29 best content writing apps every freelancer should use in 2024
Explore the best free and paid content writing apps for freelancers in 2024. Whether you need apps for ideation, editing, or collaboration, these tools have you covered.
If you're a writer looking to explore new freelance opportunities, using a freelance app can help you connect with clients quickly and efficiently. With more brands seeking online content to engage their audiences in 2024, freelancing has become a viable career option for many writers.
Original content is distributed through social media, blogs, YouTube channels, and more. For brands with limited internal resources, hiring freelance writers for one-off projects offers a hassle-free solution to managing major workloads. For writers, this growing demand presents opportunities to earn extra income, tackle new challenges, and build out their portfolios.
With advancements in AI, brands are increasingly using automated tools for content generation, leading to a decrease in demand for freelance writers. To stay competitive, writers must adapt by leveraging AI tools to create high-quality, engaging content that stands out. Original content remains essential for brands across platforms like social media, blogs, and video, but the ability to work alongside AI to enhance creativity and productivity is now crucial. By mastering these tools, freelance writers can tackle new challenges, maintain relevance, and continue building their portfolios.
In this article, we've compiled 29 awesome freelance apps and tools that every freelance writer should know about. These apps cover everything from finding clients and generating ideas to writing, image creation, organization, and invoicing. Whether you're just starting out or looking to streamline your workflow, these tools will help you level up your freelance game.
Top apps for freelance writers in 2024
Getting clients
- ContentGrow (for getting clients)
- Jooble (for getting clients)
- Upwork (for getting clients)
- Fiverr (for getting clients)
- Evernote (for ideation)
- xTiles (for ideation)
- Dragon Dictation (for ideation)
- Ayoa (for ideation)
- Google Keep (for ideation)
- Grammarly (for writing)
- Hemingway App (for writing)
- SwiftKey (for writing)
- Pre Post SEO (for writing)
- LibreOffice Writer (for writing)
- Zoho Writer (for writing)
- Originality AI (for writing)
- Krater AI (for writing)
- Canva (for images)
- Photoshop Express (for images)
- Lightroom Mobile (for images)
- Pexels (for images)
- GIMP (for images)
- Dropbox (for organization and collaboration)
- Slack (for organization and collaboration)
- Trello (for organization and collaboration)
- Google Drive (for organization and collaboration)
- Wave (for organization and collaboration)
- Shoeboxed (for organization and collaboration)
- Quickbooks (for organization and collaboration)
What is the best app for freelance writers?
Well, there isn't one app to rule them all. Freelance writers should use various apps to get different things done.
The good news is that working freelance has never been easier. Plenty of app makers have released content creation tools and other resources that simplify or automate different phases of the writing process.
Some apps help curate ideas from the internet, while others keep invoices neatly filed so that the freelancer can be paid as soon as possible. For writers toiling single-handedly, several of these tools -- some powered by artificial intelligence -- can even act as a second pair of eyes for quality control on your content.
So, in no particular order, here's a list of apps for freelance writers that may prove useful at various project stages, from ideation to invoicing.
Recommended apps for freelance writers
Getting clients
How do freelance writers find work?
Word-of-mouth only goes so far in helping writers find clients and projects. Online job boards end up cluttered with requests from unverified clients, some of whom may not treat freelance writers fairly. Smart freelancers head to content platforms that filter both clients and writers to ensure both sides find the right match.
ContentGrow
Type: For getting clients
Key features: Client-freelancer matching, flexible pricing, weekly pitches, content marketplace for various services (writing, video production), integrated payment protection.
Pros: Set your rates, consistent work from pitches.
Cons: Lacks focus on SEO, freelancers need their own SEO expertise.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on the project with platform fee.
G2 rating: 5.0/5.0 (2 reviews)
ContentGrow is APAC’s top talent network and workflow app for brands to engage professional freelance writers and journalists. Here, writers can create a profile and wait for inbound gigs.
After accepting project invites, freelance writers can view briefs, submit drafts and topic ideas, chat with clients directly, and receive payments inside the app. Clients on the platform come from around the world, and range from finance brands to major media outlets and more.
Freelancers can create a free writer's portfolio on ContentGrow here. By adding at least six work samples, clients on the platform will be able to view the freelancers' work samples and may decide to invite them for freelance gig.
Jooble
Type: For getting clients
Key features: Aggregates job postings from multiple sources, covers 67 countries, provides applicant tracking tools.
Pros: Wide job pool, available in 29 languages.
