39 must-have tools and apps for freelance designers

Freelancers often rely on a suite of tools to manage their time, finances, communication, and contracts effectively. Time management tools like Timely, Harvest, Toggl, and Freelancy help track hours and plan projects, while finance tools such as QuickBooks Self-Employed, Square, PayPal, and FreshBooks streamline billing and tax preparation. For communication and project management, platforms like Slack, Flow, Asana, Trello, Basecamp, and GitHub facilitate real-time collaboration and task organization. Contract creation and proposal tools, including the Creative Class Contract Course, Bonsai, and Qwilr, provide essential resources for establishing clear agreements and proposals with clients. These tools collectively enhance a freelancer’s ability to manage work efficiently, optimize income tracking, improve client interactions, and secure project agreements.