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Quick picks
Notion
The most flexible workspace — CRM, project tracker, and knowledge base in one
Try Notion free →Asana
More structured than Notion — great for multi-phase client projects
Try Asana free →Trello
Simple Kanban boards. Free plan is genuinely usable for solo work
Start free with Trello →Side-by-side comparison
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Client sharing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notion | Free / $10mo | ✓ Generous | ✓ | Flexible solo use |
| Asana | Free / $13mo | ✓ Good | ✓ | Structured projects |
| Trello | Free / $5mo | ✓ Great | ✓ | Simple Kanban |
| ClickUp | Free / $7mo | ✓ | ✓ | Everything in one |
| Basecamp | $15/mo flat | ✕ | ✓ Best | Client communication |
In-depth reviews
Notion
The most flexible workspace for independent professionals
Notion has become the default operating system for a lot of independent professionals — and for good reason. You can use it as a project tracker, a CRM, a knowledge base, a client portal, or all four simultaneously. The free plan is genuinely useful. The downside: it takes time to set up the way you want it, and the flexibility can be paralysing if you go in without a plan.
What works
- Extremely flexible — use it any way you want
- Generous free plan
- Great for client-sharing and portals
- Huge template library
What doesn't
- Setup time required
- Can be overwhelming to start
- Mobile app lags behind desktop