Best Freelance Websites – 18 Top Choices
We all know it’s difficult to find a job these days. It’s even harder when you don’t have the right connections or skills.
You might think that because you’re not getting hired, there are no jobs available at your skill level and salary range. But if you look hard enough, there is a way to get what you want without being limited by geography or experience level.
Consider turning to one of the best freelance websites to find work. These platforms will not only connect you with potential employers but will also give you a reliable way to get paid, too.
Let’s take a closer look at freelance websites and the top choices out there so you can find the right pick for your career.
What are Freelance Websites?
According to 2020 reports, more than 59 million Americans have freelanced in the past year – more than a third of the country’s entire workforce, in fact.
The number of freelancers in the United States is expected to nearly double by 2028, with the rise in popularity attributable to a variety of factors.
If you’re new to freelancing, you may be wondering exactly what it entails. So, what is freelancing, first and foremost? It is simply working for a client as a contractor instead of for a sole company as a permanent part- or full-time employee. There are multiple careers you can pursue as a freelancer, including those in creative disciplines like writing and graphic design as well as more task-oriented fields like virtual assisting or customer service.
As a freelancer, you’ll have the freedom to choose the clients you work with – as well as the number of clients you work with. You can work with dozens of clients at a time or just one or two select individuals at once.
Because of this, you’ll have the ultimate freedom to control your own workload. You can work as much or as little as you want, choosing projects that are most meaningful to you. You’ll be able to work on just the projects you want without the distractions of a full-time job (like those office meetings we all hate sitting through!).
You’ll have the kind of flexibility in your career that most people only dream out! You’ll be free of the cubicle and the 9- to 5- work life and you can gain exposure to all kinds of new ideas, projects, and people.
Freelance websites are platforms in which people who are looking for work, as well as employers looking for people to hire, can both benefit. You’ll be able to browse job openings or, in some cases, post your credentials for potential employers to browse instead.
Best Freelance Websites
Aside from all the obvious perks and benefits of freelancing listed above, the freelance lifestyle also has its fair share of challenges. You’ll have ultimate flexibility – but that means that you’ll also have the ultimate responsibility.
You’ll have to make many decisions, from which jobs to apply to (and how) to how you will track and accept payments. You’ll need to invest in promotional materials, find steady work, and manage cash flow issues.
The good news is that there are all kinds of freelance websites out there that can take care of many (though admittedly not all) of these concerns. They can handle your payment transactions and help you find and apply for jobs – so all you have to do is work!
The freelance market is a booming industry and these websites have taken the lead in connecting freelancers with people looking for their services.
1. Guru
Guru is a large freelance website that’s home to more than 3 million other freelancers. You will be able to search for vacancies in all kinds of industries, from writing to graphic design to website development and even architecture.
Click Here To Get Started2. Upwork
By far, Upwork is one of htet op platforms for freelancers and employers alike. There are all kinds of tools you can benefit from while working on this platform, including the ability to recruit in a more transparent way, to access a built-in invoice maker, and more. Upwork is home to many noteworthy clients including Microsoft and Dropbox.
Click Here To Get Started3. Freelancer
Second only to Upwork and Guru, Freelance is the most well-known freelance website out there. After all, doesn’t the name say it all? It’s the largest crowd-sourcing marketplace with more than 32 million registered users and hundreds of new vacancies posted each and every day.
Click Here To Get Started4. Toptal
Toptal is definitely not the most popular freelance website on this list – but it’s for the best of the best. It promises companies that they will be able to hire the “top 3% of global freelance talent” – could you be the next bright talent in that 3% group?
Click Here To Get Started5. 99Designs
You can figure it out by the name itself – 99Designs is an online marketplace for graphic designers looking for work. It lets users create a contest that freelancers can participate in and use to showcase their work.
Click Here To Get Started6. Aquent
Aquent is a freelance website that has won multiple awards. It is well-established and known to offer high-quality work in things like digital, creative, and marketing industries.
