Are you looking for a way to make money online, work from anywhere, and set your own schedule? If so, freelancing might be the perfect option for you.
Freelancing is a form of self-employment where you offer your skills and services to clients on a project-by-project basis. You can work on anything from web development and graphic design to writing and customer service.
According to a recent report by Upwork, 36% of the U.S. workforce freelanced in 2020, contributing $1.2 trillion to the economy. The report also predicts that by 2025, more than half of the U.S. workforce will have freelanced at some point in their careers.
But how do you find freelance work? One of the best ways is to use freelance websites. These are online platforms that connect freelancers with clients who need their services. You can browse through thousands of job postings, apply for the ones that match your skills and goals, and get paid securely.
However, not all freelance websites are created equal. Some may have more opportunities, better rates, or more features than others. To help you choose the best freelance website for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 freelance websites to find work in 2023.
Table of Contents
Why Use Freelance Websites to Find Work?
Before we dive into the list, let’s look at some of the benefits of using freelance websites to find work:
- Access to a large pool of clients. Freelance websites have millions of users from all over the world who are looking for freelancers to help them with their projects. You can find clients from different industries, niches, and backgrounds who need your skills and expertise.
- Flexible hours and rates. Freelance websites allow you to set your own hours and rates. You can work as much or as little as you want, depending on your availability and goals. You can also negotiate your rates with clients or choose projects that fit your budget.
- Payment protection and security. Freelance websites use secure payment systems that ensure you get paid for your work. You can also use escrow services or milestone payments that release funds only when you complete certain tasks or deliverables.
- Feedback and ratings. Freelance websites have feedback and rating systems that help you build your reputation and credibility. You can get reviews and ratings from your clients based on your performance and quality of work. You can also check the feedback and ratings of potential clients before applying for their projects.
- Support and resources. Freelance websites offer support and resources to help you succeed as a freelancer. You can access customer service, dispute resolution, online courses, community forums, blogs, podcasts, and more.
How to Choose the Best Freelance Website for Your Needs?
With so many freelance websites out there, how do you choose the best one for your needs? Here are some factors to consider:
- Your niche and skill level. Some freelance websites are general and cater to all kinds of freelancers, while others are specialized and focus on specific niches or skill levels. For example, if you’re a web developer, you might want to use a website that specializes in web development projects or has a high demand for web developers.
- Your payment preferences. Different freelance websites have different payment methods and fees. Some may charge a commission fee based on a percentage of your earnings, while others may charge a flat fee or a subscription fee. Some may offer various payment options such as PayPal, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency, while others may limit your choices.
- Your goals and expectations. What are you looking for in a freelance website? Do you want to find long-term clients or short-term projects? Do you want to work on complex projects or simple tasks? Do you want to earn a full-time income or supplement your income? Depending on your goals and expectations, you may prefer a freelance website that offers more opportunities, higher rates, or more features.
Top 10 Freelance Websites to Find Work in 2023
Now that you know why and how to use freelance websites to find work, let’s look at the top 10 freelance websites to find work in 2023:
1. The Unseen Market
The Unseen Market is a new and innovative marketplace that launched in early 2023. It is based on the core marketplace Accessily, which was founded in 2018 and has been growing steadily ever since. The Unseen Market offers a variety of digital marketing services, such as guest posting, content writing, SEO, and paid marketing gigs.
What makes the Unseen Market unique is that it is composed of small marketplaces, each with its own niche and community. This way, you can discover worlds of freelancers that you have never seen before.
Unseen Market works differently from other freelance websites. Instead of bidding on projects, freelancers create and sell their services or “gigs” on the platform. They can set their prices, delivery time, and scope of work. Clients can browse through different categories and subcategories to find and purchase the gigs they need.
Unseen Market has a secure payment system that holds the funds until the project is completed and approved by the client. Freelancers can withdraw their earnings through PayPal on the 15th and 30th of each month.
Unseen Market charges freelancers a 20% commission fee on every completed order.
