The Best Upwork Competitors and Alternatives To Consider For Freelance Jobs

Upwork competitors and alternatives are freelance platforms. On freelance platforms, businesses can post jobs like web development, graphic design, copywriting and digital marketing. Professionals freelancers can then be hired based on their budget and expertise. 

Each service has unique features and a pricing structure, so it’s important to compare and research each service to find the best fit for your skills or needs. The top Upwork competitors include Fiverr, Freelancer.com, PeoplePerHour, Toptal, 99designs, Guru,TaskRabbit, SimplyHired, FlexJobs and Freelance.com.

What is Upwork?

Remember Elance-oDesk? Well, it’s now Upwork, and it’s packing a whole bunch of cool tools.
Businesses can easily find, hire, collaborate with, and pay freelancers.
And they’ve got this review system that can make your freelance career shine bright. You can build your rep and totally outshine the competition.

With a crazy big talent pool – we’re talking over 12 million freelancers. From coding wizards and design jedis to word wizards and marketing moguls, Upwork’s got someone for whatever you need.

Upwork takes a cut based on how you’re paid – hourly or per project. The percentage varies from 5% to 20%, depending on your earnings with a client. 

But if you’re all about those extra perks, they’ve got subscription plans. Think dedicated account managers and access to the A-list freelancers.

Features of Upwork

  • Job Posting
  • Bidding on Work
  • Search and Filter
  • Profile Creation
  • Proposals
  • Escrow Payment
  • Hourly and Fixed-Price Contracts
  • Upwork Skills Tests
  • Messaging and Communication Tools
  • Milestone Payments
  • Upwork Payment Protection
    Upwork
  • Desktop App
  • Upwork Work Diary

Upwork Competitors and Alternatives

1

Do you have a skill that other people may find valuable? Chances are you can make money from it on Fiverr.

Founded in 2010 by Micha Kaufman and Shai Wininger, Fiverr has become a leading platform for freelancers to offer their services and businesses to find skilled professionals for their projects.

Fiverr started with a simple concept: offer a service — or Gig — and get $5 each time you do it for someone.
These days, gig sellers can make a lot more than just $5.

To get started, you create a profile and offer your services to businesses and individuals who browse these gigs and hire freelancers for their projects.

2

Founded in 2009 by Matt Barrie, Freelancer has expanded to a network of more than 25 million users. Freelancer is where you can check out all kinds of jobs and gigs – writing, coding, designing, you name it.

It’s like an endless buffet of work options. You create your profile, bid on projects, and show them why you’re the one they should hire. Get to showcase your hustle to a whole bunch of potential clients.
Freelancers can take skill tests then showcase their abilities and portfolios in the freelancer marketplace, making it easier for clients to find them thus increasing their chances of getting hired.

Freelancer.com offers both free and paid plans for clients and freelancers.
For freelancers paid membership plans costs $10 to $20 per month while clients pay $4.95 to $49.95 per month

3

Unlike some other platforms that primarily offer hourly work, PeoplePerHour is designed to help businesses find freelancers for specific projects or tasks.

This makes it easier for businesses to get the work they need done without having to worry about hourly rates or long-term commitments.
Another notable feature of PeoplePerHour is its curated pool of freelancers.

Freelancers on PeoplePerHour are also ranked based on their performance, making it easier for businesses to find top-rated freelancers.

a range of project management tools to help businesses work with their freelancers.
For example, businesses can create milestones and deadlines for their projects, track their freelancer’s progress, and communicate with them directly through the platform.

PeoplePerHour charges a fee based on the freelancer’s earnings.
The fee ranges from 20% to 5% depending on the freelancer’s level on the platform.

4

Founded in 2010, Toptal has gained a reputation for offering high-quality talent, with a rigorous screening process that only accepts the top 3% of freelance talent.Toptal is not exactly your everyday gig spot. Look at it like the VIP club of freelancing. They’re super picky about who gets in – they want the best of talents.

 Unlike other freelance platforms, Toptal places a strong emphasis on ensuring that the freelancers in their network are of the highest quality.

So, if you’re a rockstar freelancer in your field, this is where you rub shoulders with big-shot clients who are ready to pay top dollar for your mad skills.

5

99designs is an online platform that connects businesses with freelance graphic designers from around the world.One of the key features of 99designs is its unique design contest model. Rather than hiring a single designer, businesses can launch a design contest on the platform, where multiple designers will submit designs for the project. 

The business can then choose the winning design and work directly with the designer to refine it further. This model offers businesses a range of design options to choose from and ensures that they get the perfect design for their needs.

The platform has a rigorous vetting process for its designers and only accepts those with a proven track record of producing high-quality designs. This means that businesses can be confident that they are working with top-tier designers who can produce work that is on par with or even better than traditional design agencies.

99designs offers a range of packages for businesses, depending on the level of service they require. Prices range from $299 for a basic logo design contest to over $1,000 for more complex design projects. The platform also charges a fee on top of the winning designer’s fee, which ranges from 5% to 15%, depending on the package chosen.

