Fiverr Alternatives: 12 Best Alternatives for Freelancers

Eran Karaso

İpuçları ve Araçlar

4.2 million active buyers, over 380,000 freelancers, and more than 700 categories of services… With all these numbers, I know Fiverr is quite sexy but it also has a red flag: a 20% commission fee.

No offense, but this is quite a high rate in the market. Even this alone can be a good reason to look for Fiverr Alternatives.

Here, I’ll dive into 12 Fiverr alternatives worth considering.

TL;DR

Fiverr is a popular freelancing platform that connects freelancers and businesses through Gigs (service packages), but its 20% commission rate and high competition can be drawbacks for freelancers.

Here are the best Fiverr alternatives:

Upwork: A vast platform with high earning potential and secure payments for long-term projects.
Freelancer.com: The largest marketplace, with strong payment protections but high competition.
Toptal: Exclusive top 3% talent pool with zero freelancer commission, ideal for high-quality work.
PeoplePerHour: Focuses on hourly work with vetted freelancers and strong billing systems.
99designs: Best for graphic designers; uses a contest-based model for creative projects.
Guru: Freelancer-friendly with low 5% commissions and milestone-based payments.
TaskRabbit: Ideal for local, on-demand tasks like home repairs or moving services.
Thumbtack: Connects freelancers with local clients for services like event planning or tutoring.
DesignCrowd: Focuses on design competitions; freelancers submit work for client selection.
SimplyHired: Aggregates freelance job postings from across the web for broader options.
Bark: Matches freelancers with clients via tailored project requests in various fields.
FlexJobs: Curates remote and flexible job postings with verified employers.

If you’re using other channels to find your clients and just need a platform for getting paid, try Ruul.

What is Fiverr?

Fiverr is a popular platform that connects freelancers and businesses. Here, Freelancers create Gigs (service packages) and customers buy them. In other words, Fiverr allows employers to get services quickly without creating a job advert.

Top features for businesses

One standout feature is the team-building option. It allows you to assign roles to your team members and track projects effortlessly.

For buyers, there’s also a paid subscription option, which ensures access to high-quality freelancers.

Top features for freelancers

Freelancers can earn money in over 700 categories of services. While the competition is high, choosing a niche can benefit you.

Additionally, you can offer tiered services without creating a new Gig. For example, as a writer, you could charge extra for word count, revisions, visuals, or in-depth research within the same Gig.

Fiverr has also launched Fiverr Go, an AI platform enabling freelancers to train models on their work, allowing clients to generate content rapidly with professional quality. Creators retain control over their creative process and rights, set model prices, and utilize an AI assistant to manage client interactions.

What are the benefits of using Fiverr?

For freelancers:

It brings you closer to customers in a competitive market.
You know you will get paid after the project.
Gig creation is easy.

For businesses:

You can find a teammate within minutes with a quick search on the site.
You can choose between different service options according to your budget.
You can complete your one-off projects quickly and cheaply.

Disadvantages of Fiverr

For freelancers:

Fiverr deducts 20% of your earnings.
Low-priced freelancers can make it difficult for you to compete.
One-off jobs can cause income anxiety.

For businesses:

You pay Fiverr a 5% commission on your payments.
You may experience inconsistency in service quality.

12 Top Fiverr Alternatives

We will detail how each platform works, its advantages, and disadvantages, and whether it can compete against Fiverr.

Fiverr Alternatives on our agenda:

Upwork
Freelancer.com
Toptal
PeoplePerHour
99 designs
Guru
TaskRabbit
Thumbtack
DesignCrowd
SimplyHired
Bark
FlexJobs

1. Upwork

What is Upwork?

Upwork has a wide range of job categories, from freelance writing jobs to graphic design, IT and customer services.

Unlike Fiverr, employers create posts here. Freelancers can apply using their Connect. With 18 million freelancers and 5 million clients, it is one of the largest freelance marketplaces.

Advantages of Upwork

High earning potential for freelancers (1 in 3 freelancers earn at least $50 per hour)
More than 200 subcategories in 9 main categories
Hourly/fixed-price projects
Secure payment system until project completion
Ability to view competitor offers
Flexible working and remuneration models
Suitable for a long-term project
Showcasing skill certificates

Disadvantages of Upwork

Businesses pay a 5% service fee
Freelancers pay 10% commission
Competition is very high
Spam messages are common

Upwork vs. Fiverr

The comparison is straightforward:

On Upwork, clients create job posts, while on Fiverr, freelancers create Gigs.

