Freelancers are the fastest-growing segment of the European labor market, driving the growth of independent work. The overall number of freelancers has been growing steadily over the last decade except for in Germany where the number of freelancers has remained constant at 1.3 million since 2009.
The rise in demand for freelance work has led to the rise of online platforms offering remote and project-based opportunities. As a freelancer, your needs vary significantly from those of the usual office-going employee, and so we decided to put together this complete freelancing marketplace list.
On the other side of the marketplace sits a massive customer base of many individuals or businesses looking for high quality work at lower costs. These companies benefit from the lower costs as compared to hiring agencies or larger companies. They also benefit from the many individuals who come from various backgrounds.
When browsing through the internet looking for freelance websites, there are several things you should consider. Some platforms have more users, so there's plenty of opportunities and gigs if you're looking to hire, while other platforms might deal with more specific fields and industries. And, of course, the pricing will vary across different platforms. While some industries and roles may look similar, the services on freelance platforms are vastly different, not just in terms of available employment, but also in terms of a membership structure. It’s important to be aware of pricing that might include any costs and finder's fees associated with working with a third-party supplier of this type. Availability and work quality may also change based on the freelance platform you use.
Each of these platforms has different USPs, and it is vital to research which is right for you. This article will introduce you to many popular freelance platforms and help you understand their areas of expertise, business model, payment processes, benefits, and drawbacks.
⚡ What we recommend: This comprehensive list covers the most-used marketplaces in 2025, but freelancers need more than just a marketplace.
Freelance marketplaces are online platforms for companies to meet and engage with freelancers who are looking to offer their services. Companies throughout the world use freelance marketplaces to recruit temporary workers for jobs and projects that don't need long-term commitment.
Freelancers can build a profile, present their work portfolio, connect with employers and find clients through freelancing platforms. Companies can search for a freelancer using a freelancer directory or by posting a job. This lets companies find freelancers based on experience, skills, and other relevant criteria.
Freelance marketplaces usually make money by collecting a percentage of the freelancer's earnings. These platforms provide both parties a hassle-free and seamless business experience for the commission they charge.
As a result, companies can outsource a variety of tasks to freelancers and focus on other core activities.
Xolo understands freelancing inside and out, with a mission spanning over a decade to make freelancing a more attractive and viable option than traditional employment.
As a neomarketplace, Xolo focuses on bringing clients to you, rather than requiring freelancers to chase opportunities. It fosters a community built around quality talent, fair wages, and strong client relationships. This approach benefits both new and experienced freelancers, creating an environment where talent thrives and long-term professional partnerships are formed.
Xolo goes beyond just helping freelancers network and find projects. The platform offers comprehensive service packages, including invoicing, company incorporation, administrative solutions, tax reporting, and team management. With these features, Xolo supports freelancers in managing every aspect of their business efficiently.
Fiverr is a popular freelancing platform with a wide variety of freelancing projects in fields such as graphics & design, marketing, tech & programming, and video animation, to name a few.
Fiverr in 2025 combines security, transparency, and productivity to support freelancers and clients alike. The platform ensures privacy and security by keeping all communication and payments within its secure system, protecting users’ personal and financial information.
With transparent profiles and ratings, clients can easily evaluate freelancers based on their reviews and work history, while freelancers can showcase their skills and attract high-quality clients.
To enhance efficiency, Fiverr offers productivity tools like time tracking, invoicing, and analytics, eliminating the need for external apps and streamlining project management.
New in 2025, AI-powered tools like automated proposal templates and personalized client outreach make it easier for freelancers to bid strategically and win projects.
By combining privacy, transparency, and cutting-edge tools, Fiverr remains a top platform for freelancers aiming to thrive in today’s competitive market.
However, many freelancers continue to express concerns about Fiverr’s high commission rate. The platform charges freelancers 20% of their total earnings per project, meaning $20 is deducted for every $100 earned. This steep commission often drives freelancers to explore alternative platforms with lower fees.
Adding to this challenge is the intense competition on Fiverr. With millions of freelancers on the platform, newcomers often struggle to secure their first projects. Many feel pressured to undercut their rates initially to attract clients, which can devalue their skills and services in the long run.
These factors make Fiverr less appealing to some freelancers, especially those who are just starting or seeking better returns for their work.
Freelancer remains a popular platform for small and medium-sized businesses seeking access to global talent. With over 60 million registered freelancers, it boasts one of the largest talent pools worldwide. Freelancers can bid on projects, and clients choose the best candidate for their needs.
On Freelancer, you can communicate with clients directly through live chat and business-to-business messaging, making it easy to stay in touch and manage projects. The time tracker allows you to log the hours spent on each client’s project, eliminating the need for third-party apps and keeping your workflow streamlined.
The platform offers an incredible variety of job opportunities, catering to diverse skill sets such as app development, logistics, design, data entry, AI solutions, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, there’s something for everyone.
