# 48 Free Tools: The Idoras Checklist

Compiled September 26, 2026. Source-based guide, not a hands-on benchmark.

Free plans have limits; self-hosted software can require paid infrastructure. Check the official source before relying on an offer.

## SEO & websites

- [ ] [Google Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console/about) — Free. Understanding your search traffic.
  - Free scope and limits: A Google account and verified access to the website are required. Average position is an aggregate, not a fixed ranking for every searcher.
  - First step: Open Performance, filter to one page, and compare its queries over two equal periods.

- [ ] [Bing Webmaster Tools](https://www.bing.com/webmasters/about) — Free. A second view of search visibility.
  - Free scope and limits: Sign-in and website verification are required. Bing metrics should not be treated as Google metrics.
  - First step: Verify your domain and submit the sitemap you already use for your website.

- [ ] [PageSpeed Insights](https://pagespeed.web.dev/) — Free. Finding slow pages.
  - Free scope and limits: Field data may be unavailable for low-traffic pages. Lab results vary between runs and are not a ranking guarantee.
  - First step: Test one important landing page and investigate its largest loading bottleneck.

- [ ] [Screaming Frog SEO Spider](https://www.screamingfrog.co.uk/seo-spider/) — Free plan. Auditing a small website.
  - Free scope and limits: The free version crawls up to 500 URLs per crawl; advanced features require a paid license.
  - First step: Crawl your homepage, then inspect internal URLs with 4xx response codes.

- [ ] [Ahrefs Free](https://ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools) — Free plan. Audits and backlinks for your own site.
  - Free scope and limits: Verification is required. The published allowance is 5,000 crawl credits per verified project each month; broader competitor analysis is paid.
  - First step: Verify your site and review the first audit’s actionable issues before exploring scores.

- [ ] [Google Business Profile](https://business.google.com/us/business-profile/) — Free. Local business visibility.
  - Free scope and limits: Only eligible businesses can create profiles; verification may be necessary. A profile does not guarantee local rankings.
  - First step: Check your business category, public contact details, and holiday opening hours.

## Keyword research

- [ ] [Google Trends](https://trends.google.com/trends/) — Free. Seasonality and topic comparisons.
  - Free scope and limits: The index shows relative interest, not absolute monthly search volume. Low-volume terms may not produce a useful graph.
  - First step: Compare two related topics in your target country over the last five years.

- [ ] [Google Keyword Planner](https://business.google.com/ad-tools/keyword-planner/) — Free. Keyword ideas and demand ranges.
  - Free scope and limits: Google Ads account setup is required. Available volume detail varies; forecasts are estimates and advertising itself costs money.
  - First step: Generate ideas from a specific service, choose the target location, and export a shortlist.

- [ ] [Ahrefs Keyword Generator](https://ahrefs.com/keyword-generator) — Free plan. Discovering long-tail queries.
  - Free scope and limits: The free result set and metrics are limited. A suggestion is not evidence that your page can rank for it.
  - First step: Enter one narrow topic, pick the country, and group the results by the answer each searcher needs.

- [ ] [Keyword Tool for Amazon](https://keywordtool.io/amazon) — Free plan. Amazon product keyword ideas.
  - Free scope and limits: Basic suggestions are free; Amazon search volume and additional data require the paid product. Suggestions alone do not measure demand.
  - First step: Search one product type in the relevant Amazon marketplace and keep only accurate product descriptors.

- [ ] [Keyword Surfer](https://surferseo.com/keyword-surfer-extension/) — Free. Keyword context while searching.
  - Free scope and limits: Requires a compatible browser extension. Third-party volume estimates can differ from other tools and from first-party data.
  - First step: Search a specific problem, inspect related suggestions, and record the intent of the leading results.

- [ ] [AnswerThePublic](https://answerthepublic.com/) — Free plan. Mapping questions around a topic.
  - Free scope and limits: Free access is restricted; registration and search allowances depend on the current offer. Check the displayed allowance before planning bulk research.
  - First step: Enter a narrow topic and select a few questions that your experience or sources can answer well.

## Writing & grammar

- [ ] [LanguageTool](https://languagetool.org/) — Free plan. Multilingual spelling and grammar.
  - Free scope and limits: The free tier has text-length and feature limits. Advanced style suggestions and other capabilities are paid.
  - First step: Paste one paragraph, set the correct language, and review changes in context.

- [ ] [Grammarly](https://www.grammarly.com/plans) — Free plan. Everyday proofreading.
  - Free scope and limits: Advanced rewriting and premium assistance require paid access; generative features have allowances.
  - First step: Proofread a short email and accept only the suggestions that match its intended tone.

- [ ] [QuillBot](https://quillbot.com/paraphrasing-tool) — Free plan. Comparing alternative phrasing.
  - Free scope and limits: Free paraphrasing has word and mode restrictions. Rewriting does not remove the need to cite another author’s ideas.
  - First step: Rewrite a short paragraph you own, then check each factual statement against the original.