Cons: Listings can be outdated; lacks resume database.
Pricing: Free basic plan, Premium starts at US$200 per post.
This platform aggregates writer vacancies from various job portals, allowing freelance writers to discover relevant gigs in 71 countries. The app’s email alerts are handy, as you can get daily updates about new vacancies.
Launched in 2006, the site has since amassed an impressive 50 million monthly visits from job seekers worldwide.
Upwork
Type: For getting clients
Key features: Client-freelancer matching, supports project-based and hourly contracts, integrated payment protection.
Pros: Large pool of clients, flexibility in projects.
Cons: High competition, platform fees (5%-20%).
Pricing: Fees between 5%-20% of earnings.
G2 rating: 4.6/5.0 (1,768 reviews)
Upwork is a global freelancing platform that connects businesses with independent professionals. Freelancers can browse job postings across various industries and submit proposals for relevant projects. The platform offers flexible payment options, including hourly and project-based payments. With millions of active users, Upwork helps freelancers access work opportunities in over 180 countries.
Fiverr
Type: For getting clients
Key features: Set up service-based gigs, wide range of freelance categories, integrated payment system.
Pros: Easy to list services, low barrier to entry.
Cons: 20% fee per transaction, competitive.
Pricing: 20% fee per transaction.
G2 rating: 4.3/5.0 (431 reviews)
Fiverr is a digital marketplace where freelancers offer services starting at $5, covering categories like writing, graphic design, and programming. Users can browse gigs tailored to their needs and receive fast turnarounds from freelancers across the globe. The platform is popular for its simplicity and affordability, with over 3 million active buyers worldwide.
Ideation
Writing starts with an idea. But because ideas are fleeting, it's best to quickly write them down before they float away. Plenty of apps exist for writers to jot down ideas and iron out concepts until they ultimately make sense. Best of all, most of these apps are free.
Evernote
Type: For ideation
Key features: Cross-device syncing, multimedia note-taking, organizational tags.
Pros: Simple to use, works across multiple devices.
Cons: Limited features in the free version.
Pricing: Free plan; premium starts at US$7.99/month.
G2 rating: 4.4/5.0 (2,009 reviews)
Evernote is a tool that lets writers clip content from the web (such as online links and photos) and move it onto the app's notepad for annotation. With this tool, writers can also set tasks and deadlines related to ongoing projects and upcoming deadlines.
xTiles
Type: For ideation
Key features: Visual organization through drag-and-drop tiles, team collaboration.
Pros: Intuitive for visual thinkers.
Cons: Basic features in the free plan.
Pricing: Free plan; premium pricing varies.
G2 rating: 5.0/5.0 (11 reviews)
With this app, freelance writers can organize their thoughts visually. Users can create blocks of different shapes and sizes on a blank workspace and then fill them out with any content - notes, video links, or images.
Writers can put their to-dos alongside other useful links into a single page for easy viewing on xTiles. They always have a big picture of their work because of the visual organization of the page. Writers can organize their writing schedule by creating a kanban board and using xTiles to brainstorm new topic ideas.
Dragon Dictation
Type: For ideation
Key features: Real-time speech-to-text conversion, mobile-friendly.
Pros: Fast and accurate for dictation.
Cons: Only available on iOS.
Pricing: Free.
G2 rating: 3.9/5.0 (54 reviews)
When you’re having an outpouring of ideas, scribbling them on a piece of paper might take too long or end up as illegible handwriting later on. Dragon Dictation is an AI-powered speech recognition software that lets writers dictate their stream of thought before it inevitably evaporates. Dragon Dictation also touts itself as highly customizable, allowing writers to adapt the solution to their specific needs.
Ayoa
Type: For ideation
Key features: Combines mind mapping, task management, and team collaboration; integrates visual mind maps with Kanban-style boards.
Pros: Useful for brainstorming ideas and managing tasks simultaneously; easy to collaborate with others.
Cons: Can have a steep learning curve for beginners.
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at US$10 per user/month.
G2 rating: 4.3/5.0 (56 reviews)
Imindmap merged with Ayoa to blend a fully online whiteboard with a mind mapping app. Writers can kick off a project with a mind map that lays out the concept and logic, then transpose it as workflow plans such as Kanban boards or Gantt charts. They can also post project to-do's on the whiteboard for different team members to work on simultaneously.
Falencia Naoenz
Google Keep
Type: For ideation
Key features: Simple note-taking, syncs across devices, integrates with other Google apps (Docs, Calendar).
