Best Freelance Sites to Find Remote Work in 2025
Freelancing has become a popular career choice, allowing professionals to work on their own terms. But what exactly is a freelancer? A freelancer is an independent worker who offers services to clients without being tied to a single employer. This career path is interesting because it provides flexibility, the ability to work from anywhere, and the opportunity to choose projects that match one’s skills and interests.
Many people choose freelancing to escape the traditional 9-to-5 job structure, gain better work-life balance, or increase their earning potential. With freelancing, you have the freedom to set your own rates, work with multiple clients, and grow your career at your own pace.
There are various types of freelance jobs available across different industries. Some of the most popular freelance jobs include:
- Writing & Editing (content writing, copywriting, proofreading)
- Graphic Design (logo design, branding, UI/UX design)
- Web Development (front-end, back-end, full-stack development)
- Digital Marketing (SEO, social media management, email marketing)
- Virtual Assistance (administrative tasks, customer support, data entry)
- Online Tutoring (teaching languages, academic subjects, professional skills)
- Translating & Transcribing (document translation, audio transcription, subtitling)
With so many opportunities available, freelancing can be a great way to earn a living while doing what you love. If you’re looking for even more remote job opportunities beyond freelancing, check out my other article on how to find the best remote jobs for more insights and tips.
However, finding the right freelance site, landing legitimate jobs, and attracting clients can be challenging. With so many platforms available, it’s important to choose the best ones that suit your skills and offer reliable job opportunities. You also need to be cautious of scams and learn how to present yourself professionally to stand out from the competition. But don’t worry, you’re in the right place! In this article, I will help you find the best freelance sites to start or grow your freelance career.
Best Freelance Sites
1. Upwork
If you’re looking for one of the biggest freelance sites out there, Upwork is definitely worth checking out. With over 18 million freelancers and 800,000 clients, it’s packed with job opportunities in almost every field writing, programming, graphic design, virtual assistance, and more.
To join, you’ll need to set up a profile think of it as your freelance resume. Highlight your skills, add a professional photo, and showcase your best work in your portfolio. After that, you can start applying for jobs by sending proposals to clients. The key? Write a compelling proposal that explains why you’re the perfect fit for the job. Clients can also find and invite you to apply for their projects.
To apply for jobs, you’ll need Connects, Upwork’s virtual currency. Free accounts receive a limited number of Connects each month, but you can purchase more if needed. Each job application requires a certain number of Connects, so it’s important to be strategic and apply for jobs that match your skills and experience.
Fees:
- Upwork takes a