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Kickstart Your Freelancing Career: Top 20 Freelance Websites
In this article, we’ll go over Top 20 Freelance Websites:
Freelancing keeps gaining track year by year. Researchers estimate that by 2027, freelancers will take up to 50.9% of the US Workforce. Freelancers get jobs from a wide variety of channels. Some check freelance websites, some use different social media, and others take an even more direct approach by reaching out to potential clients and offering their services.
With the continued growth of the freelance economy, it is not strange that many freelancing sites keep popping out on the internet. So, it is easier than ever for freelancers to find jobs now.
However, not every online freelance job board is helpful for you. To avoid investing your time on a dead end, we want to introduce you to a few of the best freelancing sites.
1. Upwork
Upwork is one of the best freelance websites because of its broad job options. New positions are listed daily and its rating system provides information for potential candidates and job posters to make the right decision. It is popular worldwide and is even the most used freelancing website in India.
This site offers freelance jobs ranging from traditional ones like copywriting, graphic design, and programming, to some other less common freelancing opportunities like voice acting, architectural design, and project management.
Pros:
- The freelancing site handles the legal and financial aspects like the contract and billing and even offers mediation in case a problem occurs.
- A plethora of jobs are posted every day for people with different specialties.
Cons:
- Many low-quality offerings need to be filtered.
- There is a commission fee (It gets lower the more you make).
- There is a large number of competitors on Upwork.
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is known as one of the top freelancing sites. It was born as a platform that provided freelance gigs for five dollars (That’s where the name comes from) and quickly became one of the best freelance websites for beginners.
As a freelancer, you can set your tariff based on your expectations for the skills you bring. List a gig on the freelancing website so a buyer can “purchase” your services.
Those looking for creative freelance jobs like graphic design, copywriting, and video editing can give the platform a try. However, people also use the platform to offer less conventional or serious services like custom fun art and prank calls, so you should use the filters properly and professionally set your profile.
Pros:
- The UI is very user-friendly.
- You do not need to pay to bid for a job.
Cons:
- It can be very competitive.
- The payment process can be a bit slow.
- It has a 20% commission on every project.
3. Cake
Although the platform is younger than some competitors, it keeps growing steadily. What makes it one of the best freelancing platforms is that it offers full-time and part-time opportunities. Moreover, it provides users with several tools to help build their resumes and portfolio.
Although it is not exclusively for freelancing, over a third of the positions on the website are freelance jobs. You can find everything from software testing freelancer jobs to software engineering positions and even content writer positions on the website.
Pros:
- It is free of charge! You will not get charged any hidden fee on the platform.
- Highly popular for engineering positions, UI/UX design, and copywriting.
- It offers a blog with incredible tips for job seekers and many useful tools like an online resume builder.
Cons:
- It focuses the most on Taiwan, the US, and Hong Kong.
- The job offers are not as broad as on other freelancing sites, given how specialized the platform has become.
4. We Work Remotely
What makes We Work Remotely stand out as a freelancing platform is that job listers have to pay a fixed price to list a job, which helps freelancers to find better opportunities. The We Work Remotely website also offers freelance opportunities and full-time remote positions.
Users can find many freelance writing jobs on the website. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are also programming, management, customer support, and marketing opportunities.
Pros:
- The financial entrance barrier guarantees serious freelancing jobs.
- A simple user interface design makes it easy for users to navigate the website.
Cons:
- It is harder for beginners to find a suitable job.
- The publication fee creates fewer opportunities.
5. Freelancer.com
What makes freelancer.com one of the top freelance websites is its large user base (over fifty million). The freelancing platform also has a live chat function and a dedicated app, making it very convenient for employers and freelancers.
On this page, you can find plenty of options, from graphic designing online jobs and copywriting to data entry freelancer work. The opportunities are broad - translation jobs and developer positions are also quite common.
Pros:
- The on-page chat function makes it easy for freelancers to communicate with potential customers.
- Companies in different fields post job offers regularly.
Cons:
- There are abundant low-quality projects that require extra time for the freelancer to filter out and find good opportunities.
- It is harder for new freelancers to stand out.
6. Designhill
This entry is among the most popular freelance graphic design websites. It is also well-received among web designers.
However, Designhill works in a different style than sites like Fiverr. Aside from the traditional gig-based style, you can browse design content, select one based on the design brief, start creating and share your work. If the job poster picks you, you get paid for it.