Pros: Easy to use; ideal for capturing quick ideas, lists, and reminders; cross-device synchronization.
Cons: Limited formatting and organizational features compared to other note-taking apps.
Pricing: Free.
Google Keep is a free note-taking app that lets users organize thoughts, tasks, and ideas on the go. It integrates with Google Drive and offers features like color-coded labels, voice memos, and location-based reminders. Available on both desktop and mobile, Google Keep is ideal for freelancers needing quick access to organized notes.
Writing
Now comes the most challenging part of the project: the actual writing. Thankfully, tech comes to the rescue again for the more technical side of writing, such as editing and proofreading.
Grammarly
Type: For writing
Key features: Real-time grammar and style checks, plagiarism detection, browser extensions.
Pros: Great for catching grammar issues, available across platforms.
Cons: Some advanced features only available in premium.
Pricing: Free; premium starts at US$12/month.
G2 rating: 4.7/5.0 (8,577 reviews)
Freelance writers working solo are all-too-familiar with the challenges of being a one-person show. They have to write, edit, and proofread by themselves. Here's where Grammarly comes to the rescue. Grammarly checks spelling and provides advanced suggestions on tone and clarity. In effect, it serves as a virtual editor and proofreader for freelancers in need of an extra eye.
Hemingway App
Type: For writing
Key features: Readability analysis, highlights complex sentences and passive voice.
Pros: Helps simplify writing for readability.
Cons: Lacks comprehensive grammar check.
Pricing: One-time payment of US$19.99.
G2 rating: 4.4/5.0 (48 reviews)
Hemingway App is a text editor that remedies errors and bulky sentences. It leaves paragraphs crisp and pithy. For quick sentence checkups and fixes, writers have to copy and paste the text into the website or app, which then immediately returns editing suggestions.
SwiftKey
Type: For writing
Key features: Predictive text, swipe typing, multi-language support, and customization options.
Pros: Improves typing speed with predictive text; supports multiple languages and seamless switching.
Cons: Requires an internet connection for some features.
Pricing: Free.
For freelance writers who often find themselves working on the go, the SwiftKey mobile app comes in handy. This app integrates itself into your mobile phone's keyboard to support a more intuitive typing experience. Writers can customize SwiftKey to cut down typing errors and even make it possible to craft long documents on the phone.
Pre Post SEO
Type: For writing
Key features: Plagiarism detection, SEO keyword analysis, grammar check.
Pros: Useful for checking plagiarism and SEO.
Cons: Free version is limited.
Pricing: Free; premium starts at US$10/month
This tool offers a handy free plagiarism checker for a variety of professional freelancers. With it, users can always double check their drafts to ensure Google deems it original enough to rank well.
Additionally, Pre Post SEO also offers 94 other free useful tools for writers, including a keyword density checker, a readability checker, and a word counter.
Another tool worth mentioning is Paraphrasingtool.ai. This free app helps you rephrase your sentences instantly with various styles, which can be handy to avoid plagiarism.
Stella Estee Samantha
LibreOffice Writer
Type: For writing
Key features: A full-featured word processor, supports various file formats, including Microsoft Word; open-source and offline.
Pros: Completely free and open-source, ideal for those looking for an alternative to Microsoft Word.
Cons: User interface may feel dated; lacks cloud integration.
Pricing: Free.
G2 rating: 4.1/5.0 (84 reviews)
LibreOffice Writer is a free, open-source word processor that offers a robust alternative to paid software. It supports a wide range of file formats and provides essential editing tools for freelance writers. With its customizable interface and offline capabilities, LibreOffice Writer is a solid choice for freelancers looking for a reliable, no-cost writing solution.
Zoho Writer
Type: For writing
Key features: Cloud-based word processor, real-time collaboration, integrates with Zoho ecosystem.
Pros: Good for collaborative writing; includes features like document automation and cloud storage.
Cons: Some advanced features can be complex for beginners.
Pricing: Free for individuals; premium features available with Zoho subscription.
G2 rating: 4.4/5.0 (108 reviews)
Zoho Writer is a cloud-based word processing tool designed for seamless collaboration. It allows freelancers to draft, edit, and share documents in real-time with colleagues or clients. The app integrates with other Zoho tools, offering robust formatting features and templates. Zoho Writer is accessible from any device, making it easy to work remotely.
Originality AI
Type: For writing
Key features: Detects AI-generated content, checks for plagiarism, and offers readability analysis. Supports multi-language content checks and full-site scans.
