Business Tools Internet Services And Entertainment Freebies Available During The Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted businesses and service providers to offer numerous free resources to support individuals, families, and organizations during an unprecedented time of disruption. Available information documents over 300 coronavirus-related deals and freebies, ranging from business software tools to internet services and entertainment options designed to help people adapt to remote work, virtual learning, and extended periods at home.

Business Productivity and Communication Tools

Several technology companies expanded access to their business productivity solutions during the pandemic. Clarity Wave offered three months of free access to new customers without any usage limits, specifically as support for businesses and organizations coping with COVID-19 challenges.

The small business sector received significant attention through various free software offerings. MyCorporation provided free employer identification number (EIN) tax filing services, typically priced at $79, helping new businesses establish their legal foundations without additional costs during the crisis. Really Simple Systems made their small business customer relationship management software available free of charge, normally costing $14 per user monthly, enabling small businesses to manage marketing, sales, and customer service through a unified platform.

Collaboration and remote work tools saw substantial expansion. Atlassian's Confluence team workspace became permanently free for teams of up to 10 users, including unlimited pages and spaces with a structured page tree. Tandem, a collaboration app creating virtual office environments, was offered without charge. Wildix Smart Working's cloud-based unified communication solution was made available at no cost, while RingCentral Office provided three months of free access specifically to US-based healthcare providers, schools, and new non-profit customers. RingCentral's offering included unlimited internet faxing, 100-person video conferencing, unlimited calls within the US and Canada, and up to 2500 toll-free minutes monthly.

For organizations actively fighting COVID-19, BannerSnack provided a 90-day free Team plan. Organizations needed to email [email protected] with the subject line "NGO Fighting COVID-19" and specify their industry to request the free plan. The company then contacted these organizations to confirm eligibility and activate the extended trial.

Communication and phone system solutions were also expanded, with 3CX offering their open standards communications platform at no cost and DialPad Talk Pro providing their cloud-based business phone system without charge.

Internet Services and Connectivity Support

Major internet service providers implemented programs to ensure continued connectivity during the pandemic. Comcast's Internet Essentials service was made available free of charge to qualifying low-income families, addressing the critical need for internet access during remote work and learning periods.

Spectrum implemented a comprehensive support program for 60 days, offering free broadband and WiFi access to families with elementary school or college students who did not already have a Spectrum subscription. The company also waived installation fees for new subscribers, removing barriers to accessing essential internet services.

Xfinity took steps to remove data caps and opened their WiFi network for 60 days, providing users with increased data allowances and broader access points during the pandemic period.

Entertainment and Learning Resources

Entertainment companies offered extended access to digital services to help people cope with stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements. Apple provided 90 days of free access to Final Cut Pro X video editing software, normally priced at $299.99, giving users three months to explore professional video editing capabilities.

Fender Play offered three months of free online guitar, bass, and ukulele lessons to the first 100,000 sign-ups with no credit card required, supporting musical learning during extended time at home. The popular Heads Up! family game app was available for free download on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store for a limited time.

Digital communication tools also saw pricing adjustments, with Loom reducing their Pro service from $10 monthly to $5 monthly, making their video messaging and screen recording services more accessible during the crisis.

Fitness and Wellness Programs

Fitness companies responded by offering extended app access and free digital programming. Peloton provided 90 days of free access to their mobile app, allowing users to stream cycling, running, cardio, strength training, and yoga classes on phones, tablets, or televisions. Gold's Gym offered two free months of access to their Fitness & Training App, requiring users to fill out a form to create an account and download the iOS or Android app using their login credentials.

Various specialized fitness providers launched free digital content. CLI Studios offered free live dance classes, while CorePower Yoga and Orange Theory provided complimentary class access through their digital platforms. Sami Circuit launched free daily kids fitness sessions running from 10 AM EST to 1 PM PST, beginning March 17th, specifically supporting children's physical activity during school closures.

Specialized Software and Applications

Video and audio production tools received temporary free access provisions. Zencastr, a web-based podcast interview recording app, expanded their free Hobbyist edition to include unlimited guests and recording time for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak, bringing features closer to their paid Professional edition.

Dark Noise, an ambient noise app featuring sounds from coffee shops, office spaces, rain storms, and white noise, was made available at no charge, supporting users seeking background sounds for focus or relaxation.

Supply chain and tracking tools also expanded access, with Project44 making their supply chain visibility platform available free of charge, enabling real-time tracking of goods during disrupted supply chains.

Support for Specific Industries

The documentation shows targeted support for specific sectors facing heightened demands during the pandemic. Healthcare providers received three months of free RingCentral Office access, while schools and educational institutions were prioritized for similar communication tool access. Non-profit organizations fighting COVID-19 received extended trials of BannerSnack's team collaboration tools.

The availability of these free resources was documented as of September 2020, with over 318 deals cataloged across various categories. These offerings included both temporary emergency measures designed specifically for the pandemic period and some permanent changes to free tier offerings, such as Atlassian's Confluence decision to maintain free access beyond the immediate crisis.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an unprecedented response from businesses across multiple sectors, providing free access to essential tools, services, and entertainment options. These offerings addressed critical needs including remote work capabilities, internet connectivity, educational resources, fitness programming, and communication tools. The documented freebies spanned business productivity software, internet services, entertainment platforms, fitness applications, and specialized tools for specific industries, demonstrating the private sector's role in supporting individuals and organizations during public health emergencies.

Sources

1. Clarity Wave - COVID-19 Freebies
2. Barron's - Deals and Freebies During Coronavirus
3. Freeflys - Free Resources During COVID-19