Remote work isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s a movement.

According to Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work report, a staggering 98 percent of remote workers say they’d like to keep the lifestyle for the rest of their careers

I’m seven years in myself, typing these words from a breezy Hanoi café, and I can confirm: once you taste location freedom, it’s hard to go back.

Still, freedom comes with friction—spotty Wi-Fi, unpredictable time zones, and bureaucratic headaches can sabotage the dream faster than you can say “where’s the nearest co-working space?”

Over the years I’ve tested more apps, gadgets, and services than I care to admit.

The ten below are the ones I (and nearly every nomad I meet) end up relying on day after day.

1. Cloud storage that syncs everywhere

Picture this: you finally snag the last seat on a rickety night bus to Chiang Mai and remember that the client proposal lives on your laptop—currently stuffed in the baggage hold.

A robust cloud drive (Google Drive or Dropbox both get the job done) keeps every file within thumb-reach on any device, even offline.

I keep critical folders “starred” for quick downloads before hopping on flights with questionable onboard Wi-Fi.

Bonus: automatic photo backup means you’ll never lose those lantern-lit Hội An shots.

2. A rock-solid VPN

Public café networks are a hacker’s playground, and certain sites (banking, anyone?) may be blocked in your host country.

A trustworthy VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN encrypts your traffic and lets you choose a virtual location.

The day I landed in Bali, my airline’s check-in portal was geo-blocked—tunneled to a Singapore server, problem solved.

Add split tunneling to keep your Spotify local and you’re set.

3. Borderless banking

Nothing drains wanderlust faster than cross-border fees.

Digital banks such as Wise and Revolut let you hold dozens of currencies, dodge punitive exchange rates, and get local account numbers in minutes.

I pay rent in Vietnamese đồng, invoice consulting gigs in euros, and still withdraw dollar cash when the surf hostel only takes paper—one card, no drama.

4. eSIMs on demand

Swapping SIM trays at every border is so 2015.

With eSIM marketplaces like Airalo or Holafly you buy data packs on your phone, scan a QR code, and boom—local 5G before your luggage hits the belt.

Last month in Tokyo I was uploading client assets while still on the airport train, something my older self would’ve killed for.

5. Time-zone sorcery

Ever triple-checked whether 9 a.m. New York means 8 p.m. or 10 p.m. in Bangkok?

World Time Buddy (free) and calendaring tools like Calendly save your sanity by overlaying multiple zones.

I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating: send clients a booking link in their own zone and you’ll look effortlessly organized.

6. Your digital HQ

Notion, Trello, ClickUp—pick your poison, but pick one.

A single workspace where tasks, docs, and ideas coexist keeps freelance chaos contained.

My rule: if it isn’t in the board, it doesn’t exist.

Notion’s database templates track everything from content pipelines to visa expiry dates (trust me, Thai immigration doesn’t accept “I forgot”).

7. Noise-cancelling cans

From Balinese roosters to Saigon traffic, the world is loud.

A pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC-Ultra headphones flips the mute switch, instantly turning that corner café into a private office.

I pair mine with a white-noise track whenever the guy at the next table unleashes his business-coach monologue.

8. Global coworking access

Some days you need more than a laptop sticker and a latte.

Platforms like Coworker Pass or WeWork All Access give you desks in hundreds of cities without locking you into a lease.

Walking into an air-conditioned space in Danang after a week of fan-only guesthouses felt like five-star luxury—and my productivity chart noticed.

9. Nomad-friendly insurance

A busted scooter in Phuket can wipe out a year’s income.

SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance pioneered affordable, subscription-style coverage for remote workers and has attracted serious investor attention—Forbes reported a $35 million round to scale the service.

 I’ve filed two claims (food poisoning in Ho Chi Minh and a sprained ankle in Ubud); both were reimbursed faster than my old corporate provider back home.

10. Supportive communities

Location independence shouldn’t mean isolation.

Platforms like Nomad List, Remote OK Slack, or local Facebook groups crowd-source everything from visa hacks to pickup volleyball games.

Research shows employees value remote flexibility about the same as an 8 percent salary bump, yet connection still matters.

Whenever I land somewhere new, I post a “Who’s up for cowork-and-coffee?” thread—instant friends, instant tips.

The bottom line

You don’t need a duffel bag full of gear to thrive abroad—just the right stack.

These ten tools cover the essentials: secure internet, seamless communication, financial freedom, physical safety, and human connection.

Dial them in once and you’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more time savoring sunrise noodle bowls or that impromptu surf break between calls.

Ready to upgrade your toolkit and hit the road? Your future inbox (and your future self) will thank you.