Freelance NDA Template (Free) + Simple Mutual NDA Generator (2026)

Published Feb 9, 2026 · 7 min read

If you’re freelancing, you’ll eventually hear: “can you sign an NDA?” You don’t need a 20-page legal novel. You need something simple that covers the basics: what counts as confidential, what you can do with it, and how long it lasts. Below: a copy/paste mutual NDA template + a free generator.

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Do freelancers actually need an NDA?

Sometimes. The real value of an NDA for freelancers is:

• it reduces anxiety on early calls (“we can share our roadmap now”)
• it prevents accidental leaks (you know what not to share)
• it sets expectations about what you can do with the info

Not legal advice. If the client is enterprise, regulated, or the project involves serious IP, get a lawyer to review the NDA.

Copy/paste mutual NDA template (plain text)

Paste this into Google Docs or Notion and replace placeholders:

MUTUAL NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA)

Effective date: [YYYY-MM-DD]

This Agreement is between Party A and Party B (together, the “Parties”).

1) Purpose
The Parties want to share confidential information to evaluate and/or perform:
[Project / context]

2) Definition of Confidential Information
Confidential Information includes any non-public information disclosed by either Party, including business plans, pricing, customer information, product specs, designs, source code, and anything labeled confidential.

3) Permitted Use
Receiving Party may use Confidential Information only for the Purpose.

4) Non-Disclosure
Receiving Party will not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except employees/contractors who need to know it for the Purpose and are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as this Agreement.

5) Exclusions
Confidential Information does not include information that is public through no fault of the Receiving Party, independently developed, already known without duty, or received from a third party without breach.

6) Term
Confidentiality obligations remain in effect for [1/2/3/5 years] from the Effective Date.

7) Return / Destruction
Upon request, Receiving Party will return or destroy Confidential Information, except for routine backups.

8) Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction].

SIGNATURES

Party A: _______________________  Date: ____________
Party B: _______________________  Date: ____________

The 4 NDA clauses that matter (for normal freelance work)

1) A clear “purpose”

This prevents weird arguments later. Keep it tight: evaluate and/or perform the project.

2) “need-to-know” disclosure

It’s normal to share with subcontractors, but only if they’re also bound by confidentiality. Keep it explicit.

3) Exclusions

Without exclusions, a client can claim anything you already knew was “confidential.” Exclusions keep the NDA sane.

4) Term

For most freelance projects, 1–3 years is reasonable. If it’s truly trade-secret-level, the client will send their own NDA anyway.

Next: turn “docs chaos” into a simple workflow

If you’re doing client work, NDAs are step 0. The rest of the workflow that keeps projects smooth:

• proposal
• SOW
• contract
• invoice + follow-ups
• status updates + closeout