Top Freelancing Websites to Find Work in 2024

Photo by Štefan Štefančík on Unsplash

In recent years, more people than ever have been saying goodbye to their 9-to-5 jobs getting into freelancing. According to a recent poll on freelancing, their biggest motivations are: freedom over their work schedule, location flexibility,  better work-life balance and escaping a toxic work environment. 

While many Freelancers get clients through word of mouth and referrals, freelancing websites should not be ignored, especially if you are just starting out. In this article, we list 7 of the best freelancing websites for beginners and experienced professionals to find work in 2024.

Here are the top websites you should use to find freelance work in 2024:

1. Upwork 

Upwork has been the go-to destination for freelancers for years. It has the largest number of projects, and covers almost all niches and experience levels. If you have a skill that can be done through a computer, chances are you’ll be able to find a project on Upwork. 

That being said, it’s not completely free. Upwork’s system works on “connects” - which are credits that you use when applying to jobs. It operates on a bidding principle, where applications with more connects used are given priority in the client's view. This is good for clients because they don’t get as many unqualified applicants, but for freelancers it can be expensive. By default, you get 10 free connects per month, which can only be used for one application(depending on the project’s size).

Pros:

• A large number of projects
• Wide range of project categories

Cons:

• High competition
• 10% service fee on earnings
• Can be costly to apply to projects

‍

2. Toptal

Toptal positions itself as an exclusive network of elite freelancers, focusing on the top 3% of talent in various fields. The platform caters primarily to software developers, designers, finance experts and project managers. Toptal's rigorous vetting process includes language and personality assessments, technical competence tests, live evaluations and test projects.

The platform emphasizes quick hiring, typically matching clients with suitable freelancers within 48 hours. 

Pros:

• Access to high-profile, well-paying projects
• Free to apply, no fees for earnings

Cons:

• Extremely competitive entry process
• Limited opportunities due to exclusivity
• Not be suitable for entry-level or intermediate freelancers

‍

3. Fiverr

Fiverr is a widely-used freelance marketplace for various digital service categories. The platform is known for its "gigs" - pre-packaged services offered by freelancers. Each gig can have up to three tiered pricing packages. This flexibility enables freelancers to offer a range of services at different price points, potentially increasing their earning potential.

Fiverr’s system is friendly with newcomers, offering a low-barrier entry into the freelance market. 

Pros:

• Free to join and list services
• Wide range of categories
• No vetting process 

Cons:

• High competition due to the large number of freelancers
• 20% commission on each transaction
• Pricing can be driven down by competition, especially for new sellers 

‍

4. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelance marketplace founded in 2007. The platform offers opportunities across various skills, from design and writing to programming and marketing. 

PeoplePerHour is suitable for freelancers at various experience levels. It's especially beneficial for UK-based freelancers or those targeting UK clients, though it supports international users as well. 

Pros:

• Established platform with a medium-sized client base
• Free to join with basic proposal credits

Cons:

• Not as many opportunities as other platforms
• Limited free proposal credits (15 per month on the basic plan)
• Fees vary between 3.5% and 20% depending on earnings

‍

5. Freelancer

Freelancer.com is one of the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplaces, and offers a wide range of job categories. Aside from applying to jobs, users can also participate in contests. These involve doing work with no guarantee of payment unless you are the winner, but they can be good opportunities for beginners.

This platform offers both free and paid membership options. Free members get a limited number of bids per month, while paid memberships offer more bids and additional features. The platform takes a 10% commission.

Pros:

• A variety of project types: fixed, hourly, contests

Cons:

• Limited number of free bids per month
• 10% commission on earnings
• More low-paying projects due to global competition

‍

6. Guru 

Guru is a freelance marketplace that has been operating since 1998. Its longstanding presence in the market and focus on building a community make it an attractive option for both new and experienced freelancers. However, it has less traffic and fewer projects when compared to other platforms.

Pros:

• Long-standing reputation in the freelance marketplace
• No fee for freelancers to join or bid on projects

Cons:

• Fewer projects
• Earnings fees that vary from 5% to 9%

‍

 7. Upstack

Upstack is a more niche platform, offering projects only for developers. The platform has a rigorous vetting process, accepting only the top 1% of talent. This involves an initial interview to assess communication skills and personality fit, followed by a 1-3 hour coding challenge with a senior Upstack developer. 

Upstack handles client acquisition, project matching, and administrative tasks, allowing freelancers to focus on their development work. The platform aims to provide consistent opportunities with most engagements being full-time (40 hours per week) and occasional part-time options (20 hours per week).

Pros:

• Access to well-paying and long term projects
• No need to bid on projects or market yourself

Cons:

• Only for developers
• Highly competitive entry process

‍

Conclusion

There are many options when it comes to freelancing platforms, each with their own advantages. Some people choose to diversify their efforts and try a few platforms at once.

In any case, to truly thrive in your field long-term, you must stay dedicated and consistent. You'll also need to continually develop other skills like communication and time management to stand out from the competition.