Maximizing your time as a freelancer can be daunting, especially if you are a solopreneur with a good client base. It isn’t easy to keep up with project deadlines. Therefore, you might find it challenging to keep track of various tasks. However, project management and time-tracking tools for freelancers can help make things easier for you.
These tools help you to perform simple tasks like automating invoice payments, tracking your to-do lists, meeting deadlines, etc. In this article, you will learn about the six best all-in-one productivity tools for freelancers.
So, if you want to level up your freelancing game, continue reading to discover a treasure trove of information on how to optimize your work for maximum productivity.
Table of Contents
The 6 Best All-in-one Productivity Tools For Freelancers
Join us as we walk you through the six best all-in-one productivity, project management, and time-tracking tools for freelancers.
- Trello
- Grammarly
- TaskBoard
- RescueTime
- Focus Booster
- Evernote
1. Trello
Trello is one of the simplest and most straightforward project management tools for freelancers, and its cost makes it an even better choice. The tool is excellent for those who enjoy graphs and images.
Meanwhile, you can manage your projects using the Kanban boards in Trello. Cards can also be used to indicate the tasks you are working on or that you have been given.
Additionally, you can change cards quickly and share boards with other collaborators like clients or freelancers. Trello’s free version can be upgraded to a business version with more advanced features for $12.50/month.
2. Grammarly
The next among the best tools for freelancers is Grammarly. You’ll agree with me about making minor grammatical errors while composing an email or article for a client. Is it not? Of course, it is.
Therefore, you should take great care to employ appropriate grammar and punctuation. Sadly, not all of us are proficient in grammar. So, what then can we do? Thankfully, Grammarly can be useful.
With this tool, you can quickly fix any grammar mistakes in your emails or articles. It offers free and paid services. Thus, basic grammatical errors can be found with the free version. However, the premium version will help you polish your content.
Grammarly’s monthly subscription fee is $30. The annual subscription is $144 for one year, and the quarterly subscription is $60 for three months. Additionally, you can access Grammarly as a desktop app and browser extension.
Read this article: How To Get Started in Freelance Digital Marketing in 2024
3. TaskBoard
As the name suggests, TaskBoard assists you in keeping track of your tasks. Thus, it’s among the project management and time-tracking tools for freelancers.
Almost all freelancers have been required to manage multiple projects at once, each of which is in a different stage of completion and operates independently of the others. So, you can keep track of your tasks and progress with Taskboard’s simple user interface, which won’t take you long to get accustomed to.
The best aspect of Taskboard is the free, open-source software you can download, install, and use right away. You can also completely view your board activity history on the board and personalize the colors and attachments.
4. RescueTime
You might be familiar with RescueTime due to its affiliation with a few well-known figures, like Matt Mullenweg of Automattic and WordPress. But you might not know the true value that it offers.
RescueTime allows you to monitor how much time you spend on your computer, and you can review how this time was used later. Thus, it’s one of the time-tracking tools for freelancers. Moreover, it’s time to start using your time more wisely if you discover that you spent over 15 hours on Reddit the previous week.
5. Focus Booster
Since freelancing frequently involves having a fairly flexible schedule, getting things done on time is very crucial for freelancers. While the Pomodoro Technique can be quite effective for certain individuals, it can be challenging to execute consistently without the correct tools.
And who wants to spend their entire day carrying a timer? Focus Booster, an online timer designed specifically for freelancers (or anyone using the Pomodoro Technique to get things done!), comes in handy in this situation.
This strategy, which can help you segment tasks and do them one at a time, hinges on having 25-minute work periods followed by 5-minute rest breaks. So, Focus Booster is among the best time-tracking tools for freelancers.
6. Evernote
Will you rely on your memory to keep track of your creative and innovative ideas when they come to you? The unsettling truth is that your brain is not as reliable as you might like to believe. However, be kind to it.
In today’s society, we are required to recall many pieces of information and are frequently stimulated by new information. However, thanks to technologies like Evernote, the advantages of technology assist in lessening its drawbacks.
Evernote enables you to record any insightful thoughts, visuals, or audio recordings from your computer or smartphone and then sync them together for convenient retrieval and editing from any location. It’s one of the top project management tools that freelancers can adopt. So, keep track of your ideas with Evernote so that you don’t lose them because you’re too busy.
Factors Freelancers Should Consider When Choosing Productivity Tools
Since there are several productivity tools available to freelancers, it can be challenging to know which ones are ideal for you. However, here are some factors to consider when choosing productivity tools:
- Your specific needs: What are your biggest productivity challenges? Do you need assistance with time management, project management, or communication? Once you identify your needs, you can begin to narrow down your choices.
- Your budget: Productivity tools can vary in price from free to hundreds of dollars monthly. It’s essential to set a budget before you start searching to avoid overspending.
- Your preferences: Some people prefer to use a single, all-in-one productivity tool, while others would rather combine different tools. So, consider your preferences and how you like to work before you make a decision.
- The features you need: Different productivity tools offer different features. Ensure to select tools that have the features you need to be productive. For instance, if you need to track time, you will need a tool with time-tracking features.
- Ease of use: Productivity tools should be easy to use. If you’re not comfortable with a tool, you’re less likely to use it. So, select tools that are easy to understand and use.
- The integrations: These tools can typically be integrated with other tools you use. This can help you streamline your workflow and be more productive.
Bottom Line
The freelance industry is a diversified one. Freelancers work in many different sectors. Thus, one strategy might not work as well in another.
But every freelancer requires time management, security, and task scheduling tools. And you cannot know what is best for you until you give it a try. However, you’ll quickly notice higher productivity if you maintain consistency.
More work will be accomplished in a more efficient and stress-free manner. The aforementioned six best productivity tools for freelancers are affordable and will greatly advance your freelance work.