13 Best Freelance Websites for Freelancers and Clients

Breaking into the freelancing industry is no easy feat, especially if you're stuck trying to figure out the best freelance websites that offer a steady stream of gigs.

For one, some freelancing websites will be better for beginners yearning to dip their toes into the gig economy's enticing waters.

Others are for more established freelancers who are looking to grow their clientele.

While there are many platforms available out there, just a select handful have established themselves as leading marketplaces for freelance services.

So, if you’re looking for the best freelancing websites, you’ll find this list helpful.

Let’s get started.

How We Chose the Best Freelance Websites

• Talent Pool: The foundation of any successful freelancing website is its talent pool. We assessed the size, diversity, and quality of freelancers on freelance job websites. Our best freelance websites cater to a wide range of skilled professionals across various industries.

• Easy-to-Use Interface: You need strong filtering tools that let you choose jobs based on your experience level, resume, reviews, and specific skills. We focused on the best freelance websites with easy-to-use interfaces that make finding and filtering jobs and talking to clients easier.

• Responsive Customer Support: Whether you have worries about a project or need technical help, having a team that can respond quickly is very helpful. We considered the best freelance websites that offer dedicated account management and quick help whenever you need it.

• Value-Added Services and Features: Beyond simply matching clients with freelancers, the best freelance websites offer extra services and features that make managing projects easier. The sites we picked have tools for handling contracts, tracking work progress, working with multiple clients, and integrating with other project management software.

• Transparent Pricing and Fee Structure: We analyzed how the best freelance websites set their prices and fees, taking into account things like service fees, transaction fees, and any other costs.

The 13 Best Freelance Websites to Find Work

Here are some of the best freelance websites where you can put your skills to work.

1. Fiverr

Image via Fiverr

Fiverr is an online freelance marketplace where employers can find freelancers who offer digital services.

It is home to freelancers from all kinds of fields, like graphic designers, web developers, freelance writers, etc.

When it started in 2010, Fiverr was known for offering services at low prices and considered among the best Upwork alternatives.

Many of them started at just $5, which is where the name “Fiverr” comes from.

Key Features

• There are two ways to view the site, as a freelancer (seller) or client (buyer).

• As a freelancer, you have the freedom to set your own prices, specify delivery timeframes, and showcase your expertise with detailed descriptions.

• Fiverr allows sellers and buyers to talk and work together on projects easily through messaging, file-sharing, and video chat.

• Fiverr ensures all transactions are safe by holding client payments in an escrow account until the project is finished.

• You can reach clients outside Fiverr by adding your portfolio links to websites.

• Freelancers can run paid promotions to increase discoverability.

Pros 

• It has a well-thought-out design for processing and accepting payments.
• Great for showcasing your skills and experience.
• There is no need to put your services out to bid.
• You can decide how much to charge.

Cons

• The platform takes 20% of your earnings as a fee.
• Getting the first few gigs can be hard for people who are just starting out.
• Fiverr has stringent policies that you must abide by.

Pro Tip: Make use of the Escrow feature to ensure clients pay for work done before they receive the final work.

2. Upwork

Image via Upwork

Upwork is one of the best freelance websites where clients can find freelancers and is among the biggest ones out there.

While the site's interface may seem confusing at first, you will quickly become accustomed to its features as you use it regularly.

It’s a lot like job portals where clients publish their requirements and freelancers can apply for them.

Key Features

• Upwork has a huge selection of freelance jobs in many different categories, such as web development, content writing, translation, graphic designing, etc.

• Thanks to Upwork's identity verification process, clients can rest assured that the freelancers they work with are genuine.

• Clients and freelancers can chat on the platform through text, voice, or video calls.

• You are guaranteed payment for all the work you do, regardless of whether it is hourly or fixed-price projects thanks to escrow.

• Upwork desktop app helps clients track freelancers’ work as well.

Pros

• Has a huge volume of projects.
• The site takes a small percentage fee from each project, which is generally lower than Upwork alternatives.
• You can automate some things, like contracts, with its API feature.

