “Complete”)
• Mobile App

Kontist Free is free, Kontist Premium costs €9/month

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My daily work

The award-winning startup, which received a recognition from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, offers comprehensive accounting and financial management functions. In addition to core competencies such as bookkeeping, invoicing, and quote calculation, services like profit and loss statements and preliminary VAT returns are also offered.

The cloud service offers high functionality and a modular design. Users can test it for free before purchasing modules – either for quote calculation or tax office services. These cost €7.50 per month each, and both are usually required. Nevertheless, using the service is more cost-effective than hiring a tax advisor in most cases.

In addition, there is a team module with further project management functions. Meintagwerk therefore offers a compelling solution for founders and freelancers when dealing with the tax office.

Feature List: 

• accounting
• Invoicing
• Offer calculation
• Hourly rate calculation
• Income statement
• VAT return
• Time recording
• Travel expense report
• Datev export
• Team module for employee access

Prices: €7.50 per module per month

Paperwork

Papierkram.de is an accounting tool that supports time tracking and project management in addition to quotes and invoicing. The cloud service offers a new time tracking app that assigns hours to projects.

The system is operated via a mobile website on a smartphone, allowing team members to enter data without having access to all company data. CRM functions, such as managing master data for customers and suppliers, are also provided.

Papierkram.de allows you to digitally capture and archive receipts, but the recognition and display of PDFs isn't always flawless. The tool supports income statements, VAT returns, and offers a cash flow view to visualize cash flows, as well as a value view for depreciable assets. Extensive features are available for a fee in the Pro or Pro Plus versions.

Although the integration with tax advisors isn't as seamless as with other tools, a DATEV export is available. Papierkram.de can be tested for a starting price of eight euros per month for the basic version and 20 euros per month for team features.

Feature List: 

• accounting
• Invoicing
• Digital document capture
• CRM functions for managing master data
• Income statement and VAT return
• Time recording
• Cash flow view
• Mobile App
• Team function
• Datev export

Prices: Basic version from €8 per month, team version from €20 per month.

Billomat

Billomat is a fully-fledged accounting solution, ideal for freelancers and small businesses that doesn't require extensive accounting knowledge. The cloud-based system enables the creation of legally compliant quotes and invoices, supports dunning processes, and delivers important financial data in real time.

It facilitates collaboration with tax advisors by transferring company data via DATEV. Billomat also generates profit and loss statements and VAT returns for ELSTER. Payments can be automatically allocated via PSD2 interfaces.

Although the CRM system is simple, Billomat offers the possibility to integrate external merchandise management or CRM systems via its ecosystem.

Attractively priced, Billomat, with a monthly fee starting at eight euros, is also suitable for part-time businesses. With twelve years of market experience, Billomat promises long-term usability for its users.

Feature List:

• accounting
• Quotation and invoice preparation
• dunning process
• Real-time economic data
• Datev interface
• Income statement and VAT returns
• Automatic allocation of incoming payments via PSD2 interface
• Simple CRM

Prices: from €8/month

FastBill (by FreshBooks)

FastBill is not just simple accounting software, but a comprehensive tool specifically tailored to the needs of businesses, the self-employed, and freelancers. With FastBill, you can not only create and send invoices, but also manage your entire financial operations in one program .

From invoicing and dunning to detailed financial analyses – with FastBill, you have all the important tasks at your fingertips. Centralizing and automating your month-end closing saves you valuable time and helps you maintain a clear overview of your financial situation.

Furthermore, FastBill offers features such as receipt capture, financial dashboards for a quick overview, and the option to file preliminary VAT returns. FastBill also simplifies data exchange with your tax advisor.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• Offers and invoices
• Postal and email delivery
• Invoice layouts
• Payment reminders and dunning procedures
• Customer management
• Banking
• DATEV export
• Price and service catalog
• Digital document management
• Open items overview
• Tax advisor export
• VAT return
• Time recording
• Open API

With four different plans, FastBill offers the right solution for every need. Starting at just €9 per month, you get all the basic functions for invoicing and accounting. The premium package, starting at €59 per month, boasts an even wider range of features, including full automation capabilities. Try the program free for two weeks and discover its features.

• Intuitive user interface for quick start
• Versatile invoicing options
• 14-day trial period
• Digital receipt capture made easy (via scan app)
• Graphical analysis of key KPIs
• Offers, invoices and payments from a single source

• Bank connection could be improved
• Many options can only be booked for an additional fee
• Customer lists cannot be customized

Intuit QuickBooks

QuickBooks is another top accounting software for self-employed individuals, freelancers, and independent contractors who are past their early stages and are on a growth trajectory. This comprehensive software allows you to track expenses, organize receipts, estimate and file taxes, and utilize many other features.

QuickBooks allows you to conveniently sort and monitor your expenses from your smartphone. Furthermore, business transactions can be separated from personal ones, and expenses from various accounts can be imported.

Up to 40 day groups help you track your income and expenses. QuickBooks also lets you create and email receipts. The software team professionally stores, organizes, and categorizes your expenses, ensuring you're fully prepared for tax season.

With Quickbooks, you receive a quarterly calculation of your debts as well as automatic reminders of due tax payments – this helps avoid late payment fees.

In addition, Quickbooks offers the ability to create basic reports, insights into profits and losses, and summaries of work activities – all important information for a stress-free tax period.

It's no wonder, then, that Quickbooks is one of the best tools for freelancers who want to successfully expand their business.

Feature List:

• Income and expenditure management
• Invoicing and payment processing
• Cash flow management
• Document recording
• Travel expenses
• Sales and VAT tracking
• Tax deductions
• Estimates
• Invoicing
• Reporting and accounting reports
• Inventory management
• Bookings via smartphone app

Pricing: QuickBooks offers 3 plans starting from €17/month (only €1 for the first 3 months).

smartsteuer

Save on expensive consultants and do your tax return yourself. Step-by-step via interview. And thanks to live calculation, you'll immediately see how much money you'll get back from the government.

We are customers of smartsteuer and are still amazed at how quickly we can now prepare and submit our tax return. Previously, we used Taxman from Lexware for this.

In direct comparison to its competitors, the interface may appear somewhat outdated, but Smartsteuer impresses with its wide range of functions and low costs. Furthermore, the platform offers ample support for its users (including telephone support). The fundamental expertise of the Haufe Group is clearly reflected in Smartsteuer.

Feature List:

• Data import from previous years
• Smartcheck
• ELSTER-compliant
• Lots of helpful content for users
• Fast support
• All types of income are supported
• Import for business income from Lexoffice
• Display of the calculated tax refund
• Pre-filled tax returns are supported

Pricing: The regular fee is €39.99 per year. This price includes the filing of up to five tax returns.

10 Project Management

Statistically speaking, in every company that invests one billion US dollars, approximately 122 million US dollars are wasted due to poor performance. Therefore, project management tools are crucial for working effectively and saving money.

Agile project management methods streamline workflows and prevent costly mistakes. Centralized information storage enables all team members to quickly access relevant knowledge. Calendar management enhances productivity through rapid research and analysis.

Overall, it is therefore worthwhile for freelancers to invest in project management software solutions in order to successfully manage their projects and increase their efficiency.

Asana

Asana is the ideal project management tool for freelancers to work efficiently and in an organized manner. Its user-friendly interface allows you to effortlessly create tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress.

Thanks to its excellent free plan and paid plans with additional features, Asana is perfect for freelancers who manage multiple projects simultaneously and need to stay on top of things. The tool helps freelancers keep their workload under control and enables seamless collaboration with team members and clients.

With Asana, you have all the important information gathered in one place, which helps you work more efficiently and drive your success as a self-employed entrepreneur.

Artificial intelligence is now an integral part of the team, helping freelancers and businesses work smarter. With Asana Intelligence and the support of the Work Graph®, you can achieve greater transparency, improved results, and scalability.

Boost your productivity with Asana – the essential tool for every freelancer!

Feature List:

• Kanban boards for visual project management
• Calendar view for tracking deadlines
• Task dependencies to ensure that tasks are completed in the correct order
• Customizable templates for recurring tasks, task lists, and projects
• Integration with other tools such as Gmail, Slack and Trello
• Mobile app for project management on the go

Pricing: free basic version, starter version from €10.99/month

Notion

Notion proudly calls itself the “all-in-one workspace” for creatives in product design, engineering, HR, design, sales, and marketing. It goes far beyond a simple note-taking program, serving instead as a powerful tool for organizing information and boosting productivity .

Notion boasts that freelancers, small creative teams, up-and-coming startups, and renowned Fortune 500 companies alike rely on this versatile tool. Whether you work alone or as part of a team, Notion offers the ideal platform for any work environment. However, the learning curve for individuals shouldn't be underestimated.

However, if you're looking for a long-term tool for all aspects of project management, time tracking, and a central knowledge base, then don't be put off by the somewhat steep learning curve at the beginning. In the long run, this tool will be invaluable.

Notion is a highly versatile application that combines the features of Microsoft Word, Excel, and OneNote. In addition to word processing, the software also offers a comprehensive calendar and the familiar Kanban boards from Trello. Even creating databases is possible with Notion. The cloud-based application can be conveniently used in a browser or as a desktop or mobile app.

Notion Product Tour:

Feature List:

• Collaborative workspace à la Google GSuite
• Creating and assigning tasks with due dates and task prioritization
• To-do lists
• Project planning with calendar view and templates
• Integration with Slack, GitHub and more
• Knowledge base with templates, content feedback and comments

Pricing: Private use of Notion is free, while the team version is available from $8 per user/month.