Freelancer’s Milestone Payments system provides security for both clients and freelancers, ensuring that payments are only released once the work is completed and approved. This gives both parties equal control over the process.
Many freelancers continue to express concerns about higher fees compared to other platforms. Freelancer charges a fee on each project completed on an hourly-rate basis, and for fixed-price projects, the fee is 10% of the payment or $5.00, whichever is greater. While you can start with a free account, unlocking features like priority bidding or reduced transaction fees requires a paid membership, adding to the costs.
The platform is also highly competitive, with millions of freelancers bidding on projects. This makes it particularly challenging for new users to land their first job without underpricing their services or investing in premium features to increase visibility.
While Freelancer offers valuable tools and opportunities, these challenges mean it may take time and strategic effort to establish a foothold and succeed on the platform.
Upwork remains one of the premier freelance marketplace platforms in 2025, connecting freelancers with both short- and long-term clients. The platform offers a wide array of opportunities across industries, including software development, creative design, sales, marketing, AI solutions, and more.
Often considered a “luxury” platform, Upwork attracts clients who typically pay higher-than-average rates for quality freelance services. However, this comes with an expectation of exceptionally high work quality and attention to detail, making it an ideal platform for skilled professionals who can deliver top-tier results.
Upwork continues to be a platform of choice for freelancers looking to secure higher-paying projects and build strong, long-term client relationships.
Upwork’s advanced communication tools continue to set it apart in 2025, fostering seamless collaboration between clients and freelancers. The platform supports both video and text messaging, allowing for professional, real-time communication. Freelancers can create dedicated message rooms for each client, where they can share files, add team members, and track conversations, keeping projects organized and efficient.
To further streamline project management, Upwork provides a personal notepad within each message room, allowing freelancers to brainstorm, take notes, and stay better organized. The integration of Zoom video calls directly within the platform enables smooth, face-to-face discussions with clients without the need for third-party apps.
For payments, Upwork allows freelancers to link their bank accounts, ensuring project earnings are transferred directly. This eliminates the need for additional payment platforms, simplifying the process for both freelancers and clients.
Despite its many strengths, Upwork is not without its challenges. Competition on the platform remains intense, with a high volume of freelancers bidding for projects. This makes it difficult, especially for newcomers, to stand out and secure jobs. As a result, many freelancers experience delays in hearing back from clients—or, in some cases, don’t receive responses at all.
These challenges require freelancers to craft highly competitive profiles, submit tailored proposals, and maintain persistence to succeed on the platform.
Want to succeed on Upwork? Go the extra mile to stand out. Providing your clients with exceptional customer service not only helps you secure projects but also builds lasting relationships, ensuring repeat business and positive reviews.
Rather than viewing the competition as a hurdle, see it as an opportunity to grow as a freelancer. By continuously improving your skills, submitting tailored proposals, and maintaining professionalism, you can thrive on Upwork. The platform also offers access to a supportive and enthusiastic community of freelancers, where you can network, share insights, and grow your expertise.
PeoplePerHour PeoplePerHour remains a trusted platform, connecting over 1 million businesses worldwide with an international community of freelancers. Similar to platforms like Upwork, PeoplePerHour offers freelance opportunities across diverse categories, including writing and translation, digital marketing, design, programming, branding, sales, and more.
Unlike PeoplePerHour alternatives, the platform allows freelancers to work on-site. This means that clients can hire browse freelancers based on location and request them to come on-site for projects.
However, many freelancers continue to express dissatisfaction with PeoplePerHour’s fees, stating that the platform’s costs often outweigh the value of its services. Additionally, clients face steep fees and hidden charges, including:
Another significant drawback is the absence of a time tracking tool in PeoplePerHour’s interface. This poses challenges for freelancers who work on hourly-rate projects, as they must rely on external apps to log their work hours. Implementing an integrated time tracker would greatly enhance the platform’s functionality and improve the user experience for freelancers and clients alike.
Toptal connects companies with the top 3% of world-class freelancers, including developers, designers, financial experts, and product managers. Freelancers must pass a rigorous screening process to join the platform, ensuring only the most skilled professionals are accepted. While the application process is challenging, the platform offers highly lucrative projects and opportunities to work with leading global companies, making the effort worthwhile.
Many freelancers choose Toptal for its reliable and vetted clients, allowing users to collaborate with thousands of leading organizations worldwide. Since every client is thoroughly screened, freelancers can trust they are working with legitimate and professional companies.
Concerned about delayed or unpaid work? Toptal eliminates this risk by ensuring freelancers are paid every two weeks, providing consistent and dependable earnings.
Toptal also goes beyond traditional freelancing by leveraging its network for social good. Through the TopVolunteer program, freelancers can connect with global NGOs and charities in need of expertise, offering opportunities to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact.