It can be a bit challenging to work on Aquent unless you have some experience – this is a company that looks for a worker with an average of at least two or more years of working experience. That said, you’re welcome to apply and browse new jobs at any time.
Click Here To Get Started7. The Creative Group
As the name of this freelancing website implies, the Creative Group is a freelance website that’s perfect for freelancers in creative niches. You will be able to easily upload your LInkedIn profile or resume to start looking and applying for jobs ASAP.
Click Here To Get Started8. Designhill
Designhill is the best freelance website for aspiring graphic designers. It includes all kinds of job postings and also offers transportne prices upfront so you’ll know quickly how much to charge – and your clients will know how much they will need to pay before you dive in.
Click Here To Get Started9. FlexJobs
Flexjobs goes beyond just providing a platform for freelance work – it also collects jobs from all around the world. You’ll have to pay a subscription fee of around $15 per month but with it, you’ll receive access to some of the best employers along with skill tests and other features you can use to boost your hireability.
Click Here To Get Started10. Fiverr
Fiverr is a great option for freelancers who want to be able to showcase their finished projects to the public. It will allow you to put your portfolio on display so that clients can pick someone out whose background and skill set matches the desired qualifications for their projects. As an employer, you don’t have to contact prospects one by one.
Click Here To Get Started11. Simply Hired
Simply Hired allows you to browse freelance jobs that are near our location. Although geographical location might not matter much to you if you’re looking for a job in, say, freelance writing, for some workers, like those in task-oriented fields, it’s all about the location!
You’ll also be able to view a list of top salaries and tools so you can estimate an appropriate fee for your own services. This can take a lot of the guesswork out of what’s called the “gig economy,” making it easier for you to earn a living wage.
Click Here To Get Started12. Skyword
Skyword is another good option to consider. This platform includes vacancies in content marketing so that you can easily apply to work as a content strategist, editorial manager, and more. You don’t have to be an English speaker to work on Skyword, either – the platform partners with clients representing more than two dozen countries and more than a dozen other languages.
Click Here To Get Started13. TaskRabbit
If you are looking for non-digital freelance work, TaskRabbit is the way to go. This website focuses on housework and daily in-person tasks rather than on things like writing and graphic design. With TaskRabbit, you can find all kinds of local work such as assembling furniture, plumbing, moving and packing, or anything else you can possibly imagine!
Click Here To Get Started14. Crowded
Crowded is another unique freelancing website to consider, this one relying on AI (artificial intelligence) to find the very best applicants for its jobs. It ranks all candidates based on their experience, skillset, and advertised prices.
The beauty of working with Crowded is that you don’t have to manually apply to each and every job. Instead, the algorithm will do all the work for you – you just have to sit back and wait for the jobs to come rolling in!
Click Here To Get Started15. Writer Access
Writer Access is the best freelance website for – you guessed it! – writers. IT’s a good resource for just about any kind of writer, including journalists, article writers, case study creators, technical writers, and more.
You’ll find that this website relies heavily on things like keyword optimization, content analytics, andc content planners to help you get work done quickly and more efficiently.
Click Here To Get Started16. PeoplePerHour
As the name of this freelancing website implies, PeoplePerHour is another great option for freelancing. In fact, this website is home to more tha na million and a half freelancers who use the service on a regular basis.
It’s a free website to use but it’s important to note that the competition can be challenging! Be sure to set a reasonable fee and consistently upload new materials to your portfolio for the best chances at getting hired.
Click Here To Get Started17. Nexxt
Nexxt is not the most popular freelance website on this list, but it’s a good one to consider if you like things broken down into manageable, easy to understand categories. With Nexxt, you’ll be able to browse work with a local, career, global, or diversity focus. That way, you will be able to find a new job that best matches your potential career path.
Click Here To Get Started18. Hireable
Hireable is one of the best freelance websites to consider if you want to land a job outside of Europe or America. It is straightforward and easy to navigate with regular recommendations, job alerts, and more.