Trello

Whether you're a freelance writer, designer, or developer, Trello can help you stay organized and manage your workload. This tool allows you to create boards for different projects and add cards for each task.

This allows you to keep track of your various tasks and easily move them between different lists as you progress. Trello's ease of use makes it one of the most effective productivity tools for freelancers.

Trello not only helps you optimize your workflow, but also save time and work more productively. The visual representation of your projects gives you a clear overview of what needs to be done – whether it's a blog post, a new design project, or a software development task.

This makes Trello the ideal tool for freelancers who want to use their time efficiently and need to focus on multiple projects simultaneously. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to understand and quick to set up.

Trello is definitely one of the best project management tools for all freelancers out there!

Feature List:

• Visual and intuitive project management interface
• Customizable boards, lists, and cards for organizing tasks
• Collaboration features for team members and customers
• Integration with various platforms, including Google Drive, Slack, and Toggl
• Mobile app for project management on the go
• Power-up options to improve functionality

Pricing: free basic version for individuals, for small teams from $5 USD/month

Basecamp

Basecamp is an excellent all-in-one project management solution that offers numerous useful features. With to-do lists, message boards, and cloud storage, you can efficiently organize your team and store all relevant information in one central location.

This software is particularly well-suited for projects with multiple stakeholders, especially complex projects with diverse responsibilities. For example, if you work as a social media marketing freelancer and have additional team members handling graphic design tasks, Basecamp can help you maintain an overview and optimize collaboration.

The clear structuring of tasks and communication ensures that all team members are always up-to-date and can collaborate effectively. Basecamp also allows you to securely store and easily access important documents – an indispensable tool for successful project teams.

Pricing: from $15 per user per month

monday.com

The monday.com Work OS is a versatile no-code/low-code platform that empowers teams across all industries to manage their workflows . With various plans and the ability to integrate work tools and apps, it provides all the building blocks for increased productivity and improved teamwork.

Starting with the Basic plan for three users and going all the way up to the Enterprise plan, numerous features are available, such as no-code automation, advanced analytics, and reporting. The platform is used by over 152,000 customers worldwide and complies with the GDPR Privacy requirements .

Of particular note is the data security, with enterprise customers having the option of storing their data in the EU data center in Frankfurt am Main. With a starting price of €8 per user per month, monday.com Work OS is a compelling solution for efficient workflows and improved team collaboration.

With monday.com Work OS, teams gain a tool that strengthens collaboration and increases efficiency. The platform offers numerous templates and solutions for various use cases, from project management to HR and software development. Thanks to its customization options, workflows can be intuitively adapted.

Centralization and clarity of work processes are key, supported by powerful dashboards. Online resources such as tutorials and webinars facilitate use. Overall, monday.com offers compelling, specific solutions based on the Work OS.

Probably not a suitable choice for individual freelancers. Definitely worth considering for teams.

Feature List:

• Dashboards
• Numerous integrations
• Automations
• Gantt – Visualize project milestones Kanban board
• Document Management
• File management
• Forms for collecting and managing job requests in one central location

Pricing: Basic version free for up to 2 people, then from €8 per month per person

11 online collaboration / collaboration tools

Collaboration tools are particularly advantageous for freelancers, as they enable easy collaboration regardless of time and place.

Here are our top picks in this area:

Miro

Miro is the ideal tool for freelancers to collaborate visually with clients and colleagues. The platform offers numerous features to support projects, brainstorming, and client meetings. With free access to key features, Miro is among the best tools for freelancers in 2025.

The software was developed to make remote work and teamwork more efficient, with a focus on meetings, brainstorming, and strategy planning. Miro offers solutions for various areas such as product management, engineering, and marketing.

Different pricing packages allow users to access additional features such as micro-smart diagramming. Flexible billing enables users to adjust costs to their individual needs.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• Digital whiteboards for the visual organization of ideas, projects, and workflows
• Features for collaboration, including real-time editing and commenting
• Templates for various types of projects and workflows, including Agile, Kanban, and Design Thinking
• Integration with popular tools like Slack, Trello and Dropbox
• Video conferencing and screen sharing features
• Customizable widgets and shapes to make your whiteboards more engaging and interactive

The starter version is usable from $8 per user per month.

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• Extensive number of pre-made templates
• Intuitively operated software
• Great for visualizing ideas and concepts
• Talktracks and interactive walkthroughs save time
• Existing working methods can be combined through more than 100 integrations

• Somewhat confusing at times, especially on small screens
• Sometimes there are delays in team synchronization

Hive

Hive provides teams with comprehensive resources for planning, tracking, and executing daily tasks. With features like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, time tracking, and collaboration, the tool adapts to and automates diverse workflows. It also integrates seamlessly with popular applications such as Zoom, Dropbox, and Google Workspace.

Web designers, graphic designers, and freelancers typically manage multiple projects simultaneously, each consisting of various subtasks and at different stages of progress. With Hive, after a brief learning curve, it becomes extremely efficient to maintain an overview of every task across different work areas and simultaneously see the status of each overall project at a glance.

This clarity is further enhanced by the option to assign specific workflow statuses to individual tasks. Integrations and automations complement these functions in a variety of ways.

Feature List:

• Calendar and time tracking
• Project management with Kanban system and task management, numerous templates available
• Gantt charts
• Request Intake: Comment and reaction functions for feedback and collaboration
• numerous integrations
• Automation tools

Pricing : free Light version for individual users, team licenses from $5 per user per month.

Loom

Loom allows you short video messages , and feedback in a more personal and engaging way. This tool is especially useful for freelancers who need to collaborate with clients and team members remotely and want to offer a more interactive experience.

Communicate more effectively and efficiently with your customers and teammates. Loom saves you and your customers a tremendous amount of time. Avoid unnecessary meetings or video calls with other team members by using Loom!

Feature List:

• Quick and easy video recording and sharing
• Screen recording for sharing tutorials or presentations
• Customizable video settings and playback speeds
• Comment and reaction functions for feedback and collaboration

Prices : free for individuals

Google Workspace

Google Workspace brings together Google's cloud-based productivity applications, making it easier to communicate effectively, create content, back up files, and work seamlessly together across all devices.

It is suitable for both individuals and organizations and offers a variety of business tools for different needs.

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating Hands-on Video(s)

• Gmail : a secure, intelligent, and intuitive email solution
• Docs : Create text documents directly in the browser and edit them with multiple people simultaneously.
• Calendar : Integrated online calendar
• Tables : Analyze and visualize data using Google's AI tools
• Drive : Store, retrieve, and share files in a secure cloud storage space.
• Presentations
• Keep : Notes
• Chat : Collaborate across different communication channels
• Google Meet : Secure video and telephone conferences
• Vault: Data storage and e-discovery for Google Workspace with reliable protection of sensitive company data

Business Starter from €6.80 / month

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Collaboard

Collaboard is the perfect solution for companies and organizations looking for an efficient way to manage projects, optimize team communication, and coordinate workflows. With Collaboard, real-time online meetings are possible, enabling open and interactive collaboration.

The flexible platform offers various configuration options to meet individual customer requirements. Collaboard enables seamless teamwork and maximum efficiency in project implementation, more convincingly than ever before.

Pricing: free basic version, for individuals with more than 3 projects from €3/month

MindMeister

MindMeister is an innovative cloud-based tool that helps freelancers organize their ideas in a visually appealing and efficient way. Using mind maps, they can structure their thoughts and optimize creative processes.

MindMeister's real-time collaboration feature allows freelancers to work together on their projects, regardless of their location. This means greater flexibility for teams to exchange ideas and further develop concepts.

With its intuitive user interface, MindMeister not only simplifies the creation of sophisticated mind maps, but also facilitates team collaboration. The ability to integrate with other tools also makes it easy to seamlessly incorporate existing workflows.

Overall, MindMeister offers an innovative solution for freelancers to improve their creative processes and achieve more successful results. This allows them to collaborate more effectively and make better decisions faster – regardless of where each team member is located.

Feature List:

• Create and edit mind maps collaboratively in real time
• Access mind maps from any mobile device with an internet connection
• Export mind maps as PDFs or images
• Attach files and add notes to mind map topics
• Integrations with other project management tools
• Adapt themes and styles to your brand or your personal preferences

Pricing: free basic version, extended features from €6 per month

Training

Trainual is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform primarily designed as a business playbook, knowledge management system (KMS), and employee training tool. Its goal is to centralize business processes, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in an easily accessible, step-by-step format.

Trainual also offers valuable SaaS features and benefits for freelancers, creatives, and small teams working online. Its core functionality lies in transforming knowledge into structured, trackable training content, making it extremely valuable for small, rapidly growing organizations, agencies, and individual practitioners seeking support.

