50 Useful Apps for Freelancing Twenty-Somethings

As someone who is an entrepreneur, I’m all too familiar with the many, many apps for freelancing out there. I basically live in Google docs. What I do worry about? The integration and functionality of the apps I do use.  

The good news? From project management to invoicing, there’s no shortage of options. But which ones are the best apps for freelancers?

That depends on what kind of work you do as well as how you prefer to manage your projects. The list below is going to dive into apps I’ve used in the past as well as really useful options. I keep a running list for myself as I come across new and useful apps and thought it would be helpful to other freelancers and entrepreneurs to have a master list!

Below I cover apps for project management, invoicing, time management, gig-finding, productivity, and a small miscellaneous section for other tasks.

50 Best Apps For Freelancers

With the right apps, freelance writers can boost their productivity and creativity, manage their workloads more efficiently and find more opportunities to grow their freelancing career.

10 Best Apps for Project Management for Freelancers

1. Asana

Asana popular task management tool that allows you to create projects, assign tasks, and track progress. It offers integrations with other tools like Google Drive and Slack.

Asana offers a wide range of features that make it easy to manage tasks, projects, and team collaboration. It allows users to create projects, add tasks, assign them to team members, and set due dates. It also includes features such as file attachments, comments, and project calendars.

One of the key benefits of Asana is its flexibility. It can be used by individuals, small teams, or large organizations to manage a wide range of tasks and projects.

Asana is available in both free and paid versions. The free version offers basic features and is suitable for small teams or individuals. The paid versions offer additional features and integrations and are also designed for larger organizations or teams with more complex project management needs.

2. Trello

A visual task management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help you organize your work. It is easy to use and can be customized to fit your workflow.

The tool uses a system of boards, lists, and cards to help users organize their work. Users can create boards for different projects and add lists to represent different stages or workflows. Cards can be created within each list to represent individual tasks or items to be completed.

Trello is highly customizable, allowing users to add labels, due dates, checklists, attachments, and comments to each card.

With its simple and visual approach to project management, Trello is a great tool for staying organized and on top of tasks and projects. It has a free version as well as three tiers of paid versions with more functions, depending on your needs.

3. Monday.com

A project management tool that offers a range of features including customizable workflows, time tracking, and reporting. It has a user-friendly interface and offers integrations with other tools.

Monday.com allows users to create boards for different projects and customize them to fit their specific needs.

Users can add columns to represent different types of information, such as status, due dates, priorities, and team members. They can also add items to each board, such as tasks, projects, or clients, and use automation to simplify repetitive tasks.

4. ClickUp

A comprehensive project management tool that offers features such as task management, project timelines, and goal tracking. It offers a wide range of integrations and can be customized to fit your needs.

ClickUp allows users to create projects and customize them to fit their specific needs. Users can add tasks, subtasks, and checklists to each project and assign them to team members. They can also add due dates, priorities, and tags to each task to help with organization and tracking.

ClickUp offers a highly customizable user interface, allowing users to choose from a range of views, including list, board, and calendar views. It also offers a wide range of integrations with other popular tools like Google Drive, Trello, and Slack.

5. Basecamp

A project management tool that is designed for small teams and freelancers. It offers features such as to-do lists, message boards, and scheduling.

Basecamp allows users to create projects and divide them into separate sections for better organization.

Within each project, users can create to-do lists, add tasks, and assign them to team members. They can also set deadlines, add comments, and attach files to each task.

The tool includes a wide range of features to help teams collaborate, including message boards, chat rooms, and automatic check-ins. It also offers a centralized file storage system and integration with popular tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and GitHub.

Basecamp is available in both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering additional features like custom branding, time tracking, and advanced reporting.

Overall, Basecamp is a comprehensive project management tool that offers a range of features to help teams stay organized and collaborate more effectively. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Basecamp is a great way for teams to save so much time and streamline their workflows.

6. Todoist

A simple task management tool that allows you to create tasks, set due dates, and prioritize your work.

Todoist allows users to create projects and add tasks to each project. Users can assign due dates, labels, and priorities to each task and set reminders to ensure that important tasks are not forgotten. 

The app for freelancers also includes a powerful task scheduling feature. Because of this, users are allowed to schedule tasks for specific days and times.