Moreover, Toptal invests in the growth of its freelancers by reimbursing certifications like Google Cloud and AWS, demonstrating the platform’s commitment to their success. Additionally, Toptal provides an active Slack community where freelancers can collaborate, seek advice, and solve technical challenges together.
One of the most frequent complaints freelancers have about Toptal is its lack of transparency regarding fees. Toptal charges clients more than the amount freelancers earn, but the exact markup is not disclosed. This lack of clarity can be frustrating for freelancers who want to understand the full value of their work and the fees involved.
Unlike other platforms where freelancers can view hourly or per-project rates of professionals with similar expertise, Toptal does not provide this visibility. This can lead to freelancers overestimating or underestimating their rates, potentially pricing themselves out of opportunities with desired clients or settling for lower pay than their work deserves.
Guru, a platform with a global community of over 2 million freelancers, provides job opportunities across a wide range of industries. These include programming and development, writing and translation, legal services, sales, marketing, and more. Guru’s diverse categories make it a versatile platform for freelancers with various skill sets and expertise.
Many clients like using Guru because it constantly reviews freelancers by publishing their feedback scores. From a freelancer point of view, Guru’s intuitive and user-friendly layout ensures that you can start applying for work without spending time learning how to use the platform.
Despite its advantages, Guru faces several challenges. Scammers posing as freelancers on the platform have been a growing concern. To establish your credibility, ensure your profile is complete with a detailed portfolio, client reviews, and as much relevant information as possible.
Another issue reported by users is that not all clients are verified, raising concerns about legitimacy and payment security. Additionally, high competition among freelancers can make it challenging, especially for newcomers, to land their first projects.
Finally, customer support at Guru has room for improvement. Many users report delays in responses to issues such as login problems and technical glitches, which can be frustrating for freelancers relying on prompt assistance.
While Guru offers a robust platform with a diverse range of opportunities, addressing these drawbacks could make it more reliable and appealing for freelancers.
While not a traditional freelance marketplace, We Work Remotely stands out as a leading job board for remote work opportunities, including freelance roles. The platform hosts over 25,000 active job listings, with 1,000+ new positions added monthly from nearly every country around the globe. It is an excellent resource for finding remote freelance opportunities across a wide range of industries, making it a valuable addition to any freelancer’s toolkit.
We Work Remotely is a fantastic resource for finding freelance or part-time opportunities with top companies worldwide. The platform provides a remote-work resources page featuring books, apps, and tools to make remote freelancing more efficient. Recognizing the challenges of remote work, such as loneliness and isolation, We Work Remotely offers support through a blog, podcast, and an active Slack community, connecting remote workers globally.
Additionally, the platform hosts online events, including remote job fairs, meetups, and AMAs with successful remote professionals, providing valuable networking and learning opportunities.
Despite its strengths, We Work Remotely has a few limitations:
Clickworker is a data-processing platform where users, referred to as Clickworkers, perform various microtasks and earn money. These tasks include writing, translating, researching, data processing, and other simple, skill-independent assignments. The platform is designed to allow users to earn income flexibly, making it an appealing option for those seeking supplementary work.
Why is Clickworker a great platform for you to find freelance work?
Clickworker provides an opportunity to earn money on the side without requiring specific skills or qualifications. All you need is to register and have access to the internet. This makes it an excellent entry point for those new to freelancing or looking for easy, task-based work.
The platform employs AI-driven quality assurance tools to ensure that tasks are legitimate and meet specific standards, giving users confidence in the tasks they accept. Clickworker is particularly useful for individuals seeking flexible, on-demand work that fits into their schedule.
Despite its convenience, Clickworker has several drawbacks frequently mentioned in reviews:
Delayed Payments:
Many users report long delays in receiving payments, creating uncertainty and frustration for those relying on the platform for consistent income.
Task Rejection Without Compensation:
Some Clickworkers claim their submissions were rejected after completing the required work, resulting in no payment for their efforts.
Low-Paying Tasks:
Over time, users have noted a decline in the quality and quantity of tasks, often leaving freelancers with lower-paying opportunities.
Account Suspensions:
Several users report their accounts being suspended or deactivated without prior notice, leaving them unable to access earnings or clarify issues. Customer support has been criticized for being unresponsive or unhelpful, especially for resolving account-related concerns.
goLance connects entrepreneurs and businesses with a diverse range of freelancers, including developers, designers, SEO experts, email marketers, lead generators, writers, editors, proofreaders, and data scientists. With over 600,000 freelancers providing their services, the platform has become a reliable marketplace for connecting talent with opportunities.
Many freelancers are particularly fond of the dynamic work tools that goLance provides them. For example, you can track where and how much time you spend using the goMeter Time Tracker. It helps boost your productivity and lets you give clients an estimated time for completing their projects.
Another feature of goLance is its work diary. This feature gives you an overview of all your gigs for the month and lets you update, make notes, and comment on the diary.