The software is particularly helpful for our target group in the following scenarios:

• Documentation & Knowledge Management: As a "single source of truth," Trainual eliminates wasted time searching for "how-to" information. For creatives and freelancers, this means easily documenting complex workflows (e.g., client handovers, software setup, storing creative assets) so they are repeatable and not lost when an employee or contractor leaves the company.
• Online collaboration: Standardized creation ensures that processes are created and refined collaboratively. It prevents knowledge silos and ensures that policy updates are applied clearly and universally within a small, often remote team.
• Providing after-sales services to customers: Freelancers and agencies can turn their post-delivery or implementation checklists into a training manual, ensuring that every customer receives the same high-quality, standardized handover and support, which is crucial for positive customer reviews and scaling.
• Reduced onboarding time: New employees, contractors, or team members can be brought up to speed quickly and consistently without the owner/manager having to repeatedly explain the same things. This is crucial for efficiently scaling a business.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• Provides a central, searchable hub for all processes, policies and procedures (SOPs).
• Supports extensive multimedia content (videos, images, embedded files) and AI tools for automatic content generation.
• Enables multiple team members to simultaneously edit content, leave comments, provide feedback, and manage content approvals – all with version history tracking.
• Training tracking: You can assign specific post-sale workflows to your team.
• "Public Share" features that allow you to securely share certain documents or training content with external parties such as customers or suppliers.
• Role-based assignments, automated training paths, and completion tracking with tests.
• Mobile App
• HRIS synchronization, integration via Slack and Zapier into thousands of tools

Trainual operates a tiered, seat-based subscription model that depends heavily on the number of users (seats) and is usually billed annually at the lowest rate.

…

• User-friendliness and intuitive design
• Effective onboarding and training
• A major advantage is the ability to track team progress.
• Centralized knowledge hub
• Multimedia content integration

• The lack of certain functions, e.g., fillable forms, to set expiry dates for required courses.
• Although it is appreciated for its features, the pricing structure, which starts at a relatively high monthly minimum for a small user group, is often described as too expensive or “overpriced” for a small startup or solo freelancer.

Stackfield

Stackfield – made and hosted in Germany – is also a great collaboration tool for teams, offering all the essential features for effective teamwork. With task management, project planning, video conferencing, team chat, whiteboards, and file sharing, it combines everything in one place.

The user interface can be customized to create an intuitive and clear working environment. Stackfield enables teams to work more efficiently and increase their productivity.

Stackfield places the highest value on Privacy by storing all data on German servers and processing it exclusively within the EU. The platform is GDPR-compliant and certified according to several ISO standards, thus guaranteeing comprehensive Privacy standards.

Stackfield also offers additional security features such as rights management and end-to-end data encryption. This ensures that even Stackfield has no access to the content of chat messages, tasks, or files.

Probably not suitable for individual freelancers. Definitely worth considering for teams or multiple partners on larger projects.

Feature List:

• Task management
• Project planning
• Video conferences
• Team chat
• Whiteboards
• File exchange
• To-do lists
• Task prioritization
• Time recording
• Assignments & Dependencies
• Server location DE

Prices: from €11 per user per month

HolaBrief

In the creative industry, creative briefs essential to avoid misunderstandings with clients and build a solid foundation for long-term relationships. HolaBrief is a tool for freelancers that helps to clearly define expectations and make the process more efficient.

With over 10 interactive exercises, it enables you and your clients to quickly resolve issues. Using pre-made briefing templates saves time while still allowing for individual customization. This tool helps freelance creatives collaborate successfully with their clients from the outset, meeting or even exceeding their expectations.

Feature List:

• Briefing templates
• Interactive exercises
• Moodboards
• Project goals
• Strategic checklists
• Guest access for customers
• PDF exports
• Online and offline sharing
• Custom integrations

Pricing: HolaBrief can be used for free. A paid version expands the features ($18/month).

12 productivity tools

One of the biggest advantages of being a freelancer is the flexible schedule and the ability to choose which projects to take on. However, the downside is that there's no one to monitor or motivate you, which can lead to a loss of focus.

As a freelancer, you also have to take care of everything in detail. Among the most important tools for freelancers are productivity tools that help you keep track of everything.

Evernote

Evernote is an extremely useful tool for freelancers to stay efficiently organized and fully focused on their work. With this versatile note-taking app, you have everything you need to capture project ideas, manage important client notes, and keep track of deadlines.

Thanks to Evernote's numerous features, you can store and link all your information in one central location. This allows you to quickly access relevant data and never lose sight of important details.

Evernote makes managing your projects a breeze – whether it's preparing brainstorming sessions or documenting the next steps in your workflows. Say goodbye to the chaos of disorganized notes and ensure your tasks are completed in a structured way with Evernote.

Feature List:

• Organize notes, documents, and ideas in one place with customizable notebooks and tags
• Capture and save web pages, emails, and images with the Web Clipper extension
• Collaborate with others by sharing notes and notebooks and chatting within the app
• Access and edit notes on any device, even offline
• Use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to search for text in images
• Create task lists and set reminders to keep track of tasks and deadlines
• Save time with templates for common note types such as meeting minutes or project plans

Pricing: free basic version

Setapp for Apple users

Setapp is a subscription service from MacPaw, the developers of the Mac optimization software CleanMyMac . This subscription provides access to over 250 premium applications for a low monthly price starting at $9.99. MacPaw achieves this by entering into licensing agreements with the developers of these apps, who then receive royalties based on user usage and downloads.

The first stable version of Setapp was released in January 2017. The subscription model proved to be a great success, attracting tens of thousands of users. Thanks to the 7-day free trial, which didn't require a credit card, Setapp likely attracted up to 200,000 users to participate in the trial version.

13 Security / Protection of Data & Transactions

LastPass

LastPass is an extremely useful tool for securely managing passwords, specifically designed for freelancers who need to manage a large number of logins and passwords. With LastPass, you can securely store and manage all your passwords in one place, eliminating the need to remember or write down individual login details.

Thanks to LastPass's encryption technology, your sensitive data is always protected and accessible only with a master password. This eliminates the need to constantly reset forgotten passwords. LastPass's user-friendly interface also allows you to easily manage multiple accounts and use even complex password combinations with ease.

This saves you time and hassle in your daily computer work. Enjoy greater online security – with LastPass as an indispensable tool for efficiently managing your digital identities!

Feature List:

• Securely store and organize passwords, credit card information, and personal notes
• Generate unique, secure passwords for all your online accounts
• Automatically enter login credentials for websites and apps
• Share passwords and notes with trusted family members and colleagues
• Add an extra layer of security with options like fingerprint or facial recognition
• Access your passwords and notes on all your devices, including smartphones, tablets
• Check the strength of your passwords and receive notifications of violations or suspicious activity

Prices: Premium from €2.90 per month

1Password

1Password is considered one of the leading password managers on the market. Its cross-platform functionality, user-friendliness, fair prices, and above all, its strong security make it particularly outstanding.

1Password's vault is protected by industry-leading encryption technology, uses biometric authentication, and secures each user account with a 34-digit security code. A particularly noteworthy feature is "Travel Mode," which offers additional protection for sensitive login credentials when crossing borders—all at a very attractive price.

All in all, 1Password is a powerful password manager. While there is no free version or money-back guarantee, a risk-free 14-day trial is available.

Prices: from $2.99/month

Surfshark

As a freelancer, you often work in different locations, including cafes with public Wi-Fi. A VPN protects you from hackers who could steal your data. Surfshark is a reliable tool that protects your online identity and makes your browsing safe.

It doesn't log any activity, hides your IP address, and blocks annoying ads and malware. The kill switch feature ensures your connection is automatically disconnected if the VPN drops out, protecting your sensitive data.

Be sure to invest in a VPN to work safely and without worries as a freelancer.

Feature List:

• No-logs policy
• Stealth mode
• No Borders Mode
• Split tunneling
• Emergency stop switch
• Add-free experience
• Security reports
• Warnings
• Unlimited number of devices

Pricing: Surfshark prices start at $2.49/month.

NordVPN

NordVPN remains one of the best VPNs on the market , thanks to its high speed, excellent online security tools, and features for streaming and torrenting. The app's user-friendliness, protection while browsing the internet, and innovative features are further advantages that make NordVPN a worthwhile product.

With its affordable price, high security, and top-notch performance, NordVPN secures first place in many rankings of the best VPNs. The provider offers various payment options and strong encryption with additional security features such as Onion over VPN and Double VPN.

Independent audits confirm NordVPN's no-logs status, which speaks to its genuine security. With high speeds, torrenting support, and the ability to unblock virtually any streaming service, NordVPN stands out as a compelling choice.

Device support is good, but the limit of six simultaneous connections is one of the most restrictive in the industry. The introduction of Nord's Meshnet feature now allows up to 60 devices to be securely connected, opening up many possibilities. 24/7 support and a knowledge base are further advantages of the service. Overall, it's one of the best VPN services on the market, especially after the number of supported devices was increased to 10.

Feature List:

• RAM-only server infrastructure
• The fastest VPN we tested
• NordVPN's no-logs policy is one of the most reliable on the market
• Meshnet function for remote access to devices
• Robust, independently tested security features
• Unlocks geographically restricted streaming websites
• Smart DNS, split tunneling & router compatibility
• ioXt certification
• Affordable price
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Pricing: NordVPN offers three pricing plans: Standard, Plus, and Ultimate. The cost depends on the subscription you choose. Available options include 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year subscriptions. The cheapest plan costs €8.29 per month.

You can get NordVPN for free with a 7-day free trial. During this trial period, you can use NordVPN with any device.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is also among the leading providers in this field and is regularly ranked among the best VPN services. It's known for its impressive speeds, excellent unblocking features, and a global server network – but did you know it's also one of the most secure VPNs available?

However, this remarkable security comes at a price. Monthly fees start at $6.67 for the annual plan and can reach up to $12.95 for a single month of protection. Despite its unparalleled security, the company still lags behind NordVPN and Surfshark in terms of overall offering.

