Freelancing can be a lucrative business, but it comes with a lot of work. It is important to have a plan and system in place so that you always remain on track. This way, you will be able to complete your tasks every week without any errors. If you want to be a successful freelancer, we have created a guide for you.
In this blog, we will tell you about the tools freelancers need to automate their business and how you can start doing it today. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
Tools for time management
In today’s freelance-driven business environment, automation is the new buzzword. There are many tools available to help freelancers manage their projects and deadlines effectively, including project management software, social media automation tools, accounting software, time tracking tools, email marketing automation tools, and more.
With accounting software, freelancers can keep track of finances and tax obligations easily. Time tracking tools help freelancers measure the time they spend on different tasks, projects, and activities.
1. Time Doctor
Time Doctor is a time management app that enables freelancers to track their time and tasks. It also provides productivity tips and advice tailored to your specific needs.
Time Doctor offers a free trial so you can try it before spending any money. If you decide to buy the app, it offers a discounted subscription rate as part of its trial offer. This would save you money if you later decide to continue using the app.
Features
- Time Tracking
- Payroll
- Timesheets
- Time Management
- Screen Monitoring
- Employee Productivity
- Attendance
Free plan: No
Price: Basic plan is $70 per user/year.
Try all plans free for 14 days!
Basic plan features
- Time tracking
- Tasks and projects
- Unlimited screenshots
- Activity tracking
2. Toggl Track
Toggl Track is a time-tracking app that can help freelancers track their work and manage their time. Togggl Track allows you to keep track of your hours, expenses, and more. It also integrates with other apps to make managing your business easier.
Toggl Track is free to use, making it great for freelancers who need to manage their time efficiently and accurately. It has a user-friendly interface and supports various platforms, allowing you to record your time from various devices. Overall, Toggl Track is a great app for freelancers who want to streamline their workflow and stay organized while working on projects.
Features
- Billing and Invoicing
- Employee Time Tracking
- Project Budgeting
- Reporting
- Payroll
- Work Hours Tracker
- Timesheet App
Free plan: Yes
Price: Starter plan $9 per user per month.
Free plan features
- Unlimited time tracking
- Unlimited projects, clients, and tags
- Exportable reports
- Web apps, mobile apps, and desktop apps
- Automated time tracking triggers
- Idle time detection
- Pomodoro timer
- CSV imports
- Personal desktop activity tracking
- Track time in 100+ popular tools
3. TimeCamp
TimeCamp is a time management tool that allows freelancers to plan and track their work and time-tracking data. It allows users to create custom schedules, track their progress, and share calendars with collaborators. TimeCamp also offers task management features and integrations with other platforms, such as Gmail and Dropbox.
This tool can help freelancers stay on top of their workload, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. It helps them organize their work and easily see how much time they have left for a particular project or task. Overall, TimeCamp is a useful tool for freelancers who need to manage their work and personal lives efficiently.
Features
- Automatic time tracking
- Reporting
- Productivity tracking
- Timesheet approvals
- Invoicing
- Billing rates & budgeting
- Time off & Attendance
Free plan: Yes
Price: BASIC plan $ 6.99 user/mo.
You can also start with a free 14-day trial!
Free plan features
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited Projects & tasks
- Desktop & Mobile app
Tools for a steady workflow
If you’re a freelancer, you know how important it is to have a steady workflow. When it comes to tools for your workflow, there are plenty of options available. From automation tools to time tracking tools, you can find the best tool for your workflow.
The best tool for a freelancer’s workflow is an automation tool. With automation tools, you can easily track and organize your tasks, project timelines, and deadlines. Some of the great automation tools in the market include Trello, Todoist, and HubSpot.
4. Trello
Trello is a popular board game for project management and task management. Freelancers can use Trello to organize their work and track progress on projects. It allows freelancers to share project plans, progress updates, and current tasks with the rest of the team.
Trello is free to use, so freelancers can access it from any device. It is great for freelancers who want to keep track of their work from anywhere.
Features
- Views
- Automation
- Power-Ups
- Templates
- Integrations
Free plan: Yes
Price: STANDARD $ 5 USD Per user/month if billed annually ($6 billed monthly).
Free plan features
- For individuals or teams looking to organize any project.