Another advantage of using goLance is its transparent billing policy. Freelancers send an invoice to their clients on completion of the project. The clients have five days to review the final product before making the payment. The platform has a security period that ensures clients are billed and payments are processed. It also has measures to let you reach out to clients for payments in cases where you don’t receive your payment.
Additionally, goLance also has an advance payment option that ensures that you receive an advance before completing your project.
goLance is cheaper than other freelance platforms. It charges a flat commission of 7.5% per project and does not charge users a membership fee.
ZipRecruiter is one of the world’s largest job boards, allowing you to find individuals and businesses who are in need of your freelance assistance. The ZipRecruiter platform has clients from across a broad range of industries and allows you to filter work according to niche and location.
ZipRecruiter is a freelance friendly platform, with multiple AI driven functions that help you streamline your job-seeking process. ZipRecruiter’s AI-powered tool, Phil uses your education, experience, interest and career goals to find you the most suitable jobs to apply to. The platform caters to freelancers across industries - from coders to warehouse workers. Finally, the platform is free for freelancers.
Many freelancers complain about ZipRecruiter not taking any action to prevent fraudulent customers. The company does not involve itself in any way after a connection has been made between the job-seeker and the client. This could put both parties at risk of fraudulent or unsafe activity. Besides that though, there haven't been any other commonly reported drawbacks of using Ziprecruiter, and so it's definitely worth a shot.
WorkMarket is a freelance marketplace that connects freelancers with businesses in the healthcare, media and publishing, information technology, and marketing and advertising industries.
WorkMarket continues to support freelancers' professional growth through its certification programs, helping them enhance their skills and stand out in the competitive freelance market.
The earnings on WorkMarket depend on location and the type of project freelancers take on. Payments are processed conveniently through PayPal, and the platform charges a modest 2.5% service fee on freelancer income. For those using WorkMarket’s ADP payment service, the tool remains an efficient and user-friendly option for managing and tracking payments.
To join the platform, WorkMarket evaluates freelancers based on scorecard ratings, certifications, test scores, insurance, background checks, and even drug tests. Applicants must pay $25 for a background check and $35 for a drug test, making it a platform that prioritizes thorough vetting and professionalism.
WorkMarket also provides decent customer support. Users can submit queries through the help page, and the support team responds promptly via email, ensuring freelancers receive the assistance they need.
Jobs.com is a platform that matches employers with job seekers who have the relevant skills and expertise.
Freelancers need to register as members and provide their general information, resume, and location to apply for jobs. The platform is free for job seekers. Members can apply to various positions, including a mailman, data entry operator, or customer service executive.
Jobs.com claims to use “smart technology” and artificial intelligence to connect job seekers with recruiters. However, the platform falls short in filtering expired job listings, which often leads to wasted time and frustration for users.
According to most reviews, Jobs.com remains outdated and fails to offer unique or competitive services for freelancers. The platform does not guarantee that it will match freelancers with jobs that meet their financial or professional expectations, leaving many users dissatisfied.
Moreover, Jobs.com’s reliability and security are major concerns. The platform does not vet clients or verify the accuracy of job listings, creating a risky environment for freelancers. Additionally, it allows third-party advertisers to post job ads, making it difficult for freelancers to distinguish between fraudulent and legitimate opportunities.
For freelancers looking for secure and reliable platforms, Jobs.com falls short of meeting modern expectations and professional standards in 2025.
Freelance.com is an online marketplace that connects freelancers with highly specialized SMEs and start-ups. It operates in the UK, France, Germany, Morocco, Switzerland, and Singapore. The platform currently has more than 15,000 freelancers working on marketing, communication, IT, event management, and consulting-related projects. Freelance.com has also served global brands such as Columbia, Loreal, and Mazda.
Freelance.com review: Benefits of using Freelance.com for freelancers
The platform can help you with scheduling, deadline management, exchange of information and documents, and time tracking. It also lets you invite people from your network and create a multidisciplinary team to take on larger projects.
Freelancers can post their expected salaries, on a per-day basis, on their profiles. Information about standard salaries is transparent, ensuring that freelancers get fair pay. The platform also offers secure and easy payment services through MANGOPAY. In addition, the platform handles invoice management and other billing logistics tasks.
However, to work on Freelance.com, you have to pitch yourself to each client. The client will contact you if they are interested in hiring you. Therefore, it may not be the best freelance marketplace for freelancers just starting their careers.
TaskRabbit connects clients with freelancers, known as Taskers, who offer a variety of on-site services, such as home repairs, errands, furniture assembly, cleaning, delivery, carpentry, and handyman jobs. The platform continues to be a trusted choice for practical, location-based tasks.
TaskRabbit now operates in over 70 cities across the U.S. and has expanded internationally to select cities in Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the U.K. More than 50,000 active Taskers currently use the platform, offering clients access to reliable and skilled professionals.