This VPN is not part of a bundle with other security solutions. ExpressVPN is primarily a virtual private network designed to perform basic VPN functions extremely effectively. In addition, it includes some extra features intended to make your life easier.

The VPN package includes ExpressKeys, a password manager for iOS, Android, and Chrome that uses the same Zero Trust encryption as ExpressVPN. While less customizable than some leading password managers, it allows for functional password management across devices. The VPN also offers a powerful ad blocker and parental controls to keep your children's devices safe.

An integrated tracker and malware blocker works at the DNS level to protect against viruses and fake websites. The split tunneling feature lets you choose which data is routed through the VPN tunnel – ideal for applications like Android Auto. Furthermore, ExpressVPN is the first to offer an anonymous IP assignment system for dedicated IPs using Amazon Nitro Enclaves, ensuring your anonymity.

Feature List:

• Secure VPN
• Express Keys
• Password manager for iOS, Android and Chrome
• Ad blocker
• Child lock
• Tracker and malware blocker
• Split tunneling function
• Anonymous IP allocation system for dedicated IPs

Prices start at $6.67 (with annual billing). Use this promotional link (special offer) to get 3 extra months with a 12-month subscription. You can also use this promotional link (trial version) to test the service risk-free and free for 30 days.

14 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) / customer acquisition

Freelancers should also use a CRM system or an alternative solution for managing contacts and customer relationships. Even without team members, a CRM specifically designed for freelancers allows them to automate tasks and manage leads, customer projects, and documents such as invoices and quotes on a single platform.

In addition, these tools offer communication options to get in touch with customers via email, telephone or live chat.

Zoho CRM

You need a reliable social media CRM: Zoho CRM enables the integration of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and is the optimal CRM for social media management for freelancers.

Once connected, users can monitor their followers, interact with them, generate leads through campaigns, and send direct messages to customers. Furthermore, freelancers can strengthen their brand through content posts from the CRM.

You want cost-effective workflow automation: One of the main advantages of using Zoho is its affordable workflow automation. Features are available in the "Free Forever" and "Standard" plans, allowing freelancers to focus on their clients by automating recurring tasks like email follow-ups or data updates.

In addition, they receive notifications about sales activities via email and can create planned actions based on time intervals.

Zoho CRM is the ideal solution for freelancers and self-employed individuals who want to use social media to increase brand awareness and generate leads. Thanks to its free and low-cost plans, this provider is at the top of our list. Business coaches, consultants, and freelance content creators can also benefit from this powerful yet affordable social CRM.

The cost-effective workflow automation tools also enable individual business owners to achieve a level of productivity comparable to a larger team.

Feature List:

• Lead, account and contact data management with activity tracking
• Storing documents in files
• Deal tracking
• Custom email templates
• Workflow automation
• CRM reports

Pricing: Free basic version for individuals

HoneyBook

HoneyBook is a tailor-made CRM system specifically designed for self-employed contractors and freelancers. It includes all the modules necessary for running a sole proprietorship, such as customer management, project management, and quote creation.

Furthermore, it offers features for payment processing, scheduling, digital signatures, invoicing, and managing services and prices. A major advantage of HoneyBook is its cost-effective payment processing function.

With the Starter plan, starting at $8 per user per month, freelancers can send invoices to their clients, allowing them to pay by credit card or ACH bank transfer. Despite payment processing fees, this feature remains the most cost-effective within the system.

Feature List:

• Unlimited customer and project storage
• Project management pipeline
• Web forms to forward contact information as leads to the CRM
• Chrome extension for generating leads from Gmail inbox conversations
• Invoicing and payment processing, including tools for recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders and discount settings
• Contract and offer management with electronic signatures
• Service selection and booking for customers
• Managing the customer portal for accessing project details and progress
• Calendar synchronization for projects, events, and meeting data
• Mobile CRM
• Task management with time tracking
• Third-party email and calendar integration
• Templates for emails, invoices, contracts and pricing guidelines

Prices: from $8 per month

HubSpot CRM

As a newly minted freelancer looking to increase brand awareness, HubSpot offers exactly what you need. It provides marketing and content management hubs that you can connect to the Sales Hub or combine into a suite.

This way you have the opportunity to launch mass email campaigns and online ads, host a blog or video library, gain insights into search engine optimization (SEO), conduct content A/B tests and create landing pages.

Especially for solopreneurs, HubSpot CRM is one of the best CRMs due to its excellent user-friendliness. This is because it offers a free plan that provides access to all software hubs while ensuring a high level of CRM usability.

Users benefit from a quick and uncomplicated setup process as well as a clear and modern user interface for system navigation – combined with intuitive usability of the tools with minimal training effort.

Feature List:

• Storage for contact and company data with document attachments and activity tracking
• Access to the app marketplace for third-party integrations
• Deal tracking
• Offer preparation
• Schedule
• Live chat engagement
• Chatbots with artificial intelligence (AI) for ticket creation, meeting booking and lead qualification
• Ad management for website audiences
• Direct and mass email marketing with automation
• Blog management with basic SEO suggestions
• Landing page designer with templates
• Customer service ticket management

Pricing: free basic version

Streak CRM

Streak CRM was specifically developed for Google Workspace. Its unique Gmail plugin allows you to coordinate your sales activities and manage email communication through a single interface.

There is a free plan for individual users that allows you to customize your pipeline without leaving Gmail.

In addition, self-employed individuals can also use it to track and organize their sales transactions, invoices, and customer projects.

Feature List:

• Sales pipeline, contact and deal management
• 50 daily mass emails
• 500 data lines in the pipeline
• Email templates and email tracking
• Google Workspace integrations
• Tasks and reminders

Pricing: free basic version

Insightly CRM

Insightly CRM's integrated project management module is available in all plans. Freelancers and sole proprietors can set up automated queues to automatically create tasks and milestones for each new project.

Starting with the Plus plan ($29 per user, monthly), you have the ability to link contacts to represent business-to-business (B2B) relationships. This allows you to track relationships between leads, customers, and companies within your CRM record.

Feature List:

• 2,500 contacts
• Five email templates
• 10 daily mass emails
• Lead, contact, organization and opportunity management
• Custom fields and page layouts
• Basic project management (converting won leads into projects and managing milestones)
• QuickBooks Online, PandaDoc and Xero integrations
• Access to the help center, editorials, and video tutorials

Pricing: free basic version

Hunter

Hunter is an extremely effective and reliable tool that allows freelancers to search specifically for the email addresses of professionals and companies. With Hunter, you can quickly find and verify the contact details of potential clients and employees.

This is especially helpful for freelancers who want to expand their network or are looking for new business opportunities. By using Hunter, freelancers save themselves tedious research and time-consuming searches.

Thanks to its efficiency and reliability, it significantly supports the successful acquisition of new customers and the expansion of one's own business network.

Feature List:

• Domain search to find all email addresses associated with a specific domain
• Email verification to ensure the email address is valid and active
• Email campaigns to send personalized contact emails to potential customers
• API integration for seamless integration with other tools and platforms
• Chrome extension for directly searching for email addresses on a website

Pricing: free basic version with severely limited functionality, starter version from €34 per month

15 social media management tools

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a helpful social media management tool for freelancers who want to effectively manage their online presence. With Hootsuite, you can effortlessly manage and optimize your various social media accounts from a central platform.

Plan your posts in advance, publish them at optimal times, and always keep track of your engagement. Thanks to Hootsuite, you can not only save time but also increase the effectiveness of your social media activities.

Track your performance with detailed analytics and metrics to find out which content resonates best with your audience. Hootsuite also allows you to respond to interactions in a targeted way, helping you build a strong social media presence.

Furthermore, Hootsuite offers the possibility of teamwork – be it with other team members or even customers.

Together, content can be created and planned, and feedback can be exchanged directly within the platform. This ensures seamless collaboration for a professional social media presence.

Feature List:

• Centralized social media management platform
• Planning and publishing social media posts across multiple platforms
• Listening to and monitoring social media for brand mentions and engagement
• Analytics and reporting functions for tracking social media performance
• Collaboration features for team members and customers
• Integration with various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Prices: from €99 / month

Content Studio

ContentStudio 's feature set goes far beyond simply posting and managing social media content. In addition to comprehensive planning and campaign analysis tools, the ability to create and launch AI-powered content for over 30 social media and blog channels via a single platform significantly simplifies daily social media marketing tasks.

A platform for efficient content marketing and social media management, particularly well suited for publishers, brands, agencies, freelancers and start-ups who want to continuously distribute their content to their target audience and increase their reach.

ContentStudio's features include the Discovery , Planner , Publisher , and Analytics , as well as native integrations. Currently, more than 150,000 users utilize this solution. The tool can be tested free of charge for 14 days.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• Content Discovery
• Publishing & Scheduling
• Planning with Content Calendar
• Social Analytics
• Social Inbox
• Automation Recipes
• AI Content Generation

Three options are available, depending on the features you need. A free 14-day starter plan is available for testing.

• Easy to use surface
• Manage all social media channels via one platform
• Detailed analyses of target group and campaign success
• Good automation possibilities
• Helpful AI assistant for fast workflows

• Somewhat oversized in places
• Support has deteriorated

Buffer

As a freelancer, actively seeking clients is essential. Buffer is a useful tool to strengthen your social media presence and attract potential clients.

It serves to plan and create content, measure the performance of your posts, and derive actionable insights. It also helps to keep track of important interactions and prioritize conversations with potential customers.

