Upwork is the world's largest freelancing marketplace. They have millions of clients and freelancers. This is their main strength as they get a steady number of orders. However, it can also be a weakness as many freelancers are on the platform, making the competition fierce. That's why you may want to look for alternatives to Upwork, where you can spend time and find more clients or work. The greatest alternatives to Upwork article will help you find the right alternative for you.

AI tools can help you shortlist which platform might suit you on paper, but they can't verify a real freelancer's track record, negotiate a fair price, or take responsibility if a project goes wrong. That part still comes down to choosing the right marketplace.

On Upwork, clients post their projects, and freelancers bid on these projects for a chance to get the job. Clients can also browse freelancers and buy a service from them if they wish to do so. This system is disadvantageous for freelancers as the client has most of the power. Bidding wars that lead freelancers to sell their services for a discounted price happen. On the plus side, lots of jobs are available on the website.

On fees, Upwork changed its model on 1 May 2025. The old flat 10% commission was replaced by a variable freelancer service fee of 0% to 15% per contract, set when you submit your proposal and locked for the life of that contract. Most freelancers report a rate around 10% to 13%, plus the cost of Connects (roughly $0.15 each) just to apply. The platform enjoys a good score of 4.5 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot (as of July 2026).

We have compiled information on different freelance marketplaces over the years and have decided to write the greatest alternatives to Upwork article to provide helpful information so people can make the most informed decision when choosing a freelance marketplace to buy or sell services on. Below, you will find our recommended platforms if you're looking for an alternative to Upwork.

The 10 greatest alternatives to Upwork

1. ComeUp

For freelancers

On ComeUp, freelancers post their services online, and buyers can order them. Freelancers have more control as they can choose their rates and what their service entails. They can even add options to upsell their services to clients. Freelancers don't need to bid for the chance to work on a project. Instead, clients reach out to them directly.

In terms of commission, the two companies have very different offers. One of ComeUp's best advantages is its $1-only commission option. With such a low commission, freelancers can maximize their earnings. If freelancers want to try out ComeUp before deciding if it's the best option, they can do so for free. Another advantage for freelancers is that they can get paid as soon as an order is validated by the buyer. No more waiting around five days for your payment to come. With ComeUp, freelancers get paid on time for the work they complete, and they can withdraw their earnings whenever they want.

In the Fairwork Cloudwork Ratings 2025, conducted by the Oxford Internet Institute, ComeUp scored 8 out of 10, the highest score of the study and by far the highest of any generalist freelance marketplace assessed. ComeUp continues to work on this, as they want to provide the best working conditions for their users. Whether you're a freelancer or a business, using a platform that provides rights for its users feels better than using a platform that denies those rights. In the same 2025 study, Upwork scored 1 out of 10, one of the lowest results of the entire assessment.

For businesses

There are many advantages to using ComeUp, whatever you need: graphic design, web development, video editing, copywriting, and more. First of all, buyers can contact freelancers before placing an order. So, if you're ever in doubt, you can contact freelancers and ask them questions about their offers and options. You can also use the reviews left by previous buyers to decide if a service is the right one for you.

Another benefit for buyers is that ComeUp is safe to use and has a well-thought-out ordering system built to protect buyers. Freelancers all have to verify their identity by submitting an identity document before they can sell services. Other platforms are not as rigorous when it comes to verifying the identity of their users.

As for the ordering process, once the order is delivered by the freelancer, the buyer has to approve it for the freelancer to be paid. The risks of being unsatisfied with what the freelancer delivers are much lower. As long as buyers carefully read what a freelancer's services entail, they will get what they order. If there's a dispute, there's a litigation process in place to protect both the freelancer and the buyer. The case is handled by someone from ComeUp's moderation team who reviews the order and the delivered services before making an impartial decision. All disputes are handled by humans. So, both parties have a chance to express themselves to the moderation team. ComeUp also has reactive human support to help employers and clients if they have any questions during the whole process.

If you give ComeUp a chance, you'll find that the platform is one of the greatest alternatives to Upwork.

Pros

• Lots of different categories.
• A safe and secure website to make payments and withdrawals.
• The $1-only commission enables freelancers to maximize their earnings.
• A helpful customer support team is always ready to help.
• The best working conditions of any platform assessed in the Fairwork Cloudwork Ratings 2025, led by the Oxford Internet Institute (8/10, against 1/10 for Upwork).
• Clients and freelancers can leverage the platform for their benefit in many ways.
• ComeUp is rated 4.5 stars out of five on Trustpilot (as of July 2026).

