Are you a freelancer looking to find more jobs? Maybe you’re someone who is already working with UpWork.com, but you’re thinking of diversifying your options for finding new jobs and projects. Either way, this article is for you.
There are dozens of sites where you can look for freelance work, and some of them aren’t nearly as popular as UpWork.com.
This is why I’ve compiled the best alternatives to UpWork in this article: so that hopefully it will help both new and experienced freelancers like yourself grow their careers in a meaningful way, while also allowing them to stay connected with as many clients as possible!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Explore alternative freelancing platforms |
| Research industry-specific platforms for targeted opportunities |
| Consider factors like reputation, user base, and pricing |
| Understand payment and dispute resolution systems of alternative platforms |
| Utilize multiple platforms for increased project opportunities |
Freelancer
Freelancer is a freelance marketplace that connects businesses with freelancers. The site boasts over two million registered users and has more than 50,000 projects posted at any given time.
The freelancer was founded in 2009 by Matt Barrie, an Australian entrepreneur who wanted to create an easy way for businesses to find quality freelancers for their projects.
It’s based out of Singapore, but you don’t need to be in the country if you want your work featured on this platform it’s open to anyone willing to put in the time and effort it takes to get there.
What makes Freelancer so great? For one thing, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding talent.
There are no limits on what kind of freelancer you’re looking for (or how much money they should make), so whether your needs are simple or complex (and no matter what industry you’re working in), chances are good someone will have already posted about it somewhere on this site.
This means that if someone hires me today as a graphic designer at $50/hour and wants another design tomorrow morning.
If you aspire to earn a six-figure income as a freelance writer, explore our comprehensive guide on 17 Ways to Earn a Six-Figure Income as a Freelance Writer. Discover strategies, tips, and opportunities to elevate your freelance writing career and achieve financial success.
Guru.com
Guru is a freelance marketplace that allows you to find remote work and hire freelancers. Unlike Upwork, Guru is not a job board; it’s a platform for hiring freelancers.
In addition to the long-term benefits of having your brand and an online portfolio, there’s also the added peace of mind that comes with knowing your employer will only pay after you’ve completed the project.
You’ll also be able to set up recurring payments (and receive them) every month making it easier than ever before to get paid fast!
Fiverr
Fiverr is a marketplace for freelancers to offer services starting at $5. You can find someone to do almost anything on Fiverr, from creating a logo or an invoice to making a video or editing your photo.
As one of the biggest platforms for online gigs, Fiverr offers plenty of options for freelancers and clients alike.
Fiverr was founded by Shalmon Jacob in 2009 to make it easy for anyone who wanted to make money online as quickly and easily as possible. Today, it has over 3 million users around the world who have completed more than 400 million orders worldwide!
PeoplePerHour.com
PeoplePerHour.com is a UK-based website, so it’s not as popular as Upwork in America. However, it’s one of the most popular freelance sites in the world with over 1 million users and over 300,000 clients to choose from.
The site offers opportunities for short-term jobs or long-term assignments and its platform offers payment protection for both parties involved in an agreement. If you’re looking for a new freelancing job or if you want to make some extra cash on the side, PeoplePerHour is worth checking out!
Are you looking to boost your Upwork portfolio’s visibility and attract more clients? Our article on The Best Ways to Market Your Upwork Portfolio provides valuable insights and actionable tips on promoting your skills, showcasing your work, and standing out in the competitive freelancing market.
Toptal.Com
Toptal is a great option for freelancers looking to work with the most in-demand companies in the world. It’s also an excellent choice for clients who want to hire top talent, not just anyone they can find on Upwork.
TopTal has a rigorous hiring process that only allows a small percentage of applicants through to their community of freelancers. This means that you’re more likely to find talented professionals who are interested in working with you than on other platforms.
The platform includes 15 different categories and over 200 subcategories for projects, making it easy for you and your client to find what you need quickly and easily.
Craigslist.org
Craigslist is one of the most popular ways to find freelance work. There are tons of categories on Craigslist, so you’re sure to find something that fits your skill set.
In addition to freelancing, Craigslist is also a great place to look for part-time jobs in general and short-term opportunities such as waiting tables or babysitting.
Depending on what city you live in and where you want to work, it might be worth taking a drive around your neighborhood and checking out the job postings at local businesses. You never know when someone will post an opening for a position within walking distance from home!
CloudPeeps.com
CloudPeeps is a freelancing platform that connects employers with remote workers. It’s a great alternative to Upwork.com, Guru.com, and Fiverr.com because it allows you to get paid in bitcoin or ether if that’s what you prefer! You can also pay your contractors in cryptocurrency if you want to keep things simple and secure.