TaskRabbit continues to help freelancers connect with clients efficiently, eliminating the need for extensive self-promotion. Freelancers provide their hourly rates, availability, and previous ratings, and the platform matches them with client requests based on these details. A new job order is automatically created when a freelancer’s profile aligns with a client’s requirements.
The platform features a robust rating system, which fosters trust between buyers and sellers. TaskRabbit also conducts background checks on freelancers and thoroughly screens contractors to ensure a secure environment. Once a client hires a freelancer, they can communicate via text messages or calls directly on the platform. However, freelancers cannot initiate contact with clients before being hired.
TaskRabbit generates revenue by charging freelancers a 15% service fee on the total payment received from clients. Additionally, freelancers are required to pay a non-refundable $25 registration fee when they apply to become taskers on the platform.
Wonolo is an online freelance marketplace that connects job seekers with businesses looking for merchandising, manufacturing, warehousing operations, event management, and many more services. The name Wonolo is the short form for Work Now Locally. The platform is trusted by 1,000,000 freelancers and leading global brands such as Coca-Cola, Aramark, and ScriptDrop.
To work as a freelancer at Wonolo, you have to sign in to the platform and clear an onboarding process, which includes identity and background checks. After your profile is approved, you can start applying for the jobs based on the preferences listed on your profile. The sign-up process is free, and freelancers do not have to pay to apply for jobs.
Wonolo review: Benefits of Wonolo freelance marketplace
The platform has a strong focus on the well-being of its freelancers. They receive special discounts and health insurance from the platform. It also provides them Occupational Accidental Insurance to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, the freelance platform partners with third parties to offer telemedicine, investment, and saving tools to its freelancers.
Wonolo gives some freelancers exclusive features, including time-tracking tools and allowing them priority access to job postings an hour before others.
The platform’s average estimated salary is $59 per hour. Unlike many other freelance platforms, it does not charge any commission from its freelancers.
However, it operates in only selective U.S. states, and the job listings on the platform are not guaranteed. Many freelancers on the platform have left negative reviews saying that payments aren’t processed on time and customer support is time-consuming.
SolidGigs sets itself apart by alerting freelancers of the best 1% of jobs available daily; its team goes through dozens of job boards to bring the best opportunities to freelancers who are registered on its platform.
SolidGigs provides excellent support to its freelance community by offering training on pitching, sales, and pricing. For example, the platform offers a vast library of videos and training courses from people who have succeeded as freelancers on the platform.
In addition to providing support, SolidGigs' main attraction is its weekly gig list. By screening job opportunities to ensure that freelancers get quality offers matching their skillset, the gig list is designed to save time spent scrolling through job sites. SolidGigs checks close to 100 different job sites, chooses the top jobs and sends a compiled list of them straight to their users’ inboxes.
Another attraction of SolidGigs is its reasonable price. Unlike other freelancing platforms that charge fees for unlocking better features, SolidGigs charges a standard monthly fee from all users.
SolidGigs pricing |
||
Plans |
Yearly |
Monthly |
Pricing |
$31 per month |
$49 per month |
SolidGigs is a highly competitive platform. Therefore, it is probably best to avoid it if you are just starting your freelance journey.
Further, a significant issue freelancers face with SolidGigs is poor customer service. Users complain that the platform does not reply to emails on time. In addition, the platform does not have a FAQ page either.
Malt is a European freelance marketplace operating in France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The platform connects businesses with freelancers and assists companies in managing administrative, legal, and payment processes securely and efficiently.
As of January 2025, Malt has connected with over 70,000 clients and hosts a community of more than 550,000 freelancers. To register as a freelancer on Malt, professionals must undergo a verification process by submitting specific legal documents. This process ensures compliance and protects both freelancers and clients. Malt's payment partner, MANGOPAY, is responsible for verifying these documents. Until a freelancer's legal status is confirmed, payments are held in an escrow account and are not released to the freelancer. This verification process underscores Malt's commitment to providing a secure and trustworthy platform for all users.
Clients have to use Malt’s search engine that has filters for specific requirements such as only choosing profiles with a portfolio, minimum years of experience, and fees.
Malt also differs from other freelance marketplace competitors by asking its freelancers to display their charges per day instead of a lump sum charge or an hourly wage. If clients choose you, you need to submit a quote directly on Malt’s website.
Freelancers' reviews are visible to the public, helping clients gauge their quality. The best freelancers are rewarded with the SuperMalter badge. Similarly, top clients get MaltPlus status that differentiates them from other recruiters on the website. This transparency assures professionals that the client has completed over ten assignments with Malt freelancers.
Malt is a good choice for European freelancers who are looking to work with local clients or clients from within Europe. It has a clean interface and is available in each country’s regional language. Malt's secure payment options and robust legal framework make it attractive to freelancers.