6

Guru Freelance Site is one of the most popular platforms available that can offer you a great range of services. From connecting you with businesses looking for freelancers to helping you manage your projects, Guru Freelance Site has it all.

As an independent worker, you  get an easy way to find work and earn extra income. To get started, create a freelance profile, post jobs, bid on projects and get paid. Fields of work ranges from web development, writing, graphic design, translation, transcription and more. Guru also provides a suite of tools that allow freelancers to create portfolios, manage their time and track payments. 

Businesses can find the right freelancer for their project from a pool of over 3 million freelancers with a variety of skills, regardless of the complexity or scope of the work. They can also set project milestones and deadlines, track their freelancer’s progress, and make payments directly through the platform. 

Guru has freelance membership plans which include a free Basic plan. Paid plans which include Basic+, Professional, Business and Executive start at $11.95 to $49.95 per month. A transaction fee of 3.5% is charged to withdraw funds from your cash account via Direct deposit, PayPal, Payoneer or Wire Transfer.

7

TaskRabbit connects users with skilled Taskers for odd-jobs and errands, enhancing productivity with seamless scheduling, extensive categories, verified profiles, transparent pricing, real-time updates, and secure payment system.

A seamless task scheduling feature allows you to find the perfect time for your tasks.
Easily schedule a task at a time that suits you best, be it cleaning, assembling furniture, or running errands.

TaskRabbit also offers an extensive range of task categories to cater to all your needs.
You can find skilled Taskers, from home improvement and gardening to delivery services and event planning.

To ensure their reliability and expertise, Taskers undergo rigorous screening process.
Real-time task updates through mobile notifications, allow you to always be in the loop and easily coordinate with the Tasker effectively.

Taskrabbit’s secure payment system guarantees a hassle-free transaction so you can pay for services directly through the platform, eliminating the need for cash exchanges.

8

FlexJobs is a job search service that provides professionals around the world with legitimate, scam-free, flexible job listings.

FlexJobs offers a variety of writing jobs that can be done remotely to give you the ultimate in flexibility
To find freelance writing jobs on FlexJobs, you can use the filter to show only 100 percent telecommute jobs and then choose the category “writing”
You can also narrow it down to “writer,” “editor,” or “proofreader”.

But, there’s a subscription fee to access all the listings.

9

You know how sometimes looking for a job can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack? Well, SimplyHired swoops in to make that process way easier.

Imagine it as a sort of digital matchmaker between job seekers and job providers. It scours the vast expanse of the internet for job listings from all over the place – company websites, job boards, and more – and neatly compiles them all in one place.

You can filter your search results based on things like location, job type, salary range, and even the date the job was posted for a good job fit.

And, you can set up job alerts to know when a job matching your criteria pops up.
Additionally, SimplyHired allows users to read and leave reviews about their previous companies.

10

SoldGigs is where expert gig-hunters connect you with top 1% freelance jobs from premium sources, offering predictable leads, focus on enjoyable work, 100% client paycheck control, and full control over client relationships, ensuring a successful freelance career.

11

Indeed, the world’s top job site, is owned by Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd., a publicly traded Japanese company.

It has over 300 million monthly visitors, it prioritizes job seekers by providing free access to search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies.

12

ServiceScape was launched back in 2000 as a global marketplace for freelancers specializing in graphic design, writing, editing, and translating.
Today it boasts over 259,000 completed projects and 79,000 clients, showcasing their diverse skills and experience.

13

Behance, part of Adobe Creative Cloud, is the world’s largest creative network used by creative specialists to showcase their online portfolios.
To create a freelance project proposal, users must connect with payment processing partner Stripe, allowing secure, direct payment and the ability to request upfront payment for their work.

14

Use DesignCrowd as your agent to help you find the best design possible, reduce your risk, and provide protection.

It is an online logo design service and for website design contests and almost any other type of graphic design you can think of.

Thousand of customers have already used the marketplace for crowdsourcing logo design, web design and more.

15

Truelancer connects users with exceptional freelancers, allowing them to browse proposals, profiles, and reviews, compare, interview, and finalize candidates.
They hold funds in Safe Deposit until work is completed and approved, and guarantee 100% satisfaction or refund.

16

Dribbble is a digital designer’s self-promotion and social networking platform, offering a design portfolio, job listings, and recruitment services, making it one of the largest online platforms for designers.

Showcase your work on Dribbble, increase your followers and attract potential clients.

17

Designhill aims to simplify the process of finding and working with designers, making it easier for businesses to access high-quality design services.

It provides various design tools and resources, such as logo makers and design templates, to assist individuals and businesses in creating their own designs.

Clients can request various graphic design services, including logo design, brochure design, poster design, business card design, and more. They can either start a design contest or work directly with a designer of their choice.

18

Register at Crowd spring, a global online marketplace for logo design, web design, graphic design and many more crowdsourced creative service.

19

When Envato Studio was initially created in 2014, they imagined a freelance community where creative professionals could offer their services to consumers all across the world. 