CloudPeeps also has an excellent reputation for dealing with client disputes quickly and fairly. If there’s ever any issue with payment, they’ll work with both parties until it’s resolved in the best way possible – even if they end up refunding the employer some money out of their pocket!
So far I’ve used CloudPeeps as a marketing consultant for tech startups who hire me specifically because I’m able to offer my services internationally without having any overhead costs.
Associated with renting office space or buying equipment like computers or printers for my clients’ offices here in New York City (which would otherwise be necessary if these companies wanted someone from NYC).
FlexJobs.com
FlexJobs.com is a job board for telecommuting, remote, part-time, and freelance jobs. It has a wide variety of job listings with over 10 years of experience in the business (since 2003), FlexJobs has managed to build up a huge database of opportunities from all around the world.
If you’re looking for something specific and can’t find it anywhere else on this list, FlexJobs could be your best bet: according to their website, they have over 1 million users per month.
Their search system works well enough that you won’t have trouble finding exactly what you need to be able to work from home and if there’s still anything missing from their selection after that search comes up empty? You can submit your resume directly via email (or even just by visiting their website).
Freelancing is undergoing a transformative shift, and it’s shaping the future of work. Dive into our thought-provoking exploration of this phenomenon in How Freelancing Is Reinventing Workelancing. Discover how freelancers are reshaping traditional employment models and creating new opportunities for themselves.
SimplyHired.com
SimplyHired.com is a website that allows you to find work on their site, in addition to having a job board where employers can post jobs.
They have 16 million listings, which is more than any other job board in the world. You can use their mobile app to search for jobs and apply for them on the go or browse through their extensive database of openings.
If you’re looking for a specific type of job, SimplyHired has tools that allow you to search by keyword, location, and salary level so that you only see the relevant results when searching through their database (as opposed to seeing every single listing).
In addition, they have an experience filter tool so that if you want a position with experience requirements over 3 years of experience then simply set it as such when performing your search on the site
iFreelance.com
iFreelance.com is a free job board for the web industry that offers jobs in design, development, copywriting, and SEO.
Jobs are listed in the following categories: web design, web development, SEO search engine optimization social media (including Facebook ads), and copywriting. You can also browse by category or location to find work near you.
SolidGigs.com
SolidGigs is a good alternative if you’re looking to make money as a freelancer. As the name implies, it’s a freelance job board that connects freelancers with clients. SolidGigs has over 10 million users and offers thousands of jobs on its platform.
SolidGigs allows you to search through its list of projects by category, location, and keywords (e.g., “entry-level” or “data analysis”). To qualify for certain jobs, SolidGigs requires you to have certain skills or certifications, and sometimes both
This can be frustrating if you’re trying to find something very specific, but it also helps weed out people who don’t fit the bill at all (which is important when dealing with sensitive subjects like legal advice).
AuthenticJobs.com
One of the first things you’ll notice about Authentic Jobs is that it has a very large selection of jobs. It should be no surprise then that this site has a large user base, and they have been around since 2004. This makes them one of the oldest alternatives to Upwork.
The tech sector is very popular on Authentic Jobs, as well as other remote work sites like We Work Remotely or Zen Desk. They also have many non-tech positions available too including customer service and writing jobs!
When compared to some other freelance websites out there, I’ve found that AuthenticJobs offers some pretty good customer service (and they pay on time).
In a world that has already embraced the freelancing revolution, it’s essential to understand the changes happening around us. Read our compelling article, Freelancing: The World Isn’t Changing, It’s Already Changed, to gain valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of freelancing and how it impacts professionals and industries across the board.
TheDen.co (formerly oDesk)
TheDen.co is an excellent alternative to Upwork.com if you’re looking for freelancing jobs, especially if you’re interested in working as an independent contractor or consultant.
TheDen.co is a platform that connects employers with freelancers who can work remotely. The site has over 1 million registered users and offers more than 20,000 job listings in the technology sector alone including positions such as software engineer, web developer, and project manager.
Companies have access to a full suite of tools on the platform including task management and time tracking functionality; however, they must pay a subscription fee before they can start hiring contractors or consultants through TheDen.co
FreelanceWritingGigs.com
FreelanceWritingGigs.com is a great place to find freelance writing jobs and create your own. It has a directory of freelancers, so you can easily find editors and designers who work in your area. You can also look for mentors on the site or even ask for a mentor yourself.
The site does have its downsides: there are fewer jobs posted than Upwork or Freelancer, and it doesn’t seem as well-known among clients or potential job seekers yet.