HireMyMom is an online marketplace for work-from-home jobs primarily for remote working women. Established in 2007, HireMyMom has connected thousands of small businesses with remote work-from-home women worldwide.
How to make the most out of HireMyMom as a freelancer
HireMyMom takes a one-time charge from job seekers to connect them with prospective employers. The biggest advantage of using HireMyMom is that fewer candidates are applying for the jobs. This reduced competition directly translates to your application being given more time and consideration by the potential employer.
You can use this to their advantage by making your job application as detailed as possible, boosting your chances of securing a job. You can highlight your strengths and prove why you are a good match for a company.
Furthermore, HireMyMom primarily caters to remote jobs, making it easier for individuals who don’t want to go through the lengthy process of weeding out jobs requiring people to commute to a physical location. The site also reviews every job posting to make sure that the job posting is legitimate, reducing the likelihood of freelancers being cheated or denied payment.
HireMyMom primarily caters to remote workers in the North American region; most clients are from there and expect candidates to be familiar with the American business environment. As a freelancer, you can increase your chances of landing an offer by including work experiences gathered with previous North American clients and mentioning how you can work across timezones. HireMyMom is centered around providing remote jobs for women; men can use this platform, but it is harder to succeed as most clients look for remote working women.
Business Talent Group is a marketplace for companies to connect with independent consultants, including management consultants, subject matter experts, and executives. BTG combines its startup culture with leadership from industry experts, making it an excellent place for those in the early stages of their careers. Individuals who commence work through the firm are thoroughly vetted by its Full Circle Assessment, with regular check-ins and feedback even after the project has begun.
With a well-rounded training and mentorship program, you will be working under the guidance of specialists and well-known figures from the consulting world. In addition to the exposure you’ll get, BTG also offers convenience by taking care of contracts, collections, and other administrative tasks. The company boasts of strong relationships with big companies across the globe, so you can expect to find a consistent stream of projects.
BTG’s process of placing you with projects is less streamlined than that of a traditional consulting firm. More exposure to team leaders and seniors in a typical workplace scenario gives management a better idea of what projects suit you best. With BTG’s flexible mode of work, the responsibility of communicating your areas of interest and expertise lies with you. Project timelines can also be short, with freelancers expected to complete a task soon after it is assigned.
Moreover, the onboarding to kick-off timeline can be lengthy and process-oriented compared to other freelance platforms.
Twago positions itself as one of Europe's largest platforms for freelance work, connecting clients with over 500,000 professionals and hosting more than 175,000 projects on its website. The platform facilitates connections between clients and experts in various fields, including engineering, app development, writing, and online marketing.
Clients can post projects for free by providing detailed descriptions, including expectations, budget, timeline, and other pertinent information. Freelancers can then engage by asking questions or submitting feedback related to the project. Subsequently, professionals submit proposals or quotes, which clients review and compare to make informed hiring decisions.
This process ensures a transparent and efficient marketplace for both clients and freelancers, fostering successful collaborations across various industries.
Twago offers an innovative payment system called safePay, designed to ensure secure and efficient transactions between clients and freelancers. When a client hires a freelancer, the agreed-upon payment is deposited into a secure escrow account managed by Twago. This amount remains in the escrow until the project is completed to the client's satisfaction. Once the client confirms the successful completion of the project, the funds are released to the freelancer.
Regarding service fees, Twago charges freelancers a commission that varies based on their membership level. For freelancers with a free basic account, the service fee is typically around 10% of the project budget. However, by subscribing to higher-tier memberships, freelancers can reduce this fee. For instance, the "Gold" package offers unlimited credits and a reduced service fee of 7%, priced at €99 per month.
If there is a dispute regarding completing a task, the amount remains with Twago. However, some users complain that money can get stuck in escrow for an extended time, and the customer service team takes a long time to solve disputes.
Designed solely for Singaporeans, FreelanceZone is a job search portal that allows job seekers access to several part-time or freelance work opportunities.
Free registration and extensive job choices make FreelanceZone popular among Singaporeans.
Most job opportunities in FreelanceZone are tailored for Singaporeans who want to work from home. Based on your recent job searches, you can receive recommendations for top job opportunities by email or via the website.
While registration is not mandatory for the platform, unregistered members can only view public job posts. To register as a job seeker on FreelanceZone, you can use the job seeker registration form and fill it in using your email address. Once you register, you can upload your resume and start looking for jobs. FreelanceZone also allows you to build a new resume by filling out the education, experience, and skills sections of your FreelanceZone profile.
While it is free to search and apply for jobs on FreelanceZone, employers can also pay to post job ads on the platform. They have an option to either purchase an individual job ad - where you are limited to one job post or a subscription package where you can save money if you want to post several job ads every month. You can find the various pricing options here.
Speedlancer is a popular freelancing platform that offers multiple services to customers. It focuses on providing digital services such as video editing, web design, Shopify-related website management, app development, and so on.