- [ ] [Rewordify](https://rewordify.com/) — Free. Making difficult vocabulary clearer.
  - Free scope and limits: Simplified wording can miss specialist meanings. Keep the original text available and review changes to technical terms.
  - First step: Paste a short passage and compare the highlighted vocabulary with the original.

- [ ] [Hemingway Editor](https://hemingwayapp.com/) — Free plan. Spotting hard-to-read sentences.
  - Free scope and limits: The classic browser editor offers free analysis; AI rewriting and additional products have separate paid plans.
  - First step: Paste a draft and split one overloaded sentence while preserving the relationship between its ideas.

- [ ] [Scribbr Grammar Checker](https://www.scribbr.com/grammar-checker/) — Free. A quick browser grammar check.
  - Free scope and limits: The free grammar checker is distinct from Scribbr’s paid editing and other services. Suggestions still need review.
  - First step: Check one section of your draft and compare corrections with your style guide.

## Design & images

- [ ] [Canva](https://www.canva.com/pricing/) — Free plan. Quick social and presentation graphics.
  - Free scope and limits: Premium assets, advanced features, and higher AI allowances are paid. Check each asset’s licensing and export availability.
  - First step: Choose a free template and export one finished design before building a larger series.

- [ ] [Photopea](https://www.photopea.com/) — Free plan. Layered image editing in a browser.
  - Free scope and limits: The free service is ad-supported; premium access changes the experience. Large documents depend on your device’s memory.
  - First step: Open a copy of your file, make a small edit, and export to the format your website needs.

- [ ] [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/) — Open source. Detailed desktop photo editing.
  - Free scope and limits: Installation and some learning are required. Compatibility with another editor’s advanced document features can vary.
  - First step: Duplicate a source image, crop it, correct exposure, and export a web-sized copy.

- [ ] [Inkscape](https://inkscape.org/) — Open source. Scalable diagrams and vector artwork.
  - Free scope and limits: It is a vector editor, so complex photo retouching belongs in a raster editor. Check text rendering when moving files between systems.
  - First step: Draw a small process diagram in SVG and export a PNG only where a raster image is needed.

- [ ] [Figma](https://www.figma.com/pricing/) — Free plan. Interface mockups and prototypes.
  - Free scope and limits: Starter gives limited free access; shared-file, collaboration, and advanced product capabilities depend on the plan.
  - First step: Create a draft with desktop and mobile frames for a single page.

- [ ] [Penpot](https://penpot.app/) — Open source. Open design collaboration.
  - Free scope and limits: Self-hosting introduces server and maintenance costs. Hosted offerings and organization features have their own terms.
  - First step: Create one layout using flexible containers, then check how it adapts to a narrower screen.

## Productivity

- [ ] [LibreOffice](https://www.libreoffice.org/) — Open source. An offline productivity suite.
  - Free scope and limits: Complex Microsoft Office formatting and macros may not translate perfectly. Test important shared documents before committing to a workflow.
  - First step: Open a representative work document and verify its layout and formulas after saving.

- [ ] [Notion](https://www.notion.com/pricing) — Free plan. A personal knowledge workspace.
  - Free scope and limits: Team collaboration, uploads, history, and AI access have plan restrictions. AI trial access is not unlimited free AI.
  - First step: Make one database with a title, status, deadline, and source field.

- [ ] [Trello](https://trello.com/pricing) — Free plan. Visual task tracking.
  - Free scope and limits: The free plan limits workspace boards, collaborators, and automation. Advanced views and administration are paid.
  - First step: Create three lists and give every active card one clear next action.

- [ ] [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/pricing) — Free. Connected notes you keep locally.
  - Free scope and limits: Optional Sync and Publish services cost extra. You are responsible for backing up local notes.
  - First step: Create a vault, add three related notes, and connect them with internal links.

- [ ] [Joplin](https://joplinapp.org/) — Open source. Organized notes and to-do lists.
  - Free scope and limits: Joplin Cloud is a separate paid service. Other sync options require their own setup and available storage.
  - First step: Create a notebook for one project and add source URLs beside each useful note.

- [ ] [Zotero](https://www.zotero.org/) — Open source. Research sources and citations.
  - Free scope and limits: The application is free; additional hosted attachment storage costs money. Imported citation metadata should be checked.
  - First step: Save three sources, correct their metadata, and place them in a collection for your article.

## Developer tools

- [ ] [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) — Free. Editing and debugging code.
  - Free scope and limits: Extensions and AI services can have separate licenses or paid plans. The editor being free does not make every integration free.
  - First step: Open your project folder and run its documented build command in the integrated terminal.

- [ ] [Git](https://git-scm.com/) — Open source. Tracking changes safely.
  - Free scope and limits: Git is not a remote backup service by itself. You still need a backup or remote repository and a sensible workflow.
  - First step: Review a diff and commit one complete, clearly described change.

