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5 non-American apps and platforms freelancers can switch to
(for no particular, current-affairs-related reasons)
Jomiro Eming
January 24, 2025
In case — for no particular reason whatsoever — you want to make the switch away from American-based companies, there are some really powerful and really accessible apps and platforms out there.
This is particularly useful for freelancers who want to support companies outside of the United States (again, for no particular reason), companies who might instead (or might not, I don’t know) fall within the legislation of countries that actually do (or don’t, again I’m not suggesting anything) push growth-, accessibility-, and inclusivity-driven policies.
There really are more options out there than you realise.
And since companies track number-of-users quite closely: A drop in numbers might (or might not) nudge them towards… oh, I don’t know, generating some campaigns that, for example, action or petition against problematic things happening around them (not that anything problematic is actually happening, of course).
This is a list of apps that will get continuously updated as I find new ones to add it to. So, if you’d like to stay up-to-date, consider bookmarking this and checking back in every so often.
Author’s note: In putting this together, it became very obvious to me, very quickly, just how reliant I am on these apps and platforms. I myself won’t be able to hard switch all at once, but I think even just finding one alternative to start off with — and then slowly switching / slowly building an awareness about seeking alternatives — is already a huge step in a productive direction for any freelancers who want to go this route.
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Alternative Graphic Design and Illustration Suites
Alternatives to Adobe...
Affinity (UK)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Affinity’s tools are fast, easy to use, and require just a one-off payment instead of expensive monthly subscriptions. This makes it more affordable, especially for freelancers. Plus, you’re not locked into online-only tools—you can work offline whenever you like.
Free tier overview: While Affinity isn’t free, it often offers free trials and discounts on its tools (Photo, Designer, and Publisher).
Drawback: It doesn’t integrate with Adobe’s ecosystem, which could be a challenge if you collaborate with clients or teams using Adobe tools.
CorelDRAW (Canada)
Why it’s great for freelancers: CorelDRAW offers a comprehensive suite of design tools that are powerful yet user-friendly. It’s an excellent alternative for those seeking advanced vector graphic capabilities without relying on U.S.-based companies. CorelDRAW also supports a one-time purchase option.
Free tier overview: CorelDRAW is not free, but it provides a 15-day free trial for its suite.
Drawback: It’s not as widely adopted as Adobe, which might create compatibility challenges when collaborating with clients or other designers.
Alternative Meeting Scheduling Apps
Alternatives to Calendly...
Setmore (UK)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Setmore is perfect for freelancers who want a professional, easy-to-use booking page that allows clients to schedule appointments directly. It’s especially useful for freelancers who need to organise their time efficiently, with tools for reminders and client management.
Free tier overview: The free plan includes a booking page, unlimited appointments, and up to four staff profiles.
Drawback: Integrations with video meeting tools like Zoom and Google Meet are locked behind paid plans, and there’s no seamless integration with non-U.S.-based video conferencing tools like Jitsi Meet.
SimplyBook.me (Iceland)
Why it’s great for freelancers: SimplyBook.me is highly customisable, making it great for freelancers offering multiple services. You can even accept payments or add custom promotions to attract more clients.
Free tier overview: Supports 50 bookings per month, a customisable booking page, and one basic integration (but advanced integrations, including video calls, require a paid plan).
Drawback: The free plan is limited in terms of bookings and integrations, which could be a barrier for freelancers managing higher volumes or needing robust features.
Alternative Project Management Tools
Alternatives to Asana, Notion, or Trello...
Taiga (Spain)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Taiga is a powerful and flexible tool designed to keep you organised. Its open-source nature means anyone can suggest improvements, making it a transparent and ethical option.
Free tier overview: Free for public projects, including to-do lists, task tracking, and timelines.
Drawback: The interface can feel a bit technical or overwhelming for those unfamiliar with Agile or Scrum workflows.
Freedcamp (Bulgaria)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Freedcamp is simple to use and perfect for small teams or solo workers. It gives you all the basics to manage projects, like calendars, task lists, and file sharing, without a steep learning curve.
Free tier overview: Includes unlimited projects and tasks, file sharing, and basic calendar features.
Drawback: Its feature set may feel limited for larger or more complex projects.
WeKan (International Community)
Why it’s great for freelancers: WeKan works like a digital whiteboard where you can easily organise tasks and track progress. Its open-source nature means it’s free and can be customised if you need advanced features.
Free tier overview: Completely free and easy to get started.
Drawback: Lacks out-of-the-box integrations with other apps, which could make workflows less smooth.
Alternative Online Meeting Tools
Alternatives to Zoom or Google Meet...
Jitsi Meet (France)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Jitsi Meet is simple—no accounts, no downloads, no hassle. Just share a link and start your meeting. It’s private, so your conversations stay between you and your clients.
Free tier overview: Fully free with no participant limits if you use Jitsi’s servers.
Drawback: Lacks integration with popular scheduling tools, which means you’ll need to manually share meeting links.
Jami (Canada)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Jami prioritises privacy by letting you connect directly with others, so no middleman company can track or store your conversations.
Free tier overview: Fully free, with secure video calls, messages, and file sharing included.
Drawback: Its decentralised system can sometimes lead to slower connections compared to centralised services like Zoom.
Alternative Cloud Storage and File Sharing
Alternatives to Google Drive or Dropbox...
Nextcloud (Germany)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Nextcloud is an open-source platform that allows you to store, share, and access files securely. Unlike U.S.-based services, your data stays fully under your control, as you can host it yourself or choose a trusted provider. It also includes collaboration tools like document editing and calendar syncing.
Free tier overview: Completely free if self-hosted. Many hosting providers also offer free or affordable plans.
Drawback: Setting up self-hosting can require technical knowledge, though managed hosting options make it easier.
Tresorit (Switzerland)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Tresorit prioritises security and privacy with end-to-end encryption. It’s ideal for freelancers handling sensitive client files or working in industries with strict data protection requirements.
Free tier overview: A free plan is available with limited storage (up to 5GB).
Drawback: The free tier has relatively low storage compared to other options, and higher storage plans can be expensive.
Alternative Email and Communication Platforms
Alternatives to Gmail or Slack...
ProtonMail (Switzerland)
Why it’s great for freelancers: ProtonMail offers secure, encrypted email that’s easy to use and prioritises your privacy. Based in Switzerland, it operates under strict data protection laws. It’s an excellent choice for freelancers who value keeping their communications private.
Free tier overview: Includes 1GB of storage and up to 150 messages per day.
Drawback: The free tier has limited storage, and advanced features like custom domains are only available in paid plans.
Element (UK)
Why it’s great for freelancers: Element is an open-source chat and collaboration platform built on the decentralised Matrix network. It’s a strong alternative to Slack, with added privacy and the ability to self-host.
Free tier overview: Free to use with basic chat and collaboration features. Self-hosting options are also free.
Drawback: The interface might feel less polished compared to Slack, and integrations with other tools are limited.
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