The website also offers “PrintShop” - a marketplace where freelance artists can upload their designs to the website and earn money every time someone orders one of their products.
Pros:
- You can choose to work on the projects that spark your creativity.
- Its incredibly positive reputation brings big players into the company.
Cons:
- Its entry fees to post a job may limit the availability of offers.
- Even if you make a great design you are not guaranteed to get paid for it.
7. LinkedIn
The business-oriented social network has become the biggest professional community. It has also recently gained popularity as a website to search for freelance work. Thanks to its ProFinder tool, companies can easily look for skilled freelancers on the platform.
You can find virtually every field a freelancer could look for a job in on Linkedin, which makes it one of the top freelance websites. Jobs in marketing, data entry, copywriting, translation, graphic design - you name it, LinkedIn will likely have it!
Pros:
- You can research the company that posted the job thoroughly.
- It is a great place to create and expand your professional network.
Cons:
- You will need to spend time crafting your profile and your network to get noticed.
- An incomplete profile can be more damaging than you imagine.
8. Aquent
Machine learning makes Aquent one of the best freelance websites on the internet for those pursuing creative positions. Aside from the job marketplace, it offers online courses to help users improve their skills.
You can find marketing, design, project management, and even freelancer typing jobs on this website.
Pros:
- The platform has an AI-powered system that matches skills to the job and helps both recruiters and freelancers.
- It also offers education opportunities so freelancers can keep developing their careers.
Cons:
- It is more complicated for freelancers with less experience to stand out and get selected.
- It has a limited database of positions.
9. Guru
This freelancing platform has a ginormous database and over two million freelancers registered. It also verifies the users and allows recruiters to provide a feedback rating. Freelancers can get paid on a fixed price, hourly rate, per milestone, etc.
Although it presents job offerings in different areas, most of its users are freelance web developers and freelance web designers. The site also covers writing, marketing, sales, legal jobs, and education positions.
Pros:
- Its large user base attracts several companies that post job offers regularly.
- Obtaining great results grant you better reviews, which translate into more opportunities.
Cons:
- You need to pay relatively costly fees (which could be lowered by purchasing a membership first) to apply for jobs.
10. Toptal
Though it is a little more complicated to join, this freelance website is known for the quality of its freelancers. It is great for those who already have plenty of experience in the industry.
Experts in finance, developers, designers, and project/product managers can find great options on this top freelancing website. It is no surprise that former employees of big companies like Google, Shopify, and Apple form part of their users.
Pros:
- If offers an excellent pay rate (Up to $1000 a day).
- You have the chance to work for big industry players.
Cons:
- The extremely rigorous screening process to filter only the best candidates might prove complicated for beginners.
- It does not offer job opportunities in creative areas.
11. People Per Hour
It is one of the most popular websites like Fiverr on the internet. It has more than three million users and counts with a rating system so recruiters can choose the best candidate. Freelancers can also get certifications for their skills to improve their chances of landing a position.
The freelance website charges low fees (among the lowest in the industry for projects that surpass a certain threshold), making it one of the best freelance websites for beginners to get some experience. You can find jobs in different categories like web development, voiceover, digital marketing, and SEO.
Pros:
- It hosts offers from broad industry fields with plenty of options for freelancers.
- Its rating system is based on performance - do well and get more jobs.
Cons:
- You will face plenty of competition.
- It offers limited bids per month - you need to pay extra for more opportunities.
12. Behance
As a platform that belongs to Adobe, it is an evident option for those looking for online graphic designing jobs. It is a great website for freelance artists to share their projects and create their portfolios.
The freelancing platform has a job listing section that ranges from part-time and internships to full-time jobs in creative fields like architecture, illustration, photography, and branding.
Pros:
- It is free to apply for jobs.
- The platform has great connections with companies like YouTube, Apple, and Google - you could work for some of the best companies globally.
Cons:
- It is hard for new artists to get recognition in a like-based system.
- The process to upload an image to your portfolio is somewhat tedious.
13. Dribbble
It is another freelancing website that caters to the design world. Dribbble offers its users a space to showcase the work. To participate, you need to receive an invitation from an active user, which makes it a little more gated than some of the other options.
Moreover, the freelancing platform forces designers to carefully select the snippets of their work they showcase by limiting the amount they can upload. Freelancers need to put only their best designs.
