Are you looking for the best freelance websites to find work?
Building a reliable client roster can be a huge pain, but necessary if you want to keep your freelancing business afloat. Freelance websites let you skip the marketing efforts by bringing new clients and projects directly to you.
In this article, we’ll share some of the best freelance websites to find work so you can build your client base and earn more money.
Why Use Freelance Websites
Freelance websites are online platforms that connect freelancers with businesses and clients.
You’ll typically find two types of freelance websites:
Bid-based freelance websites: You’ll see a list of projects and roles where companies are looking to hire freelancers. Then, you apply to the ones that interest you by submitting a proposal and setting your rates.
Marketplace-based freelance websites: Freelancers make a profile and list their services for anyone to find. Clients will browse by the type of services they need. They may choose to hire you based on your profile details, such as price, experience, and past project history.
Unlike regular job boards, freelance websites do more than just offer paid opportunities. Many provide an all-in-one inclusive platform that allows clients to pay you directly on the website.
Also, most freelance sites have a messaging platform that lets you communicate with your clients without giving your personal information. There’s often even a built-in history and review feature so past clients can share their experience working with freelancers.
These platforms do the heavy lifting by displaying your skills and helping you find paying clients and are definitely the top freelance websites to look at potential clients and find freelance opportunities.
1. Codeable
Codeable helps WordPress developers find work. Unlike other platforms, they carefully watch the project-to-developer ratio, ensuring that all freelancers have the opportunity to land jobs.
That’s why Codeable often has a waitlist for new WordPress developers and programmers to join.
While the site offers many perks, getting your foot in the door can be tough. The site has a long vetting process, which includes a written and live test, a Skype interview, and a trial period. The 45-day trial period is where a developer works on real projects with clients and is heavily scrutinized for their performance.
Once you’re on board, you can expect to find projects centered around plugin development, theme development, and online store creation.
Pros:
Guaranteed minimums of $80 to $120 USD per hour
The support team can help you navigate any tricky client relationship
A private community where programmers exchange ideas and conduct skill-sharing sessions
Cons:
Doesn’t allow freelancers to set their own rates
Only accepts high-quality developers, which can be a barrier for beginners just starting out in software development
Why we recommend Codeable: Most platforms are plagued by fierce competition, which causes a race to the bottom for prices on projects.
Codeable helps to address this concern by only showing one price to the client, no matter how many experts provide an estimated cost for the project.
This price is calculated by their special algorithm that eliminates undercutting and over-pricing. As a result, clients will hire a developer based on value, not on the lowest bidder.
Codeable is the best WordPress Developer job site on the market. It’s especially great for skilled WordPress developers who are tired of low-paying gigs on other freelance platforms.
2. Toptal
Toptal is advertised as an ultra-exclusive freelance platform. Unlike other sites that are bombarded with less skilled freelancers or low-paying gigs, Toptal has made a name for itself by hiring only 3% of freelance talent.
This platform has a more selective process to join, which allows them to keep the quality of the talent pool high.
If you’re a freelancer wanting to join the Toptal network, you must pass a series of exams, including skill reviews and language tests. The in-depth skill review tests each applicant’s technical knowledge, ensuring each member of the Toptal network is an expert in their field.
Once you’ve passed the exams, you must submit your contact information and resume. A Toptal representative will contact you to discuss your skills and experience.
After the live screening, freelancers will receive a test project. This is their last test to prove you’re an excellent fit for the Toptal network.
Pros:
Access to highly exclusive and high-paying gigs
No project fees for freelancers
Great for highly skilled professionals like designers, developers, finance experts, product management, and project managers
Toptal sources quality clients, so you’ll save time from sifting through low-paying gigs.
Cons:
Must pass an extensive screening process
Limited job types to choose from
Why we recommend Toptal: Toptal understands that freelancers deserve to get paid what they’re worth.
Their entire platform is designed to help freelancers find high-paying gigs. They attract well-known brands with the budget for talented freelancers, making it a win-win situation for both parties.
Unlike most freelance websites, Toptal doesn’t charge additional fees. Rather than taking 20% of your fee like Upwork, Toptal adds its fee on top of whatever you charges.
For example, if you charge $100 per hour, Toptal may charge the client $120. They pay the extra, not you.
If you’re an experienced service provider in any of their listed professions, Toptal should be at the top of your list of freelance sites to find potential clients.
3. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a membership-based job site that specializes in sourcing flexible remote work options for you in the form of freelance, remote, part-time, and full-time positions. So whether you need short-term work or a whole new freelance career, Flexjobs can help.
They offer thousands of jobs listed at any time and allow you to filter by industries, job types, recency, work flexibility, and more.
Flexjobs features tiered membership pricing based on duration. Here’s how their services are priced out:
1 week – $9.95
1 month – $24.95
3 months – $39.95
1 year – $59.95
Also, FlexJobs spends over 200 hours daily researching companies and vetting jobs to ensure the site is free from scams, MLMs, and commission-only roles.
Pros:
Offers career advice and skills testing to help launch your career
Every job listing is verified, meaning you don’t have to worry about scams
Wide range of job opportunities
Paid subscription helps filter scams and low-quality job listings
Cons:
Monthly fee even if you don’t land a job
Must negotiate rates with employers and clients
No payment guarantee
No in-platform payment processing
Why we recommend Flexjobs: There are several reasons why we love Flexjobs.
While there’s an initial upfront cost, you get unlimited access to thousands of recent job postings, and there isn’t an extensive screening process like Toptal or Codeable.
Also, once you land a client, you don’t have to worry about the platform taking a service fee from your payment like most freelance websites.
We recommend Flexjobs if you want to find clients and job search without having a third-party platform take a cut of your earnings.
4. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest platforms for freelancers to find work, and definitely one of the best freelance sites to start with. With over 12 million freelancers on the site and 3 million jobs posted annually, job seekers are sure to find new clients on the site.
The best part about Upwork is that there are freelance jobs for just about every industry. It covers broad categories like finance, sales and marketing, writing, IT, design, translation services, and more.
Even if you have very niche skills like being a white-board animator or job description writer, there’s a job available on Upwork. With dozens of sub-specialties, finding opportunities that fit your talents won’t be hard.
Pros:
Many job opportunities
There is a large selection of services and industries to choose from
Easy to get paid
Easy-to-use platform with a messaging app to communicate with clients
Lets you charge a fixed price or an hourly rate
Cons:
Highly competitive, especially for beginners
Upwork charges a flat 10% service fee on all earnings you make on Upwork
Must buy ‘connects,’ which are tokens used to submit proposals. Everyone starts with 10 free ones every month
Why we recommend Upwork: Upwork is one of the best places to get started as a freelancer. It’s free to get started, and there are plenty of job opportunities available. While there’s a large number of freelancers competing, those who remain persistent should be able to land gigs.
5. Fiverr
Fiverr is a marketplace-based freelance website where clients reach out to freelancers based on their profiles. Unlike Upwork, where you apply for the jobs you’re interested in, clients on Fiverr will contact you.
Signing up is simple, and you can build a profile and post the services you provide. You have complete control of the services you offer, the types of service packages, and price points.
Whether your skill set is for content writing services, data entry, design work, or something completely unique, you will likely find work in Fiverr’s freelance marketplace.
That said, Fiverr does take a sizable 20% cut of your earnings, which is on the higher side of freelance websites.
But as a beginner, it may be worth it for the visibility that Fiverr offers, but it is hard to maintain a full-time career using it.
Pros:
User-friendly website and mobile app
Withdraw through PayPal
No monthly or sign-up fees
Freelancers can offer different service packages and charge their own rates
Cons:
Lower-paying gigs
High fees (20%)
14-day holding period on payments
Why we recommend Fiverr: Fiverr is the perfect website for those with unique talents that don’t fit into a traditional freelance category.
For example, under the social media marketing category, you’ll find all types of services, such as people specializing in digital marketing and creating branded TikTok videos, Airbnb listings, or even growing your Instagram account.
You can create your own sub-niche based on your passion and talents, making Fiverr unique from most freelance websites.
No matter how unique your talent may be, odds are, Fiverr has a place for you.
6. 99designs
99designs is an online marketplace that connects designers with clients who need design work. It allows freelance graphic designers to showcase their talents while clients can find professional designers who fit their specific project requirements.
The platform caters to many design projects such as websites, apps, logos, book covers, clothing, advertising, illustration, and more.
However, 99designs does take a good amount from your earnings. They deduct a one-time 20% introduction fee from the first $500 with a new client, with a maximum fee of $100.