Upwork charges freelancers a 10% commission, whereas Fiverr takes 20%.

Also, see this article for a comprehensive Fiverr and Upwork comparison.

2. Freelancer.com

What is Freelancer.com?

Freelancer.com brings together 78.5 million freelancers and employers from over 247 countries.

Freelancer.com operates similarly to Upwork, focusing on client job postings. Here, freelancers also submit bids on the clients' listings.

Advantages of Freelancer.com

The largest freelance market
Payment protection available
Profile and payment verification

Disadvantages of Freelancer.com

Very high competition
10% deduction on freelancer earnings
3% deduction from employers
High incidence of fraud

Freelancer.com vs. Fiverr

Freelancer.com charges less commission than Fiverr. However, it has a more complex interface than Fiverr.

In addition, the low prices on Fiverr are an advantage for businesses but bad for high-paid freelancers.

If you’re between Freelancer.com and Upwork, click and learn more.

3. Toptal

What is Toptal?

Unlike other platforms, Toptal selects freelancers through an application process. Accepted freelancers are matched with top-tier clients when opportunities arise.

This means if you're accepted as a freelancer, you’ll be among the top 3% of professionals.

For business owners, head to the Toptal website and click the "Hire Top Talent" button. From there, provide the details of your project and desired services.

Within a short time, you can begin working with either an individual freelancer or a dedicated team, tailored to your needs.

Advantages of Toptal

A pool of top 3% freelancers
No hiring fees
Start working within 48 hours
High success rate
Low competition for freelancers
On-time payments
No deductions from freelancer's earnings

Disadvantages of Toptal

Much higher costs
Rigorous application process for freelancers
Smaller talent pool

Toptal vs. Fiverr

Freelancers accepted to Toptal keep 100% of their earnings. However, the platform is costlier for businesses.

Fiverr may be more suitable for budget-conscious businesses, while Toptal is ideal for those seeking high-quality freelancers.

4. PeoplePerHour

What is PeoplePerHour?

PeoplePerHour is a platform that connects freelancers looking for hourly work with clients.

Especially popular in Europe, the site offers a wide range of career opportunities such as marketing, design, writing, and web development.

In addition, all freelancers are vetted and selected by the PPH team.

PeoplePerHour also offers a robust invoicing and payment system, ensuring that freelancers are paid on time.

Advantages of PeoplePerHour

Money-back guarantee & protection against scams
AI-assisted freelancer discovery
24/7 active customer support team
Carefully selected freelancers
Automatic billing

Disadvantages of PeoplePerHour

Limited to 15 bids (additional bids require payment)
20% deduction on freelancer earnings
Not all freelancers are accepted
Hourly work model only

PeoplePerHour vs. Fiverr

Fiverr is open to everyone, whereas PeoplePerHour has a selective acceptance process for freelancers. Unlike Fiverr, PeoplePerHour operates on an hourly work model. However, both platforms deduct 20% from freelancers' earnings.

Learn more about PeoplePerHour vs. Fiverr.

5. 99designs

What is 99designs?

99designs is exclusively for graphic design work, making it the top Fiverr alternative for graphic design professionals. It allows you to showcase your designs in high-demand creative projects like logo and web design.

Here’s how it works: clients submit a request, freelancers create and submit their designs, and the client selects their favorite design.

This contest-based model can lead to significant earnings and ensures high-quality designs by the end of the project.

While competitive and sometimes challenging, it’s an excellent way to build your portfolio and secure high-paying projects.

Advantages of 99designs

Full copyright ownership for designs
Quick logo contests with fast outcomes
Trusted by over 500,000 clients
100% money-back guarantee

Disadvantages of 99designs

Competitive contests for freelancers
High prices for businesses
Only for graphic designers

99designs vs. Fiverr

Fiverr and 99designs differ significantly in both purpose and working model. 99designs focuses exclusively on graphic design tasks, such as logos, websites, and app designs.

Unlike Fiverr, 99designs uses a tiered commission system. Top-level designers pay a 5% commission, mid-level designers pay 10%, and entry-level designers pay 15%. Clients are also charged a 5% commission.

6. Guru

What is Guru?

Professionals using Guru, a flexible freelancing platform, could find work in design, writing, programming, and business consulting.

Guru's workstation is among its strongest features as it enhances project management and simplifies client-freelancer contact.

The site also offers several payment options like milestone payments so you may get paid for your efforts at many stages of a project.

