Best Free (or At Least Cheap) Marketing Tools

Creating content can feel overwhelming, especially when popular tools come with high price tags and steep learning curves. Adobe Creative Cloud offers fantastic tools, and some of my favorites come from this suite, but for those starting their marketing content creation journey, these tools can often feel out of reach. Since most popular tools carry such a high price tag, this contributes to the common perception that free tools don’t have enough functionality to meet professional needs. However, with the right approach, free tools can be the perfect stepping stone in your content creation journey.

Free tools are low-risk, easier to use, and some are even scalable as your business grows. Let’s dive into some of the best free—or at least low-cost—marketing tools you can start using today.

Content Creation

1. Canva
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool with a robust free plan. It’s perfect for creating:

• Social media graphics

• Short videos

• GIFs

• Infographics

• Presentations

Features like templates, drag-and-drop design, and access to a vast library of images make it a go-to tool for beginners and professionals alike. While the free plan is excellent for getting started, upgrading unlocks advanced features like premium templates and brand kits.

2. Photopea
For more advanced image editing, Photopea is a free alternative to Photoshop. It’s compatible with PSD files, making it ideal for detailed layer-based editing. When Canva’s simplicity isn’t enough—like for intricate graphics or photo retouching—Photopea steps in as a versatile solution. The free version includes ads, but the paid plan removes ads, provides additional storage, and unlocks AI features.

3. DaVinci Resolve
This professional-grade video editor’s free version offers features like color correction, motion graphics, and high-quality audio processing. DaVinci Resolve is arguably the strongest competitor to paid tools like Adobe Premiere Pro. If you’re creating videos for social media or presentations, the free version will more than suffice. The paid version, a one-time payment of $235, unlocks additional tools, but in my five-plus years of detailed video editing, I’ve never felt the need to upgrade.

4. iPhone Camera
To create content, you need something to capture photos and videos. If you own an iPhone—or any smartphone—you already have a powerful content creation tool in your pocket. Pair it with affordable accessories like a light or tripod, and you can produce high-quality photos and videos for your content needs. Smartphones might not be technically free or cheap, but chances are you or someone on your team already has one!

Distribution

1. Social Media Accounts
Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter are the most popular channels for content distribution. Setting up accounts is free, and each platform offers tools for expanding reach, editing content, and basic analytics. These features alone can drive engagement and visibility. When you're ready to scale further, you can explore paid ad options.

2. Mailchimp
Mailchimp is an excellent starting point for email marketing. Its free plan supports up to 500 contacts, though it comes with limitations such as fewer monthly sends, branded emails, and restricted email templates. Upgrading unlocks the platform's full potential.

3. Google
Google offers powerful free tools to distribute and analyze your content:

• Google Analytics: Track website traffic, user behavior, and content performance.

• Google My Business: Ensure your business appears in local search results and provide essential information like hours and location.

These tools can help improve your website, social media pages, and overall content distribution efforts.

4. Metricool
While most social media platforms allow for scheduling posts, their tools can be clunky. Metricool is my go-to for managing social media. Its free plan includes scheduling and basic analytics, and as your needs grow—like managing multiple brands or platforms—the paid plans expand your capabilities.

Review & Editing

1. ChatGPT
AI-powered tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing content creation. While I’ve written before about the risks of over-relying on AI, it can be invaluable for:

• Generating content ideas

• Streamlining research

• Proofreading and improving tone and clarity

For instance, prompts like “What are the top free marketing tools?” can spark creativity. The free version is sufficient for many tasks, but upgrading unlocks added functionality, like file uploads, enhanced data security, and access to advanced AI models.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few additional tools worth exploring:

• Unsplash: A library of free, high-quality stock photos.

• Grammarly: AI-powered proofreading and grammar suggestions.

• CapCut: A short-form video editor with easy-to-use, high-powered tools.

Conclusion

All of these tools are ones I currently use, and I’m not being paid to promote them. In fact, I pay to use many of these tools because they’re so helpful in my workflow. Starting with free tools doesn’t mean compromising on quality. These options allow you to experiment and grow without financial strain, offering plenty of features to achieve professional results.

That said, while these tools make content creation easier and more affordable, they don’t solve the challenge of the time investment required to create high-quality content.

If you’re looking to save time while maintaining high-quality content, consider our Product Marketing as a Service. Learn how we can help you create standout content with less effort—leaving you more time to focus on growing your business.

Let us know in the comments: What are your favorite free tools for content creation?