Freelancing is growing at a rapid rate. By 2027 freelancers are expected to make up the majority of the U.S. workforce.
As interest in freelancing grows more people are signing up for freelance job sites such as Upwork and Fiverr. In an ever-growing market, where are freelancers and digital nomads finding work?
We are sharing the best freelancing websites (in no particular order) in 2023.
1. Upwork
Upwork is one of the leading platforms for freelancers. As one of the largest platforms, UpWork has a wide range of jobs available, ranging from web development and design to marketing and admin support.
What is Upwork best for?
Clients can post projects with detailed requirements. Upwork takes a staggered approach to fees meaning the more you earn per client, the less commission you pay the platform.
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is the world’s largest marketplace for digital services. On Fiverr you create gigs showcasing your skills. Like Upwork, Fiverr can be used for a range of services.
What is Fiverr best for?
Generally, employers reach out to freelancers. Once your Fiverr profile is set up all you have to do is wait, unless you want to pitch using buyer requests.
Since Fiverr offers a range of subjects to list services, new freelancers can try a range of services until they find what they love.
3. Behance
Behance allows creatives to showcase their work and connect with potential clients. Since Behance is specifically developed for creatives it can be a good starting point for clients looking to hire for creative skills.
What is Behance best for?
Behance is best for creatives. What’s also great about Behance is that it allows freelancers to build a portfolio of their work. This can be helpful in attracting new clients and landing jobs on and off the Behance platform.
4. TaskRabbit
Generally, TaskRabbit connects buyers with Taskers to undertake jobs such as assembling furniture or grocery shopping. However, on TaskRabbit, freelancers can also provide more complex tasks and services, such as event planning.
What is TaskRabbit best for?
Tasks generally need to be completed in person or in the local area, so TaskRabbit is great for the manual worker or the person who wants to find opportunities offline. Generally, TaskRabbit is connecting people who are located quite close to each other so you could find opportunities to help your local community.
5. Guru
Guru has a wide range of services that freelancers can provide on the platform, including digital marketing, web development, graphic design, and video. Guru makes it easy for business owners to find qualified professionals while allowing freelancers to display their skills and be hired quickly.
What is Guru best for?
Guru is completely free to use, but for those who prefer to stand out, you can pay for benefits such as more bids and discounted job fees. The paid profile is unlikely to be selected by the majority of freelancers so you can stand out.
6. Freelancer
Freelancer is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, home to hundreds of freelancing gigs. Clients and freelancers can connect on the platform and clients can even find freelancers in specific parts of the world, which can be helpful for someone planning to quit a desk job to work on the road, while travelling..
What is Freelancer best for?
Freelancer is one of the oldest gig sites. For those who feel a little nervous about freelancing you can know that freelancer.com has been around long enough for you to trust their systems and payment processes.
7. Flexjobs
Flexjobs is a freelancing site and a source of information for freelancers. On the platform, you can find career advice, events and webinars. Many of these resources are available to the freelance community with some being locked down to members only.
What is Flexjobs best for?
Flexjobs was created for freelancers by a freelancer back in 2007. The platform boasts hand-screened jobs and insists that employers are screened for professionalism. This is likely to result in less spam for freelancers.
8. Contra
Contra, founded in 2019, is one of the newer freelancing platforms. The platform aims to replace other professional platforms; think of a freelancing hub where you can invite clients, manage projects and payments in one place.
What is Contra best for?
Contra is commission free to freelancers. Instead of taking a commission on jobs, freelancers can pay a subscription to earn increased visibility in the platform. The subscription is optional so it’s perfect for freelancers who want every penny of earnings sent to their bank.
9. Toptal
Toptal comes from ‘Top Talent’. Toptal wants to connect the greatest freelancers with serious buyers. The screening process is longer than the average freelancing site and takes upto five weeks to complete. It’s unlikely that Toptal will be your first freelancing site.
What is Toptal best for?
Toptal is better reserved for established freelancers who are more likely to complete the screening process and find a place on the platform. It’s better for freelancers who have a proven track record of delivery and a high standard of work.
10. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour connects freelancers and clients. Although titled people per hour, the platform can be used by freelancers who are selling services with a project rate.
What is PeoplePerHour best for?
Like Upwork, PeoplePerHour takes a 20% fee and uses a staggered commission rate meaning the more you work, the less commission you pay.
What is The Best Freelancing Platform For You?
If you have a specific set of skills, like creative work, look for a niche platform like Behance which is designed specifically for your skills.
Ultimately, the best way to discover which freelancing site is the best for you is to sign up and give them a go. Try a few platforms and see which ones you prefer and which ones provide you with the most work. Sign up for a mixture of the largest platforms and the smallest to explore whether smaller platforms are less saturated and therefore more abundant with opportunity.
Popularity of Freelancing Job Sites
Remember, in 2023, freelancing is bigger than ever and freelancing platforms are improving by the minute. It’s a competitive place to find work but as the pool of freelancers grows so does the desire to hire freelance talent.
New freelancers should consider signing up for a few platforms to see which freelancing site is truly the best.
Commonly asked questions about the best freelancing websites:
Which is the safest site for freelancing?
The safest sites for freelancing are listed amongst the top ten in this guide:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Behance
- Taskrabbit
- Guru
- Freelancer
- Flexjobs
- People Per Hour
- Toptal
- Contra
Freelancers should feel safe to try any platform in this guide. The main thing when it comes to staying safe on freelancing platforms is making sure you’re using the site properly So, read the terms and conditions and don’t take risks.
The best platforms are developed to protect freelancers and buyers and there will be processes for payments, card details and personal information.
What site is better than Fiverr?
There’s no one freelancing site that is better than another. Different freelancing sites are buit for different purposes. Whilst Fiverr is very good if you prefer not to pitch for work and have buyers come to you, Behance is better for creatives.
Try different platforms to see if one platform is better than another.
Is Fiverr better than Upwork?
Fiverr is not necessarily better than Upwork. Fiverr is generally lower maintenance to set up and find work since you have to pitch for work on Upwork. But Upwork’s fees are lower.
