The AI Tools I Actually Use as a Freelance Developer

June 18, 2025
Umar Sindhu
3 min read
The AI Tools I Actually Use as a Freelance Developer

📚 Table of Contents

📌 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 Instructions to 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:

AI writing assistant

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.

Figma workspace with UI components
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.

Published on June 18, 2025 • Updated June 18, 2025

By Umar Sindhu

Further Reading

Comments