Cons

• A lot of clients still have smaller budgets.
• Once you complete a project, a 10% freelancer service fee is charged.
• In the event of a dispute, clients have more recourse on Upwork.
• You get limited credits to apply for jobs each month, additional credits cost money.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of Upwork’s chat feature to update your clients on the progress of your tasks.

3. Hubstaff Talent

Image via Hubstaff Talent

Our list of best freelance websites would be incomplete without mentioning Hubstaff Talent. Hubstaff Talent is a free directory that connects businesses with skilled freelancers and agencies worldwide.

With over 176K+ profiles, 2,500+ agencies, and users from 214 countries, Hubstaff Talent provides access to a vast and diverse pool of top-tier talent. Businesses can post jobs, browse profiles, and invite freelancers directly.

This streamlined process has helped Hubstaff earn a reputation as one of the best freelance websites, offering top talent without the fees or markups associated with traditional marketplaces.

Key Features

• Vast and diverse pool of freelancers and agencies across 214 countries.

• Customizable freelancer profiles for showcasing skills, experience, and availability.

• In addition to freelancers, Hubstaff Talent offers listings for agencies to collaborate with entire teams for larger projects.

• Direct communication between businesses, freelancers or agencies on the platform.

• The platform’s search functionality includes filters for skills, experience, hourly rates, and availability.

Pros

• Hubstaff Talent doesn’t charge any fees to businesses or freelancers. Companies can hire talent without worrying about additional costs.

• No mandatory hours so freelancers and agencies can set their own schedules and work on flexible terms.

Cons

• Unlike some of the best freelance websites, Hubstaff Talent doesn’t facilitate payments between businesses and freelancers. Users must manage payments externally.

• Hubstaff Talent does not screen freelancers, so clients must independently verify skills and qualifications.

Pro Tip: With agencies across 214 countries, you can make use of this to increase your chances of working with multiple clients simultaneously.

4. PeoplePerHour

Image via PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a longstanding and flexible online marketplace that ranks high among the best freelance websites. It connects businesses with over two million freelancers.

Having been around since 2007, it can rightfully call itself the longest-running freelance service in the UK.

Freelancers can create detailed profiles highlighting their expertise, experience, and portfolios. This makes it easier for clients to find the right match for their projects.

Clients, on the other hand, can post projects outlining their requirements and budgets, allowing freelancers to bid on jobs that suit their skills. This mutual selection process ensures that both parties find suitable partners for collaboration. That’s one of the many things that make PeoplePerHour one of the best freelance websites.

Key Features

• PeoplePerHour has a bidding system to advertise your services to potential customers.

• With its built-in project streams, you can keep all of your communication, files, comments, payments, and more in one location, making it easier than ever to do high-quality work.

• PeoplePerHour uses escrow to protect buyers and freelancers in case issues arise during the completion of a project.

• You can ask clients who are not on PeoplePerHour to endorse you in order to boost your profile and show off your skills to a broader audience.

Pros

• Buyers have to put money into an escrow account, which makes it a little safer than freelancing directly with the client.
• Invoicing is automatic.
• You can have both a buyer and a seller account.

Cons

• If you want competitive pricing, specific projects have less flexibility because many people may be willing to work for less money.
• The platform fees are very high.
• Customer support is subpar in the event of technical difficulties or payment issues.
• The system is vulnerable to invasion by spam accounts.

Pro Tip: Use the centralized storage system offered by PeoplePerHour to organize all your project files, even when handling multiple clients.

5. Freelancer

Image via Freelancer

Next on our list of the best freelance websites is Freelancer, an aptly named all-purpose hiring website. It serves as a marketplace for freelancers to connect with clients and employers for agreed-upon compensation.

Primarily focused on remote work, it caters to computer and technology-related projects, including IT support, software development, graphic design, content writing, and other specialized areas.

Another reason Freelancer stands out as one of the best freelance websites is its global reach. This means that clients and freelancers have access to a rich pool of work and skills from different countries.

Freelancer offers both free and paid membership plans. While it's free to create an account and bid on projects, the platform provides several paid membership tiers that offer additional benefits.

Key Features

• One of the most notable features of Freelancer is the “Contest” feature, which enables clients to set up a contest where freelancers can compete with one another to showcase their skills.

• Freelancer lets you follow your best employers so that you can bid or join right away when they post a job or contest.