Speedlancer, as the name suggests, focuses on delivering services to customers quickly - within four hours of accepting the project. The platform is ideal for freelancers who can get work done fast. Customers choose their pricing using a sliding scale, and it is up to the freelancers to decide if they want to accept it. Since Speedlancer is a smaller platform compared to its competitors, there is reduced competition between freelancers. If you are willing to work on a tight schedule and get the financial reward that comes with it, Speedlancer may be the ideal platform for you.
Speedlancer appeals to a very narrow audience. If you value flexibility and not being bound to tight deadlines, you might want to consider other alternatives. Speedlancer also charges a premium for the quick turn-around time, which not all clients can afford. The work would be in high-intensity spells for the freelancer, which could be stressful and result in low-quality output.
YunoJuno is a marketplace that seeks to connect UK-based vetted freelancers with clients. It allows hirers to find a variety of freelancers whose specialties range from client services to design.
YunoJuno allows for direct communication between the contractor and the hirer. There is also no need for the contractor/freelancer to pay any commission, as the hirer must bear this cost.
Each freelancer is vetted before being accepted, and they are paid well: on average they receive $497 per project. The platform has also tried to address one of the main problems with freelance work - that of unpaid invoices - by guaranteeing payment in 14 days irrespective of client payment.
Customer care is friendly, responsive, and ready to provide contractors with the necessary support.
As most of its freelancers are around London, it has tried to build a community with regular ‘drop-ins,’ a committed Slack channel, assistance with contractor profiles, and London-based events.
Online reviews have mentioned the need for a better organizational structure. They also complain that the training being given is not adequate.
Some reviews state that despite the 14-day payment policy, freelancers are not paid on time, and their repeated requests go unnoticed.
Brigad connects businesses in the hospitality and healthcare industries to experienced freelancers. The shifts are flexible, lasting anywhere from one day to an entire month. Currently, Brigad has over 23,000 freelancers across Europe.
Brigad offers its community members gifts such as insurance premiums, discounts on equipment, training, and more upon signing in. It prides itself in being a social enterprise that makes work accessible to all.
Further, Brigad guarantees that freelancers are paid on time; often weekly. Brigad automatically generates your invoice to ensure your payment is made within seven days of completing a project.
Brigad is great for freelancers as it offers extensive support through its community partners, offering hospitality and healthcare training courses and a tax app for freelancers to track their income, expenses, and taxes.
A drawback of Brigad is its limited scope for freelancers as it only focuses on a few industries and is extremely niche. The platform plans to expand to the retail, health, and construction sectors to help attract more freelancers and clients.
Hoofdkraan is a Dutch freelance marketplace. Their website is in Dutch, and their target audience is primarily based in the Netherlands and surrounding areas. If you offer digital services and are comfortable interacting with European and Dutch customers, Hoofdkraan is the perfect place to earn some extra money.
Hoofdkraan is a reliable source of work for freelancers since it offers jobs with absolutely no restrictions on the type of work or a freelancer’s ability. The process is simple - a client uploads an assignment onto the platform, and freelancers can respond by quoting a price. The platform plays no other role in the process.
It is also safe for freelancers and customers alike since the payment is made through escrow; when a customer accepts the freelancer’s quotation, they pay the money to Hoofdkraan, which gives the money to the freelancer when the work is completed. This process makes Hoofdkraan a trusted third party for both the freelancer and the customer.
Hoofdkraan is a client-friendly marketplace instead of being focused on freelancers’ needs. When freelancers quote their price to a customer, they are given a quotation price, customer references, contact information, and a personal message. Customers can rate your work, and the rating is made public. Also, while the service is free for customers, freelancers need to pay a subscription fee to be listed on the platform.
Movemeon seeks to satisfy a niche that other job posting websites are missing out on - highly qualified top professionals with substantial work experience. Founded by two ex-McKinsey consultants, Movemeon offers jobs at corporates, start-ups, consultancies, private equity and venture capital firms, and so on.
Their application process is quite straightforward: you simply submit your freelancer CV on their website. Movemeon’s in-house experts then review it, validate your membership and give you access to all the roles available on their website.
Movemeon’s job search engine is restricted to members being screened during the registration process itself. Recruiters are connected to professionals in their field without any additional screening process. Movemeon’s members come from top universities worldwide and often have over a decade of work experience. The website has already amassed a network of over 60,000 highly-qualified freelancers.
Additionally, employers can post jobs for free and only need to pay when they hire someone. According to Movemeon, this saves companies up to 50% when compared to traditional recruiting methods and 75% more than hiring a consultancy.
While compared to other freelancing websites, Movemeon might offer a smaller pool of jobs and freelancers, but it succeeds in connecting the best professionals with jobs that suit their background and experience.
