Calculate your real minimum freelance rate — self-employment taxes, healthcare, overhead, and utilization all factored in.
🔗 Try it free: https://microsaas-lab.vercel.app/rate-forge
The Problem
Most freelancers set rates by looking at what others charge and picking a competitive-sounding number. This is how you end up working 50 hours a week but taking home far less than expected.
Freelance rates need to account for things employed workers never think about: self-employment taxes, healthcare, non-billable time.
Introducing Rate Forge
Rate Forge walks you through every cost factor: target take-home salary, self-employment taxes, healthcare, retirement contributions, overhead, vacation days, and realistic billable utilization. The output is the minimum you must charge.
Rate Forge is completely free, requires no account or installation, and runs entirely in your browser. Your data never leaves your machine.
Key Features
- Target salary with take-home reverse calculation
- Self-employment tax calculator
- Healthcare premium input
- Retirement contribution planning
- Overhead costs (software, equipment, professional development)
- Billable utilization rate — accounts for non-billable time
- Minimum hourly rate with buffer recommendations
Who Is It For?
Freelancers of all types — developers, designers, writers, consultants — who want to set rates that actually cover their real costs.
Try It Free
👉 https://microsaas-lab.vercel.app/rate-forge
No sign-up. No install. Open it and start immediately.
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