Online teaching gives you the freedom to work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and build a career on your own terms. But unlike teaching for a company, where the platform is handed to you, going solo means setting up your entire classroom from scratch. That might sound overwhelming at first — especially when it comes to choosing the right tools — but it doesn’t have to be.
The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune on software. Some of the best teaching, scheduling, and content creation tools out there are completely free. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your setup, this guide walks you through essential (and underrated) tools that will make your teaching smoother, more organized, and more professional.
Let’s start with the basics: the core apps that power your lessons, manage your calendar, and keep files flowing between you and your students.
These are the non-negotiables for freelance teachers. Without them, you can’t teach, meet, or get organized. Thankfully, the free versions are more than enough to run a successful setup.
Zoom
The gold standard for online lessons. Zoom’s free plan allows unlimited one-on-one meetings and 40-minute group sessions. It’s packed with useful features: screen sharing, whiteboard tools, breakout rooms, and easy scheduling. Most students are familiar with it, and it performs reliably even on slower internet.
Google Meet
A clean, no-frills alternative that integrates directly with Gmail and Google Calendar. No software needed — just send your student a link. It’s great for simplicity, but lacks some of Zoom’s advanced features like breakout rooms.
Skype
Still popular in parts of the world and among older students. Skype offers stable video and audio, plus chat functionality and screen sharing. If your student already uses it, it’s a solid option.
Calendly
This tool saves you from endless back-and-forth emails about availability. Set your teaching hours, share your booking link, and let students pick a time that works. It automatically syncs with Google Calendar, sends reminders, and prevents double-booking — all on the free plan.
Google Calendar
A staple for staying organized. Easily block off time for lessons, breaks, or admin tasks. If you teach across time zones, it helps prevent scheduling mishaps. Bonus: it connects with most teaching and booking tools.
Google Drive
An all-in-one solution for sharing lesson materials. Upload PDFs, create Google Docs or Slides, and grant students view or edit access. Perfect for collaborative writing tasks, homework, or sharing feedback. It also integrates beautifully with Google Meet and Classroom.
WeTransfer
Sometimes, lesson videos, audio files, or large PDFs are too big to email. WeTransfer lets you send up to 2GB of files for free — no account required. Great for occasional big transfers.
Dropbox (Free Tier)
Offers cloud storage and sharing similar to Google Drive. The free plan gives you 2GB of space, and its intuitive folder system makes it ideal for organizing multiple student files. Especially useful if you want to separate teaching materials from your personal Google account.
Once you’ve got your tech in place, the next challenge is building engaging, effective lessons. Whether you prefer to design everything from scratch or lean on curated materials, there are free tools to support every approach.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. These platforms offer ready-made lesson plans, grammar guides, and activity ideas. Use them as inspiration or as complete solutions:
With these resources, you can build a flexible library that adapts to student levels and learning goals.
Strong visuals and interactivity keep students engaged — especially in online settings where attention can drift. These tools help you create memorable materials:
These tools aren’t just about looking pretty — they boost comprehension, memory, and engagement.
You don’t need to be a grammar expert on day one. These sites support your prep and provide great links to share with students:
Whether you're brushing up yourself or assigning student exercises, these tools help you stay confident and credible.
Freelance teaching is more than just showing up on Zoom. You’ll need to stay organized, track progress, and get paid — preferably without turning into a full-time admin.
These platforms help you structure your classes and centralize communication:
Even if you’re not running a school, these tools make your freelance teaching feel polished and professional.
No matter where your students are, you need a reliable way to get paid. These options work globally and integrate well into a freelance workflow:
Reliable payment systems = fewer awkward conversations and smoother business.
Being a great teacher is just one part of the puzzle. If you’re freelancing, you also need to attract students — and that means thinking like a small business. Fortunately, there are free tools to help you build a strong presence and reach the right people without spending a cent.
Start by creating a simple online home — a place where potential students can find you, learn what you offer, and get in touch.
Pro tip: Use a consistent photo and color scheme across your website and profiles to build recognizability.
Choose just one or two platforms to start — don’t spread yourself too thin. Focus on where your target students spend time:
Use Canva to create branded posts, stories, and ads — all visually appealing without needing design skills.
Once you have some interest, keep in touch with leads and current students. Email marketing is still one of the most effective (and underused) tools for online teachers.
Even a simple monthly check-in email can boost retention and lead to referrals.
These extras aren’t essential, but they’ll help you stand out — especially if you teach kids, make asynchronous content, or want to improve your audio/video presence.
Pre-recorded content can save you time, add professionalism, and help students review at their own pace.
These are perfect for things like grammar tutorials, onboarding videos, or mini vocabulary explainers.
Audio feedback and pronunciation guides add a personal touch — and help auditory learners improve faster.
These tools add texture and variety to your lessons, and they help students feel more connected even outside of class time.
Juggling students, schedules, lesson planning, and admin can get overwhelming fast — especially as your teaching business grows. These free tools help you stay on top of everything so nothing slips through the cracks.
Building a system that works for you doesn’t need to be complicated. Start simple, and adjust as you grow.
Online teaching doesn’t mean figuring everything out alone. With the right (free) tools, you can run smooth, engaging lessons and build a professional business — all without paying for fancy software.
The key is choosing tools that work together, support your workflow, and help you focus on teaching, not admin. Whether you're just getting started or levelling up your existing setup, the resources above will help you teach confidently and independently from anywhere in the world.
Helping teachers find jobs they will love.