Advantages of Guru

Low freelancer commission rate of just 5%
Reduced competition for freelancers
Ability to work with four different payment terms
Unlimited and free job postings for employers
Team-building capabilities

Disadvantages of Guru

Subscription model for regular work

Guru vs. Fiverr

With a flat 5% freelancer commission, Guru offers a more cost-effective option compared to Fiverr. Additionally, clients on Guru can request quotes directly from their preferred freelancers.

Even though there is a freemium version for beginners, you need to subscribe to Guru for more bids. Pricing starts from $11.95. Fiverr is free to start using.

Lastly, Guru has a smaller freelancer pool, resulting in lower competition compared to the broader community on Fiverr.

7. TaskRabbit

What is TaskRabbit?

TaskRabbit stands out among freelancing platforms by emphasizing local, on-demand work. Especially, it’s ideal for freelancers offering services like home repairs, cleaning, moving, or personal assistance.

While it may not be as suitable for digital services, TaskRabbit provides a reliable way to connect with clients in your area. The platform also features an easy-to-use website and offers flexible opportunities to earn money on your schedule.

Plus, as a client, you can hire any specialist you need directly from the site.

Advantages of TaskRabbit

Ideal for household tasks
Same-day work options
Perfect for small, quick, one-time jobs
Verified taskers

Disadvantages of TaskRabbit

Difficulty finding jobs for new users
Not suitable for large projects
No additional perks beyond task payment

TaskRabbit vs. Fiverr

While Fiverr caters to digital projects, TaskRabbit specializes in services like furniture assembly, home cleaning, and repairs.

Additionally, TaskRabbit taskers receive full payment for their work, with only the clients paying an additional commission on top of the task fee.

8. Thumbtack

What is Thumbtack?

Like TaskRabbit, Thumbtack connects consumers with local professionals offering a wide range of services, from home maintenance and tutoring to photography and event planning.

Freelancers can create profiles, list their products and services, and bid on projects that match their qualifications.

Thumbtack is especially convenient for freelancers who want to operate locally and have access to a strong consumer base in their area.

Additionally, around 30,000 projects are safely completed daily, indicating a high volume of activity.

Advantages of Thumbtack

Ideal for home services
Available across the U.S., from major cities to small towns
Trusted by over 4.5 million users
Over 300,000 reviews on the App Store with a 4.9/5 rating
Easy payment integration
In-app chat feature

Disadvantages of Thumbtack

Uncertain service quality
Inconsistent pricing
High competition (e.g., competing against contractors)

Thumbtack vs. Fiverr

Thumbtack and Fiverr differ significantly in terms of their approach and purpose.

While Thumbtack specializes in services like furniture assembly, electrical work, painting, moving, and even photography, Fiverr focuses on digital services.

It’s important to note that listing your services on Thumbtack is free. However, the platform does not provide sufficient transparency regarding the fees charged after completing a service.

9. DesignCrowd

What is DesignCrowd?

DesignCrowd is a design-focused platform that provides an excellent alternative to Fiverr, particularly for creative professionals.

Similar to 99designs, it operates under a model where independent designers compete in design contests based on client needs.

Clients then select the best design, and the winning designer gets paid. While this competitive environment can be challenging, it offers an excellent opportunity to build a portfolio and gain visibility.

With a wide range of design categories, including website design, business cards, and logo creation, DesignCrowd serves as a comprehensive tool for designers looking to showcase their skills.

Advantages of DesignCrowd

Good for graphic designers
More than 100,000 businesses trust
Budget and deadline-setting
Competitions with fast results
Full copyright of the winning design
100% money-back guarantee

Disadvantages of DesignCrowd

Long delivery time
Competition among graphic designers
15% commission for freelancers

DesignCrowd vs. Fiverr

DesignCrowd charges a 15% commission on freelancers' earnings, which is 5% lower than Fiverr’s 20%.

Unlike Fiverr, DesignCrowd exclusively focuses on graphic design projects. Clients post their design requests, and hundreds of freelancers submit their creations.

At the end of the contest, the client selects the winning design, and the freelancer receives payment. This model makes DesignCrowd a go-to platform for businesses needing creative solutions quickly and efficiently.

10. SimplyHired

What is SimplyHired?

SimplyHired is an excellent tool for independent contractors looking for remote work opportunities, although it's more of a job search engine than a freelancing site.

The site aggregates job listings from across the web - including freelance, part-time, and full-time opportunities.

Freelancers can quickly find opportunities that match their skills and interests by category, location, and contract type.

