15 Productive Apps for Freelance Writers in 2024

As a freelance writer, getting your pay depends on how many tasks you deliver and how well you do it. To achieve this, you need to keep a clear head and stay on task amid the many distractions.

Unfortunately, staying focused can be quite difficult as these distractions keep adding up.

In the real world, it’s easy to close the door or put on some headphones, but blocking out distractions on a computer is harder. The reason is that we socialize and entertain ourselves on the same computers where we work. So, interruptions make it hard to get into a state of flow.

You sit down at the computer, and you swear you’ll be productive, but the next thing you know, it’s ten hours later.

You’ve checked your email, listened to the latest Joe Rogan Experience, updated your Facebook status, read every article in your Twitter feed, looked up your favorite band on Wikipedia, vanity googled yourself, cyber-stalked your ex, browsed through all your high-school crushes’ Instagram feeds, and more.

In most cases, you may end up having the Shiny Object Syndrome since you sit in front of a computer all day.

From listening to the latest Joe Rogan Experience to taking the dog for a walk to checking the mail that just dropped.

Truth be told, this hurts knowing that spending precious hours on unnecessary tasks is simply not good for your business.

Not to worry, I’ve been there and I understand how valuable your time is to you. That’s why I will be sharing this secret with you – productive apps that helped me stay focused as a freelance writer.

Stay with me as we explore them together…

15 Productive Apps for Freelance Writers in 2024

Here are the best productive apps for freelance writers:

  • Freedom
  • Focus
  • StayFocusd
  • Focus Booster
  • Strict Workflow
  • SelfControl
  • Focus@will
  • Ambiance
  • Coffitivity
  • Todoist
  • Note Board
  • Sortd
  • Evernote
  • MS OneNote
  • Google Keep

Now, I will be grouping these apps based on their functions.

Block Distractions

The following apps will help you block the never-ending distractions on the internet:

#1 Freedom

Freedom formerly called the Anti-Social app is one app that will help you stay focused and productive as a freelance writer by blocking distracting websites and apps. Whether you use Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, or Chrome, Freedom can sync blocks across all of your devices. 

This app will help develop healthier, more intentional digital habits, that give you control over your time and attention.

So, if you need to focus on your work, break a habit, or simply improve your relationship with technology, Freedom can help.

#2 Focus

Focus is a distraction app blocker for macOS that helps you improve your productivity; it allows you to select which sites and applications are allowed based on the tasks you’re doing while blocking others that could be distracting.

Additionally, it helps you schedule your productivity ahead of time and build a habit. You can also use the Pomodoro timer to break your work into small intervals to improve flow and mental agility.

Reclaim your productivity as a freelance writer by blocking distracting sites and applications – click on the link

READ ALSO: 10 Proofreading Tips That Can Help You Be a Better Freelance Writer

#3 StayFocusd

StayFocusd is a productivity extension for Google Chrome that helps you stay focused on work by limiting the amount of time you can spend on time-wasting websites.

 It allows you to block those websites you just can’t seem to help yourself from clicking back over to when you should be staying firmly in your draft. 

 For best results, go for “The Nuclear Option,” which allows you to block ALL websites except for the ones you allow (example, Google Docs only) for a set number of hours. 

Set your timer

The following apps will help you time yourself as you aim to become more productive as a freelance writer:

#4 Focus Booster

Focus booster is a step above your average Pomodoro timer, it also allows you to record all your sessions and track your productivity. 

The Focusbooster helps you break down your workday into digestible chunks and also, helps you see where the time actually did go, whatever your intentions.

#5 Strict Workflow

Strict Workflow is a Google Chrome extension that keeps you from deviating to time-wasting websites.

With it, you can create a custom list of blocked sites, and control how much time you’re allowed to spend on them.

Just enforce the 25-minute/5-minute workflow: 25 minutes of distraction-free work, followed by 5 minutes of break. Then, repeat as necessary.

Most successful freelance writers work this way, and with this app, you can develop that kind of discipline.

#6 SelfControl

SelfControl is a free and open-source application for macOS that lets you become more productive as a freelance writer.

With SelfControl, you can block your own access to distracting websites, your mail servers, or anything else on the Internet.

Just set a period to block for, add sites to your blacklist, and click “Start.” Until that timer expires, you will be unable to access those sites—even if you restart your computer or delete the application.

Create an ambiance

According to a peer-reviewed study out of the University of Chicago, “A moderate level of ambient noise is conducive to creative cognition.”

So, the following apps will help you create the best atmosphere, feeling, or mood that will help you to be more productive as a freelance writer:

#7 focus@will

Focus@will is a neuroscience-based music app that its developers claim will boost your brainpower and attention span by 400 percent.

With Focus@will, you can listen to multiple music channels scientifically created and optimized to increase productivity and concentration as well as customize the intensity of the music sessions based on your mood and cognitive type.

