![Top 20 Free Remote Work Tools [2025]](https://remotelifestyleguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DALL·E-2024-04-11-19.26.20-A-sophisticated-mid-century-modern-digital-workspace-in-a-hotel-subtly-enhanced-with-feminine-touches-overlooking-a-breathtaking-view.-The-workspace.webp "Top 20 Free Remote Work Tools [2025] 1")
Top 20 Free Remote Work Tools [2025]
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on the link or make a. purchase using the link at no cost to you. Review the full disclaimer here.
Are you struggling to juggle your remote work tasks, communicate effectively with your team, and overall just work more efficiently?
Having worked remotely for 5 years, I get the challenges of managing projects, communication, and just day to day life in a virtual environment.
I’ve tried various free and paid remote work tools to support my blog and 9-5 job.
You don’t have to spend loads of money on tools if your company isn’t already covering them. It will add up!
My goal is to share my favorite free remote work tools to streamline your work, improve team communication, and help you work smarter.
Let’s transform your remote work journey!
Free Communication Tools
1. Slack
Oh, Slack.
I may hear the slack notification sound in my nightmares, but it does remain at the top of my list for remote work communication tools.
Slack is used by 80% of fortune 100 companies. It is the go-to communication tool for remote and in-person workers.
It’s like instant messaging or texting for work, making communication more casual and quicker than traditional emails.
You’ll be able to create different channels for various projects or topics or directly message a certain team member.
You can also integrate Slack with your calendars and project management tools.
Slack has been an integral part of my daily routine for the past five years at my 9-5, and I must say.
Unlike email, which can feel formal and sometimes slow, Slack offers a more casual and instant way to connect with my colleagues.
I’ve also used it to manage personal tasks like grocery lists, household chores, and budget tracking.
The free option is perfect for small teams who need a quick way to communicate.
2. Microsoft Teams
My company recently switched to Teams from Zoom and I’ll be honest, I was hesitant.
It’s grown on me!
Microsoft Teams is great looking to stay connected with your team over chat or video.
With Microsoft Teams, organize your remote lifestyle whether your at home or traveling for a working vacation.
Need to send a quick chat to a colleague or share files? Want to make a call or schedule a virtual meeting? You can do it all!
One feature that I love is how the chat saves from meetings and is easily accessible and available to use with team members post-meeting.
Being able to refer back to important discussions without having to take separate notes is super helpful.
3. Zoom
You can’t mention a list of tools for remote work without mentioning Zoom.
If you haven’t used it for work, maybe you used it during the pandemic to connect with friends and family during lockdown.
Zoom allows you to stay connected via video conferencing with your team from anywhere.
With Zoom you can screen share your projects, host a virtual team-building activity, or have team breakout sessions.
What I liked about Zoom was that most vendors or clients that I would work with outside my company’s organization also used Zoom so managing meetings was super easy.
Download my free Zoom backgrounds to use on your new Zoom account! (They will also work with Microsoft Teams.)
4. Google Meet
Google Meet is a great tool if you are looking for something you don’t have to download to your desktop.
If you use Google calendar and Google drive, it will integrate seamlessly with other Google products.
I’ve used it some to connect with friends and family and it worked as it should.
I’d say that for personal use, Google Meet is great.
Considering it for work purposes, I believe it would excel best with small teams or groups.
Comparing it to Teams and Zoom, which offer more security and control over your meetings for larger teams, I find Google Meet to be perfect for more small gatherings or collaborations.
Free Meeting Scheduler Tools
5. Calendly
Calendly takes the headache out of scheduling meetings by letting you set your available times and sharing a link where people can book appointments with you.
In my 9-5, I’ll use our rep’s Calendly links in email sequences for booking demos or setting up appointments at our booth for upcoming events.
If you manage clients, you can send them the link, and they’ll see when we’re available, book a slot, and it will automatically add to both of your calendars.
The free version is quite robust, allowing you to set up unlimited 1:1 meetings—perfect for quick demos or initial consultations.
5. Setmore
Setmore is a free scheduling tool that makes organizing appointments easy, whether you’re managing client meetings, classes, or just your daily tasks.
Setmore is super straightforward. You set up your services, and availability, and you’re good to go.
Clients can book directly through your customized booking page, and you get alerts to your phone as soon as someone schedules a time. .
It will also send automatic reminders to clients, which helps cut down on no-shows.
The free version supports up to four users, which is great if you have a small team.
