The Ultimate Guide to The Best Freelance Websites in 2022

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The freedom to work from anywhere and at whatever time you prefer are among the reasons most people choose freelancing over a 9-5 job. Several employers are also starting to prefer hiring freelancers for short- or medium-term projects to avoid the recruitment costs involved with hiring full-time employees. Welcome to the gig economy!

This article will discuss everything you need to consider when choosing a freelance website. Additionally, we've ranked the top 10 freelancing sites that you should consider depending on the type of services you offer, services you need, or based on your industry. Let’s jump right in!

There are many freelancing websites but these are the top ten we recommend.

Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the top freelance websites that connects businesses and individuals to millions of freelancers. Fiverr is estimated to have over 830,000 freelancers and 5 million active clients. This platform’s freelancer-to-client ratio makes it one of the easiest freelancing platforms for new freelancers to get jobs.

You don't have to go through a screening process to join Fiverr. It is easy to find freelance jobs like freelance writing gigs, virtual assistant jobs, and other freelance opportunities using Fiverr. You can only charge just project-based pricing on Fiverr.

It is also an all-in-one freelance site that allows a wide range of services, including freelance writing, online marketing, programming, graphic design, video editing, music production, engineering, accounting, and a lot more.

Getting Started on Fiverr

It is way easier to create a seller account on Fiverr than on most freelancing platforms. All you need is to input your personal information and a few details about the services you offer. There is no approval required. After that, you will have to create a gig, which simply means a package for any of the services you offer. New sellers are allowed to create up to 7 gigs. Sellers on higher levels can create more gigs.

Once you have created your gig with a proper description of your services and pricing, you now have to wait for potential buyers to contact you or place orders. When it comes to getting your payments, Fiverr supports three methods; PayPal, direct bank transfer, and Fiverr revenue card. The last two require you to have a Payoneer account.

If you are a new seller, it is best to start with a relatively low price. You can later up your price after getting a couple of good reviews from your first clients. Fiverr also gives freelancers the option to send their offers to some clients that opt to put up buyer requests instead of ordering directly from freelancer gigs.

Fiverr Fees

Fiver charges freelancers 20% of every payment they get from clients, including tips. So, if a client pays you $100, your net revenue will be $80. The $20 will go to Fiverr. The other optional fees include paying for promoted gigs and subscribing to their Seller Plus service. Fiverr also charges clients a 5% fee for every gig they order for.

Fiverr Pros

• Easy sign-up process
• Easier for beginners to get freelance jobs
• Create gigs once, no need to constantly apply for jobs
• Easier to price your services
• Offers free certificate course

Fiverr Cons

• Long wait for payment clearance (up to 2 weeks)
• 20% commission fees are a little high

Upwork

Upwork was created in 2015 when Elance and oDesk merged to form one platform. It is one of the most popular freelance sites that is estimated to have over 16 million freelancers. You can look for various job opportunities using their job posting board.

Software developers, web designers, project managers, graphic designers, freelance writers, product managers, web developers, and other freelance workers can find remote jobs using Upwork.

Freelancers on this platform offer services in almost every category including freelance writing jobs, academic writing, web designer jobs, business operations, admin assistance, analytics, digital marketing, web analytics, IT & engineering, mobile development, creative & design, video editing, etc.

Getting Started on Upwork

If you are a freelancer, you are required to create an account and share details about yourself and the kind of services you intend to offer on the freelancing platform. You are also supposed to share your educational background and work experience depending on the service category. Upwork will then review your profile to determine whether you are eligible to join the platform.

Due to the increase in the number of freelancers, Upwork has introduced a screening process to allow only qualified freelancers to join their platform. If your application doesn’t go through on the first attempt, try changing the service category and then apply again. Sometimes they may turn down your application because the service category you chose is oversaturated with freelancers.

The good news is you can later change the category of services you offer once your application is approved. After being approved, you will be required to choose a payment platform that will be used to make your payments.

The supported methods include PayPal, direct deposit, or wire transfer. After inputting all the required details, you can start applying for freelance jobs posted by various clients. There are multiple projects or job opportunities you can bid on. They have hourly gigs and fixed-price projects to bid on. Upwork has an extensive job board to review projects within any discipline.

Upwork Fees

Upwork charges fees depending on the amount you receive from the job. Here is a breakdown of their fees.

• $0-$500 in earnings from a client: 20% service fee.
• $500.01-$10,000 in earnings from a client: 10% service fee.
• $10,000 and above in earnings from a client: 5% service fee.

