Category: Adventure

Millions of people fly halfway across the world to stand in line at Magic Kingdom, ride a roller coaster, eat an overpriced burger, and go home with a sunburn and a smile.

Meanwhile, people live just 90 minutes away and haven’t booked a hotel room in Orlando since… ever? That’s the thing about staycations, they’re often overlooked because you don’t have to hop on a plane to get there!

But trust me, after basing ourselves in many places around the world, and going on weekends away, I can say that they can be just as fun – and less stressful – than an international holiday.

The feeling of being on vacation has almost nothing to do with distance and almost everything to do with giving yourself permission – to not check emails, to sleep in, to sit by the pool with a good book, and to just fill the day at your own pace.

Orlando is one of the top visited places in the USA and happens to be a great place to staycation. And if you’re a Florida or Georgia resident, you can get it cheaper than almost anyone else.

Here’s how to plan an Orlando staycation that actually feels like a trip away.

Why Orlando Works Better as a Staycation Than a Vacation

Most visitors to Orlando are on a clock. They’ve got four days, seven parks, a dining reservation at 8:15pm, and a return flight on Sunday. They’re not relaxing…they’re on a tight schedule!

For Florida and Georgia residents, you don’t have that problem. You can drive in on a Friday afternoon, do exactly one thing per day, and drive home Sunday night without that panic of “we flew all this way, we have to do the water park.”

That changes everything about how you should plan. Instead of trying to see everything at once, you get to pick and choose…because you can simply come back next month if you want!

It also means you can travel in shoulder season, whereas tourists typically visit when school’s out. You can come the second week of September, or late January, or the first half of May – when the parks are quieter, the hotel rates drop, and you’re not lining up 80 minutes for a ride that lasts just three.

Choosing the Right Area to Stay In

This is something to consider when you just have a few days to visit Orlando, and it’s also where most staycations fail. People book whatever’s cheapest near the airport, spend the whole weekend on the I-4, and wonder why it didn’t feel like a holiday.

Orlando is enormous and sprawling, and the neighbourhood you pick determines what your weekend will actually be like. For most people doing a classic Orlando staycation, it’s I-Drive or the Disney side – those are the two areas built for it.

International Drive (I-Drive): this is the resort corridor, it’s a long strip running roughly parallel to I-4, packed with hotels, restaurants, outlet malls, mini golf, the convention centre, and Universal a few minutes north. If you want everything within a short drive, this is the most convenient base in the city. It’s also where you’ll find the biggest resort properties with the best amenities.

Lake Buena Vista and Highway 192 (Kissimmee): this is Disney’s orbit. If you’re doing the parks with kids, staying on this side saves you meaningful time and traffic every single day. It’s more spread out and less walkable than I-Drive, but the accommodation options are more varied. You’ll find villas and multi-bedroom units rather than standard hotel rooms – which is exactly what you want with a family.

Winter Park is the opposite end of the spectrum. Here you’ll find leafy, historic, brick sidewalks, independent shops, boutique hotels. There’s nothing theme-park about it. If your staycation is a grown-up weekend without the parks, this is where to be.

Downtown Orlando works if you want the city rather than the tourist version of it. Check out Lake Eola, Thornton Park, Mills 50, the Milk District. Here you’ll find nightlife, restaurants, and actual local life.

Where to Stay: The Florida & Georgia Resident Discount

Westgate Resorts have properties in both of the main corridors – on Turkey Lake off I-Drive, and on the Disney side near Kissimmee, and Florida and Georgia residents get a discounted rate at all of them.

Their highly-rated villa-style units come with full kitchens, and separate living areas. Not to mention, there are multiple onsite restaurants, pools and more. Check the Florida & Georgia resident rates here.

Things to Do in Orlando That Aren’t Theme Parks

In case you’re not planning on visiting Disney World, there are lots of other things to do in Orlando to keep you busy. The city is one of the best places to go in Florida for a reason!

The Chocolate Kingdom Factory. This tour walks you through the whole bean-to-bar process. How cacao is grown, roasted, ground, and turned into the chocolate you actually eat. It’s a guided tour with lots of tasting along the way, and you finish by making your own custom bar. Click here for details.

Enjoy the view from the Florida Eye. One of Orlando’s most recognizable attractions is The Orlando Eye at ICON Park, the 400-foot observation wheel on International Drive. The ride takes about 20 minutes, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Kennedy Space Center

Do the downtown thing. Lake Eola with its swan boats is the postcard shot, but the surrounding neighbourhoods are where the actual city lives. Check out Thornton Park area which is walkable and a great place to eat. On the first Thursday of every month, the neighbourhood’s galleries open their doors for an evening of art and live music – which has a more local vibe.

Kennedy Space Center. An hour east, and one of the most impressive day trips from Orlando you can do. Visiting this NASA facility is worth the drive. Click here for a highly rated tour, including transport.

Doing the Theme Parks Like a Local (Not a Tourist)

If you do want parks, do them differently than the people who flew in.

Buy an annual pass if you’ll go more than twice. Florida residents get substantially reduced annual pass rates at both Disney and Universal, often with monthly payment options. If you’re going to visit two or three times a year, the pass beats individual tickets and removes the “we have to get our money’s worth today” pressure, which is the opposite of what a relaxed staycation is about.

Go for half days. The tourist mindset is: arrive when the rope drops, and stay to the fireworks. The local mindset is: arrive at 4pm, ride four things, eat dinner, watch the show, leave. The evenings are cooler, crowds thin after the day-trippers leave, and you go home happy instead of exhausted.

Use the resident-only ticket offers. Both major park operators run Florida resident promotions throughout the year, particularly in the autumn and late winter. These are frequently the cheapest park admission available anywhere.

Skip the park entirely and do Disney Springs or CityWalk. There’s no ticket required. You get free entry, access to restaurants, live music, shopping, and a cinema. It scratches the theme-park itch for the price of parking.

Money-Saving Tips for an Orlando Staycation

The whole point of a staycation is that it should cost meaningfully less than a “real” trip. Here’s how you can save some money.