FREE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
5. Asana
I’ll be honest, my favorite project management tool changes every few years.
Right now, I’m hooked on Asana!
With Asana, you can manage pretty much your whole life in one place.
It is great for individual task management but you can also collaborate with up to 10 team members on the free version.
You can manage your projects and set deadlines on a “board” where you can oversee a project’s progress. Based on the deadlines you set in each project, it will automatically put together your daily to-do list.
I use the paid version with my company and the free version to manage Remote Lifestyle Guide and my household.
I’ve never been more organized!
6. Trello
The first project management tool I used was Trello
Trello allows you to build Kanban boards to collaborate with your team and manage projects.
You can organize the Kanban board into different sections that break down into cards, where you can find all the necessary information on each task.
It’s a very user-friendly platform that simplifies task management and project coordination.
I think it’s great if you have never used a project management tool before,
However, it’s a bit limited in comparison to Asana, which offers a variety of project views, enhanced goal-setting and reporting capabilities, and automation features.
7. ClickUp
ClickUp is an extremely versatile project management tool.
If you’re familiar with using Asana, you’ll find ClickUp to be similar, but much more customizable.
However, because it’s so customizable, it’s not as user-friendly if you’re a brand-new user of the software.
Despite this, once you get the hang of it, ClickUp becomes a powerful partner in staying organized and productive in your remote work setup.
Free Time Tracking Tools
8. Toggl
Time tracking tools are a must have for freelancers managing clients or remote workers needing to send time tracking reports to their boss.
Toggl’s free version offers unlimited time tracking and the ability to easily export time reports to send to whoever you need.
They also have an app for your phone and integrates with your Google Calendar.
It makes invoicing clients super easy and straightforward. Toggle will also help you stay on track and meet deadlines by providing a clear overview of your projects and billable time spent on each project.
9. Clockify
Clockify is another time tracking tool that is easy to use and perfect if you aren’t sitting at a desk all-day.
You just start the timer when you begin working and stop it when you’re done, or you can add the hours in later if that’s easier.
The dashboard is super handy, too.
It shows you what’s eating up your time, so you can manage your day better—pretty helpful when you’re trying to fit work around exploring new places.
Clockify will also integrate with tools already mentioned in this post like Asana, Trello, Google Calendar and Outlook,
Free File Sharing and Storage Tools
While all these options I’m going to mention are free, storage space space can fill up pretty quickly.
Like when you’re iPhone storage is full and you finally break and pay the .99 a month for more Cloud storage… same thing.
I low-key used to create new email accounts so I didn’t have to pay for extra file storage, but it might be worth considering not being like me and budgeting for extra space down the line when you need it.
10. Dropbox
Keeping your files organized and accessible wherever you are can be a hassle.
Girl, I know what your desktop and phone storage look like right now.
Dropbox makes it super easy to manage it all in nice neat folders.
It’s straightforward and gives you a decent amount of space to start with, making it great for everyday document storage and sharing.
I’ve primarily used Dropbox when I was a wedding photographer and loved knowing my images were safe and secure.
11. Google Drive
Not only do you get cloud storage with Google Drive, but you also get access to a suite of tools that can change how you work and collaborate with your team.
With the free version, you get 15 GB right off the bat— which does take a while to fill up if you aren’t using it to upload large image and video files.
Google Docs is fantastic for drafting everything from blog posts to reports, and you can share and collaborate in real-time.
Google Sheets lets you manage data and budgets very easily.
Hot take – I like Sheets more than Excel. It’s easier to use if you don’t have experience with Excel.
There are many other tools that it offers as well like Google Forms, Google Slides, and more.
You likely already have a Gmail account – if so just Google “Google Drive” and sign in!
12. Onedrive
If you’re a Microsoft user, OneDrive is the way to go!
This is Microsoft’s cloud storage product and will integrate with Windows and Microsoft Office.
This is the file storage software that I use in my 9-5 and for collaborating with team members and external vendors it’s great to be able to share and collaborate in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel since they are so commonly used.
Like Google Drive, you can access and edit Microsoft Office files directly in OneDrive, never having to download to your desktop if you don’t want to.
However, if you do download an Excel Sheet to your desktop for example, your edits will automatically continue to update in OneDrive which is nice.
Top Free VPNs
While investing in a quality VPN like Surfshark is ideal for top security and features, I totally get that it may not fit in your budget right now.
If you can, Surfshark is my top pick— super affordable at just $2.39 per month, with benefits like unlimited devices, access to over 65 countries, and ad/malware blocking with CleanWeb.