Upwork also sells connects (some form of tokens) that you will need to apply for freelance jobs on the platform. Each connect costs around $0.15. You will usually need around 2 to 6 connects depending on the kind of job you are applying for.

Upwork gives 10 free Connects each month to Freelancer Basic accounts, and 80 free connects to Freelancer Plus accounts. It is important to use these free connects wisely so that you get your first job without having to buy connects.

Upwork Pros

• Payment protection prevents clients from getting free work
• Has plenty of freelance jobs
• Ideal for any kind of freelance service

Upwork Cons

• Lots of fees for freelancers
• Joining the platform is not straightforward
• No time-zone sync

Freelancer

Freelancer.com is the largest freelancer marketplace with over 59 million users that include both employers and freelancers. It has been around since 2009, so it has stood the test of time when compared to most freelancing sites on this list.

Freelancers on this site can offer a wide range of services, including freelance writing, IT support, computer programming, engineering, product design, web development, and more.

Getting Started on Freelancer

This platform has one of the easiest sign-up processes, making it ideal for beginners. You simply have to sign up with your email and password and your account will be created right away. You can later edit your profile by adding some of your skillsets, education, and work experience.

After signing up, you can then start applying for the available projects and wait for approval from the employers. Applying for projects is free, you won’t have to pay for any form of tokens to apply for projects. It should also be noted that freelancers verified by the platform have more chances of winning projects than those that are not.

So, after creating your account, your next step should be applying for verification because you will need it to get big projects. The platform is also heavily competitive, so new freelancers may have to undervalue their services to get the first few freelance jobs. You can later increase your prices after getting positive reviews or when you finally get verified by the platform.

When it comes to getting paid, Freelancer.com has several options, including bank express withdrawal, bank wire transfer (minimum of $500), PayPal, and Skrill (which only supports EUR and GBP). You can choose from any of the four depending on which one is supported in your country.

Freelancer Fees

They charge a fee of 10% on all the payments you receive from clients as well as a monthly fee based on four plan options.

Freelancer Pros

• Wide pool of potential clients
• Reliable customer support
• Can earn extra money from contests
• Its 10% commission is less than what most freelancing platforms charge

Freelancer Cons

• It has been reported to have a lot of fake/spam clients and jobs
• Its user interface is not as intuitive as most of its competitors
• Requires paying a subscription fee

JustRemote

JustRemote is an online freelance marketplace that connects freelancers with businesses and companies that want to hire remote workers. With this platform, employers list jobs with all their requirements for freelancers to apply for.

JustRemote has job listings in a wide range of service categories, including website development, marketing and design, HR, customer success, video editing, and more.

They have a customizable search engine that enables freelancers to find jobs that match their location, skillsets, etc. The platform has over 37,000 active jobs that you can apply for. Most of the jobs on this platform are full-time remote jobs, making it ideal for anyone seeking a stable income source.

Getting Started on JustRemote

To get started, you simply have to choose any of the jobs listed on the platform. Read through the description of the job and the key responsibilities you will take on. If you are satisfied with all the conditions, you can go ahead and apply for the job by clicking the “Quick Apply” button.

You will be redirected to another webpage with an application form where you will have to input all the information that the employer needs. Most employers will require you to add a link to your LinkedIn profile and also attach your resume and cover letter.

You may also have to answer a couple of questions besides submitting the above documents. The employer can also take you through other interviews (written or oral) beyond the questions asked on the job application form.

JustRemote Fees

JustRemote makes money by charging employers that list jobs on its platform. Employers pay $189 to list a job for 30 days. The freelancers on this platform do not have to pay any fees to JustRemote.

JustRemote Pros

• It is ideal for long-term employment
• A freelance worker on this platform is not charged any fees
• Employers are connected directly to job seekers, so they don’t have to go through the platform for any further communication

JustRemote Cons

• It is not ideal for freelancers looking for short-term projects
• Your success will largely depend on whether your employer is trustworthy

Toptal

Toptal is an ambitious freelance marketplace that promises to connect businesses to the top 3% of freelancers in the world. This is an advantage for the buyers because they are assured of getting the best freelancers in almost every service category offered on the platform.

On the freelancer’s side, it is extremely hard to get approved to do freelance work on this platform, making it ideal for experienced freelancers. But once you get approved, you will be assured of getting quality jobs from high-paying clients.

Top brands such as Airbnb and Shopify hire freelancers from this platform. It is definitely worth it if you are ready to go through their extensive approval process.

Getting Started on Toptal

To get started, you will have to sign up with your email and password. You will however have to go through their approval process before being allowed to apply for jobs on the site. The vetting process involves the following steps.

