The tools a one-person business actually needs, without the hype

Email marketing

Build a list you own and sell to it: newsletters, automations and digital products.

3 tools

Course platforms

Host and sell courses, memberships and coaching without stitching tools together.

3 tools

Websites and stores

A portfolio, a service site or a small shop that takes payments.

3 tools

Video and audio

Record, edit and publish podcasts and videos on a solo budget.

3 tools

Invoicing and money

Send invoices, get paid and keep your books tidy.

2 tools

Best email marketing tools for creators

Kit, MailerLite and Mailchimp compared on free plans, starting prices and what you can sell, for creators building a list on a solo budget.

Best course platforms for solo creators

Teachable, Thinkific and Kajabi compared on price, fees and limits for someone selling their first course.

Best website builders for freelancers

Squarespace, Wix and Shopify compared for freelancers who need a portfolio, a service site or a small shop.

Best podcast recording software

Riverside, Descript and Audacity compared for solo podcasters and interview shows.

Best invoicing software for freelancers

Wave and FreshBooks compared on price, limits and payment fees for freelancers who bill clients.

Creator stack: selling your first course

Course hosting, an email list and editing for about $45 a month billed yearly, and the fee to watch as sales grow.

The under-$50 a month solo business stack

A website, an email list, invoicing and audio editing for about $19 a month billed yearly, plus when to upgrade each piece.

Kit vs Mailchimp

Kit's free plan goes much further for creators; Mailchimp suits very small lists that need its integrations.

Kit vs MailerLite

Kit wins on free-plan size; MailerLite wins on the cheapest way to get automations.

Teachable vs Kajabi

Teachable is the cheaper way to sell a first course; Kajabi makes sense when it replaces several tools you already pay for.

Teachable vs Thinkific

Teachable costs less to start; Thinkific includes unlimited courses and built-in communities.

Shopify vs Squarespace

Shopify is the stronger store; Squarespace is the better site for a freelancer who sells a little on the side.

Descript vs Riverside

Riverside is for recording remote guests; Descript is for editing what you've recorded. Many shows use both.

FreshBooks vs Wave

Wave is the free starting point; FreshBooks is built for freelancers who bill clients regularly.