With the continuing growth of the freelancing market, freelancers have many options to turn to find work online. While this facilitates the search for a platform, it can make it more complicated to choose the right one. Freelance marketplaces offer different pros and cons that freelancers can leverage to optimize their work. Despite that, there’s been an increase in competition, leading some to find more difficulties securing work. In this guide, we’ll cover the top websites for freelancers to sell their find work and earn money.
What is a freelance marketplace?
A freelance marketplace is a platform on which freelancers can sell their services online. Clients from all over the world can order the services from them. So, it’s the perfect way for freelancers to find jobs.
With tons of features, each platform has its pros and cons. For freelancers, some features to consider are working conditions, work opportunities, commission rates, and the platform’s functioning. But there are other benefits to consider to find the best site.
Why use a freelance marketplace to find jobs?
There are many reasons why a freelance marketplace is essential in helping you find work. The freelance website acts as a trusted third party protecting the client and freelancer throughout the process of completing a project. Since clients must order a service before the freelancer starts work, they can’t run away without paying. Instead, the money is placed in an escrow account so the freelance professional gets paid as soon as they have completed the order. The safety process also protects workers from the possibility of clients abusing them.
Besides the safety aspect, there’s also a practical one. Some companies enable freelancers to post jobs or services on their websites. Freelancers only need to wait for orders to come after. While some may need to do some prospecting, especially at the beginning, it means that established freelancers will receive orders online without having to do much. That’s a huge advantage.
The top websites for freelancers to find a job
ComeUp
One of the top freelance websites in the world, ComeUp has existed for over ten years and launched its international website in 2023. The website has lots of benefits for freelancers looking to secure job opportunities. The functioning is straightforward as freelancers create services they can sell online. Over one million orders have been completed on the website.
There are eight main categories with sub-categories on the website. The most popular categories include web design, marketing, SEO writing, copy writing, web development, business, and graphic designers. Freelance professionals can use their skills in those areas to find a work project to complete.
The platform is in constant development. New features are launched regularly to improve the user experience and working conditions for all users. The site is constantly evolving with feedback from clients and freelance users.
A trusted third-party
The website acts as a trusted third party, protecting freelancers and clients in case of any issues. When a client orders a service on ComeUp, they pay for it immediately, and the money is placed in an escrow account. As soon as the order is completed and approved by the client, the freelancer receives the money, and they can instantly withdraw it if they want. There are two advantages for freelancers. They no longer need to chase down clients with unpaid invoices, and they can rest assured clients won’t run away with their money.
A $1-only commission option
On ComeUp, freelance professionals can maximize their earnings with a $1-only commission option. While many platforms take twenty to ten percent commissions, ComeUp empowers freelancers to earn most of what they make. While freelance talents have to pay to benefit from the $1-only commission. There is a free option enabling sellers to sell their services for free. There is a 20% commission fee for users who use the free version.
Super responsive customer service team
It’s essential to have access to human customer service whenever you need it. With ComeUp, you can contact the customer service team at any time and will be engaging directly with a human being ready to help. They will do their best to answer quickly and help as much as possible.
Thanks to its helpful customer service, ComeUp is rated 4.3 stars out of five on Trustpilot (as of July 2024). With such a high rating, you know you can trust the customer service team.
Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the most famous freelance websites out there. The system on Fiverr works the same as for ComeUp. Freelance professionals put services for sale online for clients to buy. It’s more known for gigs and simpler services, although it also has some more consequential services for sale on the website.
A large platform with many users
With 4.2 million buyers, Fiverr is the most visited freelance website. But there’s also a lot of competition. With millions of freelancers selling their services. It’s hard to secure a job. Not to mention, a lot of spam happens on the website. So, if you start using Fiverr, find the right strategy and offer to separate yourself from other sellers.
The commission fees
It’s free to sign up and sell on Fiverr, but they charge commission fees that range from 5% to 20% depending on the seller level, the order value, and the category in which services are placed. Nonetheless, the commission is more often 20% and only decreases after years of selling on the website.
Upwork
One of the other leading sites with millions of users, Upwork, has been around for over a decade (2013). You can find many job opportunities on the site because it welcomes many visitors daily. But just like Fiverr, Upwork is a highly competitive platform. You have to separate yourself from the competition to succeed.
A flexible platform
The best advantage of using Upwork is that the site offers more flexibility. Freelance professionals can create services or apply for jobs posted by clients. It can almost seem like a job board. This makes it possible for workers to be proactive in finding work, and they can use the method they prefer to use.
The commission fees
On Upwork, the commission fees are a flat 10% commission rate. These fees don’t change over time or depending on a seller’s profile or other factors.
Toptal
A recent addition to the freelance marketplace industry, Toptal boasts that they offer the top three percent of freelance talent. While this bold claim is a great marketing argument for clients, it also makes it impossible for some users to work on Toptal. This is one of their main cons. Many freelancers get rejected upon applying to work on the site. So, it can be hard to become a Toptal user.
Toptal’s functioning is different from other platforms as companies contact them and tell them what they need. Then, they match them with freelance workers.