You also pay a service fee for any earnings from the platform. They reward more experienced designers by lowering their fees as they complete more successful projects on the platform. Here’s how:
Top-level designers pay a 5% service fee
Mid-level designers pay a 10% service fee
Entry-level designers pay a 15% service fee
While service fees are high, they help you land more design work that may be otherwise harder to find on less specialized freelance platforms.
Pros:
Tailored to skilled graphic and web designers
Can get paid for individual projects or through contest earnings
Trusted platform for businesses looking for all types of design work
Cons:
Payment is only available through PayPal or Payoneer
May only be paid when winning a contest, not simply submitting
It’s hard for beginners without much design experience to secure work
Why we recommend 99designs: What separates 99designs from others is that they offer two ways for freelancers to earn.
Designers can work directly with clients and get hired by businesses to work on 1-to-1 projects. They can also submit their designs to contests to earn big bucks.
We recommend 99designs as the go-to freelance website for graphic designers and creatives. It’s trusted by top brands, and you’re more likely to find meaningful design work through 99designs than other sites.
7. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based platform where employers post projects and freelancers can bid for jobs.
They don’t cater to any particular profession. Instead, they pool freelancers skilled in everything from design and programming to legal services and business.
It works similarly to Upwork, where you create a freelance profile highlighting your skills. Once your account is approved, you get 15 proposal credits each month. After that, you can pay £5.95 for every five extra proposals.
Pros:
Tools to create automated invoices
Payments are secure
Job listings based on your location
Cons:
No guarantee that a new account will be approved
Offers only 15 free proposal submissions per month
New accounts are reviewed by moderators, meaning it may take some time to get started
Known to have some low-quality jobs on the site
Why we recommend People Per Hour: People Per Hour tends to fall short when compared to rivals like Upwork and Fiverr.
That said, there are still thousands of job opportunities available on the site. If you’re living abroad and don’t demand the high rates that US workers would charge, then People Per Hour is still a good choice.
8. Wellfound (Formerly AngelList Talent)
Wellfound, formerly AngelList Talent, helps freelancers find positions at startup companies.
Working at a startup provides freelancers the opportunity to potentially make a bigger impact and have more creative input than working for an established business.
In fact, it’s trusted by some of the most innovative startups in the world, such as Airtable, Gusto, Nerd Wallet, Open AI, and others. With over 130,000 tech jobs available, you’re sure to find something you’re looking for.
The job categories include engineering, product development, design, data and analytics, sales, marketing, operations, HR and recruiting, finance, and legal jobs.
Pros:
Opportunity to make a huge difference in a startup company
Easy to set up your profile and apply
Able to see info about the job you’re applying for, such as the likely salary and stock options
No cover letters needed to apply
Cons:
Caters to startups, so if that’s not what you’re looking for, you may want to go elsewhere
Many jobs labeled as entry-level may require a lot of experience
Why we recommend WellFound: Most freelancers yearn for meaningful work, which is why they left the corporate 9 to 5 in the first place.
But startups are different. They’re usually tight-knit companies that are adaptable to change. Working at a startup will allow you to collaborate and have a more creative say in processes and help shape a brand’s identity.
9. Problogger Job Board
Problogger Job Board is a job site that connects freelance writers to paid remote work opportunities.
The site lets you use their search and filter function to find the right type of niches to work for. You’ll find all types of clients here, including affiliate marketing website owners, SEO agencies, e-commerce brands, and even mid-to-large-sized corporations. Another tip is to search for relevant blog niches so you can apply for writing jobs that fit your area of expertise.
One of the reasons that ProBlogger stands out is that anyone looking to hire a writer must pay to place their job listing.
This automatically filters out scammers and low-quality jobs that often appear on freelance sites like Fiverr or Upwork.
Pros:
Plenty of active employers looking to hire
Doesn’t cost to apply for jobs
Resources to help build your freelance writing career
Great job site for writers
Cons:
Doesn’t have as many job opportunities as most other freelance sites
Less suited for copywriters or PR specialists
Why we recommend Problogger Job Board: Problogger is the perfect place to find paid blogging opportunities. If you’re a wordsmith who loves to flex your creativity, this is the platform for you.
It’s free to apply, and you’ll find dozens of new job opportunities daily. The listing shows the employer’s website, so you can verify their company before applying.
10. Freelancer
Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelance marketplace, with over 50 million freelancers possessing over 1,800 different skills
The site is similar to Upwork in that projects can be billed either as a fixed-price or hourly. Also, freelancers bid on their projects and then wait for approval or denial.