Marketed as a social network for designers, it is a website for freelance artists, photographers, illustrators, and designers who want to host their portfolios and reach potential clients.
Pros:
- Its large community and network offer a great networking opportunity.
- Thanks to its inspiration page, it is a great place for artists to get some fresh ideas.
Cons:
- The freelance job listing is behind a paywall for the pro version.
- Your work portfolio is showcased on a platform that also showcases potential competitors.
14. TaskRabbit
It works as a marketplace where “taskers” can find jobs every day. It is currently operating in some cities in the US, Canada, and the UK. Although it is a more niche freelancing site, it already has over 140,000 taskers working for the platform who earn hourly payments for their services (and sometimes even tips).
What kind of freelance gigs can you find on this website? Some of the most popular categories are moving services, delivery, handyman, and even personal assistance on this freelance job board.
Pros:
- You can choose the payment fee that works for you.
- The higher your skills are, the more you could earn.
Cons:
- You need to be in the location physically to get a task.
- There are some low-paying gigs you will need to weed out.
15. DesignCrowd
This contest-based freelancing website allows employers to list projects and receive several unique designs rapidly - your proposal will face some competition. If the poster likes it, they can pick it, and you will get paid for it. The website works best for freelance graphic designers looking to build their portfolios and start their careers.
Pros:
- The design brief guidelines minimize the chances of complicated requests.
- Customers can provide feedback so you can edit the designs and increase your chances of getting a job.
Cons:
- There are some complaints about their customer service online.
16. Authentic Jobs
This freelancing site lets users find everything from freelance gigs to full-time positions.
It has positioned itself as one of the leading freelance job boards for developers, designers, and other creative pros. Big companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Etsy have used it since 2005.
The platform is popular with freelance web developers, designers, and marketers. There are digital marketing, software development, and UI/UX positions listed frequently.
Pros:
- The site has a global reach and is trusted by big industrial companies.
- You can find jobs offered by both small and large companies.
Cons:
- There are no matching tools, so finding relevant jobs might take longer.
17. 99Designs
This freelance jobs website offers several opportunities for freelance designers. It allows them to collaborate with businesses on different projects ranging from logo design to merchandise.
The freelancing platform puts a lot of emphasis on evaluating your level, the higher it is, the more visibility you will get. The platform charges an introduction fee of $100, so the longer you work with a client, the better.
Pros:
- The company handles the payment.
- Its specialized approach guarantees more relevant jobs.
Cons:
- The introductory fee is quite high.
- Rookie designers get limited due to the level-based system.
18. ServiceScape
The reason why ServiceScape is considered among the best freelancing platforms is that it provides freelancers with tools to build their profiles and provides them with a growing client database.
It is a popular freelance copywriter website that dips into academic writing, translation of documents, and editing. A well-written profile that stands out will receive many work offers.
Pros:
- It’s available worldwide.
- Suits experienced freelancers looking for extra work.
Cons:
- You can’t bid on jobs. So you need to wait for offers.
- The site charges a very high commission fee of 50%
19. FlexJobs
This freelance job board offers flexible opportunities to the users, such as remote jobs. What makes it even better is that the freelance website verifies every position to guarantee its legitimacy.
After signing up for a subscription, the users can access a list of freelancing jobs on the website. The job categories range from journalism and freelancing typing jobs to accounting and project management.
Pros:
- The website is free of fake job listings.
- There is a plethora of opportunities in diverse areas.
Cons:
- There is a paywall to start applying for jobs (starting from $9.95 per week but it gets cheaper the longer you subscribe).
20. JustRemote
As its name suggests, this freelancing site focuses on promoting remote jobs and online opportunities to its users. The platform helps recruiters screen applicants based on their qualifications. Similarly, it goes the extra mile to select relevant jobs for its users.
We can find several fields on this freelance job site. Marketing, human resources, SEO, social media, design, and many others. What’s best, most of the positions are remote.
Pros:
- You can find a variety of remote positions on this page.
- Additionally, companies post plenty of job opportunities for freelancers.
Cons:
- Some functionalities are locked for premium users of its PowerSearch service
With Cake, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume in PDF, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Create your resume online (free download) and land your dream job now!
--- Originally written by Roger Rene Ortega Figueroa ---
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