The latest articles on DEV Community by Tariq Shahzad (@tariqshahzad). https://dev.to/tariqshahzad https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4201585%2Fbaa0d786-6e26-4789-9a51-8c2332162ab8.jpg https://dev.to/tariqshahzad en Tariq Shahzad Fri, 23 Oct 2026 04:29:57 +0000 https://dev.to/tariqshahzad/i-built-two-free-chrome-extensions-for-freelancers-a-proxy-connector-and-a-translator-5b1p https://dev.to/tariqshahzad/i-built-two-free-chrome-extensions-for-freelancers-a-proxy-connector-and-a-translator-5b1p <p>I'm a solo freelancer from Pakistan. Between client work I build small tools, mostly to fix annoyances in my own workday. This week I shipped two of them as free Chrome extensions, and I want to explain the thinking, because "free" is a deliberate strategy, not a pricing accident.</p> <p><strong>ProxyShield — an always-on proxy connector</strong></p> <p>A lot of freelancers in my part of the world work through proxies for parts of their job. The built-in browser options are clumsy, and most extensions I tried were either bloated or wanted a subscription for basics. ProxyShield connects your own SOCKS5 proxy profiles (up to 5), keeps the connection on, and fails over to the next profile if one drops. You can import and export your profiles.</p> <p>One honest disclaimer, because it matters: ProxyShield is a <em>connector</em>, not a VPN. It doesn't provide any proxy servers — you bring your own proxy. I say that on the product page too.</p> <p><strong>LinguaTap — a one-tap translator</strong></p> <p>Half my client communication crosses a language gap. LinguaTap translates selected text or a whole page in 15 languages with auto-detect, without leaving the tab. It runs on Google Translate's free service — I'm not affiliated with Google, and the extension says so openly.</p> <p><strong>Why free?</strong></p> <p>I run a small store, The Freelancer Kit, where I sell template packs and one-click tools for freelancers. Paid ads are not realistic at my scale, so the free tools are the front door: they solve a real problem today, and some of the people who use them later wander into the store. Free first, paid when it earns it.</p> <p>Both extensions are on the site with free downloads (the site also has free proposal/contract/invoice samplers): <a href="https://thefreelancerkit.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://thefreelancerkit.com</a></p> <p>If you try either one, I would genuinely like to hear what breaks or what's missing. Solo maker, real feedback beats analytics at this stage.</p> <p>— Tariq</p> chrome extensions freelancing tools