Click Here To Get StartedFreelance Jobs to Consider
In the market for some of the best freelance jobs? Although we’ve given you some websites to find work, it might help for you to be aware of what kinds of freelance jobs are actually out there! Here are some of the top freelance jobs to consider.
Graphic Designer
Working as a graphic designer is the quintessential freelance job. In fact, the vast majority of today’s graphic designers work in this capacity since it gives them the flexibility to work only on projects about which they feel passionate.
Writer
Writing is another popular choice for freelancers to consider. As a freelance writer, you don’t have to have any kind of specific credentials or background to get started – just a bit of talent and writing skills! As you build up your portfolio, you’ll be able to set your own rates and work on projects you are truly interested in.
Web Designer
Are you interested in a career in web design? This is a freelance job that is always in demand. Bonus points if you are able to offer work in various specialties and industries, such as web design for educational companies or law firms.
Transcription
If you don’t mind sitting around and listening to hours of audio content and transcribing it into the written word, then a freelance job as a transcriptionist might be a good choice for you. These jobs tend to pay extremely well, especially if you are a fast typist, and you can find jobs on most freelancing websites.
Marketing, PR, and Social Media
If you have a knack for knowing just what to say and how to say it, a freelance job in marketing, public relations, or social media might be a good choice for you. Most freelancing websites offer work in a wide variety of niches in this area,
Call Center
You might not think of working at a call center as a classic freelance job, but it’s a great option to consider. You’ll be able to work from home calling potential customers or fielding incoming calls from all over the world. You can find postings for call center representatives on most freelancing sites and the screening process isn’t overly challenging.
Pursue a Career as a Freelancer – But Watch Out For Scams
In today’s world, there are many ways to find a job. You can look through classified ads in the newspaper or on Craigslist, you can go online and search for a position that suits your skill set, or you could even work for yourself and start your own business.
But one of the best ways to find a new gig? Consider one of the best freelance websites above.
Of course, remain vigilant when it comes to browsing job listings. Many scammers cleverly hide their malicious intentions in job postings, encouraging job seekers to send money, account information, or social security numbers in surreptitious ways.
Does the posting ask for you to buy a kit to get started? Promise that you will get rich quickly? Steer clear. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Using a freelance website is a great way to build your skills and find new work. You’ll find thousands (if not millions!) of job opportunities to choose from – and enjoy a rewarding, highly lucrative work environment, too.
Freelance Websites: FAQ
Is Upwork better than Freelancer?
Both platforms can work well for you depending on your needs and your situation. Most freelancers do prefer Upwork since there tend to be more (and higher-quality) jobs along with better-paying clients. However, if you’re open to new projects and are just getting started in the world of freelancing, Freelancer can be a lucrative option for you, too.
Which freelance work is best for beginners?
That depends on where your skills lie! Just about any kind of job can be pursued on a freelance basis, but many of the top freelance websites offer jobs for workers with skills in things like writing, teaching, photography, graphic design, web development, proofreading, and social media management.
What are the highest paying freelance jobs?
That, too, depends on what kind of skills you have. However, marketing specialists and accountants tend to be some of the best opportunities you can pursue. Accountants who work on a freelance or contract basis bring in an average salary of $54,697 per year while marketing specialists bring in around $54,262, according to Indeed. Writers, editors, and social media specialists also bring in high wages of more than $55,000 per year each.
Of course, how much money you make depends largely on which field you pursue and how many individual jobs you choose to apply to. The world is your oyster when it comes to freelancing – and the sky’s the limit in terms of your potential salary.
Which is better – Fiverr or Freelancer?
Neither is technically better – just different. While Fiverr is ideal for freelancers who want to advertise their services, Freelancer is better for freelancers who just want to browse job openings and then apply. Freelancer requires a subscription to one of the many different monthly plans while Fiverr instead charges a commission totaling 20% of your total gains.