Free Freelance Contract Template — Independent Contractor Agreement
Contract template · Free
A freelance contract defines the working relationship between you and your client: what you will deliver, when, for how much, and who owns the result. It is the single most important document for protecting yourself against scope creep, late payment, and disputes over intellectual property.
This template is written for independent contractors in any field — development, design, writing, marketing, consulting. Fill in your scope and rates, attach it to a proposal if you like, and get it signed through one shareable link.
What's inside
- Scope of work and deliverables with acceptance criteria
- Payment terms: rate, invoicing schedule, and late-payment interest
- Intellectual property assignment upon full payment
- Independent contractor status (no employment relationship)
- Revisions, termination, and kill-fee provisions
From template to signed
01
Open the template
Sign in and open this template in the editor — every section is pre-written and ready to adapt.
02
Make it yours
Edit the text, adjust the terms, add your pricing. The AI assistant can rewrite any section to fit your project.
03
Send one link
Your client views, e-signs, and pays through the same link — no printing, no PDF attachments, no client account.
Frequently asked questions
What should every freelance contract include?
At minimum: a clear scope of work, deadlines, payment amount and schedule, ownership of the work product, a revision limit, and how either party can terminate. This template covers all six and adds late-payment interest and a kill fee.
Should IP transfer before or after payment?
Best practice is that intellectual property transfers only upon full payment. This template uses that structure, which gives you leverage if an invoice goes unpaid.
Is this template free to use?
Yes. Sign in with a free Pactiamo account, open the template, and customize it in the editor. No credit card required.
Can my client sign this online?
Yes. You share a single link; your client reviews and e-signs from any device without creating an account. You can also embed your own payment link so they can pay right after signing.
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Ready to send it?
Customize this contract in minutes, then share one link your client can sign and pay from.