Looking for freelance websites to find clients and build a reputation as a freelancer? There are so many options. And the trick to build a career using freelancer platforms is to
- focus on one or two instead of trying to be on all of them,
- choose a site based on your freelance niche service,
- build a solid profile on these freelance websites.
Because the competition on these platforms can be wild. Especially, if you are just starting your freelancing journey.
Below, you will see 18 top freelancing platforms - under categories for you to quickly spot the best freelancing platform that suits you.
Pro tip: If you are looking for a payment collection system for your existing clients, see how Ruul works or sign up to Ruul now and get paid 4x faster.
Best freelance websites for beginners
These websites are the most famous ones among the sites for freelancers. It makes them a great place to start as you can observe the experienced freelancers’ profiles and gigs.
You can rapidly improve your freelance job if you know the best freelance sites for beginners and the benefits they offer.
1) Upwork
As one of the best freelancing sites in the world, Upwork can offer you the opportunity to work with startups or top-notch big brands.
Here, you respond to job posts of clients using Connects. After bidding for a job on Upwork, if you match, you get a message saying you’ve got the job. Then you can issue the contract.
The thing is, without reviews on your profile, it's hard to get the first client. But after the first client, your chances are better, so be patient until you get the first deal.
Why a good match for beginners?
- Free to join - but after-sales 10% fee
- AI support to write proposal text
- 24/7 support for questions and obstacles
- Freelance rates are relatively high
Commission rate
- Upwork gets 10%
- Connects cost - 10 for $1.50
2) Toptal
Toptal is a very rigorous platform when it comes to selecting freelancers, so it's hard to get in here.
However, if you are highly specialized in a full-time job and already have the best skills to become a freelancer, Toptal is a good place to start.
Here you can grab jobs fast, because they promise to offer the best freelancer to their clients within a maximum of 48 hours.
Why a good match for beginners?
- No sign up fee for freelancer
- Selected the top 3% best freelancer
- Premium clients
- High rates
- Global work
Commission rate
- 100% of your profit is yours
3) LinkedIn
LinkedIn is still the best social media platform for freelancers. It has more than 1 billion users.
In addition, 100 million messages are sent on LinkedIn every day. Think about how many of these are potential client opportunities for a freelancer.
Networking on LinkedIn as a freelancer allows you to make your mark in the industry. This makes it easier to get regular and steady work.
The best way to stand out on LinkedIn is to share quality content relevant to your industry, connect with others, react and comment on posts.
Why a good match for beginners?
- Free to start
- Large pool of potential customers
- Stand out with posts
- Build long-lasting connections
Commission rate
- There are no fees on LinkedIn. But if you want to become a featured user profile, you will have to pay $29.99 per month for the LinkedIn Premium Career plan.
4) Fiverr
If you’re seeking a freelancer career with the minimum client interaction, you should choose Fiverr. Because, on Fiverr you don't have to submit applications for job listings, rather, you create Gigs and offer them for sale. Then clients come and purchase them directly.
Fiverr is suitable for beginners mostly because of the user-friendly interface and its supportive tutorials. With Fiverr Learn, you can access both paid and free courses in marketing, writing, graphic design, and business.
In particular, Fiverr Freelancing courses can help you learn more career-related tips.
Here is an example of a free freelancing course:
Online Freelancing Essentials: Be a Successful Fiverr Seller: It includes lessons on everything from gig building tips to how Fiverr works. If you are a beginner freelancer, you can join Fiverr to create more productive and wise strategies.
Also see our article about finding a job on Fiverr.
Why a good match for beginners?
- Free to start
- Set it and forget it
- Supportive trainings
- Less customer contact
Commission rate
- Fiverr gets 20% of gig sales - which is among the highest.
5) Freelancer.com
Here is one of the best freelance platforms, and currently the largest freelance work marketplace in the world.
You can connect with 75 million employers from 247 countries. For that reason alone, competition is fierce, and jobs can be hard to get, but it's still good for getting started.
Freelancer.com community shares a lot of guides for both beginners and veterans. From tips on increasing sales to common site issues, a lot of content is free.
Why a good match for beginners?