Freelancer also features contests for jobs like design work that help freelancers add to their portfolios, earn extra cash, and build up a positive reputation on the platform.
Pros:
Plenty of job opportunities
24/7 customer support
39 currencies, so you can get paid in your country’s currency
Offers a progress tracking system that shows your growth as a freelancer
Cons:
Potential spammers and low-quality gigs
High service fees
Lots of competition
Why we recommend Freelancer: Freelancer is a great platform for international users. That’s because payments are available in 39 currencies, and they offer 24/7 customer support, making it a good option for anyone around the world.
11. Behance
Behance is the best freelance website for creative freelancers, which isn’t a surprise considering that it’s owned by Adobe, the creators of Photoshop.
This platform serves as a social network and freelance website, allowing you to find your next gig while making all-important connections with other freelance designers.
When you sign up, you can choose your specialty from a broad range of fields, such as graphic design, animation, UI design, advertising, logo design, photography, and illustration. Then, you can build your portfolio and create a mood board to show off your work and artistic style.
They also have a job board where you can filter jobs by the hundreds of creative fields or type in relevant keywords to narrow your search.
The portfolio is more dynamic than other freelance sites. You can add case studies, advertise work-in-progress posts, and even live-stream your work.
Pros:
Great for creative freelancers
Lets you follow and draw inspiration from other creators
A wide range of creative job types
Cons:
With 10 million users, competing for jobs can be hard
Image sizes must be 10MB or smaller to avoid long loading times for viewers
Why we recommend Behance: Behance is free to use, and you don’t have any limit on how many jobs you can apply for. As you build your following, it’ll allow you to establish instant credibility with employers.
Unlike 99designs, which focuses more on one-time gigs or contests, Behance offers more stable job opportunities.
How to Choose the Right Freelance Website
With so many sites out there, it can be tough to choose the best one for your needs.
Before you devote your time to any freelance site, here are some important factors to consider:
Local vs. global jobs: Is your service better suited for in-person or online? Certain services like photography are best for freelance websites that offer local gigs.
Types of career choices: Some platforms specialize in specific industries, while others are more broad. For example, Codeable is geared towards WordPress developers. When choosing a freelance website, make sure the freelance website offers services in your domain.
Number of job offers: How many people are on the platform? The more popular the site is, the more job posts you’ll see.
Service fees: Make sure you know what you’ll need to pay to use the job site. For example, both Fiverr and Upwork take 20% of your cut, while a site like Codeable only takes 10%.
Freelance Websites Frequently Asked Questions
Which Website is Best for Freelance Jobs?
We believe Codeable is the best website to find WordPress development jobs.
That said, you shouldn’t only limit yourself to Codeable. Consider diversifying your channels by going to similar platforms like FlexJobs, Upwork, Freelancer.com, and PeoplePerHour.
What are the Alternatives Freelance Websites Worth Considering?
There are dozens of other freelance sites that we haven’t listed.
Here are other websites worth considering to find work that we haven’t already mentioned:
Best Upwork alternatives: Guru, Hubstaff Talent
Best for local service providers: TaskRabbit, Servicescape, Bark.com
Best for writers: Freelance Den, Smartblogger job board
Best for WordPress developers: Flowremote.io., We Work Remotely
Best for designers: DesignCrowd, Dribbble
Best job recruitment sites: LinkedIn Jobs, ZipRecruiter, SimplyHired
What Services Should I Offer on Freelance Websites?
There are countless different services you can offer as an independent contractor. You want to choose your service based on your strengths and what’s currently in demand.
That said, some of the most in-demand services across all freelance websites are:
Freelance writing
Content marketing
Copywriting
Web design
Web development
WordPress setup
Graphic design
Social media management
Virtual assistant
Tutoring
Video editing
Even if you don’t have these skills, we recommend going to a site like Skillshare to learn the skills needed to work as a freelancer. Rather than buying courses individually, it’s a membership-based site that provides access to thousands of different courses.
Additionally, WP101 is a great resource to learn WordPress and kickstart your freelance WordPress career.
Find Freelance Work on the Best Platform For You
Whether you’re a new freelancer just starting your career or an established professional looking for more work, you can use any website on the list above to your advantage.
We hope this article has helped you find the best freelance website to find work. You may also want to check out our tutorial on how to make a WordPress website in 2023 or our showcase blog on the 27 best portfolio WordPress themes for your website.
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