Are you sick of hearing about AI yet? I kindof am.
But the truth is: it’s changing EVERYTHING. From how we work, to how we think, and how we grow our businesses.
Freelancers and entrepreneurs who ignore AI will fall behind. While those of us who embrace it will forge ahead.
In working with freelancers for over a decade, one of the biggest complaints I hear is: “I don’t know when to hire” or “I can’t afford to hire anyone yet.”
And truthfully, I think AI is solving both of those issues for freelancers.
So today I want to share with you some of my favorite AI tools that I’ve seen around. They’re not perfect, but they have potential and I’m excited to see where this new world of “hiring AI assistants” takes us and our businesses.
Let’s jump in.
My 13 Favorite AI Tools for Freelancers in August 2024
At its core, Moxie’s AI Assistant acts as your personal business manager.
It can help you set up projects, create forms, draft emails, and even provide insightful summaries of your business performance. The goal? To streamline your administrative tasks so you can focus on what you do best – your actual work.
Why I like this AI tool
What really stands out to me about Moxie is its “Conversational configuration” feature. As someone who’s always dreaded the tedious setup process of new software, this is a game-changer. Instead of clicking through endless menus and options, you can simply tell the Moxie assistant what you need, and it sets everything up for you. It’s like having a tech-savvy friend who actually enjoys doing all the admin work!
Pros:
- All-in-one solution for freelance business management
- AI-powered assistant for easy setup and daily tasks
- Built-in TL;DR feature for quick email summaries
- Helps with drafting emails and agreements
- Provides smart executive summaries of business performance
- Mobile app available for on-the-go management
Cons:
- May be overwhelming for freelancers who only need basic features
- Learning curve might be steep for those new to AI-powered tools
- Dependence on AI for summaries might lead to missing nuanced details
Moxie seems like a powerful ally for freelancers looking to streamline their business operations. While it might be more than some need, for those juggling multiple projects and clients, it could be a real lifesaver. Just remember, as amazing as the AI assistant is, it’s still important to review its work and add your personal touch!
SolidGigs is a game-changer for freelancers who are tired of spending hours scouring job boards for quality gigs. This AI-powered tool does the heavy lifting for you, delivering handpicked freelance opportunities straight to your inbox.
Why I like this AI tool
What really stands out about SolidGigs is its human-AI hybrid approach. Their team of “gig hunters” works alongside AI to find the best jobs, ensuring you get quality leads that match your skills and preferences. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows exactly what kind of work you’re looking for!
Pros:
- Saves time by eliminating the need to search multiple job boards
- Curated job listings mean higher quality opportunities
- Customizable search rules to match your specific needs
- No percentage taken from your earnings
- Includes resources for freelancer education and growth
Cons:
- Monthly subscription cost might not be worth it for occasional freelancers
- Limited control over the job selection process
- May not cover all niche industries or specialties
- Potential for missed opportunities if you don’t check emails regularly
- No guarantee of landing jobs, just leads
Alice is your AI-powered productivity sidekick, designed to streamline your workflow and boost your efficiency. This desktop app integrates with your existing tools and uses AI to help you tackle tasks faster and smarter.
Why I like this AI tool
The standout feature of Alice is its ability to create custom automations through simple screen recording. No coding required! You just record your process once, and Alice turns it into a repeatable automation. It’s like teaching a robot to do your repetitive tasks in minutes!
Pros:
- Easy-to-create automations with no coding skills needed
- Integrates with popular tools and apps
- Offers pre-built templates for common tasks
- Supports team collaboration
- Available for both Mac and PC
Cons:
- Learning curve to fully utilize all features
- Potential privacy concerns with screen recording
- May require regular updates as websites and apps change
- Limited to tasks that can be performed in a browser
- Subscription-based pricing model
TaskMagic is an AI-powered automation tool that lets you create powerful workflows without writing a single line of code. It’s designed to eliminate repetitive tasks and streamline your work processes.
Why I like this AI tool
The most impressive thing about TaskMagic is its ability to predict efficient workflows for your business. It’s like having an AI consultant that understands your processes and suggests ways to make them better. Plus, the fact that you can automate tasks on any website, not just those with APIs, is a game-changer!
Pros:
- No coding required to create automations
- Works on any website, not limited by APIs
- AI-powered workflow recommendations
- Unlimited automated workflows and runs
- Google Sheets integration for data management
Cons:
- Desktop app only, no mobile version
- May require some trial and error to perfect automations
- Could potentially slow down your computer if running complex tasks
- Limited integrations compared to some competitors
- Might be overkill for simple tasks
GAJIX is an AI learning assistant that aims to revolutionize the way we acquire and understand new knowledge. It’s designed to help you learn any subject faster and more effectively.