Use the resident rates – all of them. Resort resident discounts like with Westgate Resorts, Florida resident park tickets, resident rates at attractions like Kennedy Space Center and the aquariums. A surprising number of places will honour it if you simply ask. Make sure to bring your ID.

Book accommodation with a kitchen. Breakfast at home, pack a lunch, and enjoy dinner out. That’s one restaurant meal a day instead of three. A family of four eating three meals a day in Orlando restaurants can easily clear $200/day.

Drive, obviously. The great thing about a Florida staycation is you don’t have to pay for pricey flights, baggage fees, and there’s no rental car needed! You can bring a cooler, some of your own food, a case of water, your favorite coffee machine, whatever you need! Even things like beach chairs – and whatever else you’d otherwise be buying or renting at resort prices…just toss it in the car.

Travel midweek. Sunday-to-Thursday rates in Orlando are frequently a fraction of Friday-Saturday rates. If your schedule has any flexibility at all, you’ll be able to save quite a bit.

Avoid peak weeks. Spring break, Christmas week, Easter, and the July 4th stretch are the most expensive and most crowded times to be anywhere in central Florida. The best time to travel around Florida is September, early December, and late January – lower rates, fewer crowds, and better weather than July.

Pre-book parking or use resort shuttles. Theme park parking runs $30+ per day. If your resort runs a shuttle, use it.

Set a daily “one nice thing” budget. Rather than tracking every dollar, pick one thing per day that you’ll spend properly on. Maybe a good dinner, the spa, a special ticket – and keep the rest cheap. It feels indulgent without the hefty bill at the end.

How to Actually Make It Feel Like a Vacation

This is the difference between a staycation that feels like you went abroad, and one where you just…slept somewhere else.

Pack a real bag. Not a gym bag with a toothbrush. Pack a suitcase like you’re going somewhere. The act of properly packing makes it feel like you’re actually going on holiday.

Set an actual departure time and stick to it. The problem with the staycation mentality is leaving at 4pm on Friday because you “just had to finish one thing.” Leave at noon if you can and take the half day. The extra four hours is a quarter of your weekend.

Turn off notifications. All of them. Pretend like you’ve gone away on holiday to Europe. Don’t answer your emails, texts or anything – you’re offline!

Don’t plan every hour. The joy of the staycation is you don’t have to jam everything in…because you could just return a month later if you wanted! Pick two main activities for a weekend, and make sure to carve out some pool / relax time as well.

Eat somewhere you wouldn’t normally. Tourists eat at the resort, and locals eat at the same six places on rotation. Break both patterns and go somewhere new! Ask your hotel for recommendations, or check Google Maps or Yelp.

Sample Orlando Staycation Itineraries

The Two-Night Reset (no parks)
Friday: Arrive midday, check in, pool time, spa treatment, dinner on I-Drive, and finish with a sunset ride on The Florida Eye at ICON Park, which is a five-minute walk from most of the restaurants there.

Saturday: Winter Park morning, enjoy the Morse Museum and the Scenic Boat Tour, followed by a long lunch on Park Avenue. Back to the resort for the afternoon, followed by a food tour in the Milk District for dinner.

Sunday: Wekiwa Springs early, drive home by mid-afternoon. Day-use entry is $6 per vehicle and you need to reserve a slot in advance now, so book it before you go.

The Family Long Weekend
Thursday: Arrive, stock up on groceries, settle into the villa, resort pool time.

Friday: Sleep in and enjoy the resort, have a slow breakfast in the villa, pool until lunch, then head to the park rested around 3pm. Half-day park visits work well because you’re not exhausted by 3pm…being lazy in the morning in the point.

Saturday: Chocolate Kingdom in the morning, resort waterpark all afternoon, nobody drives anywhere else. Dinner at the resort.

Sunday: Disney Springs or CityWalk, before heading home in the afternoon.

The Space and City Weekend
Friday: Arrive, settle in, dinner and a wander around downtown. Saturday: Kennedy Space Center – it’s an hour each way and deserves a full day, so leave early and don’t try to pair it with anything. Back for a late dinner.

Sunday: The Historic Districts walking tour downtown, brunch in Thornton Park, home mid-afternoon.

The Cheap Weekend
Friday night arrival, cook all your meals in the villa except one. Saturday at Wekiwa Springs, which is $6 per vehicle, then Lake Eola and wandering around the downtown in the afternoon, which costs nothing at all.

Sunday morning spent at the resort pool, then head home. Cooking your own food, getting the resident accommodation rates, and doing free activities will really save you a lot of cash on your staycation.

Final Thoughts

Some of the best trips we’ve taken weren’t the most expensive or farthest away. They’ve been the ones where we actually slowed down, where the schedule was relaxed and we had a ton of time to be spontaneous.

Orlando is unusually well-equipped for that. It’s built for visitors, it’s stacked with things to do at every price point, and if you’re a Florida or Georgia resident, you have access to rates that people flying in from any other state (or abroad) would love to get their hands on.

You don’t need a passport. You don’t need a two week holiday. You just need a weekend, a tank of gas, and a room that isn’t yours.

The post Orlando Staycation Guide: for Florida & Georgia Residents appeared first on Goats On The Road.

Chiang Mai is well-known amongst the digital nomad community for its cheap living and fast internet connections. We’d been backpacking Thailand and Southeast Asia for a while and were in the market for somewhere to settle so we could concentrate on getting some work done. As we were in the area it seemed like the perfect choice of location, so we settled there for a month and it turned out to be just that.

In this digital nomad guide to living in Chiang Mai we’re going to cover all the essential insider knowledge that you’ll need to set up shop there including accommodation options, what you can expect from internet speeds, things to do in Chiang Mai, coworking space options and networking opportunities.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai

Depending on how long you are planning on living in Chiang Mai there are a couple of different options. Basically if you are looking at staying for less than 3 months your best bet is to negotiate a daily rate directly with a serviced apartment building (this is what we did). However, if you are going to be settling for 3 months or more you there are lots of short-term apartment rentals available to choose from – you will struggle to find somewhere willing to sign a lease for less than 3 months.