Pros: Highly accurate in detecting AI-generated and plagiarized content. Useful for ensuring originality in content creation.
Cons: No free plan, and the advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners.
Pricing: Pay-as-you-go plan starts at $30 for 3,000 credits, and subscription plans start at US$14.95/month.
G2 rating: 4.1/5.0 (24 reviews)
Originality AI is a plagiarism detection tool specifically designed for content creators and publishers. It helps writers ensure their work is unique by scanning for duplicated content across millions of online sources. Additionally, the tool can detect AI-generated text, making it a valuable resource in maintaining authenticity. Freelancers benefit from its detailed reports and easy-to-use interface, streamlining the content review process.
Krater AI
Type: For writing
Key features: Offers tools for AI-powered copywriting, image generation, code creation, and text-to-speech functionality, all in one platform.
Pros: Combines multiple AI tools into one easy-to-use platform, offers an affordable lifetime deal, and simplifies workflows for content creators.
Cons: Limited video editing features and a potential learning curve for new users.
Pricing: Free tier available; lifetime deal starts at US$79.
G2 rating: 5.0/5.0 (10 reviews)
Krater AI is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps freelancers enhance their content creation process. It offers features like grammar correction, tone adjustment, and content suggestions, enabling users to write more efficiently. With support for multiple languages and integration into various writing platforms, Krater AI is a versatile tool for improving the quality and clarity of written work.
Images
These days, clients are increasingly expecting their freelance writers to deliver unique images along with text. Here are a few apps that can help.
Canva
Type: For images
Key features: Drag-and-drop design, thousands of templates, collaboration tools.
Pros: Easy to use, good for quick designs.
Cons: Some premium templates behind a paywall.
Pricing: Free; pro version at US$12.99/month.
G2 rating: 4.7/5.0 (4,268 reviews)
Great visuals are worth a thousand words. Canva is an image-based content creation tool and template resource for writers to craft eye-catching text and visual content, such as presentations, brochures, and booklets. Canva also helps writers create video and social media content effortlessly, which is a plus for writers new to the multimedia game.
Photoshop Express
Type: For images
Key features: Mobile-friendly photo editing, preset filters.
Pros: Simplified photo editing tools.
Cons: Limited compared to full Photoshop.
Pricing: Free.
G2 rating: 4.5/5.0 (407 reviews)
Most writers don’t want to install the full version of Adobe Photoshop on their computers, especially for only occasional photo editing. For quick image crops and retouches, however, writers have at their disposal the Photoshop Express app, which is a condensed version of the original software. With its simple user interface, Photoshop Express is the right app for those seeking a lightweight tool for minor image touch-ups.
Lightroom Mobile
Type: For images
Key features: Professional-level photo editing, presets, cloud storage for images, supports RAW files.
Pros: Advanced photo editing on mobile, syncs across devices with Adobe Cloud.
Cons: Requires subscription for full features; limited free version.
Pricing: Free plan; premium at US$9.99/month for additional storage and features.
G2 rating: 4.6/5.0 (3,151 reviews)
Lightroom Mobile is another image editing app offered by Adobe. Compared to Photoshop Express, Lightroom leans more toward bigger projects, in which users have to manage heavier image editing duties. Lightroom's added advantage is its cloud-based image organization and saving feature. This allows writers to access their image databases anytime and anywhere.
Stella Estee Samantha
Pexels
Type: For images
Key features: Free stock images and videos, searchable by category or keyword.
Pros: Completely free for personal and commercial use; large library of high-quality images.
Cons: Limited niche content in some categories.
Pricing: Free.
G2 rating: 4.6/5.0 (108 reviews)
Pexels is a popular platform offering free stock images, providing freelancers and creatives access to high-quality photos for commercial or personal use. With a vast library of curated visuals, Paxels makes it easy to find images for blogs, websites, or social media. The site also offers collections of videos, making it a go-to resource for creatives worldwide.
GIMP
Type: For images
Key features: Open-source image editor with advanced features like layer masks, filters, and custom brushes; a free alternative to Photoshop.
Pros: Powerful image editing tools; highly customizable with plugins.
Cons: Complex interface may be daunting for beginners.
Pricing: Free.
G2 rating: 4.3/5.0 (1,445 reviews)
GIMP is an open-source graphic design tool favored by freelancers and professionals for its powerful editing capabilities. It allows users to create and manipulate images with features similar to those of premium design software. GIMP supports multiple file formats and plugins, making it a versatile option for creatives seeking free design software.