Why I like this AI tool
What really impresses me about GAJIX is its “Understand” feature. It doesn’t just provide information; it helps you truly grasp concepts by breaking them down and explaining the “why” behind them. It’s like having a patient, all-knowing tutor available 24/7!
Pros:
- Simplifies complex subjects into digestible overviews
- Generates thought-provoking questions for deeper learning
- Creates personalized learning paths based on your goals
- Offers real-world experience insights
- Helps with career discovery and planning
Cons:
- Limited to personal use, not for commercial applications
- May not cover highly specialized or niche topics
- Dependent on the quality of its AI model and training data
- Could potentially oversimplify complex subjects
- Might not suit all learning styles
HoneyBook AI is a suite of AI-powered tools designed to streamline client management and boost productivity for independent businesses. It’s integrated into the HoneyBook platform, which offers a complete clientflow solution.
Why I like this AI tool
The AI Composer feature really stands out to me. It can generate personalized, professional responses to client inquiries in seconds. As someone who sometimes struggles with writer’s block when replying to potential clients, this tool could be a real time-saver and confidence-booster!
Pros:
- Generates personalized client responses quickly
- Predicts high-value leads to focus your efforts
- Integrates seamlessly with HoneyBook’s other features
- Helps maintain a consistent, professional tone in communications
- Can potentially increase booking rates and profitability
Cons:
- Requires a HoneyBook subscription to access
- AI-generated responses may need human review and editing
- Could lead to over-reliance on AI for client communication
- May not fully capture your unique voice and style
- Limited to the clientflow aspects of your business
Canva Magic Design is an AI-powered design generator that creates custom, on-brand designs in seconds based on text prompts or uploaded media.
Why I like this AI tool
What really stands out about Magic Design is its ability to generate not just static designs, but also presentations and videos. The fact that it can create a full presentation outline with sample content from just a text prompt is mind-blowing. It’s like having a professional designer and content creator at your fingertips!
Pros:
- Generates designs, presentations, and videos from text prompts
- Integrates seamlessly with Canva’s existing design tools
- Can apply your brand colors and fonts automatically
- No coding or advanced design skills required
- Trained and reviewed by Canva’s professional designers
Cons:
- May produce generic designs without careful prompting
- Could potentially limit creativity if relied on too heavily
- Quality of output depends on the clarity of input prompts
- Some advanced features may require a Canva Pro subscription
- Might not fully replace the need for professional designers for complex projects
FlyFin is an AI-powered tax filing service designed specifically for freelancers, self-employed individuals, and small business owners.
Why I like this AI tool
The standout feature of FlyFin is its AI-driven expense scanning and deduction finding. As someone who’s struggled with tracking expenses and identifying deductions, the idea of an AI doing this 20 times faster than I could is incredibly appealing. Plus, having CPAs review everything adds an extra layer of confidence.
Pros:
- AI scans expenses and identifies deductions automatically
- CPAs review and file taxes, ensuring accuracy
- Includes quarterly tax calculations
- Offers unlimited CPA support for tax questions
- Provides full audit insurance
Cons:
- Primarily focused on US taxes, may not be suitable for international users
- Requires linking financial accounts for best results
- Monthly subscription model may not suit everyone
- May be overkill for those with very simple tax situations
- Potential privacy concerns with AI scanning financial data
Puzzle is an AI-powered accounting platform designed specifically for startups in the internet economy.
Why I like this AI tool
What impresses me most about Puzzle is its speed and integration capabilities. The idea of setting up your accounting system in 5 minutes instead of 15 days is game-changing for busy founders. Plus, the real-time financial statements and instant metrics could be invaluable for fundraising and financial management.
Pros:
- Quick setup process (3-5 minutes)
- Integrates with popular fintech tools like Stripe, Brex, and Gusto
- Provides daily drafted financial statements
- Offers real-time metrics and insights
- Designed specifically for startup needs
Cons:
- May be too specialized for non-tech or more traditional businesses
- Potential learning curve for those used to traditional accounting software
- Pricing not immediately clear from the website
- Dependency on integrations could be limiting for some businesses
- May still require professional accountant oversight for complex situations
Lusha is an AI-powered sales intelligence platform that helps sales professionals find and connect with potential leads.
Why I like this AI tool
The standout feature of Lusha is its ability to provide fresh, verified B2B contact details. As someone who’s spent countless hours searching for accurate contact information, the idea of having this data at my fingertips is incredibly appealing. The 1-click integrations with CRMs also sound like a huge time-saver.
Pros:
- Provides verified B2B contact details
- Offers buyer intent signals for better targeting
- Easy integration with CRMs and CSVs
- GDPR and CCPA compliant, with ISO 27701 certification
- Instant access with quick onboarding
Cons:
- Potential ethical concerns around data collection and privacy
- May be expensive for small businesses or individual users
- Quality of data may vary depending on industry or region
- Could lead to over-reliance on cold outreach tactics
- May require careful use to avoid appearing spammy
WorkifAI is an AI-powered toolkit designed to help freelancers streamline their workflow, from proposal creation to client management.
