7 Best Upwork Alternatives for Clients and Freelancers

Upwork and freelancing? They’re almost like two sides of the same coin. Whether you’re hiring or looking for freelance work, it’s the first place many people turn to. But if you’re reading this blog, chances are, Upwork hasn’t quite hit the mark for you. Maybe you needed to hire someone quickly and their bidding process slowed you down, maybe the fees had you second-guessing, or worst-case scenario, you had a freelancer from Upwork who turned your project into a total nightmare.

Whatever the reason, no worries. There are plenty of best Upwork alternatives out there that could save you time, money, and headaches. We’ve rounded up the 7 best alternatives to Upwork, highlighting their features, pros, and cons, so you can find the best platform that fits your needs. Let’s check them out.

1. Fiverr

Fiverr is a pretty familiar name in the freelance world, just like Upwork. It connects freelancers with clients looking for various services. It has gained popularity due to its unique approach to pricing and service offerings.

Key Features of Fiverr

• Gig-Based Model: Fiverr operates on a gig-based system where freelancers create listings (gigs) for specific services. You can browse through these gigs and hire freelancers directly—super straightforward.
• Affordable Pricing: Services on Fiverr start at $5, but keep in mind that the price goes up depending on the complexity and scope of the work.
• Diverse Categories: Whether you need graphic design, content writing, programming, digital marketing, or video editing, Fiverr’s got freelancers for just about everything. It’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Pros:

• No Bidding Required: Unlike Upwork, there’s no need to post a job and wait for bids. Just browse, pick a freelancer, and get started. It’s quick and simple.
• Payment Security: Fiverr uses an escrow system (like Upwork), so your money is held until the job is done and approved. It keeps things safe for both sides.
• Fiverr Pro: Fiverr Pro connects you with freelancers who’ve been handpicked and vetted by experts for their skills, experience, and client satisfaction.

Cons:

• Quality of Service: Since anyone can create a gig on Fiverr, you might run into freelancers who don’t quite meet your expectations. Finding skilled professionals might take a bit of digging.
• Service Fees: Fiverr adds a 5.5% service fee for buyers to the purchase amount and an extra 3% for purchases under $100. If you make a main purchase, add a GigExtra, or tip the freelance, each payment will have a service fee. Those fees can add up.
• Limited Control: When hiring on Fiverr, you won’t have the same control as with in-house staff. You might not be able to provide real-time feedback, which can affect the final product.

Why Choose Fiverr over Upwork?

Fiverr stands out as one of the best alternatives to Upwork if you’re looking to get small tasks done quickly at a lower cost. Fiverr’s gig system makes it super easy to hire freelancers for one-off projects like logo design, voice-overs, or social media management. You don’t need to post a job or go through proposals like you do on Upwork. Instead, you can browse services and hire someone immediately, making Fiverr a more straightforward choice for quick, hassle-free hiring.

2. Guru.com

Guru.com is another popular freelancing platform that connects freelancers with clients looking for various services. While it shares similarities with other platforms like Upwork, Guru has unique features that may appeal to both freelancers and employers.

Key Features of Guru

• WorkRooms for Collaboration: Guru offers a unique feature called WorkRooms, a dedicated space for project management where freelancers and clients can collaborate, share files, and track project progress in real-time.
• Flexible Payment Options: Guru offers various payment structures, including hourly rates, fixed prices, recurring payments, and task-based payments. This flexibility allows clients to choose the best model for their project needs.
• SafePay System: Guru’s secure payment system holds funds in escrow until the work is completed satisfactorily. This ensures that freelancers are paid for their work while providing clients with peace of mind.

Pros

• Diverse Talent Pool: With around 1.5 million registered professionals, Guru offers access to a wide range of freelancers across various categories, including design, writing, programming, and more.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed for ease of use, allowing clients to post jobs and freelancers to bid on projects seamlessly.
• Custom Contracts: Guru provides tools to create custom contracts tailored to specific project requirements, enhancing clarity and agreement between parties.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Users can access customer support through multiple channels, ensuring assistance is available whenever needed.

Cons

• Quality Variation: The quality of work can vary among freelancers since there is no stringent vetting process like some other platforms. Clients may need to conduct thorough evaluations based on freelancer profiles and reviews.
• Commission Fees: Guru charges a commission fee ranging from 4.95% to 9% based on the membership plan chosen by freelancers. This can impact overall earnings for those using the platform.
• Limited Brand Recognition: Compared to larger platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, Guru may not have the same level of recognition among clients, which could affect job availability for freelancers.