Organization and collaboration
On large projects, freelance writers often find themselves working with other freelancers or having to team up with the client's in-house crew. This translates to coordinating tasks and documents across multiple people simultaneously.
Dropbox
Type: For organization and collaboration
Key features: Cloud storage, file sharing, team collaboration tools.
Pros: Syncs across devices, easy to use.
Cons: Limited storage on free plan.
Pricing: Free plan; paid plans start at US$9.99/month.
G2 rating: 4.4/5.0 (27,717 reviews)
Emails limit the size of attachments, making them cumbersome for projects involving sharing and collaborating on large files. Online cloud storage app Dropbox saves the day by providing a space for writers to easily upload files and folders for collaborators to easily access, no matter what device or email service they use.
Slack
Type: For organization and collaboration
Key features: Team messaging, app integrations, file sharing.
Pros: Excellent for team communication.
Cons: Can be overwhelming with too many notifications.
Pricing: Free; paid plans start at US$6.67/month.
G2 rating: 4.5/5.0 (32,937 reviews)
Slack has become a staple comms tool for startups. It is a preferable alternative to email and regular chat apps in many scenarios. Slack makes it easy to form work groups, share files, and organize procedures. This is a definite plus for remote teams. In the context of freelancing, writers familiar with Slack will find it easy to run projects with clients that are already hooked into the app.
Trello
Type: For organization and collaboration
Key features: Project management boards, task tracking, team collaboration.
Pros: Simple, visual project management.
Cons: Limited features for complex projects.
Pricing: Free; premium plans start at US$5/month.
G2 rating: 4.4/5.0 (13,598 reviews)
As a project management tool, Trello powers productivity by being fully customizable, allowing users to divide tasks and share resources with no fuss. Its user-friendly interface of boards, lists, and cards eliminates confusion on how the app should be used, making it easy to assign tasks to each team member.
Google Drive
Type: For organization and collaboration
Key features: Cloud storage, real-time collaboration on files, integrates with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, etc.).
Pros: Easy file sharing and collaboration; integrates with other Google services; generous free storage.
Cons: Limited to 15GB storage on the free plan; paid plans needed for more storage.
Pricing: Free for 15GB; paid plans start at US$1.99/month for 100GB.
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that helps freelancers organize, store, and share files with ease. Integrated with Google’s suite of tools, it offers 15GB of free storage and collaborative features like shared folders and real-time editing. Available across devices, Google Drive is a reliable choice for storing and accessing files on the go.
Invoicing
For creatives, administrative tasks like preparing invoices and building financial reports are tedious. Fortunately, accounting apps are now offering effortless billing and tracking of both invoices and receipts, ensuring that freelance writers process their payments efficiently.
Wave
Type: For invoicing
Key features: Free accounting and invoicing, receipt scanning, reports.
Pros: Free and user-friendly for small businesses.
Cons: Limited advanced features compared to paid tools.
Pricing: Free.
G2 rating: 4.3/5.0 (293 reviews)
Wave is an accounting software that promises painless management of income and expenses. Freelance writers can automate some repetitive tasks such as payroll and invoicing with this app. Specifically for invoicing, Wave offers customizable forms and lets users automatically set recurring billings.
Shoeboxed
Type: For invoicing
Key features: Receipt scanning, expense tracking, tax reporting.
Pros: Useful for organizing physical receipts.
Cons: Higher plans can be pricey.
Pricing: Free trial; plans start at US$15/month.
G2 rating: 4.4/5.0 (30 reviews)
A freelance writer may rack up receipts for work-related expenses, such as stock photos or transportation costs. Shoebox collects these receipts, extracts key data, and then organizes them for expense reports. For freelance writers who have to pay US taxes, Shoebox offers tax season services as well.
Quickbooks
Type: For invoicing
Key features: Comprehensive accounting, invoicing, payroll, tax management.
Pros: Industry-standard for accounting.
Cons: Can be expensive for freelancers.
Pricing: Starts at US$25/month.
G2 rating: 4.0/5.0 (3,332 reviews)
Freelance writers with large client lists will find Quickbooks helpful. It’s an accounting app built for small businesses. Quickbooks features include invoicing, expense tracking by filing receipts, and finance reporting.
ContentGrow is a freelance writer's secret weapon for landing vetted inbound clients. The platform matches each client with niche-appropriate writers at preferred rates. Sign up and create your free portfolio here.
