Freelancer Starter Kit: 10 Must-Have Tools to Set Up Your Creative Business for Success

Are you a freelancer searching for tools to boost productivity and streamline your creative business? Look no further! This starter kit has got you covered.

We understand the challenges of running a freelance business – in fact, finding freelance work can be challenging for 61% of freelancers, especially beginners. To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of ten must-have tools to set you up for success, catering to all aspects of your creative work – from design and communication to finances and productivity.

Ready to dive in? Whether you’re a graphic designer, writer, photographer, or creative freelancer, these tools will help take your business to the next level. Look closely at each and see how they can benefit your creative work.

Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of creative applications, including popular design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. It also offers web-based tools for video editing, website development, and more.

With Adobe Creative Cloud, you can access all the essential design tools in one place, collaborate with team members or clients, and stay up-to-date with the latest features. Professionals and beginners use this powerful software, making it the go-to choice for all your creative needs.

One of the main pros is flexibility. You can choose a monthly or annual subscription plan, which gives you access to all the applications without purchasing each separately. This makes it an affordable option for both businesses and individuals.

Additionally, it offers constant updates and new features, allowing you to stay ahead of the game. You can also sync your files across multiple devices, making it easy to work on projects no matter where you are.

Another advantage is the vast community support. With a large user base, numerous online resources, tutorials, and forums are available to help you learn and improve your skills.

One of the cons is the learning curve. With so many features and applications, it can be overwhelming for beginners to get started.

Moreover, the monthly or annual subscription model may not be feasible for those on a tight budget. Unlike traditional software, you can purchase it once but must maintain your subscription to continue using it.

Lastly, while it offers cloud storage for easy access and collaboration, this feature may only meet the needs of some users. Some prefer physical copies or backup options for their work.

Adobe Creative Cloud offers various subscription plans, including Individuals, starting at $59.99, with a discount for students and teachers at $19.99, for access to +20 apps and services.

Businesses can opt for the Teams plan at $89.99, which offers additional features and support.

Grammarly is a writing assistant that helps you improve your grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It also offers suggestions for style and tone to make your content optimized and more professional.

Whether creating articles for your website or composing emails to clients, this is a handy tool that can save you time and improve the quality of your written work.

One of its main pros is its ease of use. You can simply install the extension on your browser or download the desktop app, and it will automatically check your text as you type.

Moreover, it offers personalized suggestions based on your writing style, making it a valuable tool for beginners and experienced writers.

It also integrates with various applications like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, allowing you to use it across different platforms.

The free version has limited features, so you may need to upgrade to a premium plan for advanced grammar checks. Also, suggestions may only sometimes be 100% accurate, so it’s essential to use your judgment when making changes.

Grammarly offers a free version with essential features and a premium plan at $12 per month when billed annually. The Business plan is also available for teams at $15 per member per month.

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a set of office tools that includes Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, and more. It offers cloud-based collaboration and communication features to streamline your work processes.

Whether working on individual projects or collaborating with team members, Google Workspace can help you stay organized and connected.

One of its main pros is its accessibility. With everything stored in the cloud, you can access your files and communications from any device with an internet connection.

It also offers real-time collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on documents simultaneously. This makes it a helpful tool for remote teams or freelancers working with clients.

Moreover, it integrates seamlessly with other Google applications, making it easy to switch between tasks and stay productive.

One of the cons is that its offline capabilities are limited. While you can access some features without an internet connection, you may need an active connection for full functionality.

Also, the storage space for each user is limited in the free version, so you may need to upgrade if you have large files or require more space.

Google Workspace offers a free version with basic features and storage and premium plans starting at $6 per user per month for small businesses up to $12 and $18, depending on the features and storage needed. So, it is a cost-effective option for freelancers.

Slack is a communication and collaboration tool designed for teams. It offers channels, direct messaging, file sharing, and integration with various apps to streamline communication.

Whether you are working on a project with team members or communicating with clients, Slack can help keep your conversations organized and easily accessible.