Overall, Buffer is a great tool for freelancers and anyone who wants to build an active community on social media.

Feature List:

• Unlimited social media channels
• Calendar view
• Planned contributions
• Hashtag Manager
• Engagement tools
• Target group demographics
• Performance overview
• Individual post-analysis
• Dashboards
• Custom reports

Pricing: You can use Buffer for free or sign up for a paid plan ($5/month/social channel).

16 Timer & Tracking Tools / Time Tracking

Toggl Track

Toggl Track is a cloud-based time tracking software that is an integral part of Toggl OÜ's software package. It enables the precise recording of working hours for individuals and teams. This modern solution replaces inefficient paper-based systems and simplifies the management and analysis of working hours .

In addition to time tracking, Toggl Track offers features for organization, task management, reporting, and invoicing. With this simple and extremely user-friendly tool, users can analyze and increase their productivity with just a few clicks.

What I personally really appreciate about Toggl Track is its versatility and ease of use across various devices, whether on a PC as a web app, desktop app, or browser extension, or on mobile devices – even smartwatches! With over 100 integrations, Toggl Track definitely succeeds in its goal of simplifying time tracking and significantly increasing productivity.

Feature List:

• User-friendly time tracking interface
• Project and customer management
• Reporting, reports and analyses (exportable)
• Usable on almost all devices
• Many labels for marking projects and tasks
• Over 100 integrations
• The Toggl Track Pomodoro Timer is a thoughtful addition that puts an end to procrastination and helps maintain a healthy work experience

Pricing: Free for up to 5 users (the range of features is perfectly adequate for freelancers). Starter for small teams from €9/month and Premium for larger teams with granular productivity analyses from €18/month.

Clockify

Do you want to maximize your efficiency and ensure you always issue correct invoices to your customers? Then you should definitely Clockify !

This practical time tracking tool is specifically designed for freelancers to help them keep track of the time they spend on various tasks and projects. With Clockify, you can accurately monitor and effectively utilize your productivity.

Thanks to this application, you can not only manage and organize your working hours, but also create detailed reports on exactly how you allocate your time and where there might be room for improvement.

Feature List:

• User-friendly time tracking interface
• Customizable project and task management
• Integration with various platforms, including Trello and Asana
• Reporting and analysis functions to track the time spent on various tasks
• Features for tracking and billing billable hours

Prices: from $3.99 per month

Harvest

Harvest is an outstanding time tracking and invoicing tool specifically designed for freelancers.

With its intuitive interface and advanced features, Harvest makes recording working hours and creating invoices for customers extremely easy and efficient.

By using this tool, freelancers can optimize their billing process and thus fully concentrate on their work, which in turn increases their productivity.

Feature List:

• Set hourly rates and create invoices based on the recorded time
• Create and send professional-looking invoices, accept online payments, and automatically send payment reminders
• Categorize and add receipts to facilitate reimbursement or tax reporting
• Manage projects and tasks
• Detailed reports on time, expenses, and invoices
• Numerous integrations, e.g. with Asana, Slack, Stripe, etc.

Pricing: free basic version for up to 2 projects, then $10.80 per user per month

TimeCamp

TimeCamp is another great tool for freelancers that combines time tracking and project management. With automatic time tracking, you can easily monitor your online activities and increase your productivity.

The ability to organize entries via drag & drop helps you keep track of your tasks and projects.

The tool also allows you to track time for each client individually and precisely monitor their progress. With TimeCamp, you have everything under control to work more efficiently and be successful as a freelancer. Numerous integrations with other tools and apps are available.

Feature List:

• Automatic time tracking
• Manual time recording
• Edit time entries
• Billable time tracking
• Productivity tracking
• Progress tracking
• Work-by-client reports
• Billing functions
• Custom tags
• Chrome, Edge and mobile apps

Price: free for individuals

17 Video Chat Tools

Skype

Skype is an excellent communication platform that can be used for both voice and video calls. Whether you want to reach your loved ones locally or internationally, Skype makes it easy to stay in touch. Best of all, Skype is free to use as long as both parties have Wi-Fi access.

This allows you to chat for hours with friends and family around the world without worrying about high phone bills. If you do need to call landlines or mobile phones, Skype offers the option to purchase credit.

With this credit, you can dial international phone numbers and easily communicate with business partners or other contacts worldwide. Thanks to these flexible features, Skype is not only suitable for private use, but also perfect for business conferences and meetings.

Feature List:

• Audio and video calls
• Call recording
• Share screen
• Data exchange
• Share buttons
• Background effects
• Share location
• Intelligent answers
• Skype translator
• Intelligent search

Price: free

18 Writing Tools for Authors

Grammarly

Whether you're a freelance writer, editor, or content marketer, Grammarly help you create high-quality written content that reflects your expertise and professionalism.

Using Grammarly saves you time and reduces errors, making it one of the best tools for freelance writers. It detects spelling and grammar mistakes, checks for plagiarism, and offers suggestions for improving your writing style.

If you want to get into freelance writing or are already working in the field, using Grammarly is an absolute must!

Feature List:

• Advanced technology for grammar and spelling checking
• Plagiarism check to ensure original content
• Suggestions for improving sentence structure and tone
• Personalized insights into writing and performance statistics
• Integration with various platforms, including Google Docs, Microsoft Word and social media platforms

Pricing: free basic version, premium from €12 per month

QuillBot

Whether you're working on blog posts, academic papers, or marketing copy, QuillBot helps you improve, rewrite, and optimize your texts. The tool uses AI to make your content clearer, more fluent, and more professional.

QuillBot – Your smart assistant for precise and creative writing

With QuillBot, you can rephrase sentences, find synonyms, and adapt your writing style without losing the original meaning. The ability to choose between different tones and writing styles is particularly helpful—ideal if you regularly write various types of texts.
If you write frequently and value style, variety, and precision, QuillBot is an indispensable tool in your daily work.

Feature List:

• AI-powered paraphrasing in various modes (Standard, Formal, Creative, etc.)
• Grammar and spelling check
• Summary and citation functions for academic writing
• Extensions for Chrome, Google Docs and Microsoft Word

Pricing: free basic version, various premium models

Outranking

Outranking is a comprehensive SEO strategy and content creation platform . It helps users develop an SEO plan, create keyword clusters, write content, and monitor its performance over time.

Outranking 's AI applications combine artificial intelligence with human skill, helping bloggers to fully utilize the power of AI without neglecting the human aspect of content creation.

Feature List:

Outranking offers a variety of features that help SEO strategists, content creators and authors develop and optimize their strategies and analyze all their content.

• SEO Planning : Outranking allows users to create a detailed SEO plan. This plan includes all the necessary steps and tactics to improve their website's visibility in search engine results.
• Keyword cluster development : One of Outranking's core functions is the ability to generate keyword clusters. These clusters help identify and group thematically related keywords, significantly improving content strategy.
• Content creation : Outranking offers tools for creating high-quality content. The platform supports authors with suggestions for relevant keywords, content outlines, and optimization tips to ensure that the created content appeals to both search engines and the target audience.
• Performance monitoring : Another important aspect of the platform is content performance monitoring. Outranking offers detailed analyses and reports that show how well the created content performs in search engines and where there is potential for improvement.

Outranking is therefore an indispensable tool for anyone who wants to professionalize their SEO strategy and create efficient, data-driven content.

Pricing: Prices start from $19 per month

PREPOSTSEO

Prepostseo is an extremely useful platform for freelancers. It has made a name for itself, especially among freelance users, due to its extensive range of online tools for improving content.

Prepostseo offers freelance authors and bloggers a variety of valuable tools. These include a precise plagiarism checker to protect the originality of the content, a grammar checker to improve writing quality, and other tools for analyzing readability.

In addition, this platform also provides tools for rewriting, citation generation and keyword density checking to optimize content for search engines.

These tools enable self-employed individuals to improve their workflows, thereby increasing accuracy, professionalism, productivity, and overall success.

Feature List:

• Plagiarism checker
• Keyword density checker
• Paraphrasing tool
• Word counter
• Multilingual availability
• SEO Tools Widgets
• WordPress plugin
• Plagiarism APIs
• 24/7 customer support

Pricing: Available in both free and premium plans. Their paid (also premium) plans include Basic ($10/month), Standard ($20/month), and Company ($45/month).

19 Email Marketing

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a comprehensive marketing platform that enables freelancers to effectively communicate with their target audience and drive their business forward.

Mailchimp allows freelancers to build and expand their email list, create engaging emails, and design individual landing pages.

Mailchimp also offers the possibility to automate marketing campaigns and thus save time.

Feature List:

• Create and send professional email campaigns that look great on any device
• Design and publish custom landing pages to promote your business and increase conversions
• Organize and grow your email list with tags, segments, and personalized signup forms
• Automate your freelance marketing campaigns and interact with your audience based on their behavior and preferences
• Track the performance of your email and marketing campaigns with detailed reports

Pricing: free basic version

Boomerang for Gmail

Boomerang is a handy tool for Gmail that allows you to schedule and delay the sending of emails. Boomerang helps users organize their inbox more efficiently by allowing them to show or hide emails and set reminders. The application is also available for mobile devices and Android.

It boasts a range of features that greatly simplify email management for lead generation and appointment scheduling, such as the Magic Live Calendar, the Respondable AI-powered assistant, and the "Pause Inbox" function for particularly stressful moments. Despite the fees, I would say it's definitely worth it for anyone who needs to track emails and schedule messages.

