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.
On Upwork, clients post their projects, and sellers or 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.
In terms of commission, Upwork takes 10% from the freelancer’s earnings as a commission.
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 9 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 sellers 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 2023, ComeUp was voted the freelancing platform with the best working conditions by the Fairwork Cloudwork study conducted by the Oxford University Internet Institute. More information.
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. Upwork is one of the platforms with the worst working conditions in the same study. They were only able to get two points out of ten.
For Businesses
There are many advantages to using ComeUp. First of all, buyers can contact sellers before placing an order. So, if you’re ever in doubt, you can contact sellers 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. Sellers 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 seller, the buyer has to approve it for the seller to be paid. The risks of being unsatisfied with what the seller delivers are much lower. As long as buyers carefully read what a seller’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 seller 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.
- Some of the best working conditions for platform workers (based on the Fairwork Cloudwork study led by the Oxford University Internet Institute in 2023).
- Clients and freelancers can leverage the platform for their benefit in many ways.
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.
Want to learn more about ComeUp?
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 that the jobs offered on Fiverr are lower-cost and less professional. If you’re a skilled freelancer, you may want to avoid Fiverr for a platform that focuses on quality more than cost. 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 20% on all jobs, so be prepared to pay a high commission. 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’s side, 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 seller profile on Fiverr. When creating a seller profile, no Identity document is needed. The ID verification takes place later when Fiverr contacts a seller 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 seller who has been verified and has delighted past customers.
Fiverr charges 5.5% of the purchase amount as a service fee. This fee is fairly high considering the quality of services on Fiverr and the high commission they take from sellers.
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.
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, which can be lower 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 they only have a few freelancers, there is no competition for jobs, and you can lower your rates on Toptal. 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 rates.
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 websites also look 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. But, compared to other platforms, the commission fees seem more reasonable on the website if you’re working with customers long-term. It relies on the lifetime spending of customers with a particular freelancer. So, to pay less commission, freelancers try to work closely with the same customer for a longer time and command higher rates. Find the commission breakdown below:
– Over £5000-lifetime billing per buyer: 3.5% (excl. VAT) service fee.
– Between £250 and £5000-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.
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.
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—no support for writing, development, etc.
- No integrated tools for project or payment management.
- Highly competitive space with many experienced freelancers.
9. 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 that 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.
Conclusion: Find the greatest alternatives 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 seller you are hiring. They are the ones who will work on your project. Make sure they have the skills to deliver.
Consider working conditions and Cloudwork worker’s rights
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 gives scores to companies regarding the fairness in working conditions they offer.
Better working conditions for freelancers
At ComeUp, we’re always looking to improve the working conditions for our community’s sellers. That means fair pay, conditions, terms of service, and management.
In 2023, ComeUp was voted the freelancing platform with the best working conditions by the Fairwork Cloudwork study conducted by the Oxford University Internet Institute. More information.
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 sellers.
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