Daily Rate Serviced Apartment

There are major pluses to choosing this type of accommodation. Firstly you will get a daily cleaning service included, but you will almost definitely be able to negotiate a lower rate for this only to be done every other day, or 3 times per week as we did. Secondly, all your bills will likely be included in your room rate, including Wi-Fi.

Expect a spacious, air-conditioned studio with a private bathroom, small kitchenette, TV, and a balcony for somewhere in the region of $15–25 per night depending on the building and area.

The place we got included a small table and chairs so there was somewhere to work, a kettle, microwave and fridge/freezer in the small kitchen, and a TV with numerous English-speaking channels (including an excellent movie channel).

There was also full-time onsite security, parking, communal washing machines and water stations. If you’re not bothered about all that, there are older, more basic buildings with smaller room that can come in lower.

SEE ALSO: The 5 Best Cities with Lightning-Fast Internet for Digital Nomads

Short Term Apartment Let

Finding an apartment to rent in Chiang Mai longer term is best done once you’ve actually arrived. So book a few nights in a hotel, then set up viewings with a few local estate agencies once you’re on the ground. Facebook rental groups also tend to turn up some good deals and can be a great place to look too.

But there are plenty that are very reputable, straightforward and free for the renter estate agents in Chiang Mai. Simply send them a brief email of what you are after and they will arrange the viewings, ferry you around by car and sort out all the paperwork.

Here are some estate agent options that have good reviews:

• Perfect Homes
• Open Realty
• Chiang Mai House

As of 2026, a one-bedroom apartment typically runs $300–500 per month in popular nomad areas like Nimman or the Old City, with basic studios available from around $150–250 further out, and nicer condos with pools running higher.

It was a few years back now, but some friends of ours rented an incredible place for 6 months for $480 per month with a gorgeous kitchen and swimming pool included – you can check it out here.

We know someone else who for years rented a more basic but still fantastic rooftop apartment on a year lease for $200 per month. If you are wanting to rent longer term and are also willing to pay a few months up front at a time you will have much more negotiating power. You can also rent whole 2/3/4 bedroom houses outside of the city for similar prices that you’ll get for apartments in the city if you don’t mind being further out.

Bills (electricity, water, internet) will not be included in your rent and you will have to pay these separately at around £120 per month depending on how much electricity (i.e. air-con) you use and your choice of internet – more on that coming up.

Top Location Options in Chiang Mai

• Chiang Mai Old Town

You’ll be in the centre of the action here with no end of western eateries and nightlife options but accommodation prices tend to be on the higher end.

• Chang Khlan Area

This area is around a 15 minute walk Southeast of the Old Town and although it is less modern and has a few seedy bars, it’s still safe. Accommodation is generally cheaper and there are lots of street food and cheap restaurant options.

• Nimmanhaeman Road Area

This area is North West of the Old Town and is where the cool kids hang out. It has a large expat crowd with loads of coffee shops, western restaurants, a huge mall with a cinema, and many coworking spaces. It is one of the more expensive areas Chiang Mai to rent in.

• Chang Puak

Just North of the Old Town is Chang Puak area. Close to a major university there are large numbers of students here. Accommodation is cheaper and again there are lots of street food and cheap restaurant options. This is the area that we stayed in, it’s a 25 minute walk into the town centre and a 5 minute walk to a large supermarket.

☞ SEE ALSO:

• Best Things To Do in Bangkok – Our Top 13!
• Things To Do in Chiang Mai – Don’t Miss These 17 Things
• Backpacking Thailand – The Ultimate Travel Guide
• Places To Visit in Thailand – Our Top 15 Picks
• Things To Do in Thailand – These Are The Top 25!
• Things To Do In Koh Phangan – Such a cool place!

Getting Around Chiang Mai

Tuk tuks and songthaews (red trucks) remain common for short trips around $3, and Grab is now widely used for rides and food delivery. For regular transport, renting a scooter runs roughly $70–90 per month including basic insurance, with petrol still cheap. CityGlide is a reputable company that we would recommend and has a variety of bikes.

Your best option if you are living in Chiang for a few months or more though and need daily transport is to buy a motorbike and sell it when you leave. Depending on your budget you can either get a new one or pick up a second hand one. There are second hand bike markets at Ruem Chok on Saturdays and San Patong on Sundays. Or you can post your second hand motorbike enquiry on the Chiang Mai Facebook groups and will get plenty of suggestions – more on that later.

If buying second hand be sure take someone with you who knows what they are doing, there are procedures you will need to follow to register the bike after purchase. There are also Honda and Yamaha dealerships in the Old Town. If you don’t need transport day to day, just hire a motorbike for a few days at a time to take you on your adventures like we did.

Internet Speeds in Chiang Mai

You will get free Wi-Fi in serviced apartments but it may be a little slow depending on your needs. The one we had was a bit hit and miss but worked better when we moved rooms closer to a router. Of course you are sharing the connection with others so it will be slower if more people are using it. Your best option, like we did, is to work from a coffee shop or coworking space, particularly if you are wanting to upload or download anything.

If you are renting an apartment in Chiang Mai and plan to work from home, personal broadband installation is readily available. There are a number of providers who will get you a fast and reliable connection up and running within a few days for around $20 per month.

Because it depends on which area you are in as to which provider you are covered by, your best option is to just ask your landlord or estate agent but most people we know in Chiang Mai are currently using SINET.

SIM Card Options

It’s really easy to get a SIM card in Chiang Mai, you can readily pick them up from the airports or many 7-Elevens dotted around the city. The pay as you go ones are usually free or you can get monthly plans for around $15 per month. Again there are lots of providers but popular ones are AIS, TrueMove, and DTAC.