5. Todoist
Todoist is a free task management app that users can use to create, organize, and prioritize tasks. It has a wide range of features designed to help users stay organized and achieve their goals, including a “to-do list” feature that allows users to add multiple tasks at once.
Todoist is popular among freelancers and business professionals for its ease of use and ability to streamline workflow. It allows users to keep track of their ongoing projects and tasks from one convenient location, so they can stay on top of their work without constantly checking their email or social media pages.
Additionally, it has an automation feature that allows users to automatically categorize tasks by category or project. This helps them easily stay on top of the various tasks they have going on in their life.
Features
- Start each day feeling calm and in control
- Focus your energy on the right things
- Share the workload
- Personalize your task views
- Centralize all your work in one place
- See tangible progress
- Connect Todoist to your world
Free plan: Yes
Price: Pro For power users US $4 per month, billed annually US 5 billed monthly.
Free plan features
- 5 active projects
- 5 collaborators per project
- 5 MB file uploads
- 3 filters
- 1-week activity history
6. HubSpot
HubSpot is one of the most popular tools for freelancers and small business owners. It offers a wide range of features to help with workflow automation, including project management, lead generation, and email marketing. In addition to these features, HubSpot has integrations with other business-related software, making it easy to work on projects with colleagues.
One of the best features of HubSpot is its ability to track and manage tasks and project status from anywhere in the world, quickly and easily. It also allows users to share project insights and collaborate with team members via social media. Overall, HubSpot is a great tool for freelancers and small business owners who need automation in their workflow. It offers a wide range of features to help streamline the business process.
Features
- Free Meeting Scheduler App
- Social Media Tools
- Email Tracking Software
- Sales Email Automation
- Ads Software
- Email Marketing Software
- Lead Management Software
- Pipeline Management Tools
- Free Website Builder
- Sales Email Templates
- Help Desk Software
- Free Online Form Builder
- Free Chatbot Builder
- Free Live Chat Software
- Marketing Analytics
- Free Landing Page Builder
- Free Web Hosting
Free plan: Yes
Price: Starts at $800/mo.
Free plan features
- Custom reporting
- Teams
- Social media
- Campaign reporting
- Omni-channel marketing automation
Tools for social media
It’s vital for freelancers to have the best tools for social media management. This helps them stay engaged with their audience and keep track of their social media presence in one place.
7. Buffer
Buffer is a social media management tool that helps users schedule posts for a set period of time, so they can focus on other tasks while the posts are automated. The tool offers various social media management features, including tracking Twitter followers and Facebook likes. It also has analytics tools to help users track social media performance and to optimize their posts for maximum engagement.
With Buffer, users can automatically share content from their blogs or websites, saving time and effort while promoting their business or project. This automation allows users to focus on their work without constantly monitoring social media platforms for new updates. Overall, Buffer is a great tool for social media management and optimization.
Features
- Publishing
- Analytics
- Engagement
- Start Page
- Extras
Free plan: Yes
Price: Essentials $5 /month per channel Add additional channels for $5/mont Billed at $60/year.
Free plan features
- Basic publishing tools
- Landing page builder
8. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that allows users to manage multiple social media accounts from one place. It offers a range of features that can help freelancers automate their social media accounts, including the ability to create and schedule posts, manage followers and likes, and monitor their stats in real-time.
Besides, Hootsuite also allows users to track their online reputation and see which posts are performing best. This information can help freelancers improve their social media marketing strategy as they work toward reaching their goals and targets. Overall, Hootsuite is a great tool for freelancers who want to simplify the task of social media management and stay up-to-date with their social media presence.
Features
- Publish
- Engage
- Monitor
- Advertise
- Analyze
- Integrations
Free plan: No
Price: PROFESSIONAL plan $23.29/mo.
Free 30-day trial or Skip trial, get 20% off!
PROFESSIONAL plan features
- 1 User
- 10 Social accounts
- Unlimited posts
- Post scheduling
- Access to messages in one inbox
9. Planable
Planable is a tool that can help social media automation. It allows you to schedule posts in advance and track their performance over time. With Planable, you can set up analytics that shows you the success of your social media campaigns such as the number of likes and comments on your posts.
