Freelancing Websites: Which Ones Are Worth Your Time and Effort? (Pros and Cons)

The world of work has changed significantly in recent years, with an increasing number of people opting to work as freelancers rather than traditional employees. Freelancing offers numerous benefits, including the ability to work from anywhere in the world and the freedom to choose your own projects and clients. However, finding work as a freelancer can be challenging, especially for those who are just starting out. Fortunately, there are many freelancing websites that can help connect freelancers with potential clients.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive list of freelancing websites that you can use to find work as a freelancer. Whether you are a writer, designer, developer, or marketer, there is a freelancing website that can help you find work in your niche. We will cover both general freelancing websites that offer a wide range of job categories, as well as niche-specific websites that cater to specific industries.

Some of the factors we will consider when compiling this list include the number of job opportunities available on each website, the fees and commissions charged by the website, and the quality of the clients and projects listed on the website. By using this list as a starting point, you can find the best freelancing website for your needs and start building your career as a successful freelancer.

Choosing the Right Freelancing Platform: A Comprehensive Guide

Upwork

Upwork is a global freelancing platform that connects businesses and freelancers in various fields such as web development, graphic design, writing, and accounting. The platform offers a range of job opportunities, from short-term projects to long-term engagements, and freelancers can set their own rates.

Upwork also provides various tools and features to help freelancers manage their work, communicate with clients, and receive payment. However, the platform charges a high commission rate of 20% for the first $500 earned with a client, 10% for earnings between $500 and $10,000, and 5% for earnings over $10,000.

Pros

A large pool of clients and job opportunities, potentially leading to higher-paying gigs and long-term contracts
Provides a diverse range of job categories, allowing freelancers to find work in various fields and industries
Offers a bidding system, allowing freelancers to set their own rates and negotiate with clients for the best possible terms
Provides tools and resources for freelancers, including time tracking, invoicing, and dispute resolution services
Offers a secure payment system and ensures payment for completed work

Cons:

High competition among freelancers, potentially leads to lower rates and fewer job opportunities for newcomers or less experienced freelancers
High commission fees for freelancers, with fees ranging from 5%-20% depending on the value of the project
Limited control over the platform’s policies and practices, including dispute resolution and the types of jobs allowed on the platform
Limited ability to communicate and negotiate outside of the platform, potentially leading to a lack of flexibility in client relationships
Potential for clients to request free work samples or unrealistic rates, leading to an imbalance in power between clients and freelancers

Freelancer

Freelancer is a global freelancing platform that offers a wide range of job categories, including website design, writing, marketing, and programming. Freelancers can set their own rates and bid on projects posted by clients.

The platform offers various features such as a time-tracking tool, a messaging system, and a dispute resolution process. However, Freelancer charges a commission fee of 10% or $5 (whichever is greater) for each project, and competition for jobs can be intense.

Pros:

A large pool of clients and job opportunities, potentially leading to higher-paying gigs and long-term contracts
Provides a diverse range of job categories, allowing freelancers to find work in various fields and industries
Offers a bidding system, allowing freelancers to set their own rates and negotiate with clients for the best possible terms
Provides tools and resources for freelancers, including time tracking, invoicing, and dispute resolution services
Offers a secure payment system and ensures payment for completed work

Cons:

High competition among freelancers, potentially leads to lower rates and fewer job opportunities for newcomers or less experienced freelancers
High commission fees for freelancers, with fees ranging from 10% to 20% depending on the value of the project
Limited control over the platform’s policies and practices, including dispute resolution and the types of jobs allowed on the platform
Limited ability to communicate and negotiate outside of the platform, potentially leading to a lack of flexibility in client relationships
Potential for clients to request free work samples or unrealistic rates, leading to an imbalance in power between clients and freelancers

Fiverr

Fiverr is a popular platform for freelancers to offer their services, primarily for smaller jobs or tasks such as graphic design, writing, or voice-over work. Freelancers create “gigs,” or service offerings, and set their own prices.

While the platform offers an easy-to-use interface and a diverse range of services, pay rates can be lower due to the emphasis on smaller tasks, and competition for jobs can be intense.