Co-Working Spaces

The majority of these are clustered around either the Old Town or Nimmanhaeman Road Area and prices vary along with internet speeds and facilities. For a top notch one that is open 24 hours, has a super high speed internet, free refreshments and a gym and swimming pool you are looking at a monthly membership fee of around $100-150 per month.

Punspace remains one of the most established options in Chiang Mai, alongside newer spaces that have opened in Nimman and the Old City. Monthly memberships for a well-equipped space with fast internet typically run $110–160 per month, with day passes for around $10 available at most locations for more flexibility.

There are also literally hundreds of coffee shops all around Chiang Mai that have decent connections where you can work for a few hours for the price of a couple of coffees.

Networking Opportunities & Making Friends

Owing to having such an established digital nomad community there are plenty of opportunities to meet like minded people in Chiang Mai. Be sure to join the friendly Facebook groups ‘Chiang Mai Digital Nomads’ and ‘Farang (foreigner) Community Chiang Mai’.

There’s often plenty of events where a variety of entrepreneurs and bloggers speak on a variety of topics, from writing e-books to monetizing your blog. There’s lots of free useful information and valuable contacts to be made in Chiang Mai.

Eating & Drinking Costs

The cheapest way to eat in Chiang Mai is at the plentiful street and market restaurants, there are also many stalls that just offer takeaway options. This is predominately how we ate in Chiang Mai and we ate well. Average dishes cost around $1-3.

Western food is available widely but priced closer to home-country rates. If you are a vegetarian or vegan there are lots of choices, in the Old Town there are whole streets specialising in these dishes. Make sure you check out the Sunday market in Chiang Mai, this is a great place to find affordable and delicious food. You’ll also find lots of souvenirs and clothing.

The big supermarkets, usually Tesco Lotus, sell anything and everything although the produce is more expensive and we found it cheaper to eat out than cook. We found these are the cheapest places to buy beers and wine, however and could pick up a crate of 24 beers for around $25 dollars. Be forewarned though you cannot by law purchase alcohol in supermarkets between 2pm and 5pm, so plan your shop around that if you’re getting your beers in for the weekend.

Example costs (2026):

• Domestic beer in a bar: $2
• Cappuccino: $1.50-2.50
• Litre of milk: $1.50
• Loaf of bread: $1.50
• A dozen eggs: $1.80
• Kg of bananas: $1.20
• Bottle of mid-range wine: $15

SEE ALSO: 10 Cheapest Digital Nomad Destinations

Health & Fitness Options

There are loads gyms and fitness studios available in Chiang Mai. Prices start at around $2 a session or $30 dollars per month. There also lots of yoga studios and martial arts classes, in particular Thai boxing. Naturally there are plenty of massage places offering a whole range of relaxing treatments throughout Chiang Mai for $5-8.

You can also check out Mahasiddha Yoga for some classes, workshops and retreats. They are located at 49 Chang Lor Rd T. Haiya Mueang Chiangmai, เชียงใหม่ 50100, Thailand and are open Sunday to Saturday, 8am – 10pm.

It’s also worth being honest about something that doesn’t get talked about enough in digital nomad circles: burnout. Constantly moving, working across time zones, and never quite switching off can catch up with you. When this happens you can end up feeling tired even after a day off, the places you’re in can stop feeling exciting, or even feeling isolated despite being surrounded by other nomads can be quite common.

For most people, slowing down, building a routine, and finding community is enough. But if it’s gone past that and become something more serious, it’s worth knowing that Chiang Mai is also home to The Dawn, a Thailand rehab centre that runs a dedicated programme specifically for professional and executive burnout.

Entertainment Options

With such a vibrant and diverse community in Chiang Mai comes lots of entertainment options. There are several night markets that take pace across the city most nights of the week which are great for buying clothes and food.

Thai boxing fight nights are held regularly, just make sure you’re going to a proper competition one and not one of the a ‘fake’ ones put on for tourists. And the Maya shopping mall has a great cinema with all the latest English films and runs discounted options on Wednesday nights.

You will invariably at some point find yourself at the popular late night bars of ‘Zoe in Yellow’ and ‘Reggae Bar’ having a few Samsong rum and cokes. Chiang Mai isn’t a late city however and even these later bars are closed by 12pm due to strictly enforced regulations. There are underground bars behind shutters to be found that are open all night, but be careful of police raids as they’re against the law.

Around Chiang Mai

Nestled in central North Thailand, Chiang Mai, is also a perfect location for exploring the surrounding areas on your ‘off’ days. Chiang Rai and its beautiful white temple and gorgeous hiking trails are definitely worth a look, as are the intriguing ‘Sticky Waterfalls’ and beautiful ‘Grand Canyon’ – more info on those here.

If you have a few more days at a time to play with, another great way of exploring the scenic countryside around this part of Thailand is to rent a motorbike and do the 370miles over the incredibly picturesque western mountains to Pai, Mae Hong Son and back. There are numerous things to do in Pai, so make sure you stick around for a bit.

You are only a few hours by bus either way to the borders of Laos and Myanmar if you fancy a trip to either, but with Chiang Mai airport so close by you are within a few hours domestic flight connection to the rest of South East Asia also.

Visa Requirements

In May 2026 Thailand scrapped its long-standing 60-day visa-exempt entry, and what’s more border-run cycling is now actively discouraged by immigration.

The main route for digital nomads today is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV):

• A 5-year, multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable once for a further 180 days at a Thai immigration office.
• Requires proof of at least ฿500,000 (~$14,500 USD) held in savings for a minimum of 3 months before applying.
• Requires proof of remote income from outside Thailand (employment contract, freelance client agreements, or business registration)
• Must be applied for via the Thai e-Visa portal while physically outside Thailand.
• Requires completing a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours of arrival
• If renting, your landlord is required to file a TM30 form on your arrival, and address reporting is required every 90 days

This has changed significantly from how it used to work previously, and the consequences of overstaying can now result in   complete blacklisting). So do double check your specific situation and directly against the official Thai e-Visa portal or a licensed immigration lawyer before travelling for the most up to date information.

