10 Sites Like Upwork You Should Seriously Try

Freelancing has transformed from a side hustle to a mainstream career path. According to recent research, the freelance market continues to expand, offering more opportunities than ever before. While Upwork remains a popular platform, there are numerous alternatives that cater to different skills, experience levels, and professional needs. These other sites like Upwork provide a variety of freelance job options, from fixed price projects to hourly projects, across diverse job categories including web development, digital marketing, graphic design, and writing jobs.

1. Fiverr

Description:
A pioneer in the gig economy, Fiverr is a global freelancing platform that empowers freelance writers, graphic designers, digital marketers, and other skilled professionals to offer freelance services starting at just $5. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for freelancers to post job listings and for clients to hire freelancers quickly. Fiverr’s model focuses on fixed price projects, allowing freelancers to create service packages (Gigs) tailored to potential clients’ needs.

Advantages:

• Easy to set up a profile and start offering services
• Competitive pricing options attract diverse clients
• Large global pool of buyers and sellers
• Built-in AI tools to help freelancers optimize their offerings

Disadvantages:

• High competition among freelancers in popular categories
• Fiverr charges freelancers a 20% service fee on completed projects
• Some clients expect very low prices, which can impact earnings
• Standing out requires strategic marketing and portfolio building

2. Toptal

Description:
Positioned as an elite freelancing platform, Toptal connects businesses with the best freelance talent by rigorously vetting freelancers in software development, project management, finance, and design. This freelancer platform is primarily focused on highly qualified freelancers who seek high-quality clients and premium freelance opportunities. Toptal’s stringent hiring process ensures clients receive top-notch talent for complex projects, making it a preferred choice for enterprises and startups alike.

Advantages:

• Access to high-paying freelance jobs with major clients
• Rigorous skills testing and screening ensure quality freelancers
• Works with Fortune 500 companies and high quality clients
• Secure payment system and dedicated support

Disadvantages:

• Extremely competitive hiring process with low acceptance rate
• Limited to specific professional domains such as tech and finance
• Longer onboarding process compared to other platforms
• Smaller pool of freelance opportunities due to specialization

3. Freelancer.com

Description:
A global freelancing platform with over 2,700 service categories, Freelancer.com is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, connecting businesses and job seekers worldwide. It offers a wide range of freelance job postings across categories like web development, data entry, social media management, and graphic design. Freelancers can bid on projects or contests, enabling direct negotiation with clients. Its vast job listings attract freelancers looking for both small projects and long-term engagements.

Advantages:

• Extensive variety of freelance opportunities and job categories
• Bidding system allows freelancers to negotiate project terms
• Large pool of potential clients from around the world
• Competitive pricing options for both clients and freelancers

Disadvantages:

• High competition can make securing projects challenging
• Complex fee structure including project fees and processing fees
• Risk of encountering low-quality projects or cancellations
• Interface can be overwhelming for new freelancers

4. PeoplePerHour

Description:
A UK-based freelancing website, PeoplePerHour connects freelancers and businesses primarily within the European market. It offers a blend of hourly projects and fixed price projects, catering to professionals in web development, digital marketing, writing jobs, and design. The platform provides built-in communication tools and a streamlined interface, making it easier for freelancers to manage job applications and collaborate with clients.

Advantages:

• Strong presence in the European freelance market
• Supports both hourly projects and fixed price projects
• User-friendly interface with integrated communication features
• Competitive pricing with transparent service fees

Disadvantages:

• Limited global reach compared to larger platforms
• Smaller volume of job postings in some categories
• Higher fees than some other freelancing platforms
• Less diverse project types outside core skill areas

5. LinkedIn Services Marketplace

Description:
Leveraging the power of professional networking, LinkedIn’s Services Marketplace allows skilled professionals to offer freelance services directly through their LinkedIn profiles. This platform connects businesses with freelance talent in areas such as digital marketing, social media management, writing jobs, and virtual assistants. It is ideal for freelancers who already have an established professional network and want to capitalize on their connections to find high-quality freelance opportunities.