The tool offers a range of features to help individuals and teams stay organized and productive, including collaboration tools, integrations with other apps, and a centralized task view.

It also includes a gamification feature, which rewards users with points and levels as they complete tasks and reach their goals.

7. Wrike

A project management tool that offers features such as task management, project timelines, and collaboration tools.

Wrike allows users to create projects and tasks, and assign them to team members. Users can set deadlines, priorities, and dependencies for each task, and track progress in real-time.

The tool offers a range of views, including list, board, and Gantt chart views, to help users visualize their projects and tasks.

8. Airtable

A flexible project management tool that allows you to create custom databases to manage your work. It offers features such as task tracking, scheduling, and collaboration tools.

Airtable is a cloud-based database management tool that allows users to organize and track their work in a flexible and customizable way. It combines the ease of use of a spreadsheet with the power of a database.

Because of this it is offering users a wide range of features to manage projects, tasks, potential clients, and more. Airtable’s interface is intuitive and easy to use, with customizable views, collaboration tools, and integrations with other apps.

It is particularly popular among freelancers, small businesses, and creative teams who need a flexible and customizable tool to manage their workflow and streamline their processes.

9. Smartsheet

A project management tool that offers features such as task management, project timelines, and reporting. It is designed for teams of all sizes and offers a range of integrations.

Smartsheet allows users to create and manage projects, tasks, and workflows, and assign them to team members. Users can track progress in real-time and use customizable dashboards to visualize their data. 

10. Notion

A versatile project management tool that allows you to create pages, databases, and boards to manage your work. It offers features such as task management, note-taking, and collaboration tools.

Notion is a cloud-based productivity and collaboration tool that combines note-taking, project management, and knowledge management in a single platform.

Notion allows users to create notes, tasks, wikis, and databases, and link them together in a flexible and customizable way. Users can also collaborate in real-time, leave comments, and assign tasks to team members.

Notion offers a range of templates to help users get started with their projects, and integrations with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Trello.

Notion is available in both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering additional features like advanced permissions, version history, and API access. While there is a learning curve initially, Notion is a great place to home your ideas for work AND life.

10 Best Apps for Invoicing for Freelancers

11. FreshBooks

A cloud-based accounting software that allows freelancers to create and send professional invoices, track expenses, and manage clients.

FreshBooks offers a range of features to help users manage their business, including automated invoicing, client management, project management, and reporting.

The software integrates with popular tools like PayPal, Stripe, and G Suite, therefore making it easy to streamline business processes.

FreshBooks is available in both free as well as paid versions. The paid version offers additional features like advanced reporting, project management, and time tracking.

12. Wave

A free accounting software that includes invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning features.

Wave offers a range of features to help users manage their business, including invoicing, accounting, receipt scanning, and payroll.

The software is available in multiple languages and supports multiple currencies. Because of this, this app for freelancing is suitable for businesses around the world.

Wave integrates with popular tools like PayPal, Shopify, and Etsy, making it easy to streamline business processes. Wave is free to use, with additional paid features like payroll and processing credit cards for a fee.

13. QuickBooks

A popular accounting software that includes invoicing, expense tracking, and tax preparation features.

QuickBooks is an accounting software designed for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers to manage their finances.

Developed by Intuit, QuickBooks offers a range of features to help users manage their business, including invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and tax preparation.

QuickBooks integrates with popular tools like PayPal, Square, and Shopify, therefore making it easy to streamline business processes.

QuickBooks is available in both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering additional features like inventory tracking, project management, and time tracking. Overall, QuickBooks is a popular tool for managing finances and growing businesses.

14. Zoho Invoice

A cloud-based invoicing software that allows freelancers to create and send invoices, track time, and manage projects.

Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing software designed for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to create and manage professional invoices.

Developed by Zoho Corporation, it offers a range of features to help users manage their business, as well as time tracking, expense management, and reporting.

I use the free version of Zoho Invoice and it was a game changer for me to become more organized and more professional with my freelance writing work. This is my favorite app to recommend!

Zoho Invoice integrates with popular tools like PayPal, Stripe, and G Suite, making it easy to streamline business processes. It also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to create and send invoices on-the-go.

