Freelance marketplaces are platforms that help clients looking to get a job done find freelancers willing to do the job.
Companies can recruit workers for a short term, and freelancers accept jobs with no long-term commitment.
Comparing the best freelance platforms, you’ll find out which one offers the best features to:
- prevent fraud and secure payment.
- review profiles of people you want to do business with.
You can start making money as a freelancer without investment.
Best Freelance Marketplaces to Find Jobs or Hire People
I’ll review the top 5 freelancing marketplaces. All of them provide an easy-to-use interface, a secure payment process for employers and freelancers, and accept users worldwide.
This is my ranking of the best freelance platforms in 2025.
1. Upwork
| Pros | popular and trusted |
|---|---|
| Niche | General |
| Best For | Content writers, Translators, Designers, Developers |
Formerly known as oDesk, Upwork is one of the most popular freelance platforms. There’s tough competition to find online jobs, but also a vast number of employers and freelancers giving more opportunities.
It starts with clients posting jobs and freelancers responding with proposals.
Fees: 5 to 20%
Payment methods: ACH, Payoneer, wire transfer, PayPal.
Minimum Payout:
2. Fiverr
| Pros | budget-friendly gigs for starters. |
|---|---|
| Niche | General |
| Best For | Starter freelancers. |
With a large user base from all over the world, freelancers can list their services for a low price. Originally, Fiverr started as a platform for $5 microtasks, hence the name that includes “FIVErr”.
The particularity of Fiverr is that it’s the freelancer who posts the offer. This way, employers can see reviews for a particular task.
Workers can set their fixed price or hourly rate.
Fees: 20%
Payment methods: Payoneer, Bank Transfer (US), PayPal.
Payout threshold:
You’ll find tools like invoicing, time tracking to stay productive.
3. Freelancer.com
| Pros | |
|---|---|
| Niches | General |
| Best For | Developers and Designers |
Founded in 2009, Freelancer.com is the first freelance platform I used to find online jobs. It is similar to Upwork.
Employers post jobs with a description of what they want, and freelancers bid with a proposed price and a description of why they are the right person for the task.
Fees: 10-20%
Payment methods: ACH, Payoneer, PayPal, Skrill, wire transfer.
Payout threshold: $30
Freelancer.com also includes a time tracking tool for an accurate log of hours spent on a project.
I like their payment milestone feature. Like, I can request to get paid 50% of the agreed payment if I complete 50% of the job.
4. Toptal
| Pros | vetted freelancers for high-quality work. |
|---|---|
| Best for | experienced freelancers. |
Toptal is one of the freelance networks where workers are vetted. The screening process can take up to 5 weeks. So, employers can expect high-quality work.
Toptal focuses on high-paying projects averaging $10,000.
Fees:
Payment methods: Bank transfer, Payoneer, Wise, PayPal.
Payout threshold:
5. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is located in the UK. You can post services like with Fiverr, or bid on clients’ job postings like on Upwork. Like Toptal, freelancers get vetted through a rigorous process.
Fees: 3.5 to 20%.
Payment methods: PayPal, bank transfer, Payoneer.
Payout threshold:
Freelancing offers many advantages. You can work part-time or full-time. You choose the work that you want to complete.
Frequenty Asked Questions
How do freelance marketplaces make money?
Freelance marketplaces make money by charging a fee to freelancers or employers. They also offer paid add-ons to get an offer or bid featured.
Freelancing in 2025
Freelancing is still trending in the era of AI. More people are embracing remote work. Some skills can’t be replaced by a computer for now, if you want authenticity.
Because you interact with strangers, use freelance marketplaces to secure payments, resolve disputes with included tools, and have access to reviews to verify reputation.
Sharpen your skills in a competitive world to stay ahead.
Optimize your profiles by highlighting your strengths, successful work completed.
Accept jobs that you can complete on time and give high-quality work.
My advice: Build your online business. You don’t know when a platform will go down or a skill will become obsolete.
While freelance jobs can help you earn money faster, use a part of that fund to build an online business. Find a list of internet money-making business ideas you can start.
