Which freelancing websites are the best places to find skilled and reliable talent?
And if you are a freelancer yourself, where can you find the best projects?
Don’t worry. You’re in the right place. From LinkedIn to Upwork, many best freelance websites connect employers and freelancers, be it for short-term or long-term projects.
Employers can post job descriptions and filter out freelancers based on their skills, while freelancers can showcase their past projects and find profitable opportunities.
In this article, we’ll highlight the 10 best freelance websites and discuss how you can choose the right freelance website for your needs. As a bonus, we’ll also tell you how to improve your productivity and time management skills — which is essential for any freelancer.
This article contains:
(Click on the links below to jump to a specific section)
- 10 Best Freelance Websites
- How to Choose the Best Freelance Website
- How to Improve Your Productivity as a Freelancer
Let’s get started.
10 best freelance websites
Most freelance websites list freelance remote work opportunities across various industries. From accounting and graphic design to writing and marketing, they cater to individuals with diverse qualifications.
Freelancers actively seeking work can use freelancing platforms to look for projects, potential leads, or even for networking.
Let’s explore the ten best freelance websites in:
1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great platform to hire specialized talent for various job requirements. Here, recruiters can find skilled candidates looking for freelancing opportunities.
It’s also a convenient, credible platform for freelancers looking for work. Additionally, it can help you grow your professional network.
Key features for employers
- Search for freelancers by industry, location, experience, keywords, and more.
- Attract worthy candidates by sharing a job posting on the company page.
- View the skills and work history of shortlisted candidates.
Key features for freelancers
- Attract potential clients with a compelling profile summary.
- Add previous work experience and industry-related certifications.
- Get quality referrals from existing connections to improve your chances of being hired.
Pricing
Both employers and freelancers can opt for the free plan on LinkedIn. Paid plans for employers and freelancers start at $119.99/month and $29.99/month respectively.
Customer ratings
- G2: 4.4/5 (590+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (4200+ reviews)
2. freelancer.com
A popular freelance site, freelancer.com lets recruiters browse through sample works of candidates to find the right fit for their job.
On freelancer.com, freelancers can bid for a particular job posted by some business owner. Moreover, they have a live chat function to give employers real-time updates on the work progress.
Key features for employers
- Receive obligation-free quotes from freelancers quickly.
- Set milestones for freelancers to accelerate project progress.
- Track billable hours with the Freelancer Desktop App.
Key features for freelancers
- Build expertise and showcase talent through various contests.
- Get up to eight free applications post-registration.
- Support from a team of advisors throughout the hiring process.
Pricing
Both employers and freelancers can opt for the free plan. Paid plans for freelancers start at $0.84/user per month and employers are charged a fee of 3% on every freelance payment.
Customer ratings
- G2: 4/5 (55+ reviews)
- Capterra: NA
Want more information on freelancer.com?
Read our comprehensive freelancer.com review.
3. Toptal
Toptal sets a high benchmark where freelancers must pass all five steps of the screening process. Naturally, recruiters can access the best of the freelance talent on this platform.
This freelance marketplace is great for finding software developers, designers, web developers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers.
Key features for employers
- Quickly assemble teams by hiring in under 48 hours.
- Examine freelancer’s performance on a free trial period.
- Get a dedicated service for time tracking and invoicing called TopTracker.
Key features for freelancers
- Connect with industry experts through networking events.
- Participate and learn from various technological events.
- A freelance platform that trains freelance talent on the most in-demand skills.
Pricing
Both employers and freelancers can opt for the free plan on Toptal. Employers are required to pay an initial deposit of $500 on hiring talent.
Other pricing plans range from $60 to $200 per hour, depending on the work.
Customer ratings
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
4. Guru
Guru gives employers a database of verified freelancers along with their feedback scores.
And freelancers can get freelancing job recommendations based on their skill set and work portfolio.
Based on the job, clients can receive quotes from the freelancer. It also offers multiple methods of payment via PayPal and wire transfer.
Key features for employers
- Review freelancers’ profiles for feedback, portfolio, and earnings statistics.
- A comprehensive dashboard that allows smooth conversation with freelancers.
- Get more applications and boost your reach with Featured Jobs.
Key features for freelancers
- Flexible payment options based on the nature of work, like fixed price, hourly, task-based, and recurring.
- Offers a daily job-matching feature to notify about good opportunities.
- Uses SafePay protection for secure transactions.