1. Language and personality tests
2. In-depth skill review
3. Live screening interviews
4. Test projects that usually last for two to three weeks
5. Continued excellence

Once you succeed in all five steps, you will then be eligible to get freelance work on this platform.

Toptal Fees

With Toptal, the buyer pays the service fees that are added to what the freelancers charge.

Toptal Pros

• High-paying jobs for web developers compared to most platforms
• Ideal for businesses looking for the best freelancers in every category
• Great platform for experts, thanks to the less competition
• No fees for freelancers

Toptal Cons

• Their extensive approval process is not ideal for beginners
• The platform is directly involved in all phases of your project

99designs

This is a freelance platform for graphic designers in over 90 service categories and with clients all over the world.

Some of the services that you can offer on this platform include logo design, web and app design, clothing, and merchandise design, art and illustration, designs for books and magazines, and other graphic design services.

If you have skills in creating designs, this is the platform for you. One of the main benefits that come with using this platform is they encourage graphic design freelancers to build long-term connections with clients. At the end of the day, this is what freelancers want to get a stable income.

Getting Started on 99designs

To get started, you simply have to sign up with your email and password to create an account. You will be required to input more details that the platform requires to make your profile complete.

There are two ways freelancers make money on this platform; you can either choose to work directly with clients (one on one) where you get paid upfront once you agree on the terms with the client. The other alternative is competing with other freelance designers in contests to earn money and win new clients.

Whichever method you choose, the goal should always be offering the client the best possible results so that they continue working with you on a long-term basis. The payment methods that freelancers on this site can use to receive their money are Payoneer and PayPal. If you are in the US, Canada, and Europe, PayPal is the best option.

99designs Fees

When it comes to fees, 99designs charges both freelance designers and clients. Clients pay a fixed 5% fee for every projected order. On the other hand, freelance designers are charged 15% to 5% on all payments depending on their level.

99designs Pros

• They have a pricing structure that favors freelancers
• Quicker clearance times for payouts
• They make collaboration between clients and freelancers easy
• It is easier to break through if you are a graphic designer

99designs Cons

• They don’t have live chat support like some platforms
• There have been reported cases of duplicated designs
• Fees are a little high, especially for new freelancers on the platform

Flexjobs

Flexjobs is another freelance marketplace that has been around since 2007. Unlike most platforms that we have shared so far, Flexjobs requires its freelancers to pay a weekly or monthly subscription fee before they can start applying for jobs on the platform. However, the platform does a good job of ensuring that all jobs posted on its website are legitimate to protect the freelancers.

The jobs listed on Flexjobs also pay relatively well when compared to other freelance marketplaces. This platform also makes it easier to find jobs thanks to its highly personalized and advanced search tool that will help you find the exact kind of jobs that match your skill set.

Getting Started on Flexjobs

To get started, you will have to create an account with your email and password. You will then have to input the necessary information to make your profile complete and professional. Before you start applying for jobs on this platform, you will have to sign up for one of their subscription plans starting at $9.95 for one week or $24.95 monthly.

The good news is that Flexjobs will give you a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their service. Because of these subscription fees, jobs on this platform are less competitive, giving freelancers the freedom to charge more for their freelance work.

Flexjobs Fees

Applying for jobs on this platform requires you to subscribe to one of their subscription plans, including the weekly plan at $9.95, monthly plan at $24.95, 3-month plan at $39.95, and annual plan at $59.95. Each of these plans gives you unlimited access to all the jobs posted on the platform.

Flexjobs Pros

• Lower competition compared to most freelancing marketplaces
• Better paying jobs
• Career coaching services
• Reliable customer support
• All jobs go through a thorough vetting process

Flexjobs Cons

• Requires paying a subscription fee
• The website is a little overwhelming to navigate

Yunojuno

Yunojuno is a UK-based freelancing platform with 70,000 freelancers in various industries. All the freelancers on this platform undergo a vetting process where evaluators choose those meeting their minimum standards. Yunojuno has over 12,000 active clients, including some notable brands such as Netflix, BBC, Google, and more.

Another unique thing about this platform is that it connects clients to both remote and on-sight freelancers. So, if you are in the UK, you can easily hire on-sight freelancers from this platform to help you out on some temporary projects. However, this platform is mainly tailored for tech and creative freelancers.

Some of the services that you can offer as a freelancer on this platform include creatives, data analytics, graphics design, web development, film & motion, market research, digital marketing, and more. As long as your skills are within the digital or creative design niche, there are a lot of services you can offer on this site.