• Freelancer is structured like other platforms, but what makes it stand out is its built-in time-tracking tool that works with all major operating systems.

• It has a live chat feature that helps users get a quick response to issues.

Pros

• The payment process is pretty straightforward.

• Members who pay a monthly fee enjoy additional benefits, including higher profile placement and access to more opportunities to earn money.

Cons

• The fees are high for hourly projects.
• Freelancers have to pay fees even before they are paid.

Pro Tip: Although it is competitive, you can use the contest feature to upgrade your skills as you wait to find consistent clients.

6. SimplyHired

Image via SimplyHired

SimplyHired is an all-inclusive job search engine that compiles job postings from numerous online locations. This includes corporate career pages, job boards, and specialized hiring websites.

This means freelancers can access a wide array of opportunities in one place, making it one of the best freelance websites for those seeking diverse projects.​

This makes it one of the best freelance websites for professionals looking to explore a wide range of opportunities in a single, convenient location.

Freelancers can easily filter job listings by location, job type, and company, which helps streamline the search process. Additionally, SimplyHired provides valuable resources, including career development articles and skill-building guides to help freelancers enhance their skills.

Clients benefit from SimplyHired's extensive reach, allowing them to post job openings and connect with a diverse pool of talent.

Key Features

• Ability to sort and filter job listings, much like Upwork.

• You can also narrow down your search by location using local job listings, which lets you look for openings in the area you want.

• The company directory lets you look into companies actively hiring for remote jobs.

• It works well with other platforms like LinkedIn, which makes the hiring process easier and faster by combining resources.

• Round-the-clock customer support.

Pros

• It's easy to navigate and simplifies the job search process.
• Jobs found on the site offer decent pay.

Cons

• It doesn’t offer guaranteed earnings.
• The application process for jobs is quite long.

Pro Tip: SimplyHired lists location-based jobs. Use this to find jobs in your region.

7. Behance

Image via Behance

Behance is one of the best freelance websites to consider for creative people.

It's a platform where creative professionals can showcase their portfolios, connect with potential clients, and find exciting job opportunities.

Whether you're into graphic design, illustration, photography, or motion graphics, Behance offers a platform for you to showcase your work.

Since it functions as a portfolio site, all freelancers simply need to display their best work and wait for opportunities to arise. Clients then actively browse the platform looking for talent, which means your work can catch the right eyes without you having to chase leads.

Unlike other freelance sites that rely on bidding wars, Behance focuses on presentation. This is another detail that makes it one of the best freelance websites around.

Key Features

• It caters to freelance creatives who excel in graphic design, drawing, painting, and Photoshop but may lack HTML or programming skills.

• When you come across a project you're interested in, you can submit a proposal to the client.

• You can interact with other freelance talent, appreciate their work, and join groups and discussions to build connections.

• Unlike Upwork and its alternatives, Behance itself does not handle payments. Payment arrangements are made directly by freelancers and the client.

• Behance extends beyond portfolio showcasing and provides a platform for businesses to post job openings for freelance remote work.

Pros

• Since the site is free to use, you only have to upload your work to get started.

• It has an easy-to-use interface for creating, publishing, and managing job listings.

Cons

• You can’t attach any additional files or add cover letters to your application.

• Behance’s site functionality and navigation could use improvement.

Pro Tip: Use the sufficient storage offered by Behance to upload samples of your work to create attractive portfolios.

8. Guru

Image via Guru

Next on our list of the best freelance websites is Guru. This platform provides freelancers with a platform to showcase their skills, bid on jobs, and receive secure payments.

Freelancers can find gigs in writing, programming, design, digital marketing, and more. Whether you’re just starting or are experienced, you have opportunities here.

At the same time, as one of the best freelance websites, Guru allows clients to post jobs, review freelancer profiles, and hire professionals for various projects. Clients gain access to a wide pool of talent and can easily manage projects through Guru's system.

In short, Guru is a flexible system that works well for both sides.