Unseen Market is a great freelance website for creative and digital freelancers who want to sell their services and showcase their skills.
2. Upwork
Upwork is one of the most popular and reputable freelance websites in the world. It has over 12 million freelancers and 5 million clients across various categories such as web development, design, writing, customer service, marketing, accounting, and more.
Upwork allows freelancers to create a profile, showcase their portfolios, set their rates, and bid on projects that match their skills and goals. Clients can post jobs and invite freelancers to apply or browse through freelancer profiles and contact them directly.
Upwork has a secure payment system that protects both freelancers and clients. Freelancers can choose between hourly or fixed-price projects and get paid through PayPal, direct deposit, wire transfer, or Payoneer.
Upwork charges freelancers a service fee based on a sliding scale: 20% for the first $500 earned with a client; 10% for lifetime billings with a client between $500.01
and $10k; 5% for lifetime billings with a client above $10k.
Upwork also offers perks such as online courses, certifications, project management tools, and a talent network.
Upwork is a great freelance website for beginners and experts alike who want to find a variety of projects and clients.
3. Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance marketplace that connects freelancers with business owners who need services in various digital projects, such as website design, content writing, voice-overs, logo design, video editing, and more.
Fiverr works differently from other freelance websites. Instead of bidding on projects, freelancers create and sell their services or “gigs” on the platform. They can set their prices, delivery time, and scope of work. Clients can browse through different categories and subcategories to find and purchase the gigs they need.
Fiverr has a secure payment system that holds the funds until the project is completed and approved by the client. Freelancers can withdraw their earnings through PayPal, bank transfer, or Fiverr Revenue Card.
Fiverr charges freelancers a 20% commission fee on every completed order. Fiverr also offers perks such as online courses, coaching, and a Pro program for vetted freelancers.
Fiverr is a great freelance website for creative and digital freelancers who want to sell their services and showcase their skills.
4. Toptal
Toptal is a freelance platform that connects businesses with top talent in software development, design, finance, project management, and product management.
Toptal is different from other freelance websites in that it has a rigorous screening process that only accepts the top 3% of applicants. Freelancers have to pass an English test, a skill test, a live screening session, a test project, and a final interview to join the platform.
Toptal matches freelancers with clients based on their skills, experience, and availability. Freelancers can work on hourly, part-time, or full-time projects and get paid through PayPal or wire transfer.
Toptal does not charge freelancers any fees. Instead, it adds a markup to the freelancer’s rate and charges the client. Toptal also offers perks such as community events, skill development programs, and a co-working space reimbursement.
Toptal is a great freelance website for experienced and skilled freelancers who want to work with high-profile clients and earn competitive rates.
5. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is one of the largest and oldest freelance websites in the world. It has over 50 million freelancers and 20 million clients across various categories such as web development, design, writing, data entry, engineering, marketing, and more.
Freelancer.com allows freelancers to create a profile, showcase their portfolio, bid on projects, and compete in contests. Clients can post projects and invite freelancers to apply or browse through freelancer profiles and contact them directly.
Freelancer.com has a secure payment system that uses milestones to release funds only when the project is completed and approved by the client. Freelancers can withdraw their earnings through PayPal, Skrill, Payoneer, or wire transfer.
Freelancer.com charges freelancers a 10% or $5 (whichever is greater) commission fee on every completed project or contest. Freelancers can also upgrade to a paid membership plan that offers more benefits such as lower fees, more bids, and more skills.
Freelancer.com is a great freelance website for beginners and experts alike who want to find a variety of projects and clients.
6. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a job board that specializes in remote, flexible, and freelance jobs. It has over 50 categories of jobs ranging from accounting and customer service to education and healthcare.
FlexJobs is different from other freelance websites in that it screens and verifies every job posting to ensure its legitimacy and quality. Freelancers can search for jobs by category, location, schedule, career level, and more. They can also access career coaching, resume reviews, skills tests, and webinars.
