There are lots of great freelancing websites out there for beginners looking to start their self-employed journey. From large marketplaces to niche job boards, there are plenty of options.
In this guide, and in no particular order, I’ll go through the top 14 freelance websites that cover pretty much every industry you can imagine. Whether you’re a freelance writer, programmer, or graphic designer, there will be something on this list for you!
The 14 Best Freelance Websites
1. Fiverr
Best For: Beginner freelancers
Fiverr is a versatile platform suitable for a wide range of freelancers, from graphic designers and writers to digital marketers and programmers. It’s very beginner friendly, and there’s a pretty low barrier to entry. This does mean the earning potential can be pretty low, but working your way up the Fiverr rankings can lead to a pretty lucrative time on the platform.
You also need to keep in mind that Fiverr charges a 20% commission on every order, which is pretty high for the industry. But given you can offer pretty much any service on Fiverr, it can be a great place to start as a beginner freelancer.
Editor’s Note: Hey, Chris here! I can’t lie, I’m personally biased toward Fiverr as it’s where I got my start as a freelancer several years ago. The platform has changed a lot since then and competition is very high. But I still believe Fiverr serves as a useful website for freelancers at the start of their careers. Plus, there are many on the platform that have made a great career out of it!
2. Upwork
Best For: Any kind of freelancer
Upwork is a popular freelance platform that caters to a broad audience, including web developers, writers, and virtual assistants. It’s best for freelancers seeking a wide variety of job opportunities. However, like Fiverr, the competition on Upwork can be intense, so creating a standout profile and developing strong client relationships is crucial.
Your earning potential on Upwork depends on your skills, experience, and of course the rates you set. Upwork charges a fee, currently at 10%, which is definitely worth noting. It’s lower than Fiverr’s, but it’s still quite a chunk, and the rates you set need to reflect this.
3. Freelancer
Best For: Any kind of freelancer
Freelancer, like Fiverr and Upwork, is a platform that offers freelance opportunities in various industries, including web design, writing, and more. Due to its fairly low barrier to entry, competition on Freelancer can be fierce. To succeed, be prepared to craft compelling proposals and showcase your skills.
Freelancer charges 10% of your earnings, and the platform uses a bid system that limits how many jobs you can apply for in a given period of time. You can pay to get more bids, but this can become costly if you don’t land any jobs with those bids—so you need to use them wisely!
4. ProBlogger
Best For: Freelance writers
ProBlogger, unlike the freelance websites I’ve discussed above, is a job board rather than a marketplace. If you have a passion for writing and blogging, this platform is ideal for you. It primarily focuses on content creation and blogging-related gigs.
Competition is high, and prices are often low. However, this can be a great platform for beginner freelance writers looking to get their first gigs. The jobs on offer are typically niche focused rather than being generalist gigs, so it’s one to check back on regularly to see if anything comes up that suits your skill set.
5. 99designs
Best For: Creative freelancers
99designs is a top choice for freelance graphic designers. The platform hosts design contests where designers compete to win projects. If you excel in design, the earning potential can be substantial. The unique model of design contests, where clients choose a winning design from submissions, sets 99designs apart from other freelance platforms.
The site does use a level system, which means it’s tough to get the ball rolling as a beginner. However, as you prove yourself on the platform, it may become easier to get jobs as you build up your reputation and designer status. It’s also worth noting the fees:
- $100 introduction fee when you start working with a new client
- 5-15% platform fee depending on your designer level
6. Arc
Best For: Freelance developers
Arc.dev is a freelance website designed specifically for developers. It’s a unique platform in that those looking to hire freelancers actually go to the freelancers, rather than the other way round. After you go through Arc’s vetting process, they put your profile in front of businesses looking to hire freelance developers.
They then provide you with offers, and you go from there. You also don’t pay anything to use the platform or pay a fee on your orders. The unique hiring system means the focus is on having a solid CV and great experience, but it can prove as a very useful way to find freelance developer jobs as a beginner.
7. Guru
Best For: Any kind of freelancer
Guru is a versatile platform catering to freelancers in various fields, including programming, writing, and design. It’s easy to set up a profile and look at job listings on the site. You can then bid on the ones most suited to your skill set, and the platform will recommend suitable opportunities as well.
Like some of the other generalist freelance marketplaces on this list, Guru charges a fee. For freelancers with a free account, this is 9% of your earnings. However, there are paid plans that reduce this to 7, 6, or 5%. These paid plans also give you extra bids per month, with the free plan limiting you to 10.
8. Designhill
Best For: Creative freelancers
Designhill is another excellent choice for freelance graphic designers. The platform advertises working with the ‘top 5%’ of designers and artists, so there is a bit more of a vetting process you need to go through compared with some other platforms.
However, Designhill rewards you by giving you access to a marketplace of thousands of buyers all looking for top-quality freelance designers. They offer 35+ categories in which you can sell, so it’s definitely one to check out if you’re a freelance graphic designer or otherwise want to sell your creative skills.
9. SolidGigs
Best For: Freelancers that want the gigs to come to them
SolidGigs is a unique entry on this list in that it’s a subscription service. You pay a monthly fee and the platform handles the legwork of finding clients (referred to as leads). It’s a platform that caters to a wide range of freelancers, from writers and programmers to more creative freelancers too.