But if you’re looking for long-term projects or clients who want to hire you full-time (as some companies do), this could be a good option.
ProBlogger Job Board
ProBlogger Job Board is a fantastic resource for freelance writers, bloggers, and other freelancers. It’s specifically tailored to finding remote-friendly jobs that require a high level of writing and editing skill.
What’s more, the job listings on this platform are always up-to-date as opposed to Upwork which can be infrequently updated.
We Work Remotely
We Work Remotely is an online job board that is dedicated to connecting companies and individuals who want to work from home.
The site has a large selection of freelance jobs, ranging from web development to writing and marketing. The jobs are posted by companies with remote offices around the world (mostly in North America), so you’ll have access to many different types of employment opportunities.
Many employers on We Work Remotely are seeking experts in their fields, which means that it may be difficult for beginners or those without experience in certain industries to get hired here but if you’re looking for a higher-paying role, this could be a good place to start your search!
Curious about the future of work and how freelancers play a crucial role? Explore our thought-provoking piece, Why Freelancers Are the Future of Work and What That Means for You, to understand the trends, opportunities, and implications of the freelance economy. Discover how freelancers are shaping the workforce of tomorrow and how you can thrive in this evolving landscape.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article has helped you find the best freelance site to fit your needs. Whether you’re just starting, or you’ve been freelancing for years and want to try something new, all of these sites will help you get work done.
Just remember that there are plenty of scam artists and spammers out there who want to take advantage of unsuspecting freelancers like yourself. Always remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore for more information on alternatives to Upwork:
Upwork Alternatives: Where to Find the Best Freelance Jobs: Discover a list of alternative platforms where you can find freelance jobs and clients outside of Upwork.
Top Upwork Alternatives for Freelancers and Businesses: Explore a curated selection of Upwork alternatives that cater to both freelancers and businesses, providing different features, pricing options, and opportunities.
Upwork Competitors and Alternatives: G2 provides a comprehensive comparison of Upwork competitors and alternatives, offering insights into their strengths, weaknesses, user reviews, and overall market presence.
People Also Ask
How Does It Work?
When you sign up for Upwork, you can create a profile that includes your specific skills, experience, and personal information. You’ll also be able to upload samples of your work as well as a portfolio of past projects you’ve completed.
When employers post jobs on the site, they’ll include a description of the project (including any requirements), the budget for the project, and how long they expect it to take them (as well as how much they’re willing to pay).
Freelancers will then submit proposals detailing their qualifications and availability before being selected by the employer based on their bid prices and reviews from previous clients.
Once selected, the freelancer will begin working on the project and once it’s complete will be paid through Upwork’s escrow system.
Why Should I Consider Other Options?
Because there are tons of Upwork alternatives out there, it’s important to make sure you find the right one for your needs. The last thing you want is to pay more than you need to or have a bad experience with an unreliable site. This way, you’ll know that you’re making the right choice for your company at all times.
What Are The Benefits Of Upwork?
Upwork offers many benefits to freelancers, including:
A wide variety of jobs are available. With over 10 million users and more than 3,000 companies using its site every month (and growing), there are plenty of opportunities out there for you to find work.
In addition, there are no limits on how many hours you can work or what types of jobs you can do you can pick any job category that interests you!
High quality of service. Upwork vets all freelancers on its platform before they’re allowed to post their profiles and bids, so you know that when you’re dealing with someone here, they have experience with this kind of work and will do a good job for you!
A transparent process. You know exactly how much money it costs to post a profile or bid on an open job because there are no hidden fees or other surprises waiting around the corner.
Is Upwork Safe?
Answer: Yes, Upwork is a safe platform to use as long as you take some basic precautions. First, make sure that you’re using a secure browser to access the site.
It’s also important to be aware of phishing scams that target freelancers and clients. Be sure to always double-check links before clicking on them, and never enter your personal or financial information into any site that isn’t verified by Upwork.
How Can I Get A Job On Upwork?
Answer: There are several ways you can find jobs on Upwork. You can browse through their job listings, or post your profile and wait for employers to reach out to you.
If you have trouble getting hired through these methods, try reaching out directly to potential employers via email; many businesses prefer this method because it allows them to keep track of all communications with candidates at once rather than having multiple emails coming in at once from different sources (including each other).
How Do I Know If Upwork Is Right For Me?
When you’re looking to hire a freelancer, it’s important to make sure that the platform you choose is right for your needs. Upwork is a great choice if:
- You want access to a large pool of potential candidates
- You want to be able to contact your freelancers directly through the platform
- You want a wide range of payment options, including PayPal and credit cards
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.