FlexJobs charges freelancers a subscription fee to access its job listings and services. The fee ranges from $6.95 for a week to $49.95 for a year. Freelancers can cancel their subscription at any time.
FlexJobs is a great freelance website for freelancers who are looking for remote, flexible, and freelance jobs that are vetted and verified.
7. SimplyHired
SimplyHired is a job search engine that aggregates job listings from thousands of sources such as company websites, job boards, newspapers, and blogs. It has over 30 million unique visitors per month and covers over 24 countries and 12 languages.
SimplyHired allows freelancers to search for jobs by keyword, location, category, company, or salary. They can also create a resume, get salary estimates, browse local jobs, and get job alerts. SimplyHired does not charge freelancers any fees to use its platform.
SimplyHired is a great freelance website for freelancers who want to find jobs from various sources and locations.
8. Guru
Guru is a freelance marketplace that connects freelancers with clients who need services in various categories such as web development, design, writing, marketing, accounting, and more.
Guru allows freelancers to create a profile, showcase their portfolio, set their rates, and bid on projects. Clients can post projects and invite freelancers to apply or browse through freelancer profiles and contact them directly.
Guru has a secure payment system that uses escrow or SafePay to ensure freelancers get paid for their work. Freelancers can withdraw their earnings through PayPal, Payoneer, wire transfer, or e-check.
Guru charges freelancers a commission fee based on their membership plan. The fee ranges from 8.95% for a free plan to 4.95% for an executive plan. Freelancers can also upgrade to a paid membership plan that offers more benefits such as lower fees, more bids, and more skills.
Guru is a great freelance website for freelancers who want to find projects and clients in various categories and niches.
9. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a freelance marketplace that connects freelancers with clients who need services in various categories such as web development, design, writing, marketing, social media, and more.
PeoplePerHour allows freelancers to create a profile, showcase their portfolio, set their rates, and bid on projects or sell their services as “hourlies”. Clients can post projects and invite freelancers to apply or browse through freelancer profiles and contact them directly.
PeoplePerHour has a secure payment system that uses escrow or wallet to ensure freelancers get paid for their work. Freelancers can withdraw their earnings through PayPal, Payoneer, or bank transfer.
PeoplePerHour charges freelancers a service fee based on a sliding scale: 20% for the first £500 earned in a month; 7.5% for the next £5k; 3.5% for everything above £5k. PeoplePerHour also charges freelancers £0.15 + VAT for every proposal they send.
PeoplePerHour is a great freelance website for freelancers who want to find projects and clients in various categories and niches.
10. 99designs
99designs is a freelance platform that connects graphic designers with clients who need services such as logo design, web design, packaging design, book cover design, and more.
99designs works differently from other freelance websites. Instead of bidding on projects, designers participate in design contests where they submit their designs based on the client’s brief and feedback. The client then chooses the best design and awards the prize money to the designer.
99designs has a secure payment system that holds the funds until the client is satisfied with the design. Designers can withdraw their earnings through PayPal or Payoneer.
99designs does not charge designers any fees to join or participate in contests. However, designers have to pay a platform fee of 5% or 10% (depending on their level) on every completed project.
99designs also offers perks such as online courses, community events, and a Pro program for vetted designers.
99designs is a great freelance website for graphic designers who want to showcase their creativity and compete for projects and prizes.
Conclusion
Freelance websites are a great way to find work online, work from anywhere, and set your own schedule. However, not all freelance websites are the same. You need to choose the best freelance website for your needs, depending on your niche, skill level, payment preferences, goals, and expectations.
We hope this list of the top 10 freelance websites to find work in 2023 has helped you narrow down your options and find the best platform for your freelance career.
Which freelance website are you going to use in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new and useful.
We appreciate your support and feedback, and we love hearing from you. We will keep creating and sharing more content that can help you achieve your goals and dreams.
Thank you for being part of our Unseen Market community.
The Unseen Market Team.