SimplyHired is very useful for freelancers who want to explore different opportunities and are open to different types of work.

Advantages of SimplyHired

Free for both employers and job seekers
Simple and user-friendly interface
Resume-building feature
Worldwide remote job postings
Free job posting option

Disadvantages of SimplyHired

High competition, especially for employers needing to advertise
Rated 1.7 out of 5 by 173 users

SimplyHired vs. Fiverr

Unlike Fiverr, SimplyHired doesn’t focus on digital gigs or pre-defined services. Instead, it operates more like traditional job search platforms such as Indeed and Jobberman. It offers part-time, full-time, remote, and hybrid job listings, catering to job seekers looking for diverse work opportunities.

11. Bark

What is Bark?

Bark is a lead generation platform that connects clients looking for specific services with independent freelancers. Popular in the UK, it offers a wide range of jobs, including digital marketing, commercial services, photography, and videography.

Freelancers can create profiles based on their expertise and credentials, connect with potential clients, and submit bids. Bark allows direct communication with clients, giving freelancers more control over the tasks they work on.

It’s a great alternative for those looking to expand their client base without relying solely on platforms like Fiverr.

Advantages of Bark

Free job advert publication
Local and digital services
Fast match filtering
Professional profile details
Possibility of telephone contact
Urgent request option
Fast turnarounds
Portfolio images

Disadvantages of Bark

Bark does not manage payments
No refund
Paid messaging for freelancers
Professionals do not pass the inspection

Bark vs. Fiverr

Bark is a platform where you can find both local and digital jobs, while Fiverr only focuses on digital jobs.

Also, there are no commissions on Bark, but payments are not secured. On Fiverr, your payments are secure until the end of the project.

12. FlexJobs

What is FlexJobs?

FlexJobs is an employment portal designed with a special focus on flexible work alternatives, including remote, part-time, and freelance jobs.

While you need to pay to access job postings, this subscription-based company is well-known for its excellent opportunities and scam-free environment.

Therefore, FlexJobs is ideal for freelancers who prioritize stability and reliability in finding work.

Advantages of FlexJobs

A clean, ad-free experience
Fraud-free
All adverts are analyzed
Remote, hybrid, and flexible jobs
Always quality work
High customer rating

Disadvantages of FlexJobs

Global but most job adverts are in the USA
Paid for employers: 399$ for 1 month
Paid for job seekers: Trial membership starting at $2.95

FlexJobs vs. Fiverr

Flexjobs is a platform where job adverts are comprehensively analyzed. Unlike Fiverr, it offers hybrid and flexible working opportunities.

Unlike FlexJobs, Fiverr only offers one-off service packages for digital jobs. However, while FlexJobs has a more secure environment, it is considered a high-priced platform for employers.

How to choose your Fiverr alternative?

Each Fiverr alternative comes with certain advantages. But, if you are a freelancer who finds clients through marketplaces, it’s better to focus on one or two platforms to build a strong profile.

Buyers on these platforms care about the reviews about you and want to work with trustworthy freelancers. They are right to do that there are so many scams around.

To choose the best platform for you to focus on, you can start by listing the platforms that focus on your niche. As you’ve seen, they specialize in different fields.

No doubt… Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com are popular with many buyers. However, you can also consider being a star in a less popular one to beat the competition. Otherwise, it can take ages to find your first clients.

When choosing a platform, it's also important to consider payment security, customer support, and ease of use.

Pro tip: Another solution for a safe and quick payment

Many freelancers prefer to handle payments through platforms like Fiverr while servicing their existing clients. This can be used as a tactic to build a solid profile on these platforms. Why not?

However, these platforms can complicate the process for your clients, which is a no-no for businesses working with freelancers.

And they usually demand high commissions.

If you don’t need these platforms to find clients for you, there is no need to make things complicated and pay high percentages from your earnings.

If you’re using other channels like LinkedIn to find your clients and just need a platform for getting paid, try Ruul.

With fast payments, personal customer interaction, and lower commission rates, the work becomes more efficient with Ruul.

Plus, you can get paid in your currency and even crypto payment is available here.

Final Words

Fiverr has been a popular and powerful platform for years, but there may be some aspects that don't please you.

That's why in this article, we've discussed 12 alternatives that might be better for you, with their advantages and disadvantages.

Exploring alternatives such as Upwork, Freelancer.com, Toptal, and others can help you find better payment structures, better quality connections, and lower commissions both as a freelancer and as a business.