Feature List:

Pricing: The basic version (10 emails per month) is free. More emails and premium features are available from $4.99 per month.

Brevo (formerly sendinblue)

Sendinblue, now Brevo , is a powerful and comprehensive marketing platform that helps you communicate effectively with your customers across multiple channels. With Brevo, you can efficiently manage emails, SMS messages, chats, and social media campaigns all in one place.

Furthermore, the platform offers numerous add-on functions for CRM organization and is a cost-effective alternative to Mailchimp, especially for freelancers. It's our personal choice for our email marketing.

Brevo, formerly known as Sendinblue, is trusted by over 500,000 businesses worldwide and offers a cost-effective, all-in-one marketing and CRM system for growing companies. Brevo's user-friendly toolkit is ideal for freelancers and small businesses, enabling them to build long-term customer relationships.

From marketing and sales to chat and transactional emails, Brevo offers a versatile product range. You choose what you need – and only pay for what you use.

Feature List:

With Brevo you can use the following functions:

• Multi-channel marketing campaigns via email, WhatsApp, SMS, web push and Facebook ads
• Trigger transactional emails, SMS and WhatsApp notifications via Brevo SMTP and APIs
• Automate marketing activities to send the right message at the right time and manage your audience efficiently
• Reduce the number of marketing and sales apps to gain a comprehensive overview of customer interactions using interconnected tools
• Engage customers in real time and answer frequently asked questions around the clock with live chat and chatbot
• Track leads, automate tasks, and schedule meetings with the Brevo sales platform
• Connect your e-commerce store to track web sales and use retention analysis to improve your marketing strategy
• Communicate with customers anytime, anywhere via Brevo's cloud-based phone system.

Prices:

Brevo's fees are based on the number of emails sent, not the number of contacts in your account. Try Brevo with a free account and send up to 9,000 emails per month (300 emails per day).

As your business grows, you can upgrade to a plan that suits your needs without straining your budget. Send unlimited emails from €7 per month – or take advantage of comprehensive marketing automation in the Business package from €15 per month.

20 All-in-One Business Management Solutions

Business software is also indispensable for freelancers, as freelancing is one of the fastest-growing business models. As a freelancer, you not only need to master your professional skills, but also manage your time, productivity, finances, and client communication.

This list presents the best all-in-one business management software solutions for freelancers to help you tackle these tasks from one central location.

If you have already taken the plunge into the world of self-employment or are considering doing so, these tools can help you run your business efficiently.

bonsai

Would you much rather focus on your core competencies instead of tedious bureaucratic tasks? Then you should Bonsai , a comprehensive suite with intelligent automation to increase your efficiency.

Thanks to Bonsai's automated and integrated design, you can optimize your business – from creating quotes to managing invoices and taxes. This allows you to work faster and take on more projects without compromising quality.

Bonsai allows you to create structured offers with customized packages, send them online, and track orders to increase acceptance rates. It also offers flexible templates for a professional brand image.

Managing customer relationships (CRM), contracts, and time tracking becomes child's play with Bonsai. Create reliable contracts with electronic signatures to protect your business as a freelancer, effectively track working hours, and generate automatic timesheets. Create customized invoices, set up payment reminders, and keep track of tasks for efficient workflow.

Manage finances with expense tracking, income reports, and tax estimates, including reminders. Create intuitive questionnaires for client onboarding, project completion surveys, and more, which can be integrated into your projects for performance measurement.

Bonsai has a global presence, including in the USA, Great Britain, Australia, and Canada, and supports 180 currency formats. According to the providers, over 500,000 small businesses worldwide use Bonsai.

Bonsai is an excellent choice, especially for freelancers in the coaching and consulting sectors.

Feature List:

• Write offers
• Manage contracts
• Time recording
• Project management
• Task tracking
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Customer forms with performance measurement
• Cost management
• Invoices and payments
• Recurring payments
• Reporting / Coverage

Short product review with product tour in the following video:

Pricing: starts from $19/month including a two-month free trial

Fiverr Workspace (formerly AND.CO)

Fiverr Workspace , formerly known as AND.CO, provides freelancers and entrepreneurs with comprehensive business management software. This application was specifically designed to save time and make everyday tasks more efficient.

Thanks to a wide range of features, self-employed professionals can create their offers, manage contracts, organize projects, record working hours and issue invoices – all in one place.

Furthermore, Fiverr Workspace offers solutions for recurring payments and enables effective task management. The integrated income and expense tracking feature, along with the ability to generate detailed reports, makes it easy for freelancers to keep track of their finances.

This all-in-one tool gives self-employed people the opportunity to organize their business smoothly and continue it successfully.

Feature List:

• Intelligent proposal design – create exquisite proposals that reflect your brand and make your offers stand out from those of other freelancers.
• Invoicing – it offers intelligent invoicing that helps you create fast and seamless invoices, saving you manual effort. Receive payment directly into your bank account in any currency you choose.
• Drafting contracts
• Automation of time tracking
• Efficient accounting – Let the platform handle all the paperwork related to managing your expenses, taxes, reports and more.
• Intuitive reports – Create reports to measure your productivity and use them to measure your business performance over a specific period, e.g., annually, semi-annually, or quarterly.
• Integrations – it supports the integration of bank accounts, credit cards, PayPal, and multiple currencies.

Pricing: Free basic version with limitations. Unlimited access from $18/month.

ClickUp

Manage all your documents, tasks, goals, chats, and more in one place with ClickUp . Create everything from simple to complex tasks and use the customization feature to design the perfect project.

Create engaging wikis, knowledge bases, and documents with ClickUp. Use the "/slash" command to share documents with others. Tasks can also be displayed in embedded Google Sheets or a spreadsheet, as well as Airtable Base, for collaborative work without leaving the app.

Send and receive emails directly through ClickUp, create tasks from within emails, automate these processes, and collaborate with your teams via email. In addition, timelines offer Gantt charts and calendars for planning your team activities. Organize your tasks as needed for better management, monitor progress in real time, and set corresponding goals.

Integrate your preferred tool to add estimates, generate reports, and track time. Plus, record videos and capture desktop screenshots directly in your browser. Manage workload and capacity for perfect process planning through improved communication with your team.

Instantly import essential data from other apps and bring your team together. Choose your preferred view from options like list view, board view, box view, calendar view, Gantt chart view, embed view, form view, chat, mind maps, and many more.

Feature List:

• Gantt charts
• Dashboards
• Native time tracking
• Memory cards
• Automations
• notepad
• Integrations
• Templates
• E-mail
• Task lists
• Kanban boards
• Sprints
• Reporting

A product tour of the brand new ClickUp 3.0 can be found here:

Prices:

Get limited storage, but unlimited members and tasks, plus two-factor authentication completely free. If you'd like unlimited storage and other benefits, choose $5/member/month.

Thryv

Thryv is an all-in-one business management platform that's a great choice for managing a freelance business. With Thryv, you can get tasks done in an organized way, receive payments faster, and establish your business as a brand.

The CRM helps manage business activities such as customer contact, appointment scheduling, and package assembly. It also allows you to create payment plans, send invoices, and accept ACH payments. Thryv also supports building an online presence by synchronizing company information with over 40 listing websites.

Valuable feedback can also be obtained by requesting customer reviews. The platform is usable on any device and offers customized plans depending on company size. A demo can be arranged before purchasing a plan to gain insight into the software's functionality.

Feature List (Command Center):

• Centralized mailroom
• Team chat history
• Phone and video call

Feature List (Business Center):

• CRM
• Calendar and Dates
• Secure customer portal
• Cost estimates and invoices
• Payment processing
• Local online listings
• Social Media Management
• File storage
• Email and SMS marketing messages

Feature List (Marketing Center):

• Extended local entries
• up to 5 paid campaigns
• Landing page templates
• Optimizing your online presence
• Real-time analytics
• AI-powered recommendations
• Website heatmapping
• Professional website

Pricing: A free basic version is available for the Command Center. Plans for the Business and Marketing Center start at $199 per month each.

vcita

vcita is a versatile platform that helps freelancers and small businesses manage customer relationships, schedule appointments, send messages, and receive payments. You can now accept bookings for your services through your website, Google My Business, or Facebook page.

With automated SMS reminders, you can optimize your workflow and teamwork. The CRM system allows you to build strong business relationships and implement targeted customer retention measures. This ensures you never miss an opportunity and simultaneously increases your company's effectiveness.

vcita's invoicing and billing features are extremely versatile and powerful. It's possible to set up a secure customer portal so that your customers, like you, can access their entire transaction history.

Furthermore, upselling is possible, and leads and customers can be retained through promotions and bundled offers. Integrated reminders also notify users when payments are outstanding. The option of mobile payment is also available for contactless transactions.

Feature List:

• Invoicing
• Payment processing
• CRM
• Marketing campaigns
• Reminder functions
• calendar
• Time recording
• Message system
• Integrations and extensions
• Personal virtual AI assistant

Pricing: starts at just $19 per month with annual billing. A free 14-day trial is available.

21 Freelancer Deals & Asset Bundles

For freelancers, solo self-employed individuals and small businesses, it is often a challenge to get their business off the ground or take it to the next level.

Building and growing a company often involves additional costs : be it for marketing measures, hiring new employees, building technological infrastructure, establishing business processes, consulting services, or developing new products and services.