It also comes with advanced analytics capabilities-including real-time social media analytics, audience demographics, and engagement rates. This tool makes it easy for busy freelancers to stay on top of their social media marketing efforts. It is perfect for freelancers who want to maintain a consistent social media presence without over-tasking or losing focus. It can help save time and avoid mistakes while ensuring that all social media posts are planned and executed efficiently.
Features
- Create
- Plan
- Collaborate
- Organize
- Publish
Free plan: Yes
Price: Basic plan $11/user.
Free plan features
- 50 total posts
- unlimited experience
Tools for personal branding
Tools for personal branding can help freelancers build a strong online presence and foster a positive image of themselves as competent professionals. Use social media platforms to build a personal brand and connect with potential clients. Start by creating a blog and posting quality content on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This will help to establish your name and hopefully attract new business leads.
10. Canva
Canva is a free online platform that makes it easy to create professional-looking designs. It offers a variety of tools and templates to help users create visually appealing designs quickly and easily.
Canva is ideal for creating logos, flyers, and other marketing materials. You can also use Canva to create videos, websites, and more. This tool is great for freelancers looking to create marketing materials quickly and easily.
Features
- Logo maker
- Flyer maker
- Banner maker
- poster maker
- Resume maker
- Invitation maker
- Business card maker
- Video intro maker
- Meme maker
- Collage maker
- Graph maker
Free plan features
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy customizations
- 250,000+ templates
- 100+ design types(Social media posts, presentations, letters, and more)
- 1+ million free photos and graphics
- Invite others to design and work with
- Wide range of printable products to design and get delivered to your door
- 4GB cloud storage
11. Picsart
Picsart is a free photo editor with a range of features to help you create professional-looking photos. It has anti-aliasing, color correction, and other functionality to help you improve the quality of your images. You can use Picsart to add text, logos, and other graphics to your photos, which helps make them more visually appealing.
Additionally, it can be used to create videos and publications. With Picsart, you can easily create professional-looking images for social media or business purposes. If you are looking for a free tool that can help you build your personal brand, Picsart is a great option.
Features
- Background Remover
- Remove Objects
- AI Image Generator
- Sticker Maker
- AI Enhance
- Photo to Cartoon
- Background Changer
- Photo Effects
- Collage Maker
Free plan: Yes
Price: Picsart gold $1.87/mo, $22.44 billed yearly.
Free plan features
- Powerful photo and video editing tools
- Thousands of free images and templates
- Always free
12. Visme
Visme is a tool that freelancers can use to create professional-quality visual content quickly and easily. It includes tools for photo editing, video editing, and graphic design. Visme also offers a variety of templates and themes to help freelancers create a custom logo or website.
Visme makes it easy for freelancers to create professional-looking content, without having to spend time finding the right software or template. This tool helps freelancers save time and streamline their workflow, which can result in better business outcomes.
freelancers can use Visme to create professional-looking content quickly and easily. It is a great tool for creating social media posts, blog posts, business presentations, and more.
Features
- Presentations
- Documents
- Videos
- Infographics
- Printables
- Charts and Graphs
- Social Media Graphics
- Mockups
- Branded Templates
Free plan: Yes
Price: Starter US $12.25/month, billed yearly.
plan features
- 100 MB Storage
- Templates & Design Assets Limited
- Most Templates
- Regular Support
Tools for finance management
To save time and effort, automation is the best option for businesses. There are several tools that can help you manage finances easily, including receipts, time tracking, billing, project management, and customer relationship management.
13. Ruul
Ruul is a financial automation platform that helps freelancers manage their finances and expenses. With Ruul, freelancers can easily invoice clients, track project progress, and plan budgets. It features a range of features to streamline the management of a freelancer’s finances, including project management, budgeting, and invoicing.
One of the best features of Ruul is its integration with popular business tools such as Google Drive and Dropbox. This allows freelancers to sync their files across multiple devices and access them from anywhere. Additionally, several automation tools within Ruul allow freelancers to quickly create invoices or receive payment notifications. Overall, Ruul is a valuable tool for freelancers who want to streamline their finances and save time and money.
Features
- Invoice
- Legal
- Payment
- Compliance
Free plan: Yes
Price: No fees until you earn.