One of its main pros is its user-friendly interface. A clean and organized layout makes navigating and finding what you need easy.

It also offers real-time messaging, making it a valuable tool for quick communication and problem-solving. Plus, the ability to create channels for specific topics or projects helps keep conversations focused and organized.

Slack also integrates with tools like Google Drive and Trello, allowing seamless workflow and collaboration.

The free version has limited features and storage space, so you may need to upgrade to a paid plan if you have a large team or need advanced features like screen sharing or video conferencing.

Moreover, while it offers numerous integrations, some may require additional fees.

Slack offers a free version with limited features and storage and paid plans for small businesses starting at $6.75 per month per user. The small price is worth the investment for freelancers who regularly work with teams and clients.

Toggl is a time-tracking tool designed to help you stay on top of your tasks and manage your time more efficiently. It offers manual and automatic time tracking, project management, and reporting features.

Whether you are working on multiple projects or need to track your billable hours for clients, Toggl can help simplify the process and improve your productivity.

One of its main pros is its simplicity. A clean and user-friendly interface makes setting up and tracking your time easy.

It also offers multiple ways to track your time manually or automatically through integrations with various apps like Google Calendar and Asana.

Moreover, its reporting feature allows you to analyze your time usage and make adjustments for better efficiency.

The free version offers limited features, so you may need to upgrade to a paid plan for advanced functionality like project management or more detailed reporting.

Also, the automatic tracking feature may not always be accurate, so reviewing and manually adjusting can be necessary.

Toggl offers a free version with basic features and a paid monthly plan for more advanced features at $9 per user, monthly. It also provides a 14-day free trial to test the full functionality before committing to a paid plan.

Zoom is a video conferencing tool that has become popular recently, especially with the rise of remote work. It offers screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms for larger meetings.

Whether you need to conduct client meetings or collaborate with team members virtually, Zoom can help facilitate smooth communication and collaboration.

One of its main pros is its user-friendly interface. With easy-to-use features like screen sharing and virtual backgrounds, it’s a convenient tool for remote work.

It also offers high-quality video and audio, making it suitable for important meetings or presentations.

Moreover, the breakout room feature allows you to split larger meetings into smaller groups for more focused discussions.

The free version has a 40-minute time limit for group meetings, so you may need to upgrade to a paid plan if you require longer sessions.

Also, users raised security and privacy concerns in the past, so it’s essential to use secure meeting settings and be cautious when sharing sensitive information.

Zoom offers a free version with limited features and a paid plan starting at $14.99 monthly for more advanced features like larger meeting capacity and longer session times. It also offers a 30-day free trial to test the full functionality before committing to a paid plan.

Quickbooks is an accounting software designed to help small businesses and freelancers manage their finances. It offers features like invoicing, expense tracking, and tax preparation.

Whether you are just starting as a freelancer or have been in the business for years, Quickbooks can simplify your financial management process and save you time.

One of its main pros is its user-friendly interface. With easy-to-use features and a simple layout, it’s easy to navigate and understand.

It also offers automated invoicing and expense tracking, making it a convenient tool for managing your finances on the go.

Moreover, it allows you to create customized reports for tax preparation or financial analysis.

The cost can be a barrier for some freelancers, as it has a monthly subscription fee starting at $7.50 per month for self-employed individuals.

Also, the software may seem overwhelming for those who need to become more familiar with accounting practices.

Quickbooks offers a variety of plans depending on your business needs, starting at $17 per month for self-employed individuals and up to $35 per month for larger businesses with more advanced features. It also offers a 30-day free trial to test the software before subscribing to a paid plan.

Videoleap is a video editing app designed for mobile devices. It offers trimming, adding text and effects, and music overlays.

Using Videoleap’s libraries of templates shared by the user community, many of which are enhanced with AI filters, it’s easy to quickly plug your footage in and churn out a high volume of social media-ready video content.