Key Features

• A workroom where freelancers and clients can interact through chat and also share files.
• A SafePay feature that ensures freelancers get paid on time by keeping funds secure until the work is approved.
• Job matching suggestions that fit a freelancer’s skills, saving time on searching.
• A flexible bidding system that allows freelancers to send custom quotes based on project needs.
• Provides multiple payment options, including PayPal, wire transfer, direct deposit, or via cheque.

Pros

• Secure payment system
• Lots of job categories
• Built-in project management tools
• Flexible payment options

Cons

• The free plan has limited bids
• Competition can be tough

Pro Tip: Insist on your clients using the SafePay feature to ensure you get paid on time for all the work you’ve put in.

9. Dribble

Image via Dribble

If you’re a designer looking for freelance gigs, Dribbble is one of the best freelance websites out there. It connects creatives with companies that need their skills.

Whether you’re a graphic designer, illustrator, or UI/UX expert, this platform can help you land work.

Dribbble isn’t just a place to show off your design work—it’s also a job platform. Companies and clients use it to find talented designers, and freelancers can use it to get discovered.

Unlike some of the best freelance websites we have covered so far, Dribbble has both free and paid options. You can create a free account and upload work, but the Pro plan (which costs extra) gives you access to premium job listings and direct messaging with clients.

Key Features

• A portfolio showcasing where freelancers display their work in a digital gallery.
• Freelance job boards where companies and clients post part-time and full-time vacancies.
• Networking opportunities for clients and freelancers for future collaborations.
• Offers different job categories to cater to different types of freelancers.
• A blog that provides valuable insights on how to land clients and freelancers.
• High-quality opportunities with less competition compared to other freelance websites

Pros

• Great for building attractive portfolios
• High-quality freelance job postings
• Less competition
• Networking opportunities

Cons

• Best jobs require a subscription
• Focuses mostly on designers

Pro Tip: Dribble creates impressive portfolios that you can use to showcase your skills for jobs even outside the platform through your freelancer account.

10. FlexJobs

Image via FlexJobs

FlexJobs is yet another great addition to our list of the best freelance websites you can use to find jobs and clients.

The platform connects freelancers with legitimate job opportunities across multiple industries. It’s not just for writers or designers, there are gigs for virtual assistants, customer support reps, project managers, and more.

Whether you’re looking for part-time, full-time, or contract work, you’ll find a mix of remote, hybrid, and flexible jobs.

However, as one of the best freelance websites, FlexJobs isn’t free.

It’s a subscription-based platform with a current pricing of about $2.95 for a 14-day trial for job seekers. Companies and individuals who need to post their vacancies on FlexJobs have to part with between $399/month and $2,999/year.

Key Features

• Curated job listings that ensure you don’t waste your time going through sketchy or low-paying gigs
• Remote flexible opportunities for a wide range of professions
• Skill tests and career coaching to sharpen freelancer skills to improve chances of landing a job
• Handy, reliable research tools for doing background checks on hiring companies and clients

Pros

• No scams
• Diverse job categories
• Extra resources for training
• User-friendly

Cons

• Not free

Pro Tip: Use resources like skills and career coaching to elevate your abilities as a freelancer.

11. 99Designs

Image via 99Designs

As the name implies, 99Designs specializes in remote graphic design jobs.

For clients, it offers two main avenues: launching design contests to receive multiple concepts from various designers or hiring an individual freelancer for a one-on-one project.

Freelancers, on the other hand, can showcase their skills, participate in contests across numerous design categories, and collaborate directly with clients on projects.

While it’s not free, 99Designs still impressed us enough to appear on our list of the best freelance websites. 99Designs operates on a project-based pricing model. Clients pay fixed prices that start at $299 for contest packages, while freelancers receive payment for winning these contests.

Key Features

• Designer profiles with professional portfolios for attracting clients
• Design contests with cash rewards up for grabs
• Direct collaboration with clients for personalized projects
• A thriving global community of designers that networks and exchanges ideas.

Pros

• Valuble exposure for freelancers
• Access to a wide range of projects
• Lucrative contests
• Flexible work opportunities

Cons

• Highly competitive
• Too much speculative work
• The platform takes a portion of earnings as commission fees

Pro Tip: Besides finding jobs, take advantage of 99Designs community forums to interact with other designers and learn new tricks and tips to improve your craft.