Just a couple of things to note:

• Chiang Mai experiences a period of heavy smoke/pollution from agricultural burning, typically February–April — worth timing around if you’re sensitive to air quality, and checking current air quality index reports before booking.
• Peak season remains December–February, with good apartments harder to find from around November onward.

If you’re trying to find a base to set up as a digital nomad, Chiang Mai should for sure be high up on your list of considerations. It has a much slower pace than the frenetic capital of Bangkok, is modern and convenient with access to good healthcare if needed. It’s a beautiful city with so much going on and is the perfect option for people wanting to experience a great lifestyle on a cheap budget.

For more on being a Digital Nomad around the world, check out:

A Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Malta

Mexico: The Best Digital Nomad Spot for North Americans

Our Digital Nomad Lifestyle on Lake Atitlan

The Cost of Living on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

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The post Chiang Mai, Thailand: A Digital Nomad Guide appeared first on Goats On The Road.

There are tons of different apps for freelancers out there, so it can be hard to separate the good ones from the bad ones.

I’ve been freelancing full-time since 2019 and have been freelancing as a side hustle for a lot longer than that. Without some of these helpful apps for freelancers, my business truly wouldn’t be what it is today.

But before we get into the day to day tools, I should mention where a lot of my own client work comes from: Upwork. It’s where I’ve landed many of my freelance writing and social media clients, and it’s a great way to find work without relying on cold outreach.

I’ll cover it in more detail later, but if you’re just starting out, it’s well worth having in your toolkit from day one.

25 Best Apps for Freelancers (Free and Paid)

One of the best ways for freelancers to manage their time is by utilizing free and paid digital applications to help them run their business more smoothly.

I’ve divided this list of best freelancer apps into these categories: time management and productivity apps, health apps, invoicing apps, communication apps, and organization apps.

Whether you’re just starting your business or you’ve been doing it for a while now, be sure to look closely through this list of apps for freelance work. They’ll help your business run more smoothly and efficiently.

Here are the best 25 apps for freelancers this year.

Best Time Management and Productivity Apps for Freelancers

First up on this list are some of the best apps for freelancers who want to manage their time and productivity. These are some of the most important apps that I currently use or have tried in my business. If you only try one section of apps on this post, make it these!

SEE ALSO: 15 Best Freelance Writing Courses Online

1. Clockify

Clockify is a time tracking tool that’s perfect whether you charge hourly or not. I’ve used it for quite a few hourly projects, but I still find myself tracking time just for myself since switching to project-based pricing.

This is essential so that you can see if you’re charging the right price for your work.

If something is taking you way longer than you initially thought it would, it might be time to raise your rates. There is both a paid and free version of Clockify, but as a freelancer, the free version is all you’ll need to track time.

2. ClickUp

Next up: ClickUp. If you struggle with staying on top of all your projects, then this is the app for you.

You can create separate workspaces for each part of your business or keep them all together. I’ve found that having a different calendar for each of my clients seems to work best for my own productivity.

What makes ClickUp better than other productivity and project management apps out there is that you can get way more out of the free version than other apps. You’ll most likely never need the paid version unless you start growing your team and need to add more users.

3. Todoist

Todoist is a more straightforward productivity app that many freelancers use and heavily rely on. It works a lot like the reminders or note-taking app on your phone, so it’s a lot easier to use if you don’t have time to learn a new app.

Todoist was released back in 2007 but has consistently remained a favourite for task management. There’s no better way to boost your productivity as a freelancer than by ensuring everything you have to do for the day is clearly defined and written out somewhere.

SEE ALSO: Knowadays Freelance Writer Course – Is It Legit?

4. Asana

Asana is one of the most popular productivity tools among freelancers, which is why it deserves a spot on this list of best apps for freelancers.

It’s straightforward to use, and you can add some users or guests for free, which can be great if you need to communicate with clients or team members.

They are always updating the app, with new features rolling out almost every other month. The free version is perfect for freelancers. If you’re a social media manager, Asana is a great tool to help you plan out content months in advance for your clients.

5. Toggl

Toggl, although it’s Clockify’s biggest rival, is still worth mentioning on this list. They essentially do the same thing: track your time.

You can add projects and client names, and at the end of the week, you can check the charts to see just how much time you spent on each project. This is great for you to reassess and evaluate where your time is being spent.

If you’re looking for a time tracking app, I suggest spending one week on Toggl and one week on Clockify to see which interface you prefer. Once again, the free version is all you need as a freelancer.

☞ SEE ALSO: 20 Best Time Management Tips and Tools For Freelancers

Best Health Apps

As a freelancer, health is incredibly important. You no longer have a commute to work where you can get in some extra steps, and you’ll most likely be working from home, which can be challenging with the fridge nearby.

Here are some of the top apps for freelancers that will help you stay healthy while working from home.

6. Nike Training Club

Check out Nike Training Club if you hate coming up with your own workout routines and would rather someone just tell you precisely what to do.

I’ve been using this app for more than ten years now, and it’s filled with tons of different trainings.

The free version is all you’ll need to work out from home. What’s so great about it is that there are some workouts where all you need is yourself — no equipment necessary. Although, there is an option for exercises with weights and other equipment as well.

7. Peloton

Freelancers can easily use Peloton’s workout app if they have a bike at home. I’ve recently started using it and I have to say that it’s pretty incredible.

Not only does Peloton have cycle workouts, but they also have stretching, meditation, and more. Plus, if you’re a first-time user of the app, you can get two months for free when you sign up. If you decide it’s a good fit, you can switch to the paid version after the trial for just $12.99.

8. Yoga for Beginners

Yoga for Beginners is one of the top-rated apps for at-home yoga. Every single workout is free, so you won’t be forced to start paying or anything.

Yoga is the perfect way to start the day. As a freelancer, I know how stressful some days can be, especially if you end up with a client that is difficult to work with. Yoga can help relieve that stress!

You can integrate Yoga for Beginners with Apple Health if you have an iPhone or use an Apple Watch. This way, you can keep all your health-related information in one spot.