These expenses can quickly become a financial burden and reduce a company's profits. At Kunstplaza , we want you to find a solution to this dilemma . We understand from our own experience and through numerous partnerships with freelancers and small businesses that every euro often counts, and therefore we list software options here that will move your business forward without breaking your budget.

Our goal is to provide you with tools that will revitalize your business while remaining cost-effective. The following platform gives you access to top-notch software deals for businesses of all sizes – helping you keep track of your expenses and stay competitive.

We firmly believe that a company's success depends not on large financial investments, but on intelligent action and the right use of resources. Let these special offers inspire you and discover new opportunities for your business growth!

Appsumo

AppSumo is an impressive online marketplace offering lifetime discounts and subscriptions for a wide range of tools and software. Valued by marketers and entrepreneurs seeking affordable solutions, AppSumo helps drive business forward.

Founded in 2010 by Noah Kagan, the platform has already gained the trust of over 700,000 customers. With a wide range of offerings, from social media management to email marketing tools, AppSumo serves as a valuable resource for those looking to grow their businesses effectively. By providing access to affordable software tools, AppSumo empowers its users to achieve long-term success through lifetime usage.

Unfortunately, the platform's customer support is not top-notch. Another disadvantage of using AppSumo is that the quality of its products doesn't always match that of their full-priced counterparts.

Despite these drawbacks, the Appsumo marketplace is a must for every freelancer, especially in the start-up and development phase, to bring their own SaaS and asset portfolio up to competitive standards at a reasonable price.

Appsumo also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee .

The following deals particularly caught our attention:

• Metricool
• Postly
• Buffer
• SocialOomph
• Plannable
• Supermachine
• KWHero
• FlexClip
• TeamCamp

Envato Elements

Envato Elements is an online platform that offers a wide range of creative assets such as stock videos, photos, audio files, and graphics. It also provides numerous templates for quickly creating content.

Online, you can find various media libraries offering complicated subscription tiers or confusing à la carte options. But Envato Elements offers the simplest subscription of all: it costs just $16.50 per month. Students even get a 30% discount. With this subscription, you have unlimited access to millions of assets – with no download restrictions.

Besides its extremely affordable subscription model, Envato also offers free options through MixKit and Reshot, which is a big plus. However, it would be desirable if all the platforms were better integrated. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth checking out.

All media are available under a simple commercial license, so you can use them for both personal and business projects – including protection measures for your created designs.

All in all, Envato Elements presents an extensive collection of media, all clearly and effectively organized with filters.

Creative Market

On Creative Market you will discover more than 4 million high-quality resources created by artists in over 190 countries around the world.

Thousands of fonts, graphics, templates, photos, illustrations, web themes, and other design resources are added daily. Accelerate your design or content creation projects by licensing a ready-made asset that's ready to use immediately.

Industry-standard design in a fraction of the time. Monthly memberships and enterprise licensing available.

DesignCuts

DesignCuts offers high-quality resources and learning materials for creatives. Join 1 million creatives and use the best brushes, textures, fonts, graphics, and courses for your projects.

DesignCuts is a great resource for fonts, graphics, illustrations, tools, and models—everything a creative professional needs to build their business. What makes DesignCuts special is that they offer these creative resources in bundles with a huge discount of 90-99%.

So instead of spending over 3,000 euros to buy 20 different font families, you can get them all for just 27 euros.

If the bundles don't suit you and you'd prefer to buy individual resources, you have access to the Design Marketplace. Here you can still achieve significant savings and even create your own small bundle by combining your purchase with other resources. The more items you buy, the more you save.

Placeit

Placeit is the largest collection of mockups and graphic design templates on the internet. The marketplace belongs to Envato.

Placeit is an indispensable tool for designers and content creators who create high-quality covers, social media posts, t-shirt designs, gaming avatars, 3D videos, mockups and graphics for storytelling.

This versatile tool makes it easy to create both static and video content. It essentially acts as a personal video moderator, helping you create engaging content. The platform offers a wealth of resources for high-quality videos as well as impressive designs for print-on-demand t-shirts.

In addition, thousands of models are available to choose from, allowing for individual customization of the visual expression.

We personally used Placeit with great success for several years. For example, to create short videos while out and about with our smartphones. The Express Video Maker is a wonderful option for us to create simple video posts or announcements that we can then quickly About us social media channels. The mobile video editor is user-friendly and offers all the necessary features and templates to create informative short videos in no time.

The combination of user-friendly operation and professional results convinced us – this allowed us to implement numerous creative ideas with only minor limitations in record time.

Envato Market

Envato Market is a collection of themed marketplaces where creatives sell digital assets to bring your ideas to life. Buy everything from Photoshop actions and video footage to advanced WordPress themes and plugins.

Over the years, we've purchased and used a great many products from Envato's marketplaces. Without these themes, templates, mockups, and scripts, a number of our projects would never have been successful.

This includes banner and e-book covers, stock photos, WordPress themes and plugins, JS scripts, video templates for Adobe AfterEffects, Photoshop SmartActions and much more.

These professional tools have proven extremely useful for implementing ideas cost-effectively and quickly, without the need for extensive development from scratch. We use Envato for both our own and client projects.

On the Envato Marketplace you will find:

• Website themes (HTML and for popular CMS)
• Site plugins
• Scripts
• Video graphics and templates
• Audio soundbites and royalty-free music
• Banners, blog and business graphics
• Stock photography
• 3D printed models
• Fonts
• Presentation templates
• UI design templates
• Add-ons for Adobe Creative Cloud and Procreate

On marketplaces, you'll discover numerous alternatives to common business and marketing resources, often at half price and without subscription fees. For example, we've found popup alternatives to OptinMonster and many other equivalent alternatives to well-known SaaS tools that are being used very successfully by web designers, bloggers, and marketers.

MightyDeals

MightyDeals is a website featuring daily deals that offers massive discounts to web and creative professionals. Generally, customers on MightyDeals can save between 50% and 90% on fonts, ebooks, icons, templates, and much more.

22 payment providers

As a freelancer, efficient financial management is crucial to the success of your business. One of the most important decisions you'll need to make is choosing the right payment account.

Freelancers typically need a reliable, user-friendly, and cost-effective payment processor to receive payments from their clients. Even with numerous affordable options available, payment processing tools should support the diverse payment methods and work models of freelancers, whether they are personal service providers, online consultants, or subject matter experts.

As a freelancer, you technically have the option of using your personal account for business transactions. However, dedicated business accounts offer numerous advantages. Firstly, they significantly simplify the separation of personal and business finances, which makes bookkeeping and tax returns easier. Secondly, a business account enhances your professional image and credibility, as clients prefer working with freelancers who present themselves as reputable businesses.

In this category, we present the best payment providers and highlight the individual strengths of each solution for specific professional groups.

PayPal

PayPal was the preferred payment platform long before working from home and freelance work became popular. It's therefore no surprise that this user-friendly platform is particularly ideal for freelancers who want to accept online payments as a business, peer-to-peer, or via marketplace integration.

The original PayPal app allows you to accept payments without a credit card reader and also offers first-class features for peer-to-peer payments. Over the years, PayPal has integrated the latest contactless payment methods.

With instant access to funds, the option of partial payments, and an extensive list of marketplace integrations, PayPal is our preferred payment processor for freelancers.

Feature List:

• Peer-to-peer payments
• Partial payments possible
• Instant access to credit
• Contactless payment
• QR code payment
• Shareable payment link
• Tap-to-Pay
• Mobile credit card reader
• Credit card scanner
• Invoicing
• Website integration
• Popular payout option for freelancer marketplaces

Prices/Fees:

• Monthly fee: $0
• Fee for personal transactions: 2.29% + 9 cents
• Invoice fee: 3.49% + 49 cents
• Online transaction fee: 2.59% + 49 cents
• E-check transaction fee: 3.49%, maximum $300
• Cross-border fee: 1.5%
• Chargeback fee: $20
• Instant financing fee: 1.5%

Wise

When it comes to choosing the optimal virtual bank account for freelancers, Wise highly recommended. Since its founding in 2011, Wise has become a reliable platform used by millions of people worldwide. Thanks to Wise, freelancers benefit from a clear focus on transparency , cost efficiency , and user-friendly features .

Compared to other offers, Wise enables significant savings on fees and provides a comprehensive selection of tools specifically tailored to the needs of freelancers.

Below is a detailed list of some of the outstanding benefits that freelancers can expect when opening a Wise business account.

Feature List:

• Cost-effective : Wise offers significantly lower fees compared to traditional payment platforms like PayPal. With savings of up to 19 times, freelancers can keep more of their hard-earned money.
• Transparent fees : Wise offers clear and transparent fee structures, so you know exactly what you are paying for each transaction.
• User-friendly features : The Wise platform is intuitive and easy to use, offering a range of features tailored to freelancers. From streamlined international payments to simple currency conversions, Wise simplifies your financial processes.
• Global reach : Wise enables freelancers to send and receive payments in multiple currencies, making international transactions faster and cheaper.
• Integration options : Wise integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms and accounting tools, offering practical solutions for managing your online business.
• Time-saving tools: The Wise business account comes equipped with administrative tools, invoice management, invoicing features, and batch payment options. These features help freelancers save time and automate important tasks.
• Optional debit card

Prices/Fees:

• Registration/Setup: 50 EUR
• Monthly fee: free
• Receiving money: free of charge
• Transfer money: from 0.39%
• Wise debit card: €4 one-time fee
• Use of debit card for ATM withdrawals up to €200 per month: free of charge
• ATM fees for withdrawals of €200 or more per month: 1.75%

Stripe

Stripe allows self-employed individuals and freelancers to accept not only debit and credit card payments, but also bank transfers directly on their personal website. For example, a freelance business consultant with their own website could use Stripe to accept payments for their online courses .