In addition, the Focus@will app includes an automated productivity tracker so you know exactly what types of energy level settings and music keep you most focused.

READ ALSO: 10 Tips for Hiring a Medical Writer with the best Qualifications

#8 Ambiance

The Ambiance app is an “environment enhancer” designed to help you create the perfect ambient atmosphere to relax, focus or reminisce.

You can choose from over 3500 free sounds, exclusive to Ambiance, to download and listen to, create customized sound mixes, cycle through playlists, and much, much more.

#9 Coffitivity

The Coffitivity app recreates the ambient sounds of a cafe to boost your creativity and productivity and also help you work better. 

The free version of the Coffitivity app has three categories of ambient sounds: Morning Murmur, Lunchtime Lounge, and University Undertones. However, for just $9, you can get access to Paris Paradise, Texas Teahouse, and Brazil Bistro for one full year.

Task management

The following productive apps will help you manage various tasks as a freelance writer:

#10 Todoist

Todoist is a task management tool that is perfect for busy freelancers and online business owners. With it, you can create, categorize, and tag tasks to get a clearer view of what you need to get done and when.

Todoist basically gives you the confidence that everything’s organized and accounted for, so you can make progress on the things that are important to you.

It makes it easy to collaborate with anyone on any device. In addition, you can sync your Todoist lists across different platforms.

#11 Note Board

Note Board app is a digital way to write and organize sticky notes; it helps you organize your data with sticky notes.

With Note Board, you can:

  • Write down tasks to remember, including pages to visit (Note Board helps you schedule notifications.)
  • Capture website content with the Note Board Chrome extension.
  • Add connections to the notes.
  • Share boards or make them public.
  • Upload files and save them as notes.

READ ALSO: 10 Online Writing Resources for Effective Freelancing in 2024

#12 Sortd

Sortd is a smart tool for Gmail that helps you prioritize and plan emails and tasks all from one place. It’s quite similar to Todoist, except it works right inside Gmail to help you create to-dos and organize tasks based on your emails.

Also, it has a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to prioritize work and keep your task list tidy right from Gmail.

Transform your Gmail into a visually organized workspace and simplify that email chaos. Click on the below. 

Take notes and organize your thoughts

The following apps will help you keep your brilliant gems at your fingertips and easily findable by taking the complexity out of capturing all those fleeting inspirations.

#13 Evernote

Evernote is a productivity app that helps you capture ideas and find them fast.

In their ads, Evernote describes itself as the best note-taking app on the market, and this may just be the truth.

The Evernote app comes with a host of inventive features including the ability to turn voice memos into notes, clip and tag interesting things you find on websites, as well as creating to-do lists and sharing with other users.

With Evernote, your notes will be accessible from any device, no matter the OS or where you are. It also has premium and business versions with the basic service being totally free and still powerful.

#14 MS OneNote

MS OneNote is a digital notebook that helps you gather your thoughts and make them even better. It is one productive app you should have as a freelance writer.

With the MS OneNote, you can take personal notes and easily collaborate with others; you aren’t just limited to typing out your thoughts. You can also use a stylus or your finger to draw or annotate existing content or include audio notes, online videos, and other kinds of media.

The MS OneNote comes as part of an Office 365 subscription, which starts at $69.99 per year and also includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and so many other classic Microsoft services.

#15 Google Keep

Google Keep is similar to Evernote and comes with installed stock on many Android and Google-based devices. You can use Google Keep as a mobile app to quickly capture those amazing one-liners, and then open the app on the desktop to put them to use more easily.

In addition, it also offers a simple but powerful labeling system to help you keep your thoughts organized, as well as reminders and check-off-able lists for those times when you just need to remember to pick up some milk on the way home.

Are Freelance Writers Allowed To Use Project Management Tools?

Freelance writing often involves managing multiple projects simultaneously. To stay organized and meet deadlines you can use project management tools like Trello, Asana, or ClickUp. In addition to the earlier mentioned benefits, these tools will help you collaborate with clients or team members and enhance your overall workflow efficiency.

In Summary

Although distractions exist, staying focused and achieving your goal is still 100% possible for you. With the help of these productive apps, you’ll be happy working as a freelance writer.

So, check out all the apps listed here and find which best suits you.

All the best!

FAQs On Productive Apps for Freelance Writers

Are freelance writers paid well?

Some freelance writers get paid extremely well. Others, much less so. How much you get paid depends on several factors including your level of experience and the sector(s) that your clients are in. That said, the average freelance writer in the US earns more than $25 per hour.

Are there apps for collaborative writing projects?

Yes, Google Docs and Microsoft Word Online are great for real-time collaboration. Additionally, tools like Dropbox Paper or Quip allow multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously.

How can project management tools benefit freelance writers?

Project management tools like Trello, Asana, or ClickUp can help freelance writers organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with clients or team members. They enhance overall workflow efficiency.

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