Getting Started on Yunojuno

If you want to work as a freelancer on Yunojuno, you are required to sign up with your email and password. However, you need to show proof that you have been authorized to work in the UK. You may have it submit your UK work permit as proof. After creating your account, Yunojuno will take you through their vetting process to determine whether you meet their minimum requirements.

Their vetting process is not as tight as Toptal’s, but it is an extra hurdle that you have to overcome before you start applying for jobs on this platform. When it comes to payment, freelancers can receive their pay through PayPal after the client has approved the work delivered.

Yunojuno Fees

Yunojuno does not charge freelancers any commission on the payments they receive. The services fee that is charged to clients for listing their projects on their website is estimated to be around 9%.

Yunojuno Pros

• Freelancers pay no fees
• Slightly less competition compared to other sites
• Wide range of services options

Yunojuno Cons

• You have to be vetted before qualifying for jobs
• Longer payment clearance periods
• Ideal for UK citizens only

Zeerk

Zeerk is an online freelance marketplace with micro jobs & freelance services from as low as $4 all the way to $200. It is mainly meant for small projects that can fit within the $200 budget.

One of the huge advantages you will enjoy working as a freelancer on this platform is getting paid immediately after completing the job. If you don’t want any payment delays after you have finished doing the job, this is the platform for you.

Some of the popular services that professional freelancers on this platform offer include freelance writing, social media marketing across the top social media platforms, search engine optimization, audio marketing & music promotion, website reviews, graphics & design, link building, programming, data entry, lead generation, video marketing & promotion, website development, WordPress website development, and more.

Getting Started on Zeerk

It is pretty easy to get started with this platform. All you have to do is create an account using your email and password. Once your account is created, complete your profile by inputting details of your education, skills, work experience, and any other required information.

The next step is creating the various job packages you offer. Once you have created your job packages (gigs), you just have to wait for clients to contact you or place orders. However, you need to optimize your profile and job descriptions for search if you want to get more orders. When it comes to payments, Zeerk supports only PayPal for withdrawing payouts.

Zeerk Fees

Zeerk takes a 10% commission from all payments that freelancers receive from clients. Buyers on the platform are not charged any extra fees.

Zeerk Pros

• Freelancers get instant payments
• A wide range of skillsets are supported
• The commission charges are friendly compared to the competition

Zeerk Cons

• Limited client base
• Supports only one payment method
• Their website has ads that make it less appealing

Guru

Guru is among the most popular freelance marketplaces in the world. It currently has over 800,000 clients in several countries across the globe. It is also one of the freelance platforms with the highest customer satisfaction ratings; 99% of customers on this platform are satisfied with the quality of work they get from freelancers.

Some of the most popular services freelancers can offer on this platform include programming & development, design & art, content writing & translation, administrative & secretarial, sales & marketing, engineering & architecture, business & finance, education & training, and legal.

With this platform, employers list their jobs with all the details of what they expect and then wait for freelancers to apply. The employer will then choose the best candidate from the freelancers that have applied.

Getting Started on Guru

Before being allowed to apply for jobs on Guru, you must sign up and add all the information required to complete your profile. Guru also allows users to scale up their business by hiring a freelancing team. You will notice that most of the freelancers on this platform are in teams, not individuals.

Guru Fees

Guru charges 9% on all payouts made. The free membership allows freelancers to send up to 10 bids per month. If you need to make more bids, you will be charged a premium membership fee that starts at $11.95 per month.

Guru Pros

• Their site is user friendly
• It is ideal for freelancers who want to scale up and build teams
• 24/7 support

Guru Cons

• There is a lot of competition.
• You need to pay the membership fees to make more than 10 bids.

Tips for getting the best freelancing experience

Choose a niche

One of the first things you need to do when you decide to get into the world of freelancing is to choose a niche. Don’t be that freelancer who is willing to take on every project that comes your way. For example, if you are a software developer, it would be better to choose a more specific niche, like backend website development.

Choosing a niche will make it much easier for you to have a deeper understanding of the common problems your clients face and how to solve them. You will also gain experience much faster if you deal with a specific set of challenges than someone who tries to do everything. Finally, a niche will improve the overall quality of your work because you are more focused on something more specific.

Choose the best freelance website for you

In the previous section of the article, we shared with you 10 freelancing sites you can consider. However, you need to choose the one with the most favorable terms for the kind of services you offer and your experience. For instance, if you are a beginner, it is best to avoid a freelance website with complex vetting processes.