- Free registration
- 2x less fees than Upwork
- Intuitive bidding
- Payment protection
Commission rate
- Fee of 10% of the earned wage
6) Freelance Hunt
With a 4.7 Trustpilot rating, Freelance Hunt is one of the most popular freelancing sites. It is especially prevalent in Ukraine and continues to expand in Eastern Europe. It has more than 125 service categories and 175.000 proven freelancers.
Here clients create requests and freelancers submit their offers. After that, the freelancer starts working, accepting the deadline and project budget specified by the client. After the task is checked, the money is transferred to the freelancer's account.
Why is it a good place for beginners?
- 4.7 rating
- Less competition
- Secure payments
- 24/7 support
Commission rate
- Unknown
7) 24Task
It has a rating of 4.9 in the App Store and 4.6 in the Google Play Store. It is also among the top rated sites in Trustpilot.
Only project-based pricing is valid. Payments are highly protected for both the freelancer and the client.
It is good for beginners because the competition is relatively low. They also offer a special ‘How to get started’ guide and blog posts for beginners.
Why is it a good place for beginners?
- Protected payments
- 24/7 support team
- Use via mobile app
- Guide blog posts
Commission rate
Freelance writing jobs platforms
The big question for almost all new freelancers who are passionate about writing is:
“How to find freelance writing jobs?”
Here, you will find the best websites for beginner freelance writers.
8) Writer Access
Writer Access is one of the best freelance writing websites. If you want to start your freelancing career as a copywriter, Writer Access is the best platform for you.
Since the platform offers many content writing jobs, you may land your first freelance editing job quickly. The best part of this website is that it provides many content marketing tools to optimize your content and get your job done more efficiently.
The tools of the platform give you access to millions of stock images and tools to make your work easier. Thus, you can earn more income than others by becoming a faster and more productive writer.
Over 40,000 brands will find you on the platform both manually and through AI, so you can get a fast start by submitting your application.
Why a good match for writers?
- More than 40,000 brands
- Access to over 250 million stock images
- Content marketing tools
- Content strategy certification
Commission rate
- A very high rate: commission up to 30% of the wages earned
9) Skyword
Many content marketing jobs can be easily found on Skyword. The best part is that you can register easily and start working as a freelance content strategist, editorial manager, scriptwriter, copywriter, or technical writer.
One of the perks of this platform is that it is multilingual, and it serves in many different languages.
You can give a chance to Skyword as a beginner freelance copywriter.
Why a good match for writers?
- A niche site for writers
- Ability to request a meeting
- 4 easy steps to create an account
Commission rate
- No withdrawal fees
10) Constant Content
Constant Content lets freelance writers either sell ready-made articles or take specific requests from clients. This means you can choose a way of working that suits you best.
The platform claims that 85% of the articles you give them are sold within a year. The best writers earn more than $90,000 a year. So, if you're not ready for direct customer contact, you can try selling ready-made articles here.
A great feature of Constant Content is that they have an editorial team to help you correct blind spots and perfect your writing. So, if you're a beginner, you do not need to worry about your shortcomings, just relax, have your tea, and start writing.
Why a good match for writers?
- Niche site for freelance writers
- Ability to sell ready-made articles
- Fees to which you are entitled
- Simple registration process
Commission rate
- %35 - that's pretty high.
Freelance graphic designer sites
90% of graphic designers prefer freelancing - it’s huge!
If you’ve decided to be one of them, see these platforms for freelance designers.
11) Designhill
Designhill covers almost all designers working in different design fields. Whether you are the best at t-shirt design or web design, there is always a place reserved for you as a designer.
The platform solves the age-old pricing problem among both freelancers and designers; It offers a transparent price upfront. So it gives clients a clear idea of the costs right from the start.
This is actually the reason why the platform is popular among employers worldwide. You too can find your next design job on the platform.
Why a good match for a graphic designer?
- Graphic design inspirations
- Service gig creation
- One-to-one design projects
- Design competitions
- Easy start
Commission rate
- Unknown
12) Dribbble
Dribbble is not just a marketplace for a freelancer. It is also a freelancer community you can join. If you are looking for a designing job in various fields, from illustration to web design, graphic design to typography, and logo design, you should check Dribbble's design job board.
Pro tip: By using the necessary keywords, you can make your profile more available to employers.