Pricing
For freelancers, Guru offers a free plan, and paid plans start at $11.95/user per month. Employers are charged a handling fee of 2.9% for each invoice.
Customer ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (1100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (50+ reviews)
5. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is an online job site that helps organizations hire professional, qualified freelancers in a systematic way.
From social media to technology and programming, this freelance job website is suitable for almost any kind of freelance opportunity.
Key features for employers
- Communicate with freelancers and give feedback using the project streams feature.
- Hire freelancers by the hour or project.
- Refine your search for freelancers based on skill, location, and hourly rate.
Key features for freelancers
- Uses AI applications for the most suitable pairing of clients and freelancers.
- Allows you to send 15 free proposals to clients every month.
- You can save automatic searches for notifications on new projects.
Pricing
Both employers and freelancers can register for free on PeoplePerHour. It charges freelancers a commission fee for every successful freelance transaction.
Customer ratings
- G2: 3/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: NA
6. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is one of the best platforms to recruit freelancers on a contractual or part-time basis.
Here, job seekers have access to authentic listings, verified by a rigorous vetting and screening process.
This freelance job site has in-house career coaches offering guidance on the job search.
Key features for employers
- Offers special geo-targeting for hiring remote candidates.
- Integrates with Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to help you find the best fit.
- Consult with the in-house Employer Team regarding recruiting strategy.
Key features for freelancers
- Access to beneficial resources like webinars and virtual job affairs.
- Get comprehensive information on potential clients to make the right decision.
- Freelancers can request a full refund within 30 days.
Pricing
Paid plans on FlexJobs for employers and freelancers start at $299/month and $14.95/month respectively.
Customer ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
7. 99Designs
99Designs is a go-to freelance platform for finding any talented graphic designer or web designer.
Companies can request and receive design requirements for projects like logo design, book covers, graphic design, web design, clothing and merchandise, e-commerce web design, etc.
Designers usually engage in a design contest on this platform, so clients expect a very high quality of work.
Key features for employers
- Connect with professional designers in over 90 design skill sets.
- Review designs and provide feedback on the work easily.
- Own the final copyright to the design.
Key features for freelancers
- Get a comprehensive list of designer jobs to choose from.
- A freelance designer can work independently or collaborate with a team of designers.
- Access to useful blog resources on design trends and industry updates.
Pricing
99Designs offers a free plan for freelancers. Paid plans for employers start at $299.
Customer ratings
- G2: 3.9/5 (25+ reviews)
- Capterra: NA
8. Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance platform where businesses can connect with the creative herd, including writers, filmmakers, producers, marketers, photographers, bloggers, and others to find work.
Here, the service provided by a freelancer is known as a freelance gig.
If you’re a freelancer, it can help you establish your freelance career by connecting with high-end clients and successful startups.
Key features for employers
- Enables transparent communication with freelancers.
- Get experienced freelancers capable of handling business projects.
- Assistance from Success Managers to find the best talent for your team.
Key features for freelancers
- Lets you add your services, tiered packages, and compensation rates for clients.
- Safe and secure financial transactions, inaccessible by any third party.
- Gigs can be put into categories using keywords that boost their searchability.
Pricing
Fiverr doesn’t charge a subscription or joining fee for freelancers or employers.
However, they keep 20% of every transaction on the site.
Customer ratings
- G2: 4.3/5 (120+ reviews)
- Capterra: NA
9. Upwork
Upwork is a freelancing website helping businesses scale their economy by hiring the right talent who fits their budget and approved work hours. The platform helps you have one-on-one discussions, send invoices, track billable hours, and more.
And whether you’re a novice or experienced freelancer, you can explore different ways to make money here by accessing the job board.
Key features for employers
- User-friendly platform for easy communication and project brief discussion.
- Find suitable candidates with the help of in-house talent scout functionality.
- Pay freelancers only after a project is approved.
Key features for freelancers
- Offers wide exposure to large, specialized projects.
- Caters to a broad industrial sector from software development to SEO and digital marketing.
- Opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals.
Pricing
Upwork is free to sign up for both employers and freelancers, but they charge a 3% service fee on all payments made.
Customer ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (1600+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (50+ reviews)
Want more information on Upwork?
Read our in-depth Upwork review.
10. Freelance Writing Gigs
Freelance Writing Gigs is a freelance writing website where businesses can post writing job listings. Freelancers can search for a freelance writing job on a wide variety of topics like photography, insurance, real estate, food, etc.
It curates content marketing jobs like content writing, grant writing, copywriting, and editing. This freelance writing site caters to the needs of both technical and creative organizations.