Set competitive prices when you are starting

Even if you have so much confidence in your expertise, the only time you will get the attention of potential clients on most freelance websites is when you have several good reviews. One of the tested ways to get reviews on any freelance website is by charging a lower price for your services for the first clients and doing a good job for them.

However, you need to do your best if you want the first clients to leave a good review on your profile. After getting a good number of positive reviews, you can gradually increase your price as you monitor the changes in demand for your work.

Understand the client’s needs

Always seek clarity if there is a certain aspect of the client's requirements that you don’t understand. This will help you avoid getting many revision requests after completing the project. Your clients will generally be impressed and satisfied if you produce great work on your first attempt.

Create your perfect work-life balance

One of the challenges you will face as a freelancer is creating a balance between your work and personal life. You need to plan each hour of your day and each day of your week so that you know when to do what. It is also best to take at least one day off every week to avoid being burned out due to work fatigue.

Know how to manage your workload

As you progress in your freelance career, you will reach a point where you are bombarded with work that is beyond what you can manage as an individual. When you get to this level, you can either hire some other freelance talent to help you out or up your prices to reduce the demand.

If you choose to get people to help you, it is crucial to ensure that they meet the quality standards of your clients. So, before handing over the project to the client, do some quality assessment to verify that the work meets the client’s standards.

Communication is key

Know how to talk to potential clients when they reach out to you with an inquiry or a request. You should also ensure that you respond to your clients’ messages as soon as possible. The good news is that most of the freelance websites we have just shared have mobile apps. So, you can promptly communicate with your clients on the go using the mobile app.

When you encounter challenges while handling a client’s project, always reach out to them as soon as possible. If it means requesting more time, do so. Clients are human beings like you, so most of the time, they will understand if you reach out to them with a genuine request.

Keep learning

No matter the kind of services you are offering, try not to be comfortable with your current knowledge and skill level. You should consider acquiring more skills that will help you offer extra and better-quality services within your current niche.

For example, if you are a web developer, you can learn about cloud computing so that you know how applications are deployed on the cloud servers after building them.

How to choose the best freelance website for you

Here are a few things you need to consider while choosing the right freelance website for yourself.

Consider the type of services you offer

Each freelance platform is built with a certain target audience in mind. Some freelancing websites were built for freelancers that offer a specific category of services. These are usually ideal for creative professionals with experience because the standard of freelance work expected by clients on these platforms is usually high.

The good news is these high standards come with better pay, which makes your efforts worth it. However, most of the popular freelance sites (as you will see in the list we are about to share) allow freelancers from almost every industry. If you are someone with multiple skills, such platforms are the ideal choice because you can always switch to another service if one doesn’t work for you.

The fees involved

Almost every freelance website will take a certain percentage from every payment you receive through the platform. Some websites also require freelancers to buy tokens or points that they can use to apply for freelance jobs posted by clients. These fees will have a significant impact on your net earnings.

Take time to compare the various platforms to figure out all the fees they charge. Employers or buyers are also affected by these fees because freelancers will always pass the burden to the buyers whenever these platforms hike their fees.

Customer support

Like with any other online platform, it is always best to choose a freelance website that has reliable customer support. As a seller or buyer, you will, at some point, need help from the freelance site. Some of the common issues that usually need inside help may include payment processing, buyer-seller disputes, and a lot more.

How you communicate with the clients

Some freelancing sites do not allow freelancers to communicate directly with clients. I would recommend staying away from such platforms if you can. Having direct contact with the client will save you a lot of time than having to communicate through a third party. Direct contact also gives freelancers a clear picture of the client’s expectations and needs.

Rules of the platforms

Take off a few minutes to read the rules of the freelance website to avoid getting issues along the way. These platforms have rules that freelancers and clients have to follow to avoid getting warned or permanently dismissed from the platform. It is important to carefully go through all the rules and decide if you will be able to abide by them.

Freelance Websites Wrap-up

For those in the working world who are not full-time job seekers and are looking for freelance websites to find their next gig, using the best freelance sites is a great way to source projects. Whether you seek writing jobs, freelance design jobs, or SEO jobs, there is a gig or project that is likely perfect for your skills.

We live in an interesting time where access via online channels has opened new avenues to become your own boss. Where a freelance job is more appealing than a 9-5 job. And where work is found via the click of a mouse on a freelance website.

Knowing this, it is still vital for your success to select the best freelance websites that suit the kind of services you offer, your preferred time zones, agreeable fee structure, and payment methods that are supported within your region.

Whether your aim is to become a freelancer or you are a business owner looking to outsource to freelancers, perusing freelance websites to find a fit for your needs is one of the first decisions to make as you join the freelance revolution.