Pros:

An easy-to-use platform that allows freelancers to set up their own online shop and showcase their services to potential clients
Provides a diverse range of job categories, allowing freelancers to find work in various fields and industries
Offers a transparent pricing system, allowing freelancers to set their own rates and service packages
Provides tools and resources for freelancers, including messaging and invoicing services
Offers a secure payment system and ensures payment for completed work

Cons:

High competition among freelancers, potentially leads to lower rates and fewer job opportunities for newcomers or less experienced freelancers
Limited control over the platform’s policies and practices, including dispute resolution and the types of jobs allowed on the platform
High commission fees for freelancers, with fees ranging from 20% to 5% depending on the value of the project
Limited ability to communicate and negotiate outside of the platform, potentially leading to a lack of flexibility in client relationships
Potential for clients to request free work samples or unrealistic rates, leading to an imbalance in power between clients and freelancers

Toptal

Toptal is a platform that offers freelance talent for high-quality, elite projects in fields such as development and design. The platform has a rigorous vetting process for freelancers and offers the opportunity to work with top companies.

However, Toptal charges a high commission rate of 20-40% depending on the client and project, and competition for jobs can be fierce due to the high entry requirements.

Pros:

High-quality clients and projects for skilled freelancers
Opportunity to work on long-term, high-paying contracts
Competitive commission fees, with no fees for freelancers
Access to a strong community and resources for freelancers
A rigorous screening process ensures a high level of professionalism and quality

Cons:

Highly competitive application process and stringent requirements
The limited job market for freelancers in certain fields
No access to the platform for unaccepted applicants
Limited communication with clients outside of the platform

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a UK-based platform that focuses on creative services, such as graphic design, writing, and video editing.

Freelancers can set their own rates and the platform charges a lower commission rate of 15%. However, the job market can be smaller, and competition for jobs can still be intense.

Pros:

Large job market and variety of job categories
Low commission fees, starting at 15%
Built-in invoicing and project management tools
Opportunity to set package pricing and offer add-ons
Access to a global pool of clients

Cons:

Limited communication with clients outside of the platform
Limited opportunities for long-term contracts
May require bidding for jobs, which can be time-consuming and competitive
The quality of job postings may vary

Guru

Guru is a platform that offers a range of job categories, including web development, design, and writing. Freelancers can set their own rates and bid on projects posted by clients. The platform offers various tools and features, such as a messaging system and a dispute resolution process.

However, Guru charges a high commission rate of 8.95% for basic membership and up to 4.95% for premium membership, and competition for jobs can be intense.

Pros:

Large job market and variety of job categories
Competitive commission fees, starting at 8.95%
Built-in invoicing and project management tools
Opportunity for long-term contracts with clients
Strong community and resources for freelancers

Cons:

The highly competitive job market, especially for entry-level freelancers
Limited communication with clients outside of the platform
The quality of job postings may vary
Higher fees for additional features and services

99designs

99designs is a platform for freelance designers, offering a diverse range of design categories such as logos, business cards, and websites.

Freelancers can showcase their portfolios, and the platform offers tools such as a design brief and a messaging system. However, the job market can be limited, and the platform charges a high commission rate of 5-10% depending on the project.

Pros:

The large job market for freelance designers
Variety of design categories and projects
Built-in invoicing and payment protection tools
Opportunity for long-term contracts with clients
Access to a strong community and resources for designers

Cons:

Limited job opportunities for freelancers in other fields
The highly competitive job market, especially for entry-level designers
Limited communication with clients outside of the platform
Higher fees for additional features and services

SimplyHired

SimplyHired is a general job search platform that includes a section for freelance jobs. The platform offers a wide range of job categories and allows freelancers to filter their search based on location, job type, and more.

SimplyHired does not charge commission fees, but job opportunities can be more limited, and the quality of clients and projects can vary.

Pros:

Wide range of job categories and industries
No commission fees for freelancers
Access to a large job market and pool of clients
Opportunity to work on long-term contracts
Built-in tools for managing job applications and resume submissions

Cons:

Limited communication with clients outside of the platform
The quality of job postings may vary
May require more effort to stand out from other freelancers
Limited resources and support for freelancers

Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff Talent is a platform for freelance developers, designers, and marketers. The platform offers a simple interface for freelancers to create a profile, and clients can contact freelancers directly.