Why I like this AI tool
The feature that really catches my eye is the ability to turn client call notes or recordings into impressive proposals. As someone who often struggles with proposal writing, the idea of having AI do the heavy lifting is very appealing. The self-improving AI model that gets better with each project is also a great touch.
Pros:
- Generates proposals from call notes or recordings
- Provides AI-powered project duration estimates
- Includes built-in CRM for client management
- Offers AI-generated professional emails
- Allows easy sharing of proposals online or as PDFs
Cons:
- May require time to train the AI for best results
- Could potentially lead to over-reliance on AI for communication
- Might not fully capture the nuances of complex projects
- Pricing structure not immediately clear from the information provided
- May have a learning curve for freelancers used to traditional methods
SchedulerAI is an AI-powered scheduling assistant designed to automate the process of qualifying leads, booking meetings, and managing follow-ups for sales teams.
Why I like this AI tool
What really stands out about SchedulerAI is its conversational approach to scheduling. Instead of just sending a calendar link, it engages prospects in a natural dialogue, presenting options and confirming details. This human-like interaction could significantly improve response rates and lead conversion.
Pros:
- Automatically qualifies and routes leads based on predefined criteria
- Uses conversational AI to book meetings via email or text
- Handles rescheduling and meeting recovery automatically
- Manages follow-up meetings and captures notes
- Integrates with popular CRM and calendar tools
Cons:
- May not fully capture the nuances of human communication in complex sales situations
- Could potentially feel impersonal to some prospects if not carefully implemented
- Effectiveness likely depends on the quality of initial setup and integration
- May require ongoing adjustments to maintain optimal performance
- Pricing not immediately clear from the provided information
Timely is an AI-powered automatic time tracking software designed to help businesses and individuals accurately track time spent on various tasks and projects without manual input.
Why I like this AI tool
The standout feature of Timely is its fully automatic time tracking. By capturing time spent in various apps and websites automatically, it eliminates the need for manual timers or data entry. This not only saves time but also provides a more accurate picture of how time is actually spent, which could be invaluable for improving productivity and profitability.
Pros:
- Automatic time tracking across web and desktop apps
- AI-powered timesheets for quick review and submission
- Provides insights into team capacity and project profitability
- Includes features for time planning and project management
- Strong focus on user privacy with “anti-surveillance” policy
Cons:
- May raise privacy concerns for some users despite privacy assurances
- Could potentially track non-work activities if not properly configured
- Might require time to train the AI for accurate categorization
- May be overkill for individuals or small teams with simple time tracking needs
- Effectiveness likely depends on consistent use across the organization
Otter.ai is an AI-powered meeting assistant that provides automated transcription, summarization, and action item extraction for various types of meetings and conversations.
Why I like this AI tool
What really impresses me about Otter.ai is its comprehensive approach to meeting management. The ability to automatically join meetings, transcribe in real-time, and then generate summaries and action items is a game-changer for busy professionals. The new Meeting GenAI feature, which eliminates the need for manual note-taking, could significantly enhance meeting productivity and follow-up efficiency.
Pros:
- Automatically joins and transcribes meetings on popular platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams
- Generates concise summaries of long meetings (e.g., 30-second summary of a 1-hour meeting)
- Automatically extracts and assigns action items from meetings
- Offers AI chat functionality to get answers and generate content from meeting transcripts
- Integrates with popular tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Slack for seamless workflow
Cons:
- May raise privacy concerns in sensitive meeting contexts
- Accuracy of transcription and summary generation may vary depending on audio quality and speaker accents
- Could potentially lead to over-reliance on AI for important meeting details
- Effectiveness may depend on consistent use across an organization
- May require time for users to learn how to best utilize all features
Everything’s changing…so what’s next?
The AI revolution is here, and it’s transforming the way freelancers work. From streamlining administrative tasks to enhancing creativity and productivity, these AI tools are opening up new possibilities for independent professionals.
But remember, these tools are just that – tools. They’re not meant to replace your skills or expertise, but to amplify them. The key is to find the right balance, using AI to handle repetitive tasks and free up your time for high-value work that truly showcases your talents.
As we move forward, the freelancers who thrive will be those who embrace AI as a partner, not a replacement. So don’t be afraid to experiment with these tools. Start small, see what works for you, and gradually incorporate AI into your workflow.
The future of freelancing is exciting, and with these AI assistants by your side, you’re well-equipped to take on whatever challenges come your way. So go ahead, give some of these tools a try, and watch your freelance business soar to new heights!
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