Why Choose Guru Over Upwork?

Guru is an excellent option among Upwork alternatives, offering a flexible and collaborative platform for businesses and freelancers alike. Its unique features, like WorkRooms for seamless project management and the SafePay system for secure payments, make it stand out. 

While Guru may not have the same brand recognition as Upwork, its user-friendly interface, diverse talent pool, and flexible payment options make it one of the best Upwork alternatives for both short and long-term projects.

3. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is one of the largest freelancing and crowdsourcing platforms in the world, connecting businesses with a vast pool of freelancers across various fields. With over 50 million users and projects spanning numerous categories, Freelancer provides a flexible and accessible way for clients to find talent for their projects.

Key Features of Freelancer

• Bidding System: Like Upwork, Freelancer also operates on a bidding system where clients post jobs and freelancers submit proposals to win the project.
• Wide Range of Services: Freelancer offers services across more than 1,800 skill categories, including web development, graphic design, writing, marketing, and more. This extensive range makes it easy for clients to find freelancers with the specific expertise they need.
• Job Contests: Clients can also run contests where freelancers submit their work based on project specifications. This feature encourages creativity and allows clients to choose from multiple submissions before hiring.

Pros

• Global Talent Pool: With freelancers from around the world, clients have access to a diverse range of skills and expertise. This is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to hire international talent.
• Free Job Posting: It is free for clients to post jobs on Freelancer, allowing them to gauge interest without any upfront costs. This can be advantageous for businesses exploring different project options.
• Flexible Payment Options: Freelancer supports both fixed-price projects and hourly work, giving clients flexibility in how they structure payments based on project needs.

Cons

• Quality Variation: The open nature of the platform means that the quality of work can vary widely among freelancers. Clients must carefully review profiles and ratings to ensure they select qualified candidates.
• High Competition: The bidding system can lead to intense competition among freelancers, which may drive prices down but can also result in lower-quality submissions from less experienced individuals trying to win jobs.
• Limited Dispute Resolution: While there are mechanisms for resolving disputes, they are primarily limited to milestone payments and hourly contracts. Clients may find it challenging to address issues that arise outside these parameters.

Why Choose Freelancer Over Upwork?

Freelancer.com ranks among the best Upwork alternatives, providing access to a broad global talent pool across more than 1,800 skill categories. With features like job contests, free job postings, and flexible payment options, the platform offers businesses a versatile way to find specialized talent for various project needs. Whether you’re looking for quick project solutions or highly specialized skills, Freelancer.com delivers a competitive platform for connecting with professionals worldwide, making it an excellent option for companies seeking flexible and cost-effective hiring.

4. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a freelance platform designed to connect businesses with skilled freelancers across a wide range of services. It stands out as one of the strong alternatives to Upwork, particularly for clients seeking quick, efficient solutions for their projects.

Key Features of PeoplePerHour

• Diverse Talent Pool: PeoplePerHour boasts a global network of freelancers offering services in various fields, including graphic design, web development, content writing, SEO, and digital marketing. This diversity allows clients to find the right expertise for their specific needs.
• Hourly and Fixed-Price Projects: The platform supports both hourly rates and fixed-price projects, giving clients flexibility in how they budget for their work. Freelancers can also offer predefined packages known as “hourlies,” which are set prices for specific tasks.
• Efficient Matching Process: PeoplePerHour employs advanced search filters and algorithms that help clients quickly narrow down their options and connect with freelancers who meet their project requirements.

Pros

• Cost-Effective Solutions: The platform offers competitive pricing options suitable for businesses of all sizes. This affordability makes it an attractive choice for startups and small businesses looking to manage costs effectively.
• User-Friendly Interface: The site is designed to facilitate easy navigation, allowing clients to browse freelancer profiles, review portfolios, and hire talent quickly without extensive back-and-forth communication.
• Quick Access to Freelancers: Clients can post jobs and receive proposals from freelancers promptly, making it easier to kick off projects without unnecessary delays.

Cons

• Quality Variation: As with many freelance platforms, the quality of work can vary significantly among freelancers. It’s essential for clients to thoroughly vet candidates by reviewing their portfolios and client feedback before making a hiring decision.
• Limited Customer Support: Some users have reported issues with customer support on PeoplePerHour, citing slow response times and challenges in resolving disputes compared to other platforms.
• Competition Among Freelancers: The competitive nature of the platform means that freelancers may lower their prices to stand out, which can sometimes lead to compromises on quality.