Obviously the monthly fees mean this won’t be a suitable option for everyone. But the way I look at it is that as long as you can get a job through the platform that covers the fee, it could be worth it. Its time saving potential is pretty high, but you will need to handle the client communication and payment side of things yourself.
10. FlexJobs
Best For: Any kind of freelancer
FlexJobs focuses on remote and flexible job opportunities, making it a suitable choice for freelancers. It offers various job categories, but competition can be very high in some industries. I should note right away that this is another platform that charges a monthly fee, so it might not be for everyone.
The wide range of potential jobs on the platform does make it a versatile choice though. You can find freelance writing, marketing, and creative gigs, along with pretty much any other freelance industry you can think of. However, you can sometimes find a few of the jobs listed here elsewhere, which can devalue the subscription.
11. TaskRabbit
Best For: Freelancers that perform physical tasks
TaskRabbit is best for freelancers who offer local services such as handyman work, cleaning, or personal assistance. If you’re looking for immediate gigs in your local area, TaskRabbit is a great platform. Your earnings will vary based on the tasks you complete and the demand for your services in your location.
Clearly this isn’t going to be the platform of choice for a lot of freelancers, as many work remotely on digital projects. However, I wanted to include it on this list for any physical freelancers out there. You can learn more about the platform in our article about Fiverr vs TaskRabbit.
12. YunoJuno
Best For: Highly skilled freelancers
YunoJuno caters to top freelancers in the creative and tech industries. It’s known for connecting freelancers with high-quality clients and projects. It’s an excellent platform if you’re an experienced freelancer looking for high-quality clients and projects in the creative and tech sectors.
It’s a UK-based platform, and the focus is on high-quality work. This means it’s not particularly suitable for beginners, unless you have strong expertise or lots of experience. This means the pay rates can be high though, so it’s one to consider if you think of yourself as a top freelancer.
13. PeoplePerHour
Best For: Beginner freelancers
PeoplePerHour offers freelance opportunities in various fields, from web development to writing and design. It functions a bit like Freelancer.com, relying on a bids system that does mean you can only apply to a limited number of jobs per month. There are also service fees, which can be as much as 20% for orders under £250 (it’s another UK-based platform).
Note: You can learn more about the platform in our article comparing PeoplePerHour and Fiverr
Your application to the platform will be manually reviewed by a moderation team. After that, their AI algorithms will match you with suitable jobs based on your profile. You can also send up to 15 proposals per month for free, but it will cost if you want to apply for more.
14. Toptal
Best For: Highly skilled freelancers
Finally, Toptal is another platform for highly skilled freelancers, primarily in software development and design. It’s known for its rigorous screening process, which ensures only top-notch talent can find jobs on the platform. If you have exceptional skills, Toptal can offer substantial earning potential.
Competition is fierce on the platform, and getting accepted into Toptal in the first place can be challenging. It’s a platform for experienced professionals looking for high-paying freelance projects with top-tier clients, so it’s not for beginners. However, it’s definitely one to consider aiming for once you start racking up some experience!
Marketplaces vs Job Boards
When trying to find freelance jobs as a beginner, two big choices available to you are freelance marketplaces and freelance job boards. Let’s compare them to see which option is best for you.
Freelance Marketplaces
Freelance marketplaces are websites where clients can hire freelancers for their projects and freelancers can find or create their own offers. Potential clients and freelancers find each other and then communicate to decide if they’re a good fit. They then agree on prices and deadlines, and the website handles the rest of the transaction.
The website also typically takes care of payments, providing security to freelancers and buyers alike. If a buyer doesn’t pay the agreed fee, the freelancer can turn to customer support for help. And if a buyer doesn’t get the work they paid for, they can simply cancel their order and request their money back.
Most freelance marketplaces are free to join and browse. The only costs involved are usually project fees, which the marketplaces take from the price the buyer pays for the project. Fees differ from site to site. The most popular freelancing marketplaces for beginners are Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer.com. These are typically ideal choices for beginner freelancers as they handle a lot of the admin for you.
Job Boards
There are also various online job boards that focus exclusively on freelance work. Clients post offers of work, usually outlining who they are, what they’re looking for in a freelancer, project details, and their budget or the salary they offer.
As a freelancer, you can usually search for jobs by keyword, location, and experience level. Once you’ve found a project you’re interested in, you email the client directly or fill out an application form on the platform explaining why you’re the right person for the job.
For freelancers, it’s often completely free to browse and apply for work via job boards (although some have subscription fees). Most of the time, you don’t even need to set up an account. Clients, on the other hand, usually pay a fee to the website to post their job listing.
Freelance job boards are ideal for those with a bit of experience under their belt and for those that don’t want to go the marketplace route.
Use Freelance Websites To Kickstart Your Career
Freelancing websites are a great starting point for beginners. You can find work easily while building up a portfolio, reputation, network, and confidence in your skills.
If you need more guidance, check out our article all about becoming a freelancer.
Raquel is a freelance writer with a knack for technology and a passion for science. She draws on her own years of freelance writing experience to craft articles for Freelance Ready on topics including freelancing on Fiverr and the popular blogging platform Medium.com. Learn more about Raquel here.
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