10 Awesome Tools for Freelance Writers (That Make Work Easier and Smarter)

Introduction

Freelance writing sounds exciting, right? You get to work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and pick projects that interest you. But the truth is, it’s not always easy. Many freelancers struggle with things like finding the right words, organizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and managing clients.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it all alone. There are plenty of tools designed to make life easier for writers. From improving grammar to organizing projects, these tools act like your personal assistants. Think of them as friendly helpers in your freelancing journey.

In this guide, we’ll look at top 10 awesome tools for freelance writers. We’ll keep it simple, explain why each tool matters, and show how you can use it to save time and work smarter. By the end, you’ll know exactly which tools to try out first.

Top 10 Tools for Freelance Writers:

1. Grammarly – Your Writing Assistant:

Grammarly is one of the best tools for writers when it comes to checking grammar, spelling, and tone.

Why it’s useful:

• Catches grammar and spelling mistakes instantly
• Suggests better word choices
• Helps adjust tone (formal, casual, friendly)
• Works inside email, Google Docs, and even social media posts

Best for: Freelancers who want their writing to be polished and professional.

2. Google Docs – Simple, Cloud-Based Writing:

Google Docs is like Microsoft Word, but online. It’s free, easy to use, and perfect for collaboration.

Why it’s useful:

• Auto-saves your work (no more lost files!)
• Share documents with clients easily
• Lets multiple people edit at the same time
• Accessible on any device with internet

Best for: Writers working with clients or editors who need quick feedback.

3. Trello – Organize Your Projects:

Freelancing often means juggling multiple projects. Trello helps you keep track of everything with boards, lists, and cards.

Why it’s useful:

• Visual task management (drag-and-drop style)
• Organize writing tasks, deadlines, and client projects
• Add checklists, labels, and due dates
• Free version works well for most freelancers

Best for: Writers who want to stay organized without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Evernote – Capture Ideas Anywhere:

Evernote is like a digital notebook. Great for jotting down ideas, saving research, or storing client notes.

Why it’s useful:

• Keep all your notes in one place
• Save web articles, screenshots, and PDFs
• Search quickly to find old notes
• Syncs across devices

Best for: Writers who get ideas on the go and don’t want to lose them.

5. Canva – Design Made Simple:

Being a freelance writer isn’t just about words. Sometimes, you need visuals — for blog posts, social media, or presentations. Canva makes design easy, even if you’re not a designer.

Why it’s useful:

• Free templates for social media posts, blogs, and eBooks
• Drag-and-drop interface
• Huge library of stock photos and icons
• Great for creating client deliverables that look professional

Best for: Writers who want to add visuals to their content without hiring a designer.

6. Hemingway Editor – Clear, Simple Writing:

Hemingway App helps you make your writing clear and bold. It highlights long, complex sentences and suggests simpler alternatives.

Why it’s useful:

• Grades your writing’s readability
• Encourages shorter, clearer sentences
• Highlights passive voice and unnecessary adverbs
• Free web version available

Best for: Writers who want their work to be easy for readers to understand.

7. Slack – Communicate with Clients and Teams:

Slack is like a professional chatroom. If you’re working with a client or team on an ongoing basis, it makes communication smooth.

Why it’s useful:

• Organize conversations by topic or project
• Share files and documents easily
• Integrates with tools like Trello and Google Drive
• Works on desktop and mobile

Best for: Freelancers managing long-term projects with teams or agencies.

8. Toggl – Track Your Time:

When freelancing, time is money. Toggl helps you track how much time you spend on projects, so you can bill clients accurately.

Why it’s useful:

• Simple one-click time tracking
• Reports show where your time goes
• Helps with productivity and pricing projects fairly
• Free version is enough for most writers

Best for: Freelancers who charge by the hour or want to improve time management.

9. ProWritingAid – Deep Writing Analysis:

Like Grammarly, but more detailed. ProWritingAid not only fixes grammar but also analyzes your style, overused words, and sentence variety.

Why it’s useful:

• Advanced grammar and style checker
• Detailed reports to improve writing skills
• Integrates with Google Docs, MS Word, and Scrivener
• Helps you grow as a writer

Best for: Writers serious about improving their craft long-term.

10. PayPal – Easy Payments from Clients:

At the end of the day, freelancing is about getting paid. PayPal makes it simple to invoice clients and receive payments globally.

Why it’s useful:

• Trusted worldwide
• Send and receive money in multiple currencies
• Easy to create invoices
• Fast transfers (usually within minutes)

Best for: Freelancers working with international clients.

Bonus Tools Worth Exploring:

• Notion – All-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and writing
• Dropbox – Cloud storage for large files
• Asana – Project management alternative to Trello

Remember, these tools are optional, not mandatory. You don’t need all of them at once. Start small, try one or two, and build from there.

How These Tools Help Freelance Writers Succeed?

Using the right tools can:

• Save you hours of wasted time
• Help you look more professional to clients
• Improve the quality of your writing
• Make freelancing less stressful and more enjoyable

In fact, a recent survey by Upwork showed that freelancers who use digital productivity tools earn 20% more on average than those who don’t.

Conclusion:

Freelancing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right support, you can work smarter, not harder. These 10 awesome tools for freelance writers — from Grammarly to PayPal — cover everything from writing better to managing clients and getting paid.

Remember, you don’t need to use them all at once. Pick one or two, see how they fit into your workflow, and slowly build your toolkit.

Your next step? Try at least one tool from this list today. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll see improvements in your writing, organization, and freelance career.

You’ve got the talent. Now you’ve got the tools too.