A Free Starter Kit for New Creators: Editorial Picks by Category

Starting out as a creator does not require expensive software. This list is our tools desk's selection of free options by category. It is an editorial pick list based on documented features and wide use, not on lab testing, and it is not sponsored. Free tiers change often; check current limits before you commit.

Writing and planning

1. A notes app

Your phone's built-in notes app, or a cross-platform notes tool, is enough for capturing ideas. The key feature is syncing across devices.

2. A document editor

Free online document editors from major providers allow collaboration and version history. LibreOffice is a free, open-source desktop office suite.

3. A spreadsheet or board for your calendar

A simple spreadsheet works as an editorial calendar. Free kanban-board tools are an alternative. See our editorial calendar guide.

Design

4. A browser-based design tool

Several design tools offer free tiers with templates for social graphics, thumbnails and pins. Free tiers usually limit premium templates, brand kits and some export options. See our design tools comparison.

5. GIMP or another free image editor

GIMP is a free, open-source raster image editor. Photopea is a free browser-based editor with a familiar layer-based interface, supported by ads.

6. Inkscape

A free, open-source vector graphics editor, useful for logos and illustrations.

Photo and video

7. Your phone's camera app and editor

Modern phones include capable editing tools. See our phone camera guide.

8. A free photo editor with RAW support

Darktable and RawTherapee are free, open-source RAW processors.

9. A free video editor

DaVinci Resolve has a capable free version. Several mobile editors offer free tiers, often with watermarks or feature limits. Shotcut and Kdenlive are free, open-source desktop editors. See our video editing software comparison.

10. OBS Studio

Free, open-source software for screen recording and live streaming.

Audio

11. Audacity

A free, open-source audio editor for podcasts and voiceovers.

Website

12. A free or low-cost blogging platform

Several platforms offer free tiers, but many limit custom domains. A domain plus low-cost hosting is often worth it early. See our guides to choosing a blog platform and web hosting.

13. Search engine webmaster tools

Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools are free and essential for understanding how your site appears in search. See our free SEO tools guide.

Email

14. A newsletter platform's free tier

Many newsletter platforms offer free tiers up to a subscriber limit. See our newsletter platforms comparison.

Scheduling

15. Native scheduling

Many platforms let you schedule posts natively. Free tiers of scheduling tools typically limit the number of accounts and posts. See our scheduling tools guide.

Captions

16. Built-in automatic captions

Major video platforms offer automatic captions. Review and correct them. See our captioning tools guide.

Security and backup

17. A password manager

Several password managers offer free tiers; Bitwarden has a well-known free plan and is open source. See our account security guide.

18. Authenticator app

Free authenticator apps add two-factor authentication to your accounts.

19. Cloud storage free tier

Major cloud storage providers offer free storage tiers, useful for backing up key files. See our backup strategy.

Analytics

20. Native analytics

Every major platform provides free analytics. For websites, see our guide to privacy-friendly analytics.

When to upgrade

Consider paying for a tool when:

• A free-tier limit is costing you significant time.
• A watermark or branding limits professional use.
• You need features for client or brand work.
• The tool directly supports income.

Upgrade one tool at a time and review subscriptions regularly.

The summary

A new creator can cover writing, design, photo, video, audio, website, email, scheduling, captions, security, backup and analytics with free tools. Start free, learn the craft and pay for upgrades only when a limit genuinely holds you back.

Three starter kits by creator type

The blogger kit - Writing: a document editor with version history - Images: a browser-based design tool plus GIMP for photo edits - Website: own domain with low-cost hosting or a hosted platform - Search: Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools - Email: a newsletter platform's free tier - Security: password manager and authenticator app

The video creator kit - Recording: phone camera, OBS Studio for screen capture - Editing: DaVinci Resolve (desktop) or a free mobile editor - Audio: Audacity for cleanup - Thumbnails: a browser-based design tool - Captions: platform auto-captions, corrected manually - Backup: cloud storage free tier plus an external drive

The visual social creator kit - Photos: phone camera and built-in editor; Darktable for RAW - Design: a browser-based design tool with templates - Scheduling: native scheduling in each app - Link page: your own simple page or a free link-in-bio tier - Analytics: native platform insights

Setting up in one afternoon

1. Install a password manager and turn on two-factor authentication for every account (45 minutes).
2. Create a cloud folder structure: /ideas, /drafts, /assets, /published, /admin (15 minutes).
3. Set up your editorial calendar spreadsheet with columns for idea, format, status, publish date and link (20 minutes).
4. Create one template each for thumbnails or social graphics (60 minutes).
5. Connect search console or platform analytics and note baseline numbers (30 minutes).
6. Write down which tools you chose and why, so you can review them in six months (10 minutes).

Watch out for these free-tier traps

• Watermarks on exported videos or images, which look unprofessional on brand work.
• Export resolution limits.
• Lock-in: some tools make it hard to export your work. Check export options before committing.
• Changing terms: free tiers can be reduced. Keep copies of your files outside the tool.
• Data collection: read privacy policies, especially for browser extensions and mobile apps.

Frequently asked questions

Is open-source software safe to use? Well-established open-source projects are widely used and reviewed. Download only from the official project site or a trusted app store.

Do I need a laptop, or can I do everything on a phone? Many creators work entirely on phones. A computer helps with longer editing, websites and file management.

Should I pay for one tool first? If one tool saves you significant time each week, it is usually the best first upgrade.