9. WHOOP

Forget Fitbit – WHOOP is the new kid on the block. This fitness and health tracking band will tell you way more about your physiological state than other bands on the market will.

Plus, there are a wide variety of straps that you can switch out to match whatever mood you’re in that day.

Before paying to become a member, you can have a free one-month trial. This brand is also gaining popularity among professional athletes, so you know it’s something worth investing in.

As a freelancer, I love being able to check in on how my body is doing, and WHOOP allows me to do so.

10. My Fitness Pal

While you’ve probably heard of My Fitness Pal, you may not have realized how helpful it can be for freelancers. Since freelancers are always working remotely, it can be challenging to stay healthy and stay on top of the foods and ingredients we are consuming.

That’s why My Fitness Pal is so helpful. You can connect it to other apps you may use, like the Health app on the iPhone or even Fitbit. It’ll also help you track the food you’re eating during the day, so you can stick to your preferred diet/lifestyle plan.

☞ SEE ALSO: How to Stay Healthy While Working from Home

Best Invoicing Apps

As a freelancer, it’s incredibly pertinent to stay on top of invoicing. You need to be able to track if payment has been made, if it’s late, or if it’s overdue. You also need a reliable platform to send invoices on in the first place.

Here are some of the top freelance apps for invoicing.

11. HoneyBook

HoneyBook is highly rated and is one of the best apps for freelance jobs. Unlike Dubsado (below), it has a phone application, so you can stay on top of all of your communication with clients instead of having to check a website every day.

HoneyBook allows you to set up recurring invoices for clients that may have you on retainer, and you can customize how much each payment is and when it’s due.

Plus, it will automatically send reminders to your clients on your behalf, so you don’t have to track payments as closely as you might have to with other invoicing software.

HoneyBook is what I use in my own business. They currently have a deal where you only have to pay $1 a month for your first two months with them! It’s a great way to see if you like it.

12. PayPal

PayPal allows you to set up and send invoices to clients, but it does take a small percentage of each invoice.

This list of best apps for freelancers wouldn’t be complete without including good ol’ PayPal. Because PayPal is so trusted by consumers worldwide (especially because it’s used on Shopify websites), clients already know how to use it, and they trust it.

While I use HoneyBook for my social media management and graphic design services, I use PayPal for all my freelance writing gigs. It’s simple, easy to use, and you can send an invoice in minutes.

13. Wave

Wave is a top-rated invoicing app among freelancers, especially those who like to track everything closely. It sends invoices and is a financial accounting software, so if you want to stay on top of your numbers, this is the perfect app for you.

Many freelancers love Wave because it also integrates seamlessly with other apps. You can connect it with Square, Stripe, Shopify, QuickBooks, HubSpot, MailChimp, Calendly, Acuity… pretty much all the apps that freelancers use frequently.

Wave has multiple payment plan options, ranging from free to a monthly fee. Depending on what you plan on using within Wave, you might get away with just using the free version!

14. QuickBooks

QuickBooks truly one of the best apps for freelancers, and did you know that it also has invoicing? You can send invoices directly to your customers through it, which can be a lifesaver if you’re already paying the QuickBooks fee.

It’s effortless to send one and is a bit similar to PayPal in that way.

What’s so great about QuickBooks is you can also see your invoice’s status at any time. This means you can track whether an invoice has been viewed, unopen, is paid, or overdue.

15. Dubsado

Dubsado is a prevalent invoicing software among designers of all types. I’ve used Dubsado myself and have considered switching over, but it can be very time-consuming to set up.

Unlike other invoicing software, you can make your invoices customized to your brand within Dubsado, which is why designers love it so much.

Similar to HoneyBook, Dubsado is also an all-in-one client management system. You can track your upcoming consultation calls, your financials, proposals, and client emails all in one place.

Best Communication Apps

Staying on top of client communications is one of the essential parts of having a freelance business. Every freelancer has their own opinion on how to best keep in touch with clients, but these are some of the best apps out there for client communication.

16. Voxer

First up: Voxer. This app isn’t well known but has recently started to make waves in the online business community, making it one of the best apps for freelance jobs.

While the company opened in 2007, I hadn’t even heard of Voxer until a few years ago.

Think of it as kind of like a walkie talkie. You can send voice messages and type messages out, making it easy to stay on top of client communication.

Many freelancers use Voxer to host office hours with their clients because it’s easy to respond with a voice message.

Plus, the personal plan of Voxer is free! This is the best free app for freelancers if you want quick communication.

17. Gmail

Gmail is a classic communication app that shouldn’t be overlooked. Clients are always sending emails, sometimes even multiple within a day to you, and you’ll need to make sure that you have some sort of mail app to stay on top of it all.

The Gmail app is free. The only reason you’d have to pay is if you want more storage or need to use your domain’s email address, making you look a lot more professional to your clients.

18. Slack

Slack has quickly become one of the most popular communication apps because it’s practically instant messaging. It’s better than texting though because you don’t have to give your client your phone number.

Within Slack, you can have private messages with your clients and have group messages if you’re working with a larger group.

This can also be helpful if you’ve started growing your team and you need to have one space where all communication lives.

Slack has different pricing tiers, but if you don’t have a large team and aren’t consistently working with a high number of clients each month, you can get away with just using the free version.

19. Zoom

Zoom has boomed into popularity the last year, and the freelancing space is no exception.

I use Zoom consistently for consultation calls with new potential clients. This way, we can briefly meet face-to-face for 15 minutes to see if we might be a good fit for each other.

I have found that communication can happen a lot more seamlessly when talking to someone (rather than emailing), which is why I love Zoom so much. You can also integrate it with a calendar schedule tool that you might be using, like Calendly, HoneyBook, or Acuity Scheduling.

20. Loom

Loom is an app that you can connect to Google Chrome and use to send video tutorials to clients. While you can simply send over a written-out tutorial, I find that it’s so much easier to send a video tutorial.

As a freelancer, I am frequently getting asked by clients how to do something. It can even be something as simple as adding me as an Admin to their Facebook Page so that I can track their analytics from month to month.

