In our years of ups and downs trying to find quality freelancers, we have learned the hard way that hiring unqualified freelancers is a nightmare—especially if you need to complete a project within a short deadline. This makes finding the best freelance websites to hire freelancers absolutely key.
Trust us, having to hire a new freelancer halfway through and getting the next one to pick up the unfinished project is no easy feat—not to mention you could waste several days finding a new freelancer. And that’s without considering that you have other work to do.
Of course, the freelancer site you pick depends on factors such as:
- What is your budget
- What type of freelancer you need
- How long will the project take
So don’t worry, we’ll be covering all that in this article, we well as some of our personal tips and tricks for picking the right freelancer platform and negotiating prices.
Best sites to hire freelancers
- Best freelance website overall: Toptal
- Best budget option: Fiverr
- Best for graphic design: 99designs
- Best for freelance developers: Upstack
Toptal
- Freelancer niches: developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers.
- Cost: $80–$170+/hour
- Required budget: $500 deposit, which gets refunded if you cancel the trial
Who it’s for
If you are looking for top-tier talent for your company or project, Toptal is a great choice. The company offers an exclusive network of freelance developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers.
Why it’s great
Toptal is a platform that offers top-notch talent for companies to hire. Known for its thorough screening process, companies such as Microsoft, Airbnb, and Duolingo trust Toptal with their hiring needs. Using Toptal’s personalized hiring approach, you can specify the type of freelancer you need and let experts match you with the right candidate, with whom we were immediately impressed. It helped us connect with a spot-on designer within 2 days, who started working with us after an e-meetup and briefing.
The pricing for hiring through Toptal is on the higher side, with the best freelancers costing $80–$170+ per hour. However, this cost is worth it for the quality of talent you get.
If you’re still unsure whether Toptal is a good match for you, you can use a 14-day trial period with every new freelancer, allowing you to test their services before committing. It’s a completely safe way of testing Toptal without committing.
Flaws but not deal-breakers
The initial deposit of $500 may scare some, especially those with smaller budgets. However, this deposit is fully refunded if the free trial is canceled. Therefore, there is no risk involved in giving this service a try. It is worth mentioning that freelancers on Toptal are typically more expensive than those on other freelancing platforms, such as Fiverr. Toptal freelancers’ higher prices are often worth the better work they do.
Fiverr: Budget Option
Who it’s for: Fiverr is a great platform for individuals or small businesses looking to hire freelancers for any task. With thousands of freelancers in over 200 categories, Fiverr offers a wide range of freelance services at affordable prices.
Why it’s great: Fiverr is a well-known freelance platform that offers a wide range of services at affordable prices. One of the platform’s standout features is its user-friendly rating system, which makes it easy to find high-quality freelancers. Fiverr also has a service called Fiverr Pro that lets you find the best freelancers in a certain field. These freelancers are vetted, so you can be sure they have the necessary educational background, work experience, and portfolio strength to provide high-quality work. We also like Fiverr’s 24-hour cancellation policy, which lets you cancel a project if you are not satisfied with the work and not be charged. This provides peace of mind and allows you to try different freelancers without worrying about being stuck with poor-quality work. When you can settle a dispute with the freelancer, Fiverr’s team solves the problem. We found that they usually side with the client instead of the freelancer.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: One potential drawback of Fiverr is that not all freelancers on the platform are of the same high quality as those offered on Fiverr Pro or other freelancing platforms. But the platform’s rating system, based on star ratings and customer reviews, helps you find the best freelancers. Although Fiverr seems to be a cheap option at first glance, the work you get at a lower cost is not comparable to that of Toptal freelancers. And if you want the same quality, you will pay Fiverr freelancers similarly to Toptal.
- Freelancer niches: Graphic design/logo design, website design, writing, voiceover recordings, and social media are among the most popular, but you can find anything.
- Cost: $5/project and up
- Required budget: No required budget, you pay by the job.
