My Current Freelance Tech Stack

by | May 15, 2025 | The Freelancer's Teabreak Podcast

Unlock the secrets to a streamlined freelance business with Emma’s latest blog post! Discover the essential tech stack that can transform your workflow and boost productivity. From onboarding clients with Dubsado to managing tasks with Notion, she delves into the tools that have stood the test of time. Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or just starting out, these insights will help you work smarter, not harder. Dive in and elevate your freelance game today!

Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!


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In this week’s episode of The Freelancers Tea Break podcast, I’m diving into one of my most requested topics: my current tech stack! If you’ve ever wondered what systems and tools help me run my business smoothly (especially as someone with ADHD who needs things to be simple and intuitive), this post is for you.

I put the call out in both my Facebook and Discord communities to see what you’d like to hear more about, and this topic was a big yes from you all.

So let’s talk tools – the ones that have stood the test of time, made life easier and helped me stay on top of client work, content creation, coaching and courses.


What is a Tech Stack, Anyway?

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, your tech stack is simply the collection of apps, tools and platforms you use to run your business. And mine, surprisingly, hasn’t changed much in recent years – which says a lot about how well it’s working for me.


Here’s What’s In My Tech Stack Right Now:

Dubsado – for onboarding & offboarding

Dubsado is my go-to for client admin. I use it to:

  • Schedule sessions

  • Send contracts and invoices

  • Automate onboarding with forms and welcome emails

  • Nudge me for follow-ups like testimonials

Whether I’m booking coaching clients or podcast guests, it keeps everything smooth and professional.

Podia – for courses & freebies

I moved from Teachable to Podia a few years ago and haven’t looked back. It’s intuitive, drag-and-drop simple, and perfect for hosting:

  • Online courses

  • Freebies

  • Webinars

Only downside? No app. But the user experience makes up for it!

Discord – as an alternative to Facebook Groups

I’ve been experimenting with Discord lately as a fun, fresh community space. Our Facebook Group still runs, but Discord gives us:

  • More lively chat

  • Custom channels for topics

  • Better boundaries (less doomscrolling!)

I’m even planning to add a networking element soon – stay tuned!

Sunsama – my daily planning lifesaver

I’m obsessed with Sunsama. It’s like my digital HQ:

  • It syncs my emails, calendar, and to-do list

  • Lets me drag tasks straight from email

  • Tracks where I spend my time

  • Even helps me reflect on how things went

If you’re a planner who wants a better relationship with your inbox, Sunsama might be your new BFF.

Slack – for team comms

I use Slack with my team to:

  • Chat without cluttering email

  • Share content and assets

  • Collaborate on social posts via Canvas

It’s free to get started and great for solo freelancers who need simple team or client communication.

Notion – my business brain

Notion is my digital command centre. I use it daily to track:

  • Client work

  • Payments

  • Weekly stats

  • Resources and templates

I’m also exploring some of the new AI features to streamline content and admin. You can even build onboarding processes here, which is fab if you’re just starting out.

Bonus tools I love:

  • Speaking Email: Reads newsletters aloud so I can declutter hands-free (yep, sometimes while playing Nintendo)

  • Speechify: Great for listening to long emails or documents

  • Voxer: For voice note convos with clients

  • Descript: What I use to record and edit this podcast


If I Were Starting From Scratch…

For any freelancer starting with zero budget, I’d recommend:

  • Slack for communication

  • Notion for organisation and task management

  • Discord if you want to build a community outside social media

All of these have generous free plans and can grow with you.


TL;DR – My Top Tech Stack Recap (with Links)

Heads up: Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). I only recommend tools I genuinely use and love in my own freelance business.

ToolWhat it’s forTrial / PricingLink
DubsadoClient onboarding, contracts, formsGet 20% off your first month or year with my affiliate link.Visit Dubsado
PodiaCourses, freebies, webinars30-day free trial, then from $33/month with my affiliate link.Visit Podia
SunsamaDaily planning, to-dos, email wrangling14-day free trial, then from $16/month with my affiliate link.Visit Sunsama
DiscordCommunity-building (alternative to FB groups)FreeVisit Discord
SlackTeam and client communicationFree for basic useVisit Slack
NotionBusiness dashboard & task trackingFree plan availableVisit Notion
Speaking EmailHands-free email readingFree & paid optionsVisit Speaking Email
SpeechifyListening to long emails/docsFree & paid optionsVisit Speechify
VoxerVoice note chats with clientsFree plan availableVisit Voxer
DescriptPodcast recording & editingFree & paid plansVisit Descript

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All about Emma Cossey

I’m a long-term freelancer, mum and all round digital geek, and I’m happy to welcome you to The Freelance Lifestyle. I launched this blog in 2011, to provide freelancers with down-to-earth support, and practical advice. I wanted it to be a kind, supportive place to get tips and advice on living a great freelance life. I’ve been a pro blogger, a social media consultant, a copywriter, a teacher… but my passion is helping people just like you take the next step. So whether you want to pick up tips from the blog, listen in to the podcast, come join the Facebook group or get some more focused 1-2-1 support with my coaching, there’s something here for you.

You can find out more about Everything I do here

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