12. We Work Remotely

Image via We Work Remotely

We Work Remotely is a go-to spot for freelancers and clients looking to connect in the remote work scene. It's one of the best freelance websites around, thanks to its user-friendly interface.

For freelancers, We Work Remotely offers a vast array of job listings across various fields, including programming, design, customer support, and digital marketing.​

Unlike some of the other best freelance websites we’ve discussed so far, there's no bidding war here. Clients post jobs, and freelancers apply directly, making the process more streamlined.

Clients also benefit from access to a large pool of skilled remote workers. Posting a job is also straightforward.

Key Features

• Diverse job categories in tech, design, marketing, and more
• A straightforward application process that doesn’t involve bidding
• Quality job listings from reputable companies
• Global remote opportunities for freelancers that suit their time zones and preferences
• A blog that provides helpful content for prospective freelancers
• Career services that help freelancers craft resumes

Pros

• No platform fees for freelancers
• User-friendly interface
• Global reach

Cons

• Highly competitive and unsuitable for newbies

Pro Tip: Make use of the career services offered by We Work Remotely to create impressive resumes that will help you land clients.

13. SolidGigs

Image via SolidGigs

Wrapping up our list of the best freelance websites is SolidGigs, and it takes a different approach from traditional freelance platforms.

Instead of hosting a platform where clients post jobs and freelancers bid on them, SolidGigs acts as a lead generation service.

Their team scours job boards, marketplaces, and even social media to find freelance opportunities that align with your preferences. Once they find a match, the gigs are delivered straight to your inbox, saving you countless hours of searching.

SolidGigs operates on a subscription model, which also includes a free option. However, you’ll need a premium account if you want to reap the full benefits of this freelance website.

Key Features

• Personalized gig hunting based on your search rules, skills, desired pay, and more
• Daily lead delivery of curated lists of freelance opportunities
• Direct communication with your clients
• Automated assistance in creating pitches to present to clients

Pros

• Consistency of curated job leads
• Saves freelancers time and money
• Freelancers retain full commissions
• Direct client interactions

Cons

• Slightly costlier than most alternatives
• Work is never fully guaranteed, even after subscribing

Pro Tip: Capitalize on the daily curated job listings provided by SolidGig to find positions that align with your specific skill set.

FAQ

Q1. What is the best website for freelancers?

A. The best freelance website include:

• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Hubstaff Talent
• PeoplePerHour
• Freelancer
• SimplyHired
• Behance
• Guru
• Dribble
• FlexJobs
• 99Designs
• We Work Remotely
• SolidGigs

But the best website for you will depend on your skills and experience.

Q2. Is Upwork better than Fiverr?

A. Upwork and Fiverr are among the best freelance websites, with their own strengths and weaknesses. Fiverr is typically better for short-term work, and Upwork is best for long-term gigs.

Q3. How do I get freelance work?

A. There are a number of ways to get freelance work, including:

• Creating a profile on the best freelance websites such as Fiverr or Upwork.
• Networking with other freelancers and potential clients.
• Cold calling or emailing potential clients.
• Building a website or online portfolio to showcase your work.

Q4. Which skill is best for freelancing?

A. Some of the best skills for freelancing include:

• Content writing or copywriting
• Graphic designing
• Coding
• Website designing
• Video editing
• SEO and digital marketing

Q5. Which site is safe for freelancers?

A. Some of the best freelance websites that offer reliable security include:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• PeoplePerHour

Q6. Which jobs are most in demand in freelancing?

A. The jobs that are most in demand on most of the best freelance websites include the following.

• Web Development & Design
• Graphic Design & Branding
• Digital Marketing
• Finance & Business Consulting
• Content Writing & Copywriting
• Video Editing & Animation
• Virtual Assistance & Admin Support
• Programming & Software Development

Choose the Right Freelance Website for You

There you have it–the complete list of the best freelance websites to help you on your freelancer journey (hiring or finding work).

Ultimately, the best freelancing website for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.f

Whether you want a platform with high-paying content writing projects, a user-friendly interface, or a community of like-minded professionals, carefully consider the most important factors.

Embrace the flexibility and rewards that freelancing offers, and watch your freelance career take off.