Since then, the company has completed over 230,000 jobs and earned over $12 million USD. Studio has helped thousands of people bring their creative creations to life throughout the years.

20

Angellist is a website dedicated to entrepreneurs, angel investors, and job seekers interested in working at startups.
It began in 2010 as an online introduction board for tech businesses seeking early investment.

21

LinkedIn is a social media website for business and employment. Maintain contact with friends and family, share knowledge with over 750 million users, and manage your professional identity. Create and maintain a professional network.

LinkedIn is one of the best social networking site for those looking for online jobs.

22

Aquent is a global work solutions firm that helps you find the talent, technology, and services you need to flourish in marketing, creative, and design. The leading global work solutions provider can assist you in your search for your ideal marketing, creative, and design job.

23

Gigster envisions a future where innovative ideas thrive, empowering all companies to build their own digital DNA, creating life-changing products, engaging customers, and empowering employees, unlike the disruptive digital-native companies.

24

Hubstaff is a comprehensive time tracking and workforce management platform that streamlines various aspects of business operations.Teams can track time to projects and to-dos using Hubstaff’s desktop, web, or mobile applications.

25

Art portfolio gallery for artists and photographers to showcase their artwork and photos to the world. Shop for custom art, photography and coloring printed books

26

Codeable is a WordPress freelancer platform that connects customers with top WordPress experts, assisting them in resolving any WordPress issues.

27

Gun.io is a global technical talent platform offering the simplest way to hire world-class developers. Meet candidates expertly vetted and matched to you by a team of senior engineers.

28

This is a leading niche job board for college and university students searching for internships, part-time employment, and seasonal work and recent graduates seeking to get employed.

29

Craigslist is a free, classifieds-like website that allows users to view and post local ads, including jobs, apartments, garage sales, used cars, and personal ads, similar to the classifieds section of a newspaper.

30

Get Started with Contena. A platform that has helped thousands of people to get started with freelance writing. Discover the best jobs and get hired to work remotely for great companies.

31

Twine is an online marketplace and network that connects skilled freelancers in music, design and film to buyers. Also find and apply for work on freelance projects.

32

At Contently, freelancers are matched with brands, pitch ideas, submit work, and instantly receive payment all in one place. Join the network by creating a free portfolio that showcases your projects and professional expertise. 

Create content that resonates with your target audiences throughout your customer journey.

33

Coroflot is a platform where designers are found and hired, allowing companies to post opportunities.
Apply as a designers, and Coroflot will help you gain exposure.
With 92 design jobs available, users can easily apply.

34

As a remote worker, Outsourcely will connect you with clients with freelance jobs and you will earn passive income at no commission or fees on your income.

35

WeWorkRemotely

We Work Remotely is the largest remote work community in the world. With over 4.5M visitors, WWR is the number one destination to find and list incredible remote jobs.

36

Flexiple

Flexiple offers an exclusive community for hiring dream talent across the globe. Join the platform to be part of top freelance developers and designers.

37

AnyTask.com offers thousands of high-quality tasks at just $1, empowering skilled specialists worldwide to provide the solutions you need at a lower cost.

38

The leading job board for designers, developers, and creative pros. Find both full-time and freelance remote job opportunities in various fields.

39

Creative Loft is a comprehensive digital design agency that provides customized solutions for brands in various industries, including fashion, photography, interior design, event planning, entertainment, music, advertising, and graphic design.

40

Thumbtack is an American online directory as well as home services website. 

Use it to search for, rate, and hire local service providers for work on a variety of personal projects, including home improvement, financial and legal services, computer / IT repair and event planning.

41

Zippia provides online job search services. Users can search for full or part-time jobs and internships based on various factors such as job title, college major, company name, location, and experience level.

42

Jooble is a global product-based IT company, its main product is an international job search website millions of people in 69 countries use daily

Explore all the current vacancies from all the top employers and the leading job boards in USA and abroad. 631.000+ new current vacancies.

43

The only remote-focused, worldwide job board for tech startups with a focus in Customer Service, Software Development, Design, Marketing, Finance / Legal, Sales, Product, Business, Data, DevOps, Human Resource and much more.

Hire top remote IT talent without guesswork or intermediaries
Get direct access to experienced and growth-oriented software developers, DevOps, engineers and data specialists – who know how to and love working remotely.

44

Thanks to the Clickworker-App, a group of freelance professionals (clickworkers) engage in online tasks through the platform using their personal desktop computers, tablets, or smartphones.

These Clickworkers join various projects as freelancers and set their own work hours.
They receive payment directly from us for each task they complete.

45

Amazon Mechanical Turk is a crowdsourcing website that allows businesses to hire remote “crowdworkers” to complete specific tasks that are currently not cost-effective for computers to handle.
Get to choose the work you do and consistently at own schedule.
Expect to earn on average, $6-$12/hour on average.

46

YouTeam is a unique network of over 50,000 pre-vetted engineers from Europe and Latin America, ensuring tech leaders can find the talent they need through sourcing, vetting, and administration, ensuring a comprehensive talent pool.

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