- [ ] [GitHub Desktop](https://desktop.github.com/) — Open source. A visual Git workflow.
  - Free scope and limits: Desktop platform support is limited. Remote hosting features depend on the account and service you connect.
  - First step: Open a local repository and inspect each changed file before making a commit.

- [ ] [Postman](https://www.postman.com/pricing/) — Free plan. Individual API testing.
  - Free scope and limits: The current Free plan targets solo development. Collaboration, automation, and higher usage have separate paid allowances.
  - First step: Create a request to a public test endpoint and inspect its status code and response body.

- [ ] [Hoppscotch](https://hoppscotch.io/) — Open source. Lightweight API exploration.
  - Free scope and limits: Browser cross-origin restrictions can require an agent or interceptor. Hosted team features and self-hosting costs are separate.
  - First step: Send a GET request to a public API and compare a successful response with an invalid request.

- [ ] [regex101](https://regex101.com/) — Free. Explaining regular expressions.
  - Free scope and limits: Choose the engine that matches your application. Use synthetic examples rather than confidential text in online debugging tools.
  - First step: Add a few expected matches and non-matches before changing your expression.

## Video & audio

- [ ] [OBS Studio](https://obsproject.com/) — Open source. Screen recording and live production.
  - Free scope and limits: Encoding needs CPU or GPU resources. Streaming platforms and external services have their own rules and costs.
  - First step: Record a 30-second sample and check voice level, text legibility, and the captured screen area.

- [ ] [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/) — Open source. Editing voice and audio.
  - Free scope and limits: Some third-party plugins and extras are separate products. Save an editable project as well as the final audio export.
  - First step: Trim a test recording, adjust its level, and listen through headphones before exporting.

- [ ] [Blender](https://www.blender.org/) — Open source. 3D scenes and animation.
  - Free scope and limits: Complex rendering requires suitable hardware and learning time. External assets and add-ons may have separate licenses.
  - First step: Build a simple object with one light and a camera before adding scene complexity.

- [ ] [Shotcut](https://shotcut.org/) — Open source. Desktop video editing.
  - Free scope and limits: Performance depends on codec, resolution, and hardware. Test export settings with a short segment first.
  - First step: Import two clips, remove dead time, and export a short sample to check quality.

- [ ] [HandBrake](https://handbrake.fr/) — Open source. Compressing and converting video.
  - Free scope and limits: Re-encoding can reduce quality. Keep the original and compare text readability and audio sync before replacing a working copy.
  - First step: Choose an appropriate preset and encode a small sample before processing a long recording.

- [ ] [VLC Media Player](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/) — Open source. Playing and checking media files.
  - Free scope and limits: Playback support varies with the file and platform. Successful playback does not guarantee compatibility with every website or device.
  - First step: Open your exported file and check the beginning, middle, end, and any subtitle track.

## Customer support

- [ ] [HubSpot Free CRM](https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm) — Free plan. Keeping customer records organized.
  - Free scope and limits: Free CRM tools have limits; advanced automation, reporting, and service features belong to paid plans. Check current user and contact allowances.
  - First step: Create a simple contact workflow and define who owns each follow-up.

- [ ] [Zoho Desk](https://www.zoho.com/desk/pricing.html) — Free plan. A small email support team.
  - Free scope and limits: The Free edition supports three users with limited capabilities. Paid-edition trials should not be confused with the ongoing Free edition.
  - First step: Choose the Free edition and test the path from incoming email to an assigned and resolved ticket.

- [ ] [osTicket](https://osticket.com/download/) — Open source. A self-hosted ticketing system.
  - Free scope and limits: The open-source software is free; hosting, administration, and managed services are not necessarily free.
  - First step: Test an installation with non-sensitive sample tickets and verify inbound and outbound email.

- [ ] [Zammad](https://zammad.org/) — Open source. An open support workspace.
  - Free scope and limits: A free software license does not cover infrastructure or maintenance. Hosted service and professional support are separate.
  - First step: Map one support queue and test assignment, replies, and resolution with sample requests.

- [ ] [Chatwoot Community Edition](https://www.chatwoot.com/pricing/self-hosted-plans) — Open source. Self-hosted customer conversations.
  - Free scope and limits: Hosting and maintenance are your responsibility. AI, SSO, advanced permissions, and other enterprise features are not included in Community Edition.
  - First step: Connect a test inbox and verify message routing and agent access before going live.

- [ ] [tawk.to](https://www.tawk.to/) — Free. Adding website live chat.
  - Free scope and limits: Optional services and add-ons cost extra. A free chat widget still needs people to answer and a privacy review for your site.
  - First step: Set operating hours, customize the greeting, and test the visitor experience on a phone.

Full guide: https://free.idoras.com/guides/free-tools/