Given a parameterization φ of a rational plane curve C, we study some invariants of C via φ. We first focus on the characterization of rational cuspidal curves, in particular we establish a relation between the discriminant of the pull-back of a line via φ, the dual curve of C and its singular points. Then, by analyzing the pull-backs of the global differential forms via φ, we prove that the (nearly) freeness of a rational curve can be tested by inspecting the Hilbert function of the kernel of a canonical map. As a by product, we also show that the global Tjurina number of a rational curve can be computed directly from one of its parameterization, without relying on the computation of an equation of C.