Now and in the future, many companies are turning to freelance workers to get the job done. This is because freelancers offer a lot of advantages over traditional employees.
They are more affordable, they can do a wider range of tasks, and they are available when you need them.
But where is the best place to find high-quality freelancers? And what are the best marketplaces for freelancers to connect with clients?
I’ve been a freelancer since 2014, and I’ve also hired dozens of freelancers in recent years. I’ve tried all of the freelance websites, and I know which ones are a cut above the rest.
Here’s a look at the top 10 best freelance websites for anyone hiring or for job seekers. The best freelance website for you may depend on your unique needs. Test one freelance website or multiple to discover your best option.
1. Upwork (Best Overall)
This is my go-to for both hirings and for finding work. It’s full of clients and freelancers from around the world who connect to make big things happen. I’ve worked with clients around the world using Upwork as a job board, and I’ve also connected with fantastic pros who know graphic design, development, sales, and other disciplines. I even posted to virtual assistant jobs there the other day, just to get some help on current projects.
Upwork is versatile. Find work domestically or internationally. You can even post jobs for U.S.-only freelancers, or filter jobs to find U.S.-only work. Apply for jobs, or you can wait to be invited to interview for a job. That said, it typically takes some time and experience before you start getting invites.
Upwork runs on Connects, which is a currency that allows you to apply for jobs. You get Connects on a monthly basis, and then a portion of them can roll over to the next month. Personally, I’ve never run out of Connects, but you can buy more if you need them.
You can choose from two plans — the Basic Freelancer plan or the Freelancer Plus at a monthly subscription rate of $14.99 per month. With the Freelancer Plus, you get more Connects each month, and you also get access to exclusive jobs that are not available to Basic Freelancers.
(I use the Freelancer Plus plan, because I like the added benefits. You should check it out if you’re a freelancer.)
Upwork is a great way to find work whether you’re looking for something short-term or long-term, and it’s also a great way to connect with international clients. So what are you waiting for? Check out Upwork.
- Access to a wide variety of work opportunities, both domestically and internationally
- Create a free profile and list your skills
- Option to wait for jobs to come to you or take a more proactive stance and search for jobs yourself
- Use Connects as currency to apply to jobs; 1 Connect = $1
- Choose from two plans — the Basic Freelancer plan or the Freelancer Plus at a monthly subscription rate of $14.99 per month
2. Fiverr (Best for New Freelancers)
Fiverr is the perfect platform for anyone looking for affordable, high-quality freelance work. With its name rooted in the original $5 price point, Fiverr has become a go-to resource for those needing content produced quickly on a budget.
You might want to market your services to a business that needs a logo or website. Or you might be the owner of that business that needs a logo or website. Either way, Fiverr is an invaluable resource where talent connects with companies that need assistance. Personally, I outgrew Fiverr relatively quickly and moved on to Upwork. But it’s still a great place to find work and to find great freelancers at value price points.
Visit Fiverr and start searching through their extensive portfolio of available services to find the perfect match for your needs!
- Get high-quality work for a fraction of the cost
- Find freelancers in any field, from design to marketing to programming
- Easy to use platform makes finding and hiring freelancers simple
- Great for small businesses who need quick, quality work done on a budget
3. Toptal (Most Exclusive)
Toptal is the company for you if you’re looking for exclusivity. The company has made a name for itself by only hiring 3% of freelance talent.
Toptal connects employers with specific freelance professionals, including software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers. However, you have to apply and be approved before you can officially join.
Toptal is available in 158 countries with 16,000 clients served. Hiring usually happens within 48 hours. If you’re looking for a fast and exclusive way to hire top talent, Toptal is the company for you. Explore the platform to decide if it’s right for you.
- Get access to the best freelance talent in the world
- Only hire 3% of all freelance talent
- Hiring usually happens within 48 hours
- Available in 158 countries with 16,000 clients served
4. Freelancer.com (Best International Site)
Are you a freelancer looking for new opportunities or an employer with a project to tackle? If so, Freelancer.com is a great option — especially when you’re working with people around the world.
Founded in Australia and boasting millions of freelancers worldwide, this global platform makes it easy to connect with top talent in any field. You can find a range of different types of freelancers on Freelancers.com, including writers, developers, graphic designers, plus more. Find the skilled professionals you need when you need them.
And since payments are secured by their advanced Milestone Payments System, you can rest assured that your funds will be paid out as promised. So if you need to hire freelancers or find work yourself, Freelancer.com is an attractive option — the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace. Start exploring Freelancer.com.