A paid VPN offers better speeds, more servers, and stronger security.
Free VPNs can still secure your basic browsing and protect your privacy without cost.
Either way, having a VPN is essential!
(if security sounds boring – you can also change your location to the U.K. so you can watch The Office on Netflix!)
13. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is one of the few free VPNs that doesn’t log your data or serve ads, focusing on your security with strong encryption to keep your online activities private.
It has no speed or data limits and is ideal for basic internet use like browsing and streaming.
While it doesn’t offer the full suite of features available in its paid plans, it’s a good choice for securing your online activities on a budget.
14. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a super user-friendly and makes sure your internet connection is secure, no matter where you log in from.
The free plan will give you 2 GB of secure browsing. That may not be enough for a Netflix Binge but it’s great for those times you’re just checking emails or doing some light browsing.
The interface is adorable too, with a little bear that “tunnels” around the world as you connect to different servers.
Other Free Tools for Remote Workers
14. Canva
If you’ve ever needed to whip up a quick graphic for a presentation, social media post, or even just to make your documents look better, then you’ll want to sign up for Canva.
It’s a graphic design tool that’s super easy to use and doesn’t require you to be a design pro to get some pretty cool results.
Its a drag-and-drop interface. You can choose from tons of templates— LinkedIn banner, an Instagram post, a slide show presentation, etc.
I’ve used Canva for my 9-5 and this website— creating logos, presentations, building my resume, collateral for my events, and Pinterest pins for RLG, just to name a few.
I am by no means a graphic designer, but it makes me feel like one!
15. GrammArly
Ever sent off an email only to spot a typo a second too late?
Same. Even with Grammarly!
Grammarly will help you catch typos and actually helps you improve your writing style and tone.
The free version of Grammarly is pretty robust. It checks your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
It’s super easy to use, you’ll just add it as an extension to your browser.
And honestly, it’s a lifesaver when you’re in a rush and need to make sure everything sounds just right. It’s like having a second pair of eyes that never gets tired of reading your drafts.
16. Evernote
You know how it goes—your desk is swamped with sticky notes, and you’ve got reminders set on every device.
I was right there with you until I started using Evernote.
JK, I am still there but Evernote helps! LOL
It’s perfect for jotting down quick to-dos that pop into your head mid-coffee run or for taking detailed notes in meetings without scrambling for a pen.
You can sync Evernote across your phone and laptop you use for remote work, so no matter where you’re at, you can access your note. .
You can create different notebooks for each project for extra organization.
Plus, it’s not just for text. You can throw in images, PDFs, voice memos, which is awesome for when you’re on the go and typing is a hassle.
Wrapping Up: Free Remote Work Tools
There you have it—the best free tools out there to make your remote work life a little easier and a lot more organized.
Whether you’re managing projects, scheduling meetings, or just need to keep your communications streamlined, these tools have got your back.
Remember, while the free versions of these tools offer a ton of features, they might have some limitations. It’s always worth considering an upgrade if you find a tool that really fits your needs and you’re looking for more functionality.
But for now, these should do just fine in helping you stay on top of your game without breaking the bank.
So go ahead, try them out, and find the ones that work best for you!
Read More:
- 20 Remote Work Essentials + Printable Checklist
- 9 Best Laptops for Remote Workers
- 5 Work From Home Best Practices
- What is a Working Vacation and Why Book One
- Best 7 Workcation Destinations in the United States
More Work From Home Resources
☑Task Management: My go to productivity tools are either Asana or Trello. These tools allow you to track tasks, projects, and your overall workflow as an individual or across a team.
ꗃ Security: My favorite VPN service is Surfshark. Starting at $2.30 per month, it’s very affordable and makes sure all your devices are secure.
✎ Note Taking Tool: I love using Evernote for note taking during meetings. You can have it on your desktop but access your notes on your online account. This has come in handy when my computer has had to be replaced so you don’t lose all of your notes.
🎥 Video Calls: Zoom is my top pick for video conferencing. It’s very easy to use and has everything you need to run group calls, meetings, and webinars. My company just switched to a different video call service and I am not pleased!
🗄 File Storage: I’ve used several file storage services and Dropbox is my favorite. Its easy to use platform allows you to save, share, and access files from anywhere.
···· Password manager: Keeping track of passwords is easy and secure with 1Password. Don’t be that person who uses different versions of the same exact password for everything you create accounts for! Keep your information safe.
