Signing an NDA as a freelancer
Clients often ask freelancers, designers and developers to sign an NDA before they share any details. Most are routine, but a few clauses can quietly limit your portfolio or future work. Check these points, then sign the PDF here.
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Clauses freelancers should read twice
Portfolio and case studies
Many NDAs forbid showing the work at all. Ask for permission to show it after launch.
Hidden non-compete or non-solicit
An NDA shouldn't stop you from working for others in the industry. Look for these words.
Everything is confidential
A very broad definition can cover your own tools and know-how. Ask to narrow it.
From NDA to project kickoff
Read it once with these points in mind.
1
Check the scope
What counts as confidential, and for how long?
2
Ask for changes
Portfolio use and non-competes are fair to negotiate.
3
Sign and return
Sign the PDF here and send it back to the client.
What an NDA should cover
A reasonable NDA protects the client's non-public information: product plans, customer data, finances, code. It should exclude information that is already public, that you knew before, or that you develop independently — look for those standard exclusions.
Your portfolio
If showing your work matters to your business, raise it before signing. A common compromise is that you may show the work once it's public, without confidential details, or only with the client's written approval.
Non-compete and non-solicit clauses
These don't belong in a typical NDA. A non-compete limits who else you can work for; a non-solicit limits contacting the client's staff or customers. If you find one, ask what it's for and whether it can be removed or limited in time and scope. Rules on non-competes differ a lot between countries and states.
What happens at the end
Most NDAs require you to return or delete confidential material when the project ends. Plan for it: keep client files in one folder so you can delete them cleanly.
Freelancer NDA questions
Should I sign an NDA before seeing the brief?+
It's common. Just make sure the NDA itself is reasonable — it binds you even if the project never happens.
Can I send back a marked-up version?+
Yes. Suggest changes by email or in the document; sign once you've agreed on the final text.
Is this legal advice?+
No. For high-stakes NDAs, ask a lawyer to review them.
What does it cost?+
Free to try. Downloading your signed PDF costs €2.99 a month or €24.99 a year, and you can cancel anytime.
Sign the NDA
Open the PDF above — the client's confidential details stay on your device.
Choose the NDA