99designs: Best for graphic design
Who it’s for: 99designs is a platform for businesses and individuals looking to hire designers for a wide range of design projects, including logos, websites, and clothing. 99designs offers a wide range of design services at affordable prices. It focuses on being reliable and keeping prices low.
Why it’s great: One of the 99designs’ standout features is its contest feature, which allows you to choose from multiple design options for your project. This helps you find the perfect match for your project since you have more options. Utilizing the contest feature, you can also see multiple designers’ skills and creativity, letting you know what kind of work 99designs can produce.
Aside from being simple and easy to use, 99designs also has a platform that is easy for people who aren’t design experts to use. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to launch contests and communicate with designers. So, 99designs is easier for businesses and individuals to use, even if they don’t know much about design. A knowledgeable and helpful customer support team at 99designs is available to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. They provide prompt and efficient assistance and solutions to any problems. From the time you start a contest to the time you get your final design, 99designs makes sure everything goes smoothly and well.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: One potential drawback of 99designs is that it may not be the cheapest option available. However, the platform offers competitive prices and guarantees the quality of its designers, so clients can be assured they are getting good value for their money.
Freelancer niches: Design projects, including logos, websites, and clothing.
Cost: Prices vary depending on the project and designer. $79–$1,200+ per project.
Required budget: No required budget, you pay for the project upfront.
UpStack: Best for developers
Who it’s for: Upstack is a platform for businesses and individuals looking to hire top-tier developers for their web development projects. With a focus on quality and expertise, Upstack only accepts the top 1% of applicants, ensuring that every developer on the platform has the necessary education, experience, and portfolio to provide high-quality work.
Why it’s great: Founded in 2015, Upstack is an award-winning platform for companies and individuals looking to hire web developers. Only the top 1% of applicants are accepted to ensure that each developer has the required education, experience, and portfolio. Before you commit to a long-term relationship with a selected developer, Upstack offers a 14-day risk-free trial period where you can work with the developer and find out if they are the right fit. This way, you do not have to worry about getting stuck with low-quality work and can experiment with different developers. Throughout the project, Upstack’s account management team will help you communicate with developers and resolve any issues that may arise. Moreover, Upstack uses artificial intelligence to match you with the best developers for your specific needs, resulting in a fast and efficient hiring process. You no longer have to sift through countless resumes and portfolios, saving you time and effort.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: One potential drawback of Upstack is that its focus on quality means that the platform has a smaller pool of developers compared to other platforms. This may limit your options if you have a tight deadline or need a specific skill set. Additionally, Upstack’s services may be more expensive than other platforms due to the high caliber of its developers.
Freelancer niches: Web and software development.
Cost: Prices vary depending on the project and developer, but Upstack offers affordable developer rates for businesses that value quality talent.
Required budget: $399 non-refundable deposit fee.
Other good websites to hire freelancers
Upwork
While Upwork provides a convenient platform for companies to connect with freelancers, it also has some drawbacks. It is not uncommon for the platform to host non-professional freelancers who may not deliver high-quality work, as well as untrustworthy individuals who may not complete projects on time. In addition, Upwork’s share of freelancers’ revenue may create a competitive environment where workers are willing to accept low pay. Others inflate their rates to project a professional image. In addition, companies may need to research to ensure that freelancers comply with local laws and regulations governing freelance work.
DesignCrowd
Although DesignCrowd can be a cost-effective option for companies with infrequent design needs, there are some drawbacks to using the platform. Because DesignCrowd attracts a variety of designers, including those who may not be as experienced or professional, the quality of submitted designs can be lower than other platforms, such as 99designs or Toptal. In addition, the lack of designer reviews and information about job success rates can make it difficult to judge the quality of a designer before hiring them.
Overall, while DesignCrowd can be a cost-effective option for businesses that rarely need design, it may not be the best option for those seeking high-quality designs and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.
Guru
Guru is a freelancing platform that connects you with a pool of qualified and experienced freelancers. Guru’s fees are higher than other platforms, but the quality of freelancers can be worth it for companies that need exceptional talent for their projects.