Access highly-payed job opportunities
Since Toptal boasts the top three percent of freelance talent, they are more geared towards large to medium-sized companies. This means they offer more expensive and high-quality offers. Clients spend thousands on projects, so as a freelance worker, you can benefit from working on the website.
Lack of transparency
There are only two major flaws with Toptal, and they both regard transparency. The first one is about the way work is distributed among workers. Toptal does not disclose how workers get chosen. So, even if you are approved and become a user, you may not get the best jobs.
There’s also a lack of transparency about the commission fees workers get charged. Toptal says all the fees are for the customer to pay. But, they do not tell freelancing workers how much they charge customers for their work. When they can charge up to double what the freelancing expert asks for. According to some past users, their rates were doubled for customers, and Toptal kept half of it. This would mean a 50% commission for freelancing experts. It makes Toptal the highest commission on the market.
Freelancer
Founded in 2009, Freelancer has over 41 million users and 16 million job offers. It works similarly to Upwork, where companies can post jobs or seek out freelancers who post jobs or gigs. The design makes it feel like a job board site.
A flexible platform with lots of activity
Don’t let the old-school job board design fool you. There are tons of users on Freelancer, and it means many opportunities to find a job for freelancing experts. Being able to apply for projects and post your projects for hire maximizes your chances of finding remote work.
The commission fees
In terms of commission, Freelancer takes a 10% fee from freelancers. This fee can decrease if freelancers subscribe to a monthly membership, but the minimum commission is still $5.
Guru
Guru is similar to Freelancer in the way it works and how it looks like a job board, but the platform has a slightly different user base. It’s more known for its professional services.
A flexible platform with activity
With over 2 million registered users, Guru has enough activity to create opportunities for freelancers. There are still some competition issues. But most freelance sites have them.
Like Freelancer and Upwork, Guru enables you to work the way you want to. Nonetheless, you have to bid on gigs posted by companies for a chance to be the new hire.
The commission fees
Freelancing experts pay a commission that varies based on their membership plans. With the basic plan, there is a 9% commission. Under the executive plan ($49.95/month), the commission drops to 5%. These fees quickly add up for freelancers. The biggest con is that the membership plans give you more bids to apply for jobs. So freelancers can pay lots of money to get bids, leading to no work.
Dribble
Dribble specializes in design. Whether it is web design or graphic design, if you are a designer with skills, Dribble is a great option to find a project to work on. You can post your design work on the website, and companies on the search for designers can contact and hire you.
Peopleperhour
With a database of over two million freelance workers, Peoplehour launched in 2007. Businesses post the project they need help with, and workers search for them to apply for a chance to be hired.
The commission fees are based on your earnings on the site. Below £250 lifetime earnings, the cost is 20%. Between £250 and £ 5,000 lifetime earnings, the fees are 7.5%. For over £5000-lifetime earnings, the fees are 3.5%.
Truelancer
Another website to find a remote freelance gig. Truelancer is similar to Guru and Freelancer.com. Companies can hire freelance talent to complete a project. Or they can post a remote job for freelance workers to apply for.
The commission fees
The commission fees for freelancers on Truelancer vary depending on the membership they subscribe to. They range from a ten to eight percent commission per project. Workers also need to have proposal credits that limit the number of jobs they can apply for (you propose to work on a project on the platform). The membership ranges from free to $50 per month.
Contests for risktakers
Truelancer enables businesses or clients to host contests. These contests put multiple freelancers in a competition. Then, the organizer can choose the result they prefer and only pay for that one. This system is somewhat controversial as it also means that some freelance talents go unpaid for their work.
Other alternatives
In addition to freelance marketplaces, there are other places where you can find remote jobs.
Job Board websites
There are lots of job board sites where you can find remote work. The process usually takes more time because companies will interview candidates just the same as for a full-time position. But these opportunities usually lead to steady offers that are well remunerated. Try websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, or AngelList.
For developers, designers, writing experts, business managers, marketing managers, and other specialized professionals, you can leverage more niche websites geared toward your industry.
Leverage social media platforms
Social media enables you to showcase your skills to thousands and millions of people. Use LinkedIn to connect to a business that is looking to hire. It’s the perfect tool to find prospective clients. Even though it takes time, prospection is the best way to ensure you find a freelance job. Post photos or videos highlighting your work and skills on TikTok and Instagram. There are many ways to stand out and appeal to potential customers.
Optimize your job search by using multiple platforms
The truth is that you can find a job in any freelance marketplace. The difficulty lies in constantly securing work. Sometimes, there are no orders, and it can be complicated to manage. Sign up on multiple sites to get a steady flow of orders and facilitate your search. Then, you can focus on the platforms you prefer, like the ones with lower commission fees. Bring in your clients to the one that’s working best for you to become one of the top sellers/freelancers on that platform.
Conclusion: Use the top websites for freelancers to earn more money
Now that you know the best sites for freelancers, sign up for an account on a few of them and optimize your profile. Take the time you need to create a service a business needs and wants to buy. This will ensure you find jobs and projects to work on.
ComeUp is one of the best alternatives to help you find jobs. It’s free to create an account and sell a service. The order process is direct and easy to use. Plus, with a $1-only commission option, you can maximize your earnings. Try ComeUp today and turn your skills into services you can sell online today.
