The Best Sites for Freelance Services

What are freelance services websites?

Job marketplaces for freelance services provide platforms where individuals get listed and businesses can post projects or browse services. Each site works differently. Some offer free listings, some charge a fee. Some require freelancers to bid for projects, and others directly match freelancers to clients. Many platforms either take a percentage of the project value or use flat rates. Regardless of their methods, all freelance websites serve the same purpose: helping freelancers and clients connect.

What are the top freelance services websites?

Here are some popular sites supporting the gig economy:

1. Behance

If you operate in creative industries, Behance is an excellent way to find freelancers. Targeting architecture, branding, fashion, graphic design, illustration, photography, web and UI/UX design, Behance enables freelancers to showcase their portfolios, and employers can post available jobs. As part of Adobe, Behance utilizes advanced creative tools and active security monitoring.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr has grown into a leading freelance platform where you can find professionals to help with your business or personal projects. Popular services include website creation, video ads, 3D modeling, content creation and more. Fiverr’s freelance marketplace charges buyers a 5.5 percent service fee and sellers a 20 percent commission, with payments held in escrow for added security. Custom offers and commercial rights are available for specific business needs.

3. FlexJobs

Well-known for vetted remote work listings, FlexJobs is free to employers and charges freelancers a small subscription fee for job access. All job posts are hand-screened for legitimacy. FlexJobs specializes in skilled remote, hybrid and flexible jobs across sectors.

4. Freelancer

Freelancer lets freelancers bid on projects and hosts a diverse range of industries, including design, development, marketing, translation, law and logistics. Security protocols require identity (KYC) verification, two-factor authentication, scam reporting and escrow payments. Employers filter candidates by skill or location.

5. Guru

Guru serves 800,000 employers globally and enables access to hundreds of thousands of tech specialists, web designers and software developers, as well as other professional freelancers. Guru supports secure payments via its SafePay system, offers membership tiers and provides comprehensive workroom management tools.

6. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a simple platform that allows hirers to browse talent and freelancers to look for jobs. Clients can post projects and browse hourly rates from vetted freelancers. It also offers global reach, secure escrow payments, identity checks and project management features.

7. TaskRabbit

Known for local task services such as furniture assembly, moving and odd jobs, TaskRabbit enables freelancers (“Taskers”) to set rates and choose jobs. Clients pay advertised hourly rates plus a trust and support fee, typically shown at checkout. TaskRabbit conducts identity checks and insurance coverage for approved Taskers.

8. Toptal

Toptal connects businesses to elite freelance talent with a multi-stage screening process — with a less than 3 percent acceptance rate — which tests for expertise, professionalism and communication. Toptal’s client list spans over 140 countries and 30,000 clients, ideal for high-value tech, finance and design projects.

9. Upwork

Upwork hosts millions of freelancers across every specialty, including engineering, law and finance. Upwork displays freelancers’ hourly rates and job success ratings, and is free to join. Upwork’s Trust & Safety team regularly updates its marketplace standards and enforces robust security protocols. Payment is managed through escrow, and communication outside Upwork before contract is prohibited. Upwork offers a variable commission model, from 0 to 15 percent, depending on factors like skill demand. 

10. 99designs

99designs specializes in matching businesses with graphic design experts for brand images, logos and product labels. The site provides secure payment methods, copyright transfer agreements, and the option to either post a job or run a contest. This platform is ideal for creative projects.

11. SimplyHired

While SimplyHired is not specifically a freelancer site, you can find many such job seekers here. Employers can post job descriptions for free, view responses through a dashboard and track applicants. A fee is charged (based on market values) if you want contact information of the candidates.   

12. ServiceScape

ServiceScape contains freelancers specialized in writing — including editors, translators and ghost writers — and graphic design. You can see samples of their work before contacting the freelancers you are interested in hiring.The freelance directory displays useful information such as specialization, client ratings and past projects. 

Skye Schooley contributed to the writing and reporting in this article.