Why Choose PeoplePerHour Over Upwork?

If you’re looking for a fast and reliable way to hire freelancers, PeoplePerHour is an excellent alternative to Upwork for freelancers and businesses alike. With its global talent pool and flexible pricing options, it’s designed to suit businesses of all sizes. 

The platform’s user-friendly interface and efficient matching process make it easy to connect with skilled professionals quickly. Whether you need help with graphic design, content writing, or digital marketing, PeoplePerHour is one of the best Upwork alternatives for getting projects started smoothly and efficiently.

5. 99designs

99designs is a popular design platform that connects businesses with freelance designers through its unique contest model. Clients can either launch a design contest where multiple designers submit their ideas, or they can hire a designer for 1-on-1 projects.

Key Features of 99designs

• Design Contests Model: Clients can launch design contests where multiple designers submit their ideas based on a brief. This allows clients to see various creative options before making a final decision.
• Direct Hiring: For those who prefer a more traditional approach, 99designs allows clients to browse designer portfolios and hire them directly for one-on-one projects.
• Pre-Made Design Store: 99designs offers a ready-made logo store, where you can buy a pre-designed logo and customize it with your business name.
• Money-Back Guarantee: They offer a 100% money-back guarantee within 60 days of payment If you are not satisfied with the designs received in a contest.

Pros

• Large Designer Community: With 1.4 million registered designers and numerous categories—from logos to website builder to Illustration—, you can find diverse styles and expertise.
• Blind Contest Option: 99designs offers a blind contest option, where designers cannot see each other’s submissions, encouraging more creativity and eliminating the possibility of copying.
• Free Design Consultation: They provide a free, no-obligation consultation to understand your needs and suggest suitable designers.
• Excellent Customer Support: Known for responsive customer service, 99designs assists clients throughout the design process.
• Design Ownership Rights: Clients retain full copyright ownership of the designs they select.

Cons

• Cost: The design contest fees start at $299 for the basic bronze package and can rise quickly depending on the package you choose​. The premium Platinum package, which attracts top-level designers, costs $1,299.
• Low-Quality Submissions: Contest results don’t always guarantee high-quality designs. Some users on Reddit reported receiving generic designs even with high-end packages. For more customized, high-quality work, consider hiring a designer directly instead of running a contest​.
• Client Introduction Fee: In addition to platform fees (5%-15% based on experience level), designers are charged a 20% client introduction fee each time they start working with a new client, up to a maximum of $100​.

Why Choose 99designs Over Upwork?

If you’re looking for logo design, app icon design, website design, or illustrations and want to explore multiple creative ideas before committing, 99designs is a great option compared to Upwork. With their contest model, you can receive submissions from several designers at once, giving you lots of choices upfront. It’s perfect for one-off projects like logos or branding, where you want to see different styles and approaches. 

Plus, features like blind contests and a money-back guarantee give you more peace of mind. While Upwork offers freelance talent across many different fields, 99designs focuses on design, making it one of the best alternatives to Upwork for high-quality creative work.

6. ZydeSoft

ZydeSoft is a more niche platform than some of the other freelance platforms that are listed here. ZydeSoft connects clients with top tech talents and developers with the best remote opportunities at leading US companies. If you’re looking to hire talent for technical roles, you can hire pre-vetted remote developers quickly and efficiently, similar to platforms like Upwork.

Key Features of ZydeSoft:

1. Deeply Vetted by AI: All the developers on ZydeSoft undergo a 5-hour rigorous vetting process before their profile gets into your hands.
2. Fast Hiring Process: ZydeSoft matches you with the best remote developers with the skills and experience you need within just two weeks.
3. Bi-weekly Check-ins: Bi-weekly 1-on-1s with managers to receive feedback on developers’ performance.
4. End-to-End Support: From handling payroll to ensuring legal compliance, ZydeSoft takes care of all the work so you can focus on your project without administrative headaches.

Pros:

• No Service or Deposit Fee: ZydeSoft doesn’t charge any service or deposit fees. You pay $0 to start using the service.
• Risk-free Trial: The 2-week risk-free trial lets you work with the developer of your choice for 14 days without any initial upfront commitment.
• Affordable Talent: You can save up to 75% on your recruitment costs by hiring with ZydeSoft compared to hiring local talent without compromising on quality.
• Dedicated Project Manager: ZydeSoft offers a dedicated project manager for smooth collaboration and to bridge any cultural or communication gaps.
• Timezone Overlap: Minimum 4 hours overlap with your office hours for smooth collaboration.
• No Hidden Costs: ZydeSoft offers transparent monthly billing. You pay only for the talent you hire from us based on their experience level and nothing more.
• Post-match support: ZydeSoft not only helps you find and hire the best developers but also provides post-hiring support throughout the engagement.