Within Loom, you can record your screen and your face simultaneously, so you can walk your clients through absolutely anything. There is a paid version, but if you aren’t making videos longer than five minutes, the free version should work perfectly.

Out of everything on this whole list, Loom is truly the best app for freelance work. It’s a hidden gem.

Best Organization Apps

Time for the best organization apps. If you aren’t organized within your freelance business, there is no way that you’ll be successful. I’ll be the first to tell you that!

21. Google Drive

Google Drive is one of the best free apps for freelancers, although you can get more storage with the paid version.

Almost everyone uses Google or its apps every day. Whether you’re searching the internet or checking your email, you’re most likely using Google.

Because so many people use Google, I can’t recommend enough that you utilize Google Drive for storage. I’ve found that clients already know how to use it, so if I share something with them, they already know how to access it themselves.

This makes it one of the easiest organizational tools out there for client-facing projects. Plus, if you won’t be using a ton of storage or you’re a beginner, you can just use the free version of it.

22. Goodnotes

Tou should absolutely utilize Goodnotes in your business if you have an iPad or another tablet. It’s a note-taking app, but it’s great for graphic designers because you can also draw in it.

There are tons of great planners that you can purchase from Etsy, or even make your own, to save paper and have a digital planner too. I recently started doing this in my own business, and it’s kept me very on top of things!

I also whip out my Goodnotes app whenever I’m in a client meeting because it’s just so easy to take notes.

23. Evernote

Evernote is another note-taking app that is perfect for client meetings or jotting your ideas down when you’re in a hurry. As with the Clockify vs Toggle debate, Evernote and Goodnotes are similar, yet have different interfaces.

There are tons of different pens and markers that you can make your Apple Pen look like, which only adds to the fun.

There are paid versions, but as a freelancer, you can probably just use the free version.

24. Dropbox

I much prefer Dropbox to Google Drive for organizing my own documents, although Google Drive is excellent for client-facing projects and sharing documents with people you’re working with.

Within Dropbox, you can also now use Paper Docs, which are similar to Google Docs. You can write word documents and link them to your other Dropbox documents, making it great to use if you’re working with an internal team.

There are paid versions of Dropbox, but I’ve been just fine using the free version for the past eight months. The next tier up is only $9.99 a month and offers you up to 2 TB of storage, which is a lot.

25. LastPass

LastPass is one of the best apps for freelancers if you consistently share passwords with your team or clients. As a social media manager, I use LastPass to receive and store social media logins from my clients safely.

While it can be a bit difficult for your clients to use if they haven’t ever used it before, you can make a quick video using Loom (on this list!) and teach your client how to use it seamlessly.

LastPass is a Google Chrome app and can also be downloaded on your phone so that you can log in to anything mobile. Oh, and did I mention it’s free?

Bonus: Best App for Finding Freelance Work

Once you’ve got your systems in place, the bigger challenge is often finding your next client. For me, that’s where Upwork comes in. It lets you create a profile, apply for jobs from businesses already looking to hire, and manage everything from contracts to payments in one place.

I’ve found many of my freelance writing and social media clients through the platform, and it’s one of the first places I’d recommend new freelancers start looking for work.

If you’d like to learn more, I’ve written a full guide on how Upwork works and who it’s best suited for: How to Make Money on Upwork: An Expert’s Review.

Looking for More Freelance Articles?

• 15 Best Freelance Websites for Beginners.
• 20 Best Time Management Tools for Freelancers
• How to Make Money as a Freelance Social Media Manager
• 10 Ways to Make Money as a Graphic Designer
• How to Make Money on Fivver
• 10 High-Paying Online Jobs
• How to Create a Freelance Website (Step by Step Guide)

FAQs About the Best Freelancer Apps

Have a question about the best apps for freelance work? Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions.

Now You Know the Best Apps for Freelancers

It’s imperative for freelancers to stay on top of everything because you’re working for yourself. Oftentimes, freelancers are teams of just one, like me.

There’s no better way to stay organized, productive, and communicate with your clients than by utilizing the apps and programs on this list — they’ll change your business for the better.

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The post 25 Best Apps for Freelancers (Free and Paid) appeared first on Goats On The Road.

After more than 15 years of basically constant travel, becoming residents of Bulgaria has changed the game for us.

For the first time since we were living part time in Grenada, we’re not living out of suitcases, hopping between Airbnbs, or eating whatever’s convenient – no matter how healthy.

We’ve finally put down roots – and it turns out that having a more full-time base is one of the best things we’ve ever done for our health. We’re not as young as when we first started this travel lifestyle back in 2008!

Now that we’ve become residents with a place to call our own, we’ve been able to build real routines, and we’ve never felt better. Hopefully this list gives you some ideas that you can incorporate into your daily life as well.

Here are the 10 things we’re doing to level up our health now that we’ve got a home base.

1. Saunas Every Week

One of the biggest perks of settling down has been easy access to saunas. We’ve made regular sauna sessions a non-negotiable part of our week.

The benefits go way beyond just relaxing after a workout.

Regular sauna use has been linked to better cardiovascular health, improved circulation, faster muscle recovery, and reduced stress levels…not to mention, sweating it out after a few glasses of wine the night before is always a good thing!

When we were living near Plovdiv in a larger house for almost 4 years, we actually had our own infrared sauna – this meant we were able to sweat it out as much as we wanted.

These days, now that we’ve downsized and moved to Bansko, we go to the spa weekly and enjoy a sauna session then.

2. Prioritizing Our Sleep

Here’s the thing about travel: it wrecks your sleep. Sleeping in different beds every few nights, jet lag, noisy streets, uncomfortable mattresses – it all adds up.

We’re definitely all about our mattress (I’m like the Princess and the Pea ). When we were living in Grenada, we didn’t think the mattress was up to par, so we purchased a new one…the same thing in Plovdiv.