Free plan features
- Compensation Management
- Invoice History
- Multi-Currency
- Onboarding
- Online Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recruitment Management
- Tax Calculation
14. Bonsai
Bonsai is a popular hobby that can be used to automate financial management. Bonsai trees can be used to track expenses, income, and other financial data. They can also be used to keep track of important documents such as contracts and agreements. Bonsai can be automated using a variety of online tools, allowing you to easily track your financial information and make informed decisions.
If you are interested in automating your finances, then consider using bonsai as part of your automation process. Using bonsai to automate your finances allows you to stay on top of your business finances without having to spend time tracking down information manually. Automating your finances with bonsai will free up valuable time to focus on other business activities.
Features
- Proposals
- Contracts
- Invoicing
- Client CRM
- Scheduling
- Time tracking
- Tasks management
- Forms
- Accounting
- Taxes
- Banking
Free plan: No
Price: Starter plan $17/month.
Starter plan features
- All Templates
- Unlimited Clients & Projects
- Invoicing & Payments
- Proposal & Contracts
- Scheduling
- Tasks & Time Tracking
- Client CRM
- Expense Tracking
- Up to 5 Project Collaborators
15. Rippling
Rippling is a finance management tool that freelancers can use to track income and expenses. It has various features, including invoice automation, expense tracking, and bill-sending capabilities. In addition, Rippling offers a calendar feature to help freelancers stay organized and track deadlines.
Rippling is compatible with a number of different platforms, allowing freelancers to use it from any computer with access to the Internet. It is available for free on both desktop and mobile devices. This makes it ideal for freelancers who want to manage their finances from anywhere at any time.
Whether freelancing or working full-time, freelancers must constantly track their income and expenses to stay on top of their business costs. Rippling allows them to do this easily and efficiently without having to manually enter data or reconcile accounts.
Features
- Platform
- HR Products
- IT Products
- Finance Products
Free plan: No
Price: Starting from $8.00/month.
Plan features
- 360 Degree Feedback
- 401(k) Tracking
- ACA Reporting
- API
- Access Certification
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Access Management
- Accounting Integration
Tools for networking
Networking is a key part of freelance success. By networking with other freelancers, you can learn about new opportunities and potential clients. In addition, you can also build relationships with other freelancers that could lead to future business collaborations.
Here are some tools that freelancers should use to network:
16. Slack
Slack is a free messaging app that has quickly become one of the most popular tools for freelancers and small business owners. It offers a platform for communication between team members, clients, and collaborators.
With Slack, you can share files, conduct video chats, and coordinate tasks easily and efficiently. At its core, Slack offers a quick and easy way to stay in touch with your team from anywhere. The app is available on multiple platforms, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Whether you are working from home or on the go, Slack will ensure that your project stays on track.
Features
- Features
- Channels
- Your digital HQ
- Integrations
- Security
- Slack Connect
- Customers
Free plan: Yes
Price: Price starts from $6.67/user Per month.
Free plan features
- Access to the most recent 90 days of message history
- 10 integrations with other apps like Google Drive, Office 365, and many more
- One-on-one audio and video conversations with screen sharing
17. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking site that freelancers can use to build their businesses. The site offers a number of features that can help freelancers automate their business, including a search tool to find new clients and track their work progress. It also has a range of tools for freelancers to manage their finances and time management.
As a social media site, LinkedIn allows freelancers to stay up-to-date on industry trends and connect with other professionals in the same field. It is a great place to showcase your expertise, engage with potential clients, and grow your business over time. Whether you’re looking for new customers or just trying to stay connected with your current ones, LinkedIn is an indispensable resource for freelance professionals.
18. Indeed
Indeed is a platform that connects job seekers with employers. It offers a range of services, including the job posting, screening applicants, and tracking the progress of your job search. Indeed also has tools to help freelancers automate their business. One such tool is the hiring manager toolkit, which includes template email responses to common questions from managers.
Conclusion
Freelancing has evolved technologically, and automation is the new frontier. It allows freelancers to free up time and resources to focus on what they love most—working smarter, not harder—while ensuring their businesses run smoothly. This lets freelancers get more done in less time and spend more time with their loved ones.
It’s time you started automating your business to free up valuable time for your family, friends, and business clients. With automation tools like these, freelancers can work smarter, not harder. Get started with automation tools like these that help freelancers work smarter, not harder today!