Advantages:

• Builds on existing professional network and credibility
• No additional platform fees or commissions
• Access to high-quality clients and potential long-term relationships
• Ability to showcase skills and portfolio within LinkedIn profile

Disadvantages:

• Limited discovery mechanisms for new freelancers
• Requires proactive client acquisition and networking
• Less structured than dedicated freelance marketplaces
• Smaller volume of freelance-specific job postings

6. Designhill

Description:
Designhill is a specialized freelance marketplace focused on creative services such as logo design, branding, and graphic design. It offers freelancers opportunities to participate in design contests or work directly with clients on fixed price projects. The platform’s portfolio showcase features help designers attract potential clients and build their freelance career in a competitive niche.

Advantages:

• Tailored platform for creative professionals and graphic designers
• Design contests provide additional income streams
• Targeted client base seeking high-quality design work
• Portfolio features enhance freelancer visibility

Disadvantages:

• Limited to design-related freelance services
• Highly competitive contests may reduce guaranteed earnings
• Potential copyright concerns for submitted designs
• Fixed price projects may have lower average rates

7. We Work Remotely

Description:
We Work Remotely is a job site focusing on remote jobs across various industries, including tech, marketing, and customer support. While it is more of a traditional job board than a freelance marketplace, it offers many freelance opportunities especially in web development, digital marketing, and writing jobs. The platform is popular among remote workers seeking flexible freelance roles with reputable companies.

Advantages:

• Curated, high-quality remote job listings
• Focus on remote work and flexible freelance opportunities
• Transparent and detailed job descriptions
• Reputable companies post job offers regularly

Disadvantages:

• Fewer project-based freelance opportunities
• More traditional job board format, less freelance-specific features
• Higher competition for popular roles
• Limited tools for managing freelance projects

8. Arc

Description:
A platform specifically designed for tech professionals, Arc connects top-tier developers and tech experts with innovative companies looking for freelance talent. Arc emphasizes a rigorous vetting process to ensure that only highly qualified freelancers join the network. It offers high-paying freelance opportunities in software development, project management, and related fields, making it a preferred choice for tech freelancers seeking competitive pricing and quality clients.

Advantages:

• Specialized for software developers and tech professionals
• Rigorous screening process ensures top-notch freelance talent
• Access to high-quality clients and projects
• Direct client matching for efficient hiring

Disadvantages:

• Limited to tech roles and related fields
• Smaller job market compared to general freelancing websites
• Strict acceptance criteria can be a barrier for some freelancers
• Requires specialized skills and experience

9. Contra

Description:
Contra is a modern freelancing platform that emphasizes community and direct connections between freelancers and clients. It allows freelancers to create personalized portfolios and connect with potential clients without commission fees, making it an attractive option for those wanting to maximize earnings. Contra supports various freelance services including digital marketing, writing jobs, and design, fostering a collaborative environment for freelancers to grow their freelance career.

Advantages:

• No commission fees, allowing freelancers to keep more earnings
• Community-driven platform with easy portfolio integration
• Direct communication between freelancers and clients
• Supports diverse freelance services and job categories

Disadvantages:

• Newer platform with a smaller user base
• Less established reputation compared to older marketplaces
• Limited volume of freelance job postings
• Requires freelancers to actively market themselves

10. Gun.io

Description:
A niche platform focusing on software development and tech-related freelance work, Gun.io caters to freelance software developers seeking high-quality projects and clients. It offers a personalized matching process and transparent pricing, ensuring freelancers work with reputable businesses. Gun.io specializes in connecting freelance talent with projects that require advanced technical skills and project management expertise.

Advantages:

• Focused on software development and tech freelance jobs
• Transparent pricing and secure payment system
• Quality client base with high standards
• Personalized matching process to find suitable projects

Disadvantages:

• Very niche market limited to tech professionals
• Smaller number of job opportunities compared to general platforms
• Competitive acceptance process for freelancers
• Requires strong technical skills and experience

Conclusion: Choosing Your Freelance Platform

The freelance marketplace is diverse and dynamic. Research suggests that successful freelancers often use multiple platforms to maximize their opportunities. Each platform has its unique strengths, and the best choice depends on your:

• Professional skills and freelance career goals
• Experience level and preferred project types
• Desired income and work flexibility
• Industry focus and client preferences

Don’t limit yourself to one platform. Experiment with these other sites like Upwork, build your portfolio, and diversify your freelance income streams to stay competitive in the global freelancing market.