Cons:

• Tech-Only Focus: If you need non-tech roles, ZydeSoft may not be the best option as it specializes primarily in software development roles.
• Limited Talent Pool: Compared to large-scale platforms like Upwork, the talent pool on ZydeSoft is limited.

Why Choose ZydeSoft Over Upwork?

ZydeSoft is a strong contender among Upwork alternatives for companies looking to hire remote developers. Unlike Upwork, where clients must vet freelancers, ZydeSoft provides pre-screened, high-quality developers, eliminating the uncertainty of quality. This makes ZydeSoft one of the best alternatives to Upwork for businesses seeking reliable tech talent without spending time on vetting.

Additionally, ZydeSoft offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees and handles everything from payroll to legal compliance, making it a hassle-free choice among alternatives to Upwork for hiring remote developers.

7. MarketerHire

For companies looking for alternatives to Upwork to hire highly skilled marketing professionals, MarketerHire is a great option. Unlike many freelance platforms, MarketerHire focuses only on marketing-related roles, connecting you with experienced, pre-vetted professionals in areas like social media manager, Growth marketer, Content marketer, paid search marketer, email marketer, and more.

Key Features of MarketerHire

• Top 1% Talent Matchmaking: MarketerHire connects clients with the top 1% of marketing experts, ensuring high-quality professionals are matched with the needs of the project.
• Free Scoping Session: Clients receive a free consultation with potential candidates to define project needs before committing, ensuring alignment from the start.
• Bi-weekly Check-ins: Regular check-ins ensure the project stays on track and any issues are addressed quickly, keeping both client and talent aligned.
• Dedicated Engagement Support: Each project has a dedicated engagement manager to provide ongoing support and facilitate smooth communication throughout the collaboration.
• Talent Admin & Payouts: MarketerHire manages all administrative tasks, including talent payments, allowing businesses to focus on their marketing strategies.

Pros

• Faster Matching: Based on your requirements, MarketerHire can find suitable marketers for you in as little as 48 hours.
• Vetted Marketing Talent: All marketers on the platform undergo a stringent vetting process, ensuring that only highly qualified professionals are available for hire. This includes assessments of their skills, experience, and communication abilities.
• Risk-Free Trial: As a new client, you can take advantage of their two-week trial period. If the marketer is not the right fit, MarketerHire covers the cost, allowing businesses to test their new hires without financial risk.
• Flexibility in Engagement: Clients can hire marketers for various durations—full-time, part-time, or hourly—allowing for tailored solutions based on project needs.
• Ongoing Support: After a marketer is hired, MarketerHire provides continuous support to both parties, checking in regularly to ensure that expectations are met and adjustments can be made if necessary.

Cons

• Higher Costs: MarketerHire’s plans start at $5,000 per month, which may not be suitable for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
• Focused on Marketing Roles Only: MarketerHire focuses exclusively on marketing roles, which may not be ideal for businesses looking for services beyond marketing.

Why Choose MarketerHire Over Upwork?

MarketerHire is a premium platform connecting businesses with top-tier, pre-vetted marketing professionals across different marketing fields like social media, content, and SEO. With a fast and flexible hiring process, it’s one of the best Upwork alternatives for companies seeking dedicated marketing expertise without the recruitment hassle.

For freelancer marketers, MarketerHire offers a streamlined platform to connect with clients looking specifically for marketing specialists. Unlike broader freelance sites, it avoids bidding wars and low-quality gigs, making it one of the best alternatives to Upwork for freelancers seeking specialized marketing roles.

Conclusion

While Upwork is a well-established platform for freelancers and businesses, it’s not the only option available. Depending on your specific needs, budget, and the type of project you have, one of these 7 best Upwork alternatives might be a better fit.

General freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Guru, and PeoplePerHour, offer a wide range of services. Then, there are niche platforms like 99designs for design roles, ZydeSoft for tech talent, and MarketerHire for marketing professionals

If you’re looking for specialized skills, choosing a niche platform could be the better move, as they focus solely on the field you’re hiring for. Each of these Upwork alternatives has its pros and cons, so before making a decision, consider what kind of support you need—whether short-term or long-term, part-time or full-time—and choose the platform that best fits your goals and budget.