Customers have the convenient option of paying directly on the website, while Stripe handles the payment processing and securely transfers the funds to the consultant's bank account. This efficient and user-friendly payment solution allows freelancers to offer their services transparently and with confidence, resulting in smooth business transactions.

Stripe offers low standard fees for your business because service providers don't have to pay extra for things like fraud protection, American Express acceptance, or recurring payments. There are also no fees for refunds. With Stripe, you have the flexibility to transfer your customer data to another payment provider. Unlike PayPal, you, as the merchant, retain control over your customers' payment information.

Feature List:

• Global payments
• Online invoicing
• Sales and financial automation
• Banking-as-a-Service
• Numerous integrations

Prices/Fees:

Stripe charges a standard transaction fee of 2.9% plus a $0.30 fee per transaction. They do not offer discounts for micropayments, but they also do not charge monthly fees for features like recurring billing or fraud protection. Stripe currently accepts American Express at no extra charge and accepts Apple Pay payments.

Nomod

Nomod offers a platform for the secure and efficient processing of cloud payments for freelancers and small businesses across various industries. With a central interface, users can easily create payment links or QR codes and receive payments from customers in 135 currencies via various card networks. Tips can also be collected with a single click.

Furthermore, Nomod allows for the creation of detailed reports on all transactions and sales. Advanced features include tap-to-pay support, discount management, and customer database management.

A unique feature is the seamless integration with the graphic design platform Behance , making it a top choice for digital designers, illustrators and creatives.

Feature Highlights:

• Contactless payment via QR code, NFC or link
• Tap-to-pay
• Flexible transaction fees
• International payments, over 135 currencies
• Integrated time tracking
• Invoicing
• Tax reports
• Team management functions
• Behance Integration
• Tip function

Pricing/Fees: No monthly subscription costs, billed per transaction (2.9% + $0.30 in the Core plan)

23 Online Courses / Continuing Education

Coursera

Coursera collaborates with more than 300 leading universities and companies to offer flexible, affordable, and career-relevant online learning to individuals and organizations worldwide. The platform provides a variety of unique learning opportunities – from hands-on projects and courses to professional certificates and degree programs.

As a leading online learning and career platform, Coursera has been offering students worldwide the opportunity since 2012 to enroll in courses or even entire degrees in order to specialize in a specific subject area and delve deeper into relevant topics for their professional career.

Coursera's founders, Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng from the renowned Stanford University, pursued the ambitious vision of creating a platform that makes high-quality education accessible without geographical, financial or other barriers – and they have impressively realized this vision.

The learning opportunities include courses, specializations, professional certificates, guided projects, and bachelor's and master's degrees.

Most programs are in the fields of computer science, marketing, sales, and design. However, numerous continuing education programs can also be found in the arts (e.g., "Specialization in Modern and Contemporary Art and Design" at MoMA).

Feature List / Highlights:

• Location-independent continuing education at university level
• Recognized professional certificates
• Guided projects are tailored learning experiences that focus on specific skills or goals. These projects typically last only a few hours and offer a hands-on, practical approach, making them an efficient way to acquire targeted knowledge.
• Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• Professional and intuitive user interface
• Free courses
• Professional specializations
• Coursera's MasterTrack programs – advanced education at university level.
• Funding opportunities (audit program and scholarships)

Pricing: Coursera offers various pricing models and can be tested for free (some courses are free). Fees can also be reduced through audit and scholarship programs.

Skillshare

Skillshare is an outstanding digital learning platform that enables users to expand their creative skills and discover new talents. With a wide range of thousands of courses in areas such as design, photography, illustration, writing, and many more, Skillshare offers diverse learning opportunities for everyone.

Led by experts in their field, the courses provide practical experience and allow participants to receive valuable feedback from peers. Thanks to their user-friendly and flexible platform, learners can study anytime, anywhere – whether on a desktop computer or mobile devices.

Unfortunately, these courses generally don't offer a recognized certificate of completion. However, this isn't necessarily a major disadvantage for creative professionals or content creators/influencers, as it represents an investment in their own skills. Furthermore, all courses are taught in English.

Feature List / Highlights:

• over 25,000 online courses
• User-friendly interface
• Live sessions and individual learning paths
• Opportunity to become a teacher/tutor yourself
• Video lessons with detailed transcripts
• Courses are divided into easily digestible lessons (most courses can be completed in a few hours of net time)
• Live sessions with tutors
• Clear pricing model, very interesting for heavy users
• Discussion forums
• Offline Learning
• Graded homework

Prices:

The platform offers a subscription model that grants users unrestricted access to the course catalog and all features. The annual fee is €156 (equivalent to €13 per month). Despite the slightly longer contract term, the monthly costs are attractive compared to competitors. The price-performance ratio is excellent.

New users have the opportunity to get to know the platform with a free trial version without obligation before deciding on a subscription.

24 Website / Digital Business Card

Uniqo

Uniqode is a great provider of innovative QR code solutions and digital business cards that help freelancers and businesses comprehensively connect the physical and digital worlds. With a holistic platform, Uniqode provides tools and features to facilitate digital connections, strengthen customer loyalty, and drive business growth.

formerly known as Beaconstac, enables freelancers to easily create customized and dynamic QR codes that precisely meet their individual requirements. Whether it's updating business card details, showcasing products, or implementing targeted campaigns – the user-friendly platform streamlines processes without additional printing costs.

What truly sets Uniqode apart is our pursuit of excellence in analytics, scalability, and security. Powerful tracking features and seamless integration with Google Analytics deliver valuable insights into campaign performance. Simultaneously, our high-quality API allows for the effortless management of thousands of QR codes within seconds. Enterprise-level security measures protect sensitive data and ensure user safety. 

Feature List / Highlights:

• Personalized digital business cards with QR code generator
• Share business card via Apple Wallet/Google Wallet
• Two-way contact release
• Contact Manager
• Usage analytics
• GPS tracking
• Mass production
• Template management
• Multilingualism
• Integration of social media channels

Prices:

For individual users: $6 per user per month (up to 3 digital business cards), $5 for 3 QR codes; discounts are available for teams.

25 Web design & hosting

Freelance web designers must translate client wishes and project goals into a concrete design plan. This includes creating wireframes , mockups , or prototypes to visualize the website's layout, structure, and user interface.

Effective tools make it possible to translate abstract concepts into tangible designs and ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the planned final product. Wireframes outline the website's rough structure, while mockups provide a more detailed visual representation. Prototypes, on the other hand, allow for testing interactive elements and user guidance before final implementation begins.

Smaller projects can also be implemented using website builder tools . For specific requirements, there are also membership plugins (for internal member areas) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) for creating and marketing online courses, tutorials, and virtual learning environments.

A good hosting provider also guarantees fast loading times, high availability, and security against data loss and hacking.

Designmodo

Designmodo offers an innovative solution for designing websites and email newsletters to engage and reach your audience. With the Postcards Email Builder, you can create your email templates and web pages up to 20 times faster, without compromising on design and without any programming knowledge.

The tool provides all the necessary tools to make it easy for you to get started creating and customizing your email template – from start to finish in just a few minutes.

The Startup boosts every developer's productivity when building Bootstrap-based websites. Effortlessly create attractive and responsive landing pages faster using a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.

Work together with your team to integrate the ideas of everyone involved and successfully implement your projects.

Feature Highlights Prizes Score / Rating Top / Flop Hands On Video(s)

• Large selection of UI kits and design templates
• Slides framework for easily creating animated websites
• Startup Framework, a drag-and-drop tool for creating websites
• Postcards for creating email templates
• Detailed articles, tutorials and guides on web design and development

Several options are available, depending on which Designmodo modules you use. A free "Starter" plan is available for testing

• High-quality resources and user-friendly tools that enjoy a high reputation in the design community.

• Some tools may require a learning curve for absolute beginners.

26 Image editing / Photo editing

Fylm.ai

Fylm.ai was originally designed to enable professional color correction for videos. Now, the web-based editor also offers support for RAW images.

But what makes this editor so special in an already saturated market? Last year, we observed that Fylm.ai , as a web-based platform for color correction using artificial intelligence in photography, was gaining importance.

The software is now available, and the company states that the editor is the most outstanding and user-friendly tool for cinematic color correction of still images.

This statement is by no means an exaggeration, as Fylm.ai offers numerous impressive features specifically designed for color design in photographs. 

Feature Highlights Prices Score / Rating Hands-on Video(s)

• NeuralToneAI : AI color models for those moments when you need a little help or inspiration. NeuralToneAI does the heavy lifting for you, while you focus on the finishing touches.
• NeuralFilmAI: comes closest to recording a real film. Instantly improve your color quality with the power of intelligent film emulation based on neural networks.
• Export your corrections as LUTs, XMP profiles or Capture One styles, or simply save a high-resolution corrected image.
• AI Color Extract: Harness the power of AI deep learning and neural networks to effortlessly extract a color level from any image.
• AI auto-correction : intelligent automatic color correction in the context of your shot.
• Magic Mode: The most intuitive way to color correct. Create a show LUT by simply clicking the best-looking option in a structured, step-by-step workflow.

Free use for up to 3 projects with limited features. Paid plans starting at $7/month.

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