One of Guru’s standout features is the ease of navigating profiles, where rates and reviews are displayed. A useful feature is an ability to quickly request quotes from individual freelancers.
Guru works similarly to other freelance platforms in terms of functionality, but the Work Room feature is a unique and useful addition. Companies can use it to add multiple freelancers to a project and manage everything in one place.
However, there are some drawbacks to using Guru. Higher fees can be prohibitive for small businesses on a tight budget, and the quality of freelancers does not always justify the cost.
While Guru offers access to experienced and qualified freelancers, its higher fees and potential compliance issues make it a less attractive option compared to platforms like 99designs and Fiverr.
Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is a well-known freelancer platform with a user-friendly interface and a large pool of freelancers. It offers similar services to other platforms, such as the ability to create a project or search for freelancers. An important feature is an ability to use existing projects as templates for new projects.
On the other hand, Freelancer.com charges for additional features, making it less cost-effective than platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. In addition, some Freelancer.com freelancers may not comply with local laws and regulations, which can be problematic for businesses. Freelancer.com does have a user-friendly platform and a large pool of freelancers. Still, the fees for additional features and potential legal compliance issues make it a less attractive option compared to platforms like Toptal and Fiverr.
Dribble
Dribbble is a great platform for companies looking to hire creative freelancers. The site has a database of more than a million creatives from around the world and is used by well-known companies like Starbucks, Facebook, and Amazon.
On Dribbble, there are two main ways to place orders. The first is to pay for access to the job board, which allows you to post job ads and projects. The second option is to pay for full access to the database of creative professionals, which allows you to search and filter the database and tag designers. Companies can also pay for access to both features.
One of the benefits of Dribbble is the high number of views on job postings, with an average of 1,500 clicks per month. As a result, your job postings will likely attract a lot of interest from potential freelancers.
Codeable
Codeable is a cutting-edge platform that matches businesses with highly skilled WordPress developers for specific programming needs. The freelancers on the platform have all been carefully vetted for quality and expertise, so you can be sure you are hiring someone truly competent.
If you want to hire a WordPress expert, Codeable makes it easy. Post your project on the website, and you’ll receive quotes from experts who can meet your project’s requirements within 24 hours. You can then use Codeable’s shared workspace to communicate with potential candidates and discuss project details, ensuring efficient and timely communication.
One of Codeable’s unique features is that an algorithm creates a single price for your project based on the bids of all interested programmers. This eliminates the need for a bidding war, which could jeopardize quality. Besides, the platform’s secure payment system ensures that your funds are always safe.
Codeable charges a 17.5% service fee, and hourly rates vary depending on the project. Besides, the platform offers a 28-day bug fix guarantee and a reasonable refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a freelance website?
A freelance website is a platform where freelancers offer their services to potential clients. These websites often offer a wide range of services, from writing and editing to graphic design and web development. Freelance websites allow clients to find and hire freelancers for their projects, and they often have features that facilitate communication and payment between the two parties.
How to choose the best freelance website for you?
The best platform for freelancers should be chosen based on a number of factors. Firstly, you should determine what services you offer and what clients you are interested in working with. This will help you narrow your options to websites that align with your needs.
Additionally, you should consider the quality and reputation of the website. Often, you can find information about a website by reading reviews and testimonials from freelancers who have used it. Look for platforms with a proven track record of completing projects and satisfying clients.
There are also fees and commissions the website charges. Some platforms charge a flat fee, while others take a percentage of your earnings. You must read the website’s terms and conditions carefully before signing up to be fully aware of the costs associated with using it.
The final step is evaluating the website’s user experience, tools, and resources. Check out a platform that offers features to manage projects, communicate with clients, and facilitate payments.
Sources
- 7 Best Freelance Websites to Hire Great Freelancers in 2022. WebsitePlanet. Published 2022. Accessed December 13, 2022.
- Athow D, Jennings M. Best freelance websites of 2022. TechRadar. Published February 19, 2022. Accessed December 13, 2022.