Unfortunately, since our recent move to Bansko, the house we’re renting doesn’t have the best mattress – and our sleep has been suffering. We’ve just ordered a mattress topper, so hopefully that helps and if not, we’ll look into a new mattress.

Companies like Simba have a huge variety of mattresses, toppers, and actually, they have some reflexology slippers with 9 pressure points that I’m keen to check out! Anything that’ll add to my wellbeing, I’m in.

Nick also has an Oura Ring and I have an Apple Watch so we’re able to track our sleep, which has also been really helpful.

Of course, we’ll still travel and sleep on whatever beds are available (or the floor in some cases!), but when at home, we want a quality mattress. You can hike every day, eat perfectly, and supplement religiously, but if you’re not sleeping well, none of that really matters…

3. Soaking in Mineral Pools

Bulgaria is famous for its mineral springs, and living near Bansko, we’ve taken full advantage. The region has lots of mineral spa pools, and soaking in them has become one of our favorite ways to unwind and recover.

The naturally heated, mineral-rich water is packed with elements like magnesium, calcium, and sulfur, which are said to help with everything from sore muscles to skin health.

Beyond the physical benefits, there’s just something relaxing and restorative about soaking in warm water surrounded by mountains.

We try to make it out to the pools regularly. It’s the kind of thing we could never do consistently when we were constantly on the move, and now it’s a highlight of our routine.

4. Natural Cold Plunges

On the flip side of the sauna, Nick has fallen in love with cold plunging – me, not so much! I’ve done it a few times, but the water temperature has to be 10 °C or warmer, otherwise my body gets stressed.

And actually, it’s mixed reviews on whether or not cold plunges are good for women.

But for Nick, around our new home, he’s lucky enough to plunge in natural cold water, rather than a pool. There’s nothing like the rush of stepping into an icy mountain stream or plunge pool after warming up in the sauna.

Cold exposure has been linked to reduced inflammation, improved circulation, a boosted immune response, and a serious hit of mental clarity and alertness.

Those first few seconds are always a shock to the system, but the endorphin rush afterward is unbeatable – you come out feeling energized, focused, and weirdly euphoric.

5. Taking Targeted Minerals

This one’s a bit “out there”, but it’s been a fascinating part of our health journey. We both did an HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) test, which analyzes a small hair sample to reveal your mineral levels and ratios.

The results gave us a clear picture of where we were deficient (spoiler: basically all areas), what we needed to focus on, and it even showed which heavy metals were in our bodies…

Instead of guessing which supplements to take or throwing random vitamins at the problem, we now supplement with the specific minerals our bodies are actually lacking.

It’s been eye-opening to realize how much mineral imbalances can affect our energy, mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

If you’ve been feeling off and can’t pinpoint why, getting a proper mineral analysis might be worth looking into. Just be sure to work with a knowledgeable practitioner who can help you interpret the results and build a plan for you. We went with Sophie from She Talks Health and have been very happy with her work!

6. Working Out Multiple Times Per Day

When you have a home base, you can finally build a real fitness routine – and we’ve been taking advantage of that!

We’ll start the mornings with stretching, followed by an hour hike or walk, and then a midday run and strength workout at the gym. Some evenings, we’ll head out for a short walk as well.

Spreading movement across the day keeps our energy up and our bodies feeling good. Plus, it’s so nice to “move” when we’ve been working at our laptops.

7. Hiking the Incredible Trails

Living near Bansko, right at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, means we’re surrounded by some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Europe.

Daily hiking has become a big part of our physical activity. It’s cardio, it’s strength (those uphill climbs are no joke), and it’s mental health all in one.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a short forest walk, or a more challenging trek, we just love being in nature.

8. Cooking More of Our Own Meals

One of the huge perks of having a home base is having a real kitchen.

When you’re traveling constantly, cooking is a luxury you rarely get, and you end up dining out far more than is good for you – not that we don’t love going out to eat, but it’s not the healthiest option.

Now, we cook the majority of our meals at home, which has been great! Not only to have control over the ingredients we’re using, but it’s fun to prepare a meal together.

9. Real-Life Community and Connection

Even though we love each other’s company best, the past few years we’ve been really craving community. We have lots of friends around the world, but having them in your town is different!

Becoming residents has changed all of that – and especially since moving to a smaller town. For the first time in a long time, we’re part of a real community that’s still here next week, next month, and next year.

Bansko has a mix of expats, digital nomads, and locals, and instead of isolating ourselves in our own little work-from-home bubble, we’ve been making a point of showing up – coffee with friends, group hikes, community events, and dinners.

Health isn’t just about your body, it’s about your relationships, your sense of belonging, and having people you can count on. Putting down roots has finally given us that.

10. Being More Mindful About Alcohol

Let’s be clear – we haven’t quit drinking, and we’re not about to. We love a good glass of wine, and living in this part of the world, there’s some excellent local wine to enjoy!

When you’re traveling full-time, going to bars and drinking is par for the course. Every new city has its craft beer scene and wine bars to check out, and when you meet up with people, it’s usually to grab a drink.

These days, we’re more intentional with our wine drinking. We’ll savor a couple of glasses over a good meal, or an evening with friends, but it’s not an every day occurrance.

If I’m totally honest, we don’t really notice the effects in terms of better sleep, motivation, recovery, etc. But we know it’s good for our organs and overall wellness…especially now that we’re in our 40s!

For us, cutting back makes the times we do have wine feel more special, and not to mention, it saves money!

Final Thoughts

Becoming residents of Bulgaria after all our years of travel has been the best thing we did.

Don’t get me wrong, living in Bulgaria isn’t perfect, and we still love to travel…but it feels good to slow down, have some roots, and give our bodies and minds the consistency we were craving.

These 10 changes have upgraded our quality of life. We feel healthier, stronger, and more balanced than we have in a long time.

Most of these habits are things anyone can adopt, whether you’re a full-time traveler finally settling down or someone just looking to level up your health at home.

The post 10 Things We’re Doing to Upgrade Our Health Now That We Have a Home Base appeared first on Goats On The Road.