Zoho Invoice is available in both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering additional features like project management, recurring invoices, and payment reminders.

15. Harvest

A time tracking and invoicing software that allows freelancers to create and send invoices, track time, and manage expenses.

Harvest is a cloud-based time tracking and invoicing software designed for businesses, freelancers, and professionals to track time, manage projects, and invoice clients.

It offers a range of features to help users manage their business, as well as time tracking, expense tracking, project management, and invoicing.

It also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to track time and manage projects on-the-go.

Harvest is available in both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering additional features like team management, project budgets, and advanced reporting.

16. Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja is a free, open-source invoicing and payment software designed for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to create and manage professional invoices.

It offers a range of features to help users manage their business, including time tracking, expense tracking, recurring invoices, and payment reminders. Invoice Ninja integrates with popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and WePay, therefore making it easy to receive payments online.

It also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to create and send invoices on-the-go. Invoice Ninja is available in both self-hosted and cloud-based versions, making it flexible and customizable to users’ needs.

17. Invoicely

Invoicely is a cloud-based invoicing software designed for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to create and manage professional invoices.

It offers a range of features that help users manage their invoicing process, including time tracking, expense tracking, recurring invoices, and online payments.

Invoicely also offers multi-currency support, which allows users to create and send invoices in multiple currencies, making it suitable for businesses that work with international clients.

The free plan allows you to send 5 invoices per month. Plans start at $9.99 after that.

18. Xero

An accounting software that allows freelancers to create and send invoices, track expenses, and manage clients.

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses and accounting professionals to manage their finances.

It offers a range of features that help users manage their financial transactions, including bank reconciliation, invoicing, expense management, and payroll processing.

One of the best features of Xero is its easy-to-use interface and dashboard. Therefore, this app is providing real-time insights into the financial performance of the business.

Other notable features of Xero include integrations with over 800 third-party apps, customizable financial reports, and also multi-currency support.

19. Bill.com

A cloud-based invoicing and payment processing software that allows freelancers to create and send invoices, pay bills, and manage transactions.

Bill.com is an online platform designed for small businesses, freelancers, and accountants to streamline their accounts payable and accounts receivable processes.

Freelancers can use Bill.com to create and send invoices, receive payments, and manage their expenses.

The platform offers a range of features that can help freelancers save time and reduce administrative tasks, such as automated invoicing and payment reminders, customizable invoice templates, and online payment processing.

With Bill.com, freelancers can keep track of their finances and improve their cash flow management, while reducing manual data entry and paperwork.

20. Akaunting

Akaunting is a free and open-source accounting software designed for small businesses, freelancers, and startups to manage their finances.

It offers a range of features that can help users track their income and expenses, create invoices, as well as manage their banking transactions.

Akaunting is easy to set up and use, and it offers a user-friendly interface that can be customized to meet the specific needs of the business.

The software also provides detailed financial reports and supports multiple languages and currencies, making it suitable for businesses that operate globally.

10 Best Gig-Finding Apps for Freelancers

When you are looking for writing gigs and building up your client base, so sometimes you need more than word of mouth, and sometimes the traditional job boards just don’t cut it.

Here are 10 apps and websites to find freelance work:

1. Upwork: One of the largest platform apps for freelancers to find work in various categories like web development, graphic design, content writing, and more.
2. Freelancer.com: A platform that offers a range of jobs for freelancers, including web development, mobile app development, content marketing and writing, and graphic design.
3. Fiverr: A popular platform for freelancers to sell their services, with categories including graphic design, content writing, video editing, and more.
4. PeoplePerHour: A platform that offers jobs for freelancers in various categories, including web development, graphic design, content writing, and social media marketing.
5. SimplyHired: A job search engine that lists freelance jobs across various categories and industries.
6. Guru: A platform that offers freelance jobs across various categories, including web development, graphic design, and digital marketing.
7. Toptal: A platform that offers high-quality freelance jobs in software development, design, and finance.
8. 99designs: A platform that connects graphic designers with clients looking for design services like logos, branding, as well as packaging.
9. TaskRabbit: A platform that offers freelance jobs for people who can help with household chores, handyman services, and other personal errands.
10. Freelance Writing Jobs: A website that offers freelance writing jobs in various niches, including tech, finance, and lifestyle.