Key features for employers
- Hire freelancers on a part-time or full-time basis, on-site, or even for internships.
- Easy access to a worldwide community of writers.
- Work with multiple writers on multiple projects.
Key features for freelancers
- Offers a database of job listings that are updated daily.
- Publishes useful blog posts on job hunting tips and portfolio creation.
- A freelance writer can get information about ongoing and upcoming writing contests.
Pricing
Freelance Writing Gigs offers a free plan for both employers and freelancers.
Customer ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
How to choose the best freelance website
The best freelancing website can give qualified freelancers a great launchpad to kick start their careers and help companies find the best talent.
While there are plenty of options to choose from, there are several factors to consider before settling for any particular freelance website.
Let’s have a look at the various factors to consider:
1. Check the terms and conditions
Any credible platform offering a freelance job will always have well-documented terms and conditions. You should pay close attention to the terms and conditions before signing up for any short-term or long-term project.
One should sign up only after they are clear on all terms of the agreement.
2. Perform in-depth research
Read online reviews before narrowing down any freelancing website.
Going through the comments of previous or existing users of the freelance platform will help you make an informed decision. Moreover, during this research, you will also learn the primary benefits of using a particular freelancing website.
3. Assess profits
Various job listing websites charge a certain amount when freelancers are paid or secure a project. Ideally, you should compare and cross-check among different platforms and avoid the ones that charge a high commission.
So, as a freelancer, you should have clarity on your individual profit before agreeing to any freelance job.
4. See if the website helps you communicate directly
Receiving the exact brief for freelance work is extremely important. That’s why a proper discussion between the client and freelancer is necessary, especially if it’s a remote job.
As a freelancer, you should know beforehand if the freelancing site supports and enables effective client communication. This helps streamline the workflow and lets both parties engage in other relevant discussions like timelines and payments.
5. Check the payment options
The freelance marketplace engages with a worldwide community of freelancers. Most freelance websites have payment options like PayPal, wire transfer, Paymo, or other specific payment gateways.
Pick freelance websites that offer suitable payment options to ensure a hassle-free experience.
6. Search websites based on skills
If you’re a freelancer, you should look for a job website that matches your skill set because that’s where you’re most likely to find a relevant job posting.
For example, a freelancing platform like Freelance Writing Gigs isn’t the right platform to find jobs for freelance developers. They’d have better luck finding a job opportunity on a site like Toptal.
Or, if you’re looking for a virtual assistant position, you’re more likely to find a listing on Fiverr than 99Designs.
Once you’ve found the right websites and spotted attractive freelancing gigs, it’s time to make the most of the opportunity. And for that, you’ll need to hone your time management skills first.
How to improve your productivity as a freelancer
Time is money when you’re a freelancer.
And a time management tool like Time Doctor can help you improve your productivity and work hours to maximize your freelance work efficiency.
What’s Time Doctor?
Time Doctor is the ultimate productivity management tool for freelancers.
Used by small businesses like Thrive Market as well as large companies, Time Doctor helps in time management, boosting your productivity, and even generating invoices.
The tool has features like idle time tracking and invoice generation, which reduce your dependency on third-party applications to manage your freelance work.
Here are some other useful features of Time Doctor
- Flexible time tracking: With its easy-to-use interface, Time Doctor lets you track your freelance work hours accurately.
- Integrations: Freelancers often work on different platforms for different clients. Time Doctor has a powerful Chrome extension that makes it easier for you to track time directly from various tools like Trello, Asana, Jira, Zoho Projects, etc.
- Detailed productivity reports: Freelancers need to meet deadlines and pace themselves accordingly. For this, Time Doctor allows you to access comprehensive reports to help you evaluate your overall performance.
- Generate invoices: You can generate invoices and send them to your clients in CSV, PDF, and XLS formats. This feature lets you conveniently send invoices and receive payments by integrating with leading payment gateways like PayPal, Wise, and Gusto.
Wrapping up
Whether you’re looking to hire freelancers or want to find freelance work, choosing the best freelancer website can make all the difference.
Remember though, if you’re hiring a freelance team, you’ll need a good freelance management system to keep everything from assignments to payments neatly in order.
Go through the top websites and actionable tips we covered here to find the best freelance website for your needs. Once you have found the right website, you’ll be able to hire skilled talent as an employer or successfully establish your freelancing career.
Andy is a technology & marketing leader who has delivered award-winning and world-first experiences.