Why a good match for graphic designers?
- Portfolio creation
- Inspiration from Dribbble Community
- Free design resources
Commission rate
- 3.5% of the project fee
13) Behance
Behance is a site of Adobe and is very common among freelance graphic designers.
The best part of Behance is that you can showcase your creative work and connect millions of talented creatives and employers. So far, millions of projects have been completed on the platform. Why wouldn't you start your project?
Adobe’s Behance is an incredibly active community of freelance designers who are searching for their next gigs. Their system works very quickly for employers by scanning through all users with matching keywords and recommends new freelancers every day.
However, note that it is not a platform for searching for jobs. Instead, it functions as a type of resume. You showcase your work on Behance using specific keywords, and clients can find you when they need a design product that matches those keywords. In other words, the platform brings you closer to your customers.
Why a good match for graphic designers?
- Portfolio showcase
- Visibility
- Inspiration
- Adobe integration
Commission rate
- Free
Freelance Web Development Websites
You can find the platforms for web developers below, where you can discover new opportunities and advance your career.
14) Codementor
You can join Codementor with 3 different profiles.
- To mentor the next generation of programmers
- For freelance work for clients looking for programmers
- To apply for a mentor to develop your skills
A popular website among programmers for its versatile services. However, to become a mentor, you need to go through a strict selection process.
Why a good match for web developers?
- Mentoring for career
- High-end customers
- Freelance job opportunities
Commission rate
- Free
15) Arc
Arc provides both freelance and full-time contract positions for developers, designers, and marketers in more than 60 categories. After creating a profile, you talk to hiring managers and usually start receiving job offers within 2 weeks.
The best part? It supports newbies through the job search process, interviews, and negotiations - meaning that once you create an account, you're not alone. And, to date, they've paid out more than $45 million in freelancing payments.
Why a good match for web developers?
- Guides for freelance & remote work
- Professional resume builder
Commission rate
- No platform fee
16) Gigster
Gigster has more than 50,000 developers and they are usually selected among the best. Therefore, it is a fact that there are strict rules for participation.
But fear not, they have the motto “Ability trumps background”. So, if you are a successful developer who started working even a year ago, they’re totally okay with bringing you onboard.
Why a good match for web developers?
- Comprehensive resources like webinars, e-books, blogs
Commission rate
- Gigster doesn't take a fee from developers.
17) Flexiple
Flexiple is a network of top freelancers and full-time programmers with hourly rates ranging from $30 to $100. The site has approved 100,000 engineers and has earned freelancers a total of $6 million daily.
Additionally, it offers resources to assist newcomers. You’ll discover all sorts of helpful info, from how to create invoices to ways to boost your marketing. You can either submit your resume or fill out your application using your LinkedIn profile to apply.
Why is it a good place for beginners?
- A niche site for programmers
- Hourly/monthly projects or full-time
- Resources for beginners & programmers
- 100% response rate
- High rates
Commission rate
- Totally free of charge
Freelance Musician Jobs Platforms
18) SoundBetter
SoundBetter is the most popular website for musicians and producers who are working remotely. The platform is a marketplace for musicians worldwide, helping the music industry to create high-quality songs.
If you are a vocalist, drummer, music producer, audio engineer or guitarist, you should check SoundBetter. Just try the free version by adding your demo and upgrade to a premium account if you decide to boost your platform's profile.
Why a good match for musicians?
- Your wages are safe
- Copyright protection
- Support by telephone and e-mail
Commission rate
- %5 fee from payments
Frequently asked questions
1. Which is the best freelancing site for beginners?
The best freelancing sites for beginners are known as Freelancer.com, Upwork and Fiverr. These sites are easy to get started and ideal for finding your first client. In the long run, LinkedIn is the best job-finding and networking gateway for freelancers.
2. Is Upwork or Fiverr better?
On Fiverr, you post your service gigs instead of applying to job posts and the fee is 20%. On Upwork, you apply to job posts and the fee is 10%. While both are ideal for getting started, the commission rates make a big difference.
3. Which skill is best for freelancing?
The best freelancing skills are graphic design, writing, software and website development. However, in recent years, interest in data science and machine learning skills has increased.