Cons

• Buyers have to pay transaction fees.
• There's a monthly subscription plan that freelancers have to pay for to benefit from the $1-only commission option. They also gain increased visibility.

2. Fiverr

Similar to ComeUp, freelancers can also post their services on Fiverr, which gives them more control. Fiverr is one of the largest freelancing platforms on the market, so there are many orders. Nonetheless, there's a lot of competition. There's also a concern about some of the skills and talents that freelancers have. Some lie about their expertise and are less skilled than advertised.

For freelancers

One of the main differences with Upwork is the price point: Fiverr's entry-level gigs start at $5, which sets a low anchor across many categories. If you sell high-value expertise, positioning yourself there can be harder. You can find work on Fiverr, but you'll be competing with many other freelancers who won't hesitate to lower their rates to get a project. Their commission is a flat 20% on every order, with no tiers and no volume discounts, so be prepared to pay a high commission whatever your level. You have to wait 14 days to receive your payment after completing a project. In case of a conflict with an employer or client, Fiverr tends to side with the client, and you will find little support. So be wary of cons.

For businesses

Businesses have the luxury of choice on Fiverr. There are countless services and freelancers on the platform. This wide range of choices can actually cause businesses to fall on the wrong freelancers. It's really simple to create a freelancer profile on Fiverr. When creating a freelancer profile, no identity document is needed. The ID verification takes place later when Fiverr contacts a freelancer for them to verify their profile. This is one of the many reasons why so many cons are happening on Fiverr. So make sure to choose a freelancer who has been verified and has delighted past customers. Fiverr charges 5.5% of the purchase amount as a service fee, plus a fixed fee on smaller orders. This fee is fairly high considering the high commission they already take from freelancers.

Pros

• Simple order process to complete projects.
• One of the most significant freelancer databases.
• The website is modern and easy to navigate.

Cons

• A lot of transaction fees.
• The commission for freelancers is very high.
• It's effortless to register, so there are many scams on the platform.
• The competition is fierce, leading to a race to the bottom and lower prices.
• The platform is rated 2.4 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot (as of July 2026).

3. Freelancer

One of the biggest freelancing platforms worldwide, with more than 41 million freelancers around the world, Freelancer is another possible alternative to Upwork. They have a different model from recent freelancing platforms, as they try to build a relationship between freelancers and clients instead of having just one job or gig.

For freelancers

They have a lot of flexibility regarding payments. Freelancers can be paid hourly or when they reach different objectives. This flexibility comes at a price, as you need to carefully monitor your hours on the platform using their management tools. On Freelancer, the pricing plan is hugely different as freelancers pay to get the possibility to have more bids they can use to apply for jobs, in addition to a 10% commission with a $5 minimum, which can be lowered depending on the plan freelancers subscribe to. This can lead to frustration as you may compete with people with fewer skills who are willing to charge much less to do the job.

For businesses

In terms of pricing, you'll have to pay a reasonable 3% of the winning bid to the platform in addition to the freelancer's rates. You also need to be careful; if there are any additional tasks that require more payments, you will also have to pay a 3% fee for them. One of the great advantages for businesses is that Freelancer is a safe platform with fewer cons. Since businesses decide who they hire to work with, they can choose after inspecting the freelancer's profile. It's a great way to make sure you hire the person you're the most comfortable working with. The only downside is that you can only hire people bidding on your project. So, if you don't like the options presented, it may lead to a difficult decision.

Pros

• One of the most renowned freelance platforms worldwide.
• Payments are flexible, as you can be paid hourly or on a project basis.

Cons

• There is a lot of competition on the platform.
• The fees are high and numerous, especially for freelancers.
• The bidding system does not create a fair system based on talent. This can hurt freelancers and clients.

4. Toptal

Toptal is all about talent. They say that their community is composed of only the top 3% of freelance talents available. So they offer only high-quality freelance talent. But that comes at a hefty cost. Toptal is one of the most expensive freelance platforms out there. Toptal connects businesses to a small range of talented workers for a high cost. On the plus side, you won't have to worry about cons or poorly completed work. The platform is secure.

For freelancers

Because the pool is deliberately small, there is far less competition for jobs, and no pressure to undercut your rates to win work. It's a great place to sell services if you're a freelancer. But first, you need to get in. The screening process is long and complicated as it involves interviews, personality, and language tests. If you can't rank amongst the top 3%, another platform may be better suited for you.

For businesses

Not only is the platform secure and scam-free, but there's also some top talent on Toptal. If you need a highly skilled freelancer, this may be the best platform to find highly skilled professionals. But this security and expertise come at a high cost. Services cost twice the freelancer's hourly rate on Toptal. If you have no budget limitations, this may be the right platform for you, but if you need to consider a budget, there may be other platforms with more reasonable prices.

