The AI Tools I Actually Use as a Freelance Developer
📚 Table of Contents
- Why AI Tools Matter for Freelancers
- 1. Code Assistants
- 2. Content & Copywriting Tools
- 3. Design & UI Tools
- 4. Automation Tools
- 5. Research & Planning
- Final Thoughts
📌 Why AI Tools Matter for Freelancers
As a freelance developer running Sindhu Solutions and blogging at umar.press, I’ve come to realize that using AI tools isn’t optional anymore — it’s leverage. They help me write code faster, automate repetitive tasks, and even close deals more efficiently.
“AI doesn’t replace developers — it replaces slow developers.”
— My philosophy in 2025
Here are the AI tools I actually use regularly — not just trendy ones, but those that have truly become part of my workflow.
🧠 1. Code Assistants
💡 GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is like having a junior developer right in your VS Code. It suggests code completions, entire functions, and even documentation.
- Best for: Boilerplate code, regex, function scaffolding
- Limitations: Needs review, not always accurate with APIs
Video by Github
💡 Codeium
Codeium is a free alternative to Copilot with multi-language support and great autocompletion for frontend tasks.
- Best for: Free devs, VS Code & JetBrains users
✍️ 2. Content & Copywriting Tools
💡 ChatGPT Pro (GPT-4o)
Almost everything I write — from proposals to blog outlines — starts here. It’s fast, context-aware, and integrates well into my thinking process.
- Best for: Brainstorming, code explanation, client comms
- Bonus tip: Use
Custom Instructionsto align its tone to your brand
💡 Jasper AI
Jasper is more polished for marketing copy, landing pages, and ad creatives. I use it for client projects that need high-converting CTAs.
Image:
Image by Anna Shvets on Pexels
🎨 3. Design & UI Tools
💡 Figma AI
Figma AI helps speed up wireframes and generate quick design ideas. I use it for early mockups and component resizing.
💡 Galileo AI
Galileo AI lets me describe a UI in plain English and it generates the layout. A game-changer for MVPs and prototyping.
⚙️ 4. Automation Tools
💡 Zapier + OpenAI
I use Zapier to automate tasks like:
- Auto-replying to lead form submissions
- Generating summaries of feedback forms
- Routing requests via Gmail → Notion → Slack
💡 Make (Integromat)
Better for visual logic-heavy automations. Works great with Webhooks, Notion, and custom APIs.
🔍 5. Research & Planning
💡 Perplexity.ai
Perplexity is my go-to for technical research, quick comparisons, or trend analysis. It beats traditional Google search for coding-related queries.
💡 Notion AI
Notion AI helps me generate to-do lists, feature specs, meeting notes, and even content summaries — all inside the tools I already use.
Photo Unsplash
💬 Final Thoughts
These tools don’t make me lazier — they make me sharper. As a solo developer, I’m not trying to do less work. I’m trying to do more meaningful work by offloading the repetitive and non-creative parts to AI.
If you’re a freelance dev and still ignoring AI, you’re working harder than you need to.
“Leverage > Hustle.”
Start where you are. Add one tool. Automate one thing.
Got questions about these tools or how I use them in client work? Drop a comment or connect with me on LinkedIn.