- Connect with freelancers from all over the world
- Find skilled professionals in any field
- Secure payments with their Milestone Payments System
- Get projects done quickly and efficiently
5. Guru
Guru is a great place for talented freelancers and ambitious companies to connect and work together. Companies can hire professionals with an array of skillsets, such as programmers, graphic designers, and product managers.
Guru makes it easy to browse job listings and submit quotes to clients. The system gives job recommendations based on your skill-set and work experience. You can bid for long or short-term projects and give a fixed price for each project.
With Guru, there are multiple withdrawal methods to receive your earnings, including PayPal, direct deposit, wire transfer, and check by mail. Guru is a great way to get connected with clients from all over the globe and receive top-notch services. Test Guru to see if it’s the right platform for your needs.
- Talented freelancers and ambitious companies connect and work together
- Easy to browse job listings and submit quotes to clients
- Guru gives job recommendations based on skill-set and work experience
- Multiple withdrawal methods to receive earnings
6. Behance (Best for Creators)
Behance is a unique freelance platform that sets itself apart from other sites on the list. Unlike other platforms, Behance is a social network entirely dedicated to creative professionals, allowing artists and designers to showcase their work, connect with other talent, and get discovered by potential employers.
No matter what type of creator you are, Behance provides a place for you to build your portfolio, share your creations with the world, and connect with creatives from all industries.
To get started on Behance, simply create an account and customize your profile. As Behance operates as a social networking site, the more profiles you follow and connect with, the more posts you will see in your feed.
When you need an exciting new job or when you need to find inspiration in the work of others, Behance has something for everyone. See if this is the right platform for your freelance needs.
- Showcase your work to a global audience of creative professionals
- Connect with other creatives and learn from their experience
- Get discovered by potential employers looking for new talent
- Get feedback on your work from the Behance community
7. People Per Hour
On People Per Hour, businesses find freelancers and hire them for per-hour or per-project assignments. The spectrum of job types is broad, which means both employers and freelancers can find almost anything they need. To get started, create an account and profile. A moderator will have to review your application before it gets approved. But, once you’re approved, you have carte blanche to browse for jobs.
Freelance can either set prices or send offers on a job-by-job basis. People Per Hour empowers businesses to find cost-effective help for their most pressing projects. This is also a convenient place for freelancers who want to find new clients and work on interesting projects. Give People Per Hour a try.
- Connect with a large pool of talented freelancers
- Quick and easy to find freelancers for your specific project
- Get custom quotes from freelancers and choose the best price
- Projects are completed on time and within budget
8. FlexJobs
FlexJobs delivers both flexible and remote opportunities, part-time and full-time. You can find a broad range of categories, including journalism, writing, training, education, plus more.
FlexJobs even validates every posting to ensure it’s for real. Filtering out the fake companies and scammers is one place where others on this list of best freelance websites could use some help. You won’t find advertisements on FlexJobs either, which is one less distraction to worry about when looking for freelance work or finding freelancers.
To find freelance jobs, users need to sign up for a subscription. There are different plans available, starting from $9.95/month. FlexJobs is a great resource for finding legitimate work-from-home opportunities that can help to make life more balanced and stress-free. Check out FlexJobs.
- Find flexible and remote job opportunities quickly and easily
- Get screened and verified job listings
- Have access to a variety of job categories
- Sign up for a subscription for the best deals
9. SimplyHired
SimplyHired is a great way for companies to post job opportunities for free. It’s easy to browse jobs by category, and the clean user interface makes it even easier. Plus, SimplyHired collects job offers from all over the internet into one page, so you’re sure to find the perfect job for you. And if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, SimplyHired has a variety of freelance opportunities in different fields, including finance and marketing.
You can find your dream job or simply make extra cash when you use this platform. SimplyHired is a great freelance site to test out.
- Free job postings
- Easy to browse by category
- Collects job offers from all over the internet
- Wide variety of freelance opportunities
- User-friendly interface
10. 99designs
99designs is a great platform for freelance designers to find work. The website is easy to use and navigate, and the design projects are varied. You can build a profile and include your work experience, and the curation team will review your application and determine your designer level. The higher your level, the more visibility you get on the platform. 99designs makes looking for freelance jobs related to your expertise easy. Discover what 99designs offers.
- Get discovered by people who are looking for your design expertise
- Have access to a wide variety of design projects
- Build your portfolio with high-quality, professional designs
- Take on the work that you’re interested in and skip the projects you’re not
Find Talent Today
You might be looking to become a freelancer, or you might be looking for great talent for your business. Either way, the marketplaces above will help you get started. If you want more information about becoming a freelancer or finding the best freelance websites for your needs, don’t hesitate to reach out. I can help connect you with the right resources so that you can start building a successful freelance career or using freelancers to power your business. Which of these marketplaces look like the best fit for you?