Pros

• High-level freelance professionals are available to help.
• Since freelancers need to be approved by the platform, there is less competition for work.

Cons

• Low chances of being approved as a freelancer.
• The application process is long and tedious.
• There is no transparency about their fees and the way work is distributed.
• There are intriguing projects on the platform, but they charge the equivalent of a 50% commission because they charge customers twice the freelancer's rate.

5. Guru

This Upwork alternative is known to be professional and focuses more on business services and needs, like Freelancer. They only offer professional services. One of their main strengths is some of the lowest transaction fees on the market. The website also looks similar, so if you liked Freelancer but want to change because you had a bad experience with them, this might be the best alternative for you.

For freelancers

The pricing on Guru is based on monthly memberships that allow freelancers to bid on more jobs, like Freelancer. This bidding system and pricing approach are frustrating for freelancers because they can be disadvantageous. Imagine being a professional but being outbid for jobs by someone with less experience who has more money to spend to rank higher.

For businesses

You'll get many freelancers who bid on your job posting. You're sure to find at least one freelancer who can get the job done. But this system can also be restrictive, as you have a limited number of freelancers to choose from. In terms of pricing, Guru's 2.9% handling fee per invoice is reasonable and most likely one of the cheapest fees for freelance marketplaces.

Pros

• Low transaction fees.
• Companies can post projects and have freelance experts apply to work on them.

Cons

• The monthly subscription is expensive for freelancers.
• The system in place does not favor talent. Customers can end up working with less talented freelancers.
• The bid-based system makes it unfair, and opportunities depend on bids much more than talent.

6. PeoplePerHour

With more than 3 million freelancers, PeoplePerHour was created in 2007. The platform enables companies to hire freelance talent by the hour to complete projects.

For freelancers

Many freelancers offer their assistance on PeoplePerHour, making the competition intense. The commission tiers look reasonable at first glance, but they are calculated per client rather than on your total earnings: every new buyer resets you to the top band until you have billed them £250. A freelancer with many small one-off clients therefore pays the highest rate almost permanently.

• Over £5,000 lifetime billing per buyer: 3.5% (excl. VAT) service fee.
• Between £250 and £5,000 lifetime per buyer: 7.5% (excl. VAT) service fee.
• Less than £250 lifetime billing per buyer: 20% (excl. VAT) service fee.

For businesses

PeoplePerHour is a flexible platform with opportunities for companies to find freelance experts. There's a big talent pool, and you can find various professionals for your project. The possibility of hiring workers hourly enables them to work on numerous projects smoothly if needed. It's a double-edged sword, as a project can take more time than expected, and you might spend more than the budget you had planned. The fees for clients are 10% + £0.60 of the total amount. That's a lot compared to other websites.

Pros

• Businesses can post their projects for freelancers to apply for free.
• It's one of the biggest freelance platforms.
• They have a functional mobile app.
• They are developing an AI search system to make it easier to match freelancers and companies looking for an expert.

Cons

• There are many expensive fees for freelancers and clients.
• Unbalanced talent level.
• They don't have a good customer support team. You might be alone if you have an issue.
• Scored 1 out of 10 in the Fairwork Cloudwork Ratings 2025.

7. Behance

Behance, owned by Adobe, is a popular platform for creatives to showcase their portfolios and gain visibility. Unlike traditional freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr, Behance serves more as a discovery and networking tool. It's especially ideal for designers, illustrators, photographers, and digital artists looking to build a strong personal brand and attract high-quality freelance work.

For freelancers

Behance is a highly visual platform where creatives can publish detailed projects and highlight their creative process. This not only helps in gaining followers from within the global creative community but also builds credibility with potential clients. While Behance doesn't facilitate payments or job management, it's a powerful platform for exposure. Many freelancers land work simply by showcasing outstanding portfolios and getting featured on the platform.

For businesses

Businesses looking to hire creative professionals can browse Behance to evaluate real projects and see the quality of work before reaching out. It offers a transparent view of a designer's style and skill set. However, there are no built-in tools for collaboration, contracts, or payments. Businesses will need to move the relationship off-platform for those steps. Still, it's an excellent starting point to discover talent, especially for visually driven projects.

Pros

• Perfect for showcasing visual portfolios and large-scale projects.
• Strong community of creatives and global reach.
• Integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• High exposure for standout work.

Cons

• Not a full freelance marketplace: no tools for payments or contracts.
• Most useful only for creative professionals in the visual fields.
• High competition to stand out among talented designers.

