Tools and Apps
With so many applications on the market, it’s difficult to know which give accurate and reliable results. So AHCJ asked members which apps they like and also looked at the recommendations of other journalism organizations, such as the Society of Professional Journalists. Visit the website of each company to find out about pricing plans; there are often several options with differing levels of service. This is not an exhaustive list. If you know of other reliable tools in each category, please email the information to freelance@healthjournalism.org so AHCJ can include them in its periodic update of this resource list.
Jump to: Chart Makers | Organization | Recording & Transcribing | Time Trackers & Bookkeeping | Video Editing | Web Hosting & Building
Chart Makers
Chartblocks
Import data then design a line, bar or other chart. Free version available.
Charticulator
Import data and design a chart. Free tool from Microsoft.
Datawrapper
Create charts, tables and maps from your data. Free version available.
Everviz
Create charts and maps from your data. Free trial available.
Flourish
Create data visualizations with this tool from Google. Free version available.
Localfocus
Turn your data into graphs and maps. Free version is available.
Meta-chart
A free chart making and data visualization app.
SketchWow
Create flowcharts and diagrams with a hand drawn look.
Timeline
Make a timeline with this free tool from Northwestern University’s Knight Lab.
Organization
Evernote
Keep notes, tasks, and schedule for projects in one place. Use it to scan documents and save web pages.
Habitica
It makes keeping and using a to-do list like a game.
Mendeley
Useful for organizing citations.
Mural
The whiteboard and sticky notes help you keep track of projects.
OmniFocus
A tool for organizing projects, with deadlines, reminders, priority settings and a calendar view.
Scrivener
Gather all notes, links to websites and drafts for projects in one place.
TimeEtc
Provides personal virtual assistants.
Recording & Transcribing
Audacity
An app for recording, editing and mixing audio.
Cogi
This app records the highlights of phone conversations by buffering and then recording and stopping at a tap of a button.
Google PinPoint
This app is part of Google Journalist Studio, a collection of tools for journalists. You can upload audio files for transcription via voice recognition software.
NCH Software
This company offers a suite of software applications for recording, editing and mixing audio.
No Notes
An app for recording calls on iPhones and Android phones. You also can create an account to have the recorded interviews professionally transcribed.
Otter.ai
Record conversations using the Otter app. Otter can transcribe these recordings, live or later, using voice recognition software. You also can upload audio files from other sources for transcription.
rev.com
This company is strictly about transcribing. It uses humans, and it promises a turnaround time of 12 hours and guarantees 99% accuracy for clear audio.
TapeACall
An app for recording calls on iPhones and Android.
Temi
This app transcribes your uploaded audio within five minutes using voice recognition software.
Trint
Uses AI to record and transcribe video and audio.
Ubiqus On Demand
formerly Verbal Ink
This service uses humans to transcribe uploaded audio files. It also offers a transcription tool using voice recognition software.
Time Trackers & Bookkeeping
Billings Pro
Track projects and create invoices. Includes a timer.
Clockify
Free time tracking tool that can be used on a desktop or mobile phone. Paid versions offer more functions.
Freshbooks
Bookkeeping software that includes a timer for billing by the hour.
Harvest
Time tracking site and app with a free trial.
Hours
To track time.
Insight Timer
A free app for tracking work-life balance.
QuickBooks
Personal bookkeeping software.
RescueTime
Time tracking tool with a free two-week trial.
Toggle Track
Free time tracking tool that can be used across devices. Paid versions available with additional features.
Web Hosting & Building
Digital.com
This website has reviews of web hosting and web building services.
PC Magazine
In this article, the magazine lists its top 11 picks for website builders.
CNET
This online magazine rates 12 website builders.
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