5 Best Apps for Productivity for Freelancers

1. RescueTime: A time tracking app that helps freelancers to monitor their productivity and time management.
2. Evernote: A note-taking app that can help freelancers to capture ideas and keep track of their tasks.
3. Focus@Will: A music app that can help freelancers to improve their focus and concentration.
4. Forest: A productivity app that can help freelancers to stay focused by encouraging them to stay away from their phone.
5. Todoist: A to-do list app that helps users manage tasks and stay organized.

15 Specific Tasks Apps for Freelancers

1. Grammarly: A writing app that can help freelancers to improve their grammar and writing skills. Better recognize passive voice, sentence structure, and complex sentences with this fantastic tool!
2. Adobe Creative Suite: A set of professional-grade design and editing tools including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
3. Sketch: A vector-based design tool used to create user interfaces, web designs, and icons.
4. Figma: A collaborative interface design tool used to design and prototype digital products.
5. Inkscape: A free and open-source vector graphics editor used for creating logos, illustrations, and web graphics.
6. Gravit Designer: A vector design tool for creating illustrations, icons, and graphics.
7. PicMonkey: An online photo editing and design tool that allows users to create graphics, edit photos, and design social media posts.
8. Crello: An online graphic design tool that provides templates for social media posts, flyers, brochures, and more.
9. Animoto: A video creation platform used to create marketing videos, social media ads, and slideshows.
10. Camtasia: A screen recording and video editing software used for creating instructional videos, software tutorials, and more.
11. Audacity: A free, open-source audio editing software used for recording and also editing audio files.
12. Canva:  A graphic design platform used to create logos, flyers, posters, and other visuals.
13. Hootsuite: A social media management tool used for scheduling posts, managing multiple accounts, and tracking analytics.
14. Buffer: A social media management tool used for scheduling posts and analyzing performance.
15. Dropbox: A cloud storage service for backing up files and sharing them with collaborators.

These are just some of the tools available to freelancers that can help them to be more productive and therefore get their work done efficiently.

With the right tools, freelance work can become a much smoother process for all parties involved.

Why can you benefit from using apps?

The short answer is that is saves you time and streamlines your processes!

Having an app for freelance writing can be incredibly beneficial for any entrepreneur or freelancer. A good app can help streamline the writing process, make collaboration easier, provide access to helpful resources and tools, simplify task management, boost productivity and creativity, and offer insights into a writer’s performance.

In short, a great app is invaluable in helping a freelance writer become more profitable and successful with their freelance writing business. Also, with the right app, freelance writers can easily manage their workloads, track progress on projects, store research materials and notes in one place.

Useful apps for freelancers allow them to collaborate with other writers and editors on documents in real time, access a wide range of job opportunities from different sources, receive payment for writing jobs quickly as well as securely. Anyone using apps for freelancing will need to find helpful resources such as templates, advice and tips on writing, and even gain insights into their performance.

In addition to helping freelance writers manage their workflows more efficiently and effectively, an app can provide you with a range of other benefits. For example, some apps offer a variety of tools for editing text or formatting documents quickly and easily, which is especially useful to a new freelance writer.

Other apps offer resources for writers to find inspiration, such as articles, books or other content. There are also many apps available that allow freelance writers and editors to work together on documents in real time, share feedback and make changes quickly and easily.

Overall, having an app for freelance writing can be incredibly helpful in streamlining the process of creating content.

So, what apps do you use?

Freelancers need the right tools and apps to help them manage their freelance business. It’s truly a matter of ease of work and ultimately success in the freelancing world.

Popular apps include grammar and editing tools like Grammarly, design and photo editing tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma and Inkscape, video creation platforms such as Animoto and Camtasia.

Of course there are social media management tools such as Hootsuite or Buffer, cloud storage services such as Dropbox, and time tracking apps like RescueTime. With the right tools, freelancers can be more productive and stay organized, helping them succeed in their freelance career.

Having the right apps for your freelance career is essential to staying productive and successful. Remember to take time to research the best tools for your specific needs. In doing so, you make sure you have everything you need to get the job done efficiently. Good luck!

Leave us a comment with your favorite apps that fit in with this list plus what you like and dislike about them!

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