The platform does not charge any commission fees, making it a more affordable option for freelancers. However, the job market can be smaller, and there are fewer tools and features compared to other platforms.

Pros:

Free to use for both freelancers and clients, with no commission fees or hidden charges
Easy to use, with a simple and intuitive platform for posting jobs and submitting proposals
Provides a diverse range of job categories, allowing freelancers to find work in various fields and industries
Provides a rating system for clients and freelancers, allowing for transparency and accountability in the job marketplace
Offers a secure payment system and ensures payment for completed work

Cons:

Limited job postings compared to larger platforms, potentially leading to less job opportunities for freelancers
Limited resources and tools for freelancers, requiring them to have their own resources and support
No ability to filter job postings based on location or remote work, potentially limiting job opportunities for freelancers in certain areas
No option for communication or negotiation outside of the platform, potentially leading to a lack of flexibility in client relationships
Limited brand recognition compared to larger and more established platforms

LinkedIn ProFinder

LinkedIn ProFinder is a platform for freelance professionals in various fields, such as accounting, writing, and design. Freelancers can create a profile and apply to projects posted by clients.

The platform charges a commission fee of 10% for each project, but the quality of clients and projects can be higher due to the professional nature of the platform. However, competition for jobs can be fierce due to the large number of freelancers on the platform.

Pros:

Access to a large pool of professional clients, potentially leading to higher-paying gigs and long-term contracts
Easy and seamless communication with clients through LinkedIn’s messaging platform
No bidding system, allowing freelancers to focus on building their profiles and showcasing their skills
No commission fees for freelancers, allowing them to keep 100% of their earnings
Provides a secure payment system and ensures payment for completed work

Cons:

Limited to certain job categories, with a focus on business and creative services
Limited resources and tools for freelancers outside of the job postings, requiring freelancers to have their own resources and support
Limited communication with clients outside of the LinkedIn platform, potentially leading to a lack of flexibility and control in client relationships
May require a strong professional network and LinkedIn profile to stand out to clients
May require a LinkedIn Premium subscription to access some features and job postings

Contena

Contena is a platform for freelance writers, offering job listings, training courses, and a community for writers. The platform charges a monthly fee to access its job listings and training resources. However, the job market can be limited to writing jobs, and competition for jobs can still be intense.

Pros:

Specializes in writing and content creation jobs, providing a focused job market for writers and content creators
Provides job leads from top-tier clients, potentially leading to higher-paying gigs
Offers a range of resources and tools for writers, including job search, training, and coaching
Provides a supportive community of writers through a private Facebook group and forums
Offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, allowing freelancers to test out the platform risk-free

Cons:

Higher cost of entry compared to other freelancing platforms, with subscription plans ranging from $42-$249 per month
Limited job postings compared to larger platforms, potentially leading to less job opportunities for freelancers
Limited support for freelancers outside of the writing and content creation fields
No free trial or free plan, requiring freelancers to commit to a paid subscription to access job postings and resources
Potential for competition among members, as Contena restricts job postings to members only, leading to higher competition for available jobs.

Freelance Writing Gigs

Freelance Writing Gigs is a job board for freelance writers, offering job listings in various writing categories such as blogging, copywriting, and technical writing. The platform charges a small fee to access its job listings, but job opportunities can be more limited compared to other platforms.

Pros:

Focuses specifically on writing jobs and opportunities
Wide range of writing categories and job types
Access to a large pool of clients and job opportunities
No commission fees for freelancers
Built-in resources and support for writers

Cons:

Limited communication with clients outside of the platform
The quality of job postings may vary
May require more effort to stand out from other writers
Limited opportunities for freelancers in other fields

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many freelancing platforms available for freelancers to find job opportunities and connect with clients. Each platform has its pros and cons, such as commission fees, job market size, and competition for jobs. Freelancers should carefully consider which platform aligns with their skills and goals to maximize their success.