Useful online tools

0. Considerations for reading this page

1. Project management & productivity

• Pros: User-friendly, integrates with other tools, good mobile app.
• Cons: Advanced features require a paid plan, can have a learning curve for complex setups.
• Cost: Free basic plan. Premium plans start at $10.99/user/month.

• Pros: Flexible, can integrate multiple work tools into one, active community for templates.
• Cons: Might be overwhelming for new users.
• Cost: Free for personal use. Team plans start at $8/user/month.

• Pros: Simple, integrates with other tools, great reports.
• Cons: Features like project profitability are in higher tiers only.
• Cost: Free basic version. Starter plan at $9/user/month.

• Pros: Automatic tracking, detailed reports, productivity score.
• Cons: Can be invasive since it monitors all computer activities.
• Cost: Free version available. Premium at $12/month.

2. Communication

• Pros: Integrates with many other tools, highly customizable.
• Cons: Can be distracting with many channels, file storage limits.
• Cost: Free basic version. Paid plans start at $6.67/user/month.

• Pros: Reliable, HD video quality, virtual backgrounds.
• Cons: Security concerns in the past, 40-minute limit on free plan meetings.
• Cost: Free basic plan. Pro plan at $14.99/host/month.

• Pros: Integrated with Google tools, no software installation needed.
• Cons: Fewer features than some competitors.
• Cost: Free for 60-minute meetings. Extended features with Google Workspace subscription starting at $6/user/month. There are free plans for non-profits if you are a registered charity.

• Pros: Free voice channels, community-building features.
• Cons: Originally for gamers, so might have a learning curve for professionals.
• Cost: Free. Nitro subscription for enhanced features at $9.99/month.

• Pros: End-to-end encryption, widely adopted (WhatsApp).
• Cons: WhatsApp is owned by Facebook (privacy concerns for some).
• Cost: Both are free.

3. Collaboration & document sharing

• Pros: Integrated suite, real-time collaboration, reliable.
• Cons: Concerns about Google's data privacy.
• Cost: Plans start at $6/user/month.

• Pros: Reliable, integrates with many apps, easy sharing.
• Cons: Limited free storage.
• Cost: Free basic version. Plus plan at $9.99/month.

• Pros: Feature-rich, OCR on images, multi-platform.
• Cons: Free version limitations, past issues with redesigns.
• Cost: Free basic version. Premium at $7.99/month.

• Pros: User-friendly, multimedia posts, templates.
• Cons: Limited free boards.
• Cost: Free for basic. Pro at $12/month.

• Pros: Flexible, blends spreadsheet & database, rich field types.
• Cons: Can become slow with very large bases.
• Cost: Free basic plan. Plus at $10/user/month.

4. Calendar & scheduling

• Pros: Integrated with Google services, free, widely adopted.
• Cons: Limited advanced scheduling features.
• Cost: Free.

• Pros: Time zone detection, integrates with many calendars.
• Cons: Free version limits event types.
• Cost: Free basic. Premium at $8/user/month.

• Pros: Integrated with MS services, feature-rich.
• Cons: Best within MS ecosystem.
• Cost: Part of Microsoft 365 subscription starting at $7/user/month.

• Pros: No-signup required, easy-to-use.
• Cons: Fewer features compared to competitors.
• Cost: Free.

• Pros: Simple, no account required.
• Cons: Basic interface, limited
• Cost: Free.

5. Engagement & outreach

• Pros: User-friendly, good templates, integrations.
• Cons: Can become expensive as the list grows, steep learning curve for advanced features.
• Cost: Free up to 2,000 contacts. Paid plans starting at $9.99/month.

• Pros: Multi-platform posting, analytics, simple UI.
• Cons: Limited number of social accounts on free version.
• Cost: Free for basic use. Pro plan at $15/month.

• Pros: Visual content planning, best for Instagram.
• Cons: Instagram-specific features might not be as useful for other platforms.
• Cost: Free for basic use. Paid plans start at $12.50/month.

• Pros: User-friendly, integration options (SurveyMonkey), completely free (Google Forms).
• Cons: Limited questions and responses for free version (SurveyMonkey).
• Cost: Google Forms is free. SurveyMonkey starts free, with paid plans beginning at $25/month.

6. Link management & analytics

• Pros: Reliable, trackable links, custom domains.
• Cons: Limited branded links in the free version.
• Cost: Free for basic use. Custom plans for businesses.

• Pros: Simple, customizable designs, trackable stats (QR Monkey).
• Cons: Limited features in the free version.
• Cost: Both offer free basic versions. QR Monkey's premium starts at $7/month.

7. Financial management

• Pros: Widely accepted, currency conversion (Wise), secure.
• Cons: Fees can add up, especially for international transactions.
• Cost: Variable fees per transaction.

• Pros: Simple, no account required.
• Cons: Limited customization.
• Cost: Typically free.

8. Website management

• Pros: Highly customizable, large plugin ecosystem, good for SEO.
• Cons: Can be complex, may require maintenance.
• Cost: Open-source (self-hosted) is free. WordPress.com plans start at $4/month.

• Pros: Drag and drop design, no coding required.
• Cons: Less flexible than WordPress, costs can add up with add-ons.
• Cost: Wix starts free with ads. Premium starts at $14/month. Squarespace starts at $12/month.

10. Data analysis

• Pros: Comprehensive data, integrates with other Google services.
• Cons: Steep learning curve.
• Cost: Free.

• Pros: Powerful data visualization, integration options.
• Cons: Can be expensive, requires training.
• Cost: Pricing varies based on business needs.

• Pros: Integrated with MS tools, powerful data visualization.
• Cons: Learning curve for advanced features.
• Cost: Desktop version is free. Pro is $9.99/user/month.

11. AI tools

• Pros: Natural language processing, enhances customer service.
• Cons: Not always perfect, can sometimes misunderstand and have incorrect information.
• Cost: Varies, many have free versions or tiers.

• Pros: Can check grammar errors and improve writing.
• Cons: Can sometimes not understand stylistic choices in writing.
• Cost: Base version is free. Premium version range in costs.

• Pros: Streamlined scheduling and calendar integration.
• Cons: Might have a learning curve, especially for newcomers
• Cost: Varies. Many offer free versions with premium features available at an additional cost.

• Pros: Efficient email sorting and management + automation of replies.
• Cons: Possibility of misclassification or overlooking important emails.
• Cost: Varies. Some start with a free trial or basic version, with advanced features available at premium costs.

• Pros: Speeds up content generation, AI-enhanced creativity.
• Cons: Still requires human oversight.
• Cost: Plans usually start free with limited usage. Paid tiers vary.

• Pros: Streamline video editing, AI-enhanced features.
• Cons: May lack advanced features of professional software.
• Cost: Varies, starting free or with trial versions.

• Pros: Unique AI-generated imagery, quick content.
• Cons: Potential for misuse, limited to AI's creativity.
• Cost: Varies.

• Pros: Automates transcription, improves meeting productivity.
• Cons: AI transcriptions might not always be 100% accurate.
• Cost: Varies, many offer free versions with limitations.

• Pros: Quick slide creation, professional designs.
• Cons: Might lack customization of tools like PowerPoint.
• Cost: Some free options or templates. Premium features have costs.

• Pros: AI-enhanced research, faster content understanding.
• Cons: Still requires user discernment.
• Cost: Varies based on tool and features.

• Pros: Connects various apps, streamlines workflows.
• Cons: Complex automations might require troubleshooting.
• Cost: Free for basic use. Starting at $19.99/month for premium.