Whether creating video content for social media or editing client videos on the go, Videoleap can help enhance your videos and add a professional touch.

One of its main pros is its user-friendly interface. It’s suitable for beginners and professionals, with simple-to-use features and a simple layout.

It also offers a wide range of editing tools and effects to enhance your videos and make them stand out.

Moreover, the app allows you to save high-resolution projects and share them directly on social media platforms.

The free version only offers limited features, so you may need to upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced editing options.

Also, it may not be as powerful as desktop video editing software, so complex projects may require additional tools.

Videoleap offers a free version with essential features and a paid plan at $8 per month for more advanced features like high-resolution export and unlimited access to effects. It also offers in-app purchases for individual effects and tools.

Asana is a project management tool designed to help teams collaborate on projects and tasks. It offers features like task assignment, progress tracking, and team communication.

Whether you are managing creative projects like website development or an SEO audit, and collaborating with other freelancers on a client’s project, Asana can help streamline the process and keep everyone organized.

One of its main pros is its user-friendly interface. With a simple layout and intuitive features, it’s easy for freelancers and clients.

It also offers a variety of project templates and customizable workflows to fit your specific needs.

Moreover, the team communication feature allows for efficient collaboration and eliminates the need for constant back-and-forth emails.

The free version has limited features and is only suitable for small teams, so you may need to upgrade to a paid plan for larger projects or teams. Otherwise, you can try using Asana alternatives.

Also, it may take some time to fully understand and utilize all the features available.

Asana offers a free version with basic features and a paid plan starting at $10.99 monthly for more advanced features like unlimited team members and project templates. It also offers a 30-day free trial to test the full functionality before opting for a paid plan.

Routine is a daily planner app that seamlessly combines calendar, task management, and note-taking abilities into one cohesive workspace. With its clean and intuitive user interface, Routine makes it a no-sweat for users to create tasks from any screen or program.

The killer feature of Routine is definitely its seamless integration of task management with calendar functionalities.

Routine is a very easy-to-learn app with a minimal learning curve, and what really makes the user experience more comprehensive is the wide array of shortcuts and views that Routine offers.

Not only that! This daily planner application offers multiple in-built integration options with Slack, Notion, Zapier, Google Calendar, among others.

Best of all? Routine has a fantastic Journal feature that lets users start journaling about the events they’ve created.

Given that the application is still in Beta, some users have reported encountering a few bugs from time to time.

Also, Routine has yet to launch an Android app and create an Outlook Calendar integration.

Routine has a Free plan suitable for students, and a professional plan for $12 per month which includes upcoming advanced features such as automations and additional integrations.

For businesses, there’s a $15 monthly plan per user, and gives access to features like custom domain, comments, and real-time editing, ideal for teams.

Routine also offers an Enterprise plan, and for pricing and feature details, you better reach out to their support team.

Envato Elements is a subscription-based service that offers a wide range of digital assets for creative projects, including graphics, templates, fonts, and more.

Envato Elements has a vast library of design elements for client work or to enhance your branding and marketing materials.

One of its main pros is the unlimited downloads feature for a fixed monthly price, making it cost-effective for freelancers with multiple projects.

It also offers high-quality assets from top designers and creators, ensuring professional-looking designs.

Moreover, it has a user-friendly interface and advanced search filters to help you find exactly what you need quickly.

The subscription fee may not be cost-effective for freelancers needing occasional design elements. Also, some assets may have licensing restrictions for commercial use, so it’s essential to check before using them in client projects.

Envato Elements offers a monthly or annual subscription starting at $16.50 with unlimited downloads and access to all assets. It also provides a free trial to test out the service before subscribing.

With these ten must-have tools, you can set your creative business up for success and streamline your processes to focus on what you do best – creating. Whether you’re a graphic designer, social media manager, or content creator, these tools will help enhance your professional image and make your workflow more efficient.

While you’re here, learn how to find more freelance work in our ultimate guide for creative freelancers! Or, head over to Envato Elements to start creating today!