8. Dribbble

Dribbble is another leading platform focused exclusively on design and creative work. It acts as a hybrid between a social network, a job board, and a portfolio site. Dribbble is widely used by graphic designers, UI/UX experts, digital illustrators, and branding specialists. Unlike Upwork, which caters to a broad range of freelance skills, Dribbble zeroes in on design excellence.

For freelancers

Dribbble allows designers to create portfolios, engage with other creatives, and gain visibility through likes and shares. Paid memberships unlock benefits like increased visibility and access to exclusive freelance jobs. It's a great platform for freelancers who specialize in high-end design and want to connect with design-conscious clients. That said, due to the sheer volume of talent on the platform, gaining traction can be challenging.

For businesses

For companies searching for exceptional design talent, Dribbble is a great place to start. Businesses can post jobs, browse curated portfolios, and directly contact freelancers. However, like Behance, the platform doesn't support integrated workflows for contracting, communication, or payments. It's best suited for hiring in design-centric roles, not broader freelance categories. If you would rather brief, pay and receive the work in one place, ComeUp's design freelancers handle the whole process on the platform.

Pros

• Excellent platform for high-quality design talent.
• Built-in job board for design-specific roles.
• Strong global community and networking opportunities.
• Portfolios help clients gauge style and fit easily.

Cons

• Limited to design categories, with no support for writing, development, etc.
• No integrated tools for project or payment management.
• Highly competitive space with many experienced freelancers.

9. Truelancer

Very similar to Guru, Truelancer works the same way: companies can either discover freelancers directly or post projects for freelancers to bid on. Fees are reasonable and vary depending on the buyer's payment method. Truelancer also allows companies to host contests, where freelancers compete to win the work (for example, a logo design), and you only pay the winner.

For freelancers

Freelancers can win work through direct hire or by winning contests, though contest-based work tends to attract lower average pay since only one participant gets compensated for the effort of several.

For businesses

The contest model can be a fast way to get multiple design options to choose from, but be aware that customer service and dispute support have been reported as inconsistent by some users.

Pros

• Flexible ways to find talent (direct hire or contests).
• Reasonable fees.
• Good option if you've had a negative experience with Freelancer and want something similar but different.

Cons

• Customer service reported as unhelpful in some cases.
• Contest-based work can undervalue freelancers' time.

10. Contra

One of the more recent platforms in the freelance market, Contra launched in 2021. It's branded as the professional network for flexible work. It's one of the sites similar to Upwork because of the way it works. Even though the platform is quite recent, it has launched some very promising features. The platform has an advantageous no-commission model, and freelancers have to pay for a subscription instead. They collaborate with design websites to offer freelance experts with all the skills to complete complicated projects on these websites. In addition, they recently launched Indy AI, which helps freelancers find possible work opportunities in their network by scanning their LinkedIn and social media.

For freelancers

Contra offers different advantages for freelancers. The main one is that freelancers can leverage Contra to tailor their profile with their skills, talents, and experiences, and create a complete portfolio. They can design their page to highlight their skills or past work experience and convince clients that they are the right person to complete their projects. Freelancers can also leverage Indy AI to find potential work opportunities. This tool scans your network on social media and LinkedIn for any relevant mentions and reports them to you, saving you time on research and scrolling. Despite that, some freelancers report that they don't get any work with Contra.

For businesses

Businesses can hire freelancers on Contra to work with them on their projects. There are multiple ways to do so. They can post projects for freelancers to work on or contact specific freelancers directly. Most of the freelancers available on the platform are either designers or marketers. Usually, the freelancers available on Contra have high-quality skills, but they also charge expensive rates for the services they provide.

Pros

• Great platform to discover designers.
• There are many freelance professionals available.
• You can find high-quality services to complete complex projects.
• No commission for freelancers.
• Indy AI can help you find potential clients.

Cons

• The services on the platform are expensive.
• To benefit from no commission, freelancers need to pay a subscription fee.
• Many freelancers report that they don't get any orders.
• Even if you can find potential clients with Indy AI, you still need to do the pitching and get them to order your services.

What each platform really costs, on both sides

Most comparisons only look at the commission charged to the freelancer. That is half the picture. Platforms also charge the client, and those fees matter to freelancers too, because they reduce the budget a client can actually spend on the work.

Here is the real cost on both sides, on a €500 order:

Two takeaways. First, with a ComeUp Plus subscription the total cost is the lowest of the comparison. Second, and this matters more than the percentage: ComeUp Plus is the only option where the freelancer's cost does not grow with the order value. On a €1,000 order a freelancer pays €1 on ComeUp Plus, against €200 on Fiverr. The bigger the projects, the more decisive that gap becomes.