WeWhoDo is a London-based freelance consultancy firm. In 2022, it pledged to work exclusively with companies that focus on a sustainable future and have a vision aligned with WeWhoDo’s core values. Only companies that pass its sustainability criteria are eligible for its sustainable start-up membership.
WeWhoDo primarily focuses on three verticals - consulting, marketing, and technology. These categories are subdivided into their core competencies.
WeWhoDo claims that its members represent the top 3% of professionals in their respective fields. 80% come from the best strategy and creative agencies around the world. Its goal is to create a better world by using business as a force for good. It assists organizations with carbon offsetting and creating eco-conscious workspaces. They even recycle plastic waste into designer bottles. To achieve this, WeWhoDo links the best talents to firms that want to make a change.
Having a university degree is not necessary to sign up on the website. You need to fill out a form, which takes about 2-3 minutes to complete, and membership currently costs £20 a month.
WeWhoDo is a good option for companies seeking to become more sustainable while hiring some of the best talent in the industry. However, this can also limit the scope of clients and projects available on the website, resulting in fewer opportunities in the long run.
Freelancers in the UK is a freelance recruitment website that was launched in 2005. With almost two decades of experience, this freelance marketplace already has the trust of thousands of self-employed professionals, consultants, and employers.
The site's front page offers easy access to a list of commonly searched categories of jobs. These include administrational, design, editorial, educational, legal, sales, and other opportunities.
Freelancers can register on the website for £30 per year or get a lifetime membership for £60 in a one-time transaction. These memberships allow the applicant to write and receive reviews from clients and publish articles and events.
The banner advertisement membership costs £120 per month and offers prominent placement across the website to get better traction with potential customers. It also allows freelancers to choose their position on the website.
The options on their website are limited, with only approximately 200 members currently listed; this may be the result of better services and features offered by their immediate competitors.
Guidepoint specializes in connecting subject-matter experts to clients that require their expertise. Its advisors offer phone consultations, critical insights into their industry, detailed surveys, data analysis, and legal solutions. It currently has over a million experts on its website, all of whom have been thoroughly vetted to ensure that the best professionals get matched to projects that suit their expertise.
Guidepoint’s current clients include 9 of the top 10 consulting firms globally, 1000+ private equity firms, and several Fortune 500 companies; it works with over 1,500 organizations. Its service areas include accounting, financial services, media, aerospace and defense, insurance, law, energy, etc. Its presence spreads across three continents and over ten countries.
Apart from networking, another significant benefit of using Guidepoint is the myriad of end-to-end communication services.
The limited number of clients vis-a-vis a large number of experts can translate into fewer projects for freelancers, even if the payouts from projects are sizable. This problem is mitigated for those specializing in finance, healthcare, and computer-generated solutions (CGS) since many companies allied with Guidepoint are from these sectors.
It is an excellent option for large firms with large budgets and for experienced freelancers who wish to work on projects that suit their areas of expertise.
Worksome is a Copenhagen-based freelance marketplace specializing in on-site freelance work. It links highly-skilled professionals with small or medium businesses at the ground level, and serves a variety of industries, including IT, design, law, etc. It also provides automation services for freelancer payments, billing, and compliance processes.
Freelancers need to register themselves on the website and create a profile listing their skills and experience. The website's algorithms then connect these professionals to job listings that best match their expertise. Freelancers bid on these openings, effectively starting a direct conversation with the client. While listing and finding a job is free, Worksome charges a 4% service fee once a professional gets hired from its site.
However, it is willing to amend this fee depending on the firm's scale and frequency of hiring. The billing and compliance mechanism is automated with invoices generated on the website, which cuts costs and reduces the hassle for firms and freelancers alike.
Freelancing gives individuals control over their working hours, environment, and earnings. These benefits, along with the pandemic-driven preference for remote jobs, are causing the gig economy to grow fast.
Using a freelancing website is worth your time and effort. Not only do they provide a diverse range of opportunities, but they are also an excellent opportunity to interact with high-quality clientele from all across the world. Best of all, you get to be your own boss, and work on your own time!
Freelance websites can be fantastic resources for both new and experienced freelancers, as well as those looking for solutions for their businesses or personal needs. Furthermore, the best freelance platforms include useful advice and guidance for new freelancers.
However, remote work comes with its own challenges, such as unpaid invoices, lack of employee benefits, and difficulty securing projects. Choosing the right platform that provides good payment terms, customer support, and a wide range of listings can help you grow your freelance career.
To thrive on freelancing platforms, regardless of your degree of expertise, you must be able to market your abilities, establish your pricing appropriately, and sell yourself effectively. Make sure you get outstanding reviews to set yourself apart from the competition.
You should now have a strong grasp of how freelancing works and what the best freelance websites are. You might even be confident of getting a job on one or more of these platforms and expanding your personal brand or business. If you have been considering starting your freelance career, now is the time to take advantage of these opportunities!
Ditch the marketplace, and get the whole package!”
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