To be clear though: on the free ComeUp account, at 20%, you are on par with Fiverr, not better. It is the Plus subscription that makes the difference, and it becomes worthwhile from roughly €60 in monthly sales.

Upwork's 0% to 15% band deserves a word of caution too. The low end is rare, and the rate is locked for the entire life of the contract, so a long-running client relationship can stay stuck at the high end indefinitely.

A flat €1 commission per order, whatever the order value See ComeUp Plus plans

Why use a freelance marketplace?

Knowing the best Upwork alternatives may not be enough to understand the benefits of freelance marketplaces in general. Using these websites has real advantages for both freelancers and clients. Their principal function is to connect both parties safely: when a client places an order, they pay for it directly, but the freelancer only gets paid once the work is delivered and approved. This process gives both sides confidence they'll get what they came for.

For businesses specifically, a freelance marketplace gives access to talent across many areas of expertise, with a safe order process that protects against scams or unfinished work. It's also a flexible alternative to full-time hiring: a freelancer works on a project basis, and a business can bring in a different specialist for each new need, without the costs and commitments of hiring full-time staff.

Other options: don't use a freelance marketplace at all

Freelance marketplaces like Upwork and its alternatives are great for finding freelancers, but they're not the only option.

Job boards and social media

You can share the role you need to fill on a job board like FlexJobs or on your company's social media. It's often free, and the people who see a post on your own social channels are already engaged with your brand. The main downside is security: without a marketplace's escrow system, you have to manage payment and delivery risk yourself.

Your own network

Asking your professional connections for a recommendation is free and comes with a built-in layer of trust that's harder to build with a stranger online. The tradeoff is that you're limited to who your network happens to know, which may mean missing out on better-suited talent elsewhere.

Working conditions: the criterion most comparisons ignore

Whether you are a freelancer or a business looking to buy services, we can all agree that some working conditions should be accessible to all workers. With the advancement of technology, we've seen business models emerge that disregard these rights. The Fairwork Cloudwork study, conducted by the Oxford Internet Institute, scores platforms on five criteria: fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation.

At ComeUp, we're always looking to improve the working conditions for our community's freelancers. That effort is what took the platform from 5 out of 10 in the 2023 edition to 8 out of 10 in the 2025 ratings, the best score of the study, while Upwork, Fiverr and PeoplePerHour all sit between 1 and 2.

But we don't want to stop there. We still have work to do to achieve the ideal working conditions for our community, and we'll continue doing everything we can to ensure the best working conditions possible for ComeUp freelancers.

FAQ

What's the biggest difference between Upwork and its alternatives?

Upwork uses a post-a-project-and-get-bids model. Several alternatives, including ComeUp and Fiverr, work the other way around: freelancers publish ready-made service listings with fixed prices, so you can order directly without waiting for bids.

How much does Upwork actually charge freelancers in 2026?

Since May 2025, between 0% and 15% depending on the contract, set at proposal time and fixed for the life of that contract. Most freelancers report landing around 10% to 13%. On top of that, Connects have to be purchased to submit proposals, whether or not you win the work.

Which Upwork alternative works best for a small budget?

Platforms with fixed-price service listings tend to be easier to budget for than bidding platforms, where costs can shift during negotiation. Comparing a few listings for the same task before committing is the safest way to gauge a fair price.

Is it risky to hire outside of a marketplace, directly through social media or referrals?

It can be, mainly because you lose the payment protection a marketplace provides. If you go this route, agree on clear deliverables and milestones upfront, and consider partial payment tied to delivery rather than paying everything in advance.

Can AI replace the need for a freelance marketplace?

Not for most tasks that require judgment, custom work, or accountability. AI can help you draft a brief or shortlist requirements, but finding, vetting, and paying a real professional safely still goes through a marketplace or a trusted personal connection.

Conclusion: find the alternative to Upwork that works for you

There are many platforms out there, and they're not one-size-fits-all, so at the end of the day, we'd recommend you consider what you value and what you're looking for in a freelancing platform. Do some research and browse around. Make an educated decision that puts you in a position to succeed. Try a few different ones until you find the one right for you. Many of them offer a free plan or free options. If you're hiring, take the time to browse different platforms to see the talent and services offered. Consider fees, cons, support, and other factors when you make a decision. There are many things to think about to find the greatest alternatives to Upwork. But don't forget to focus on the freelancer you are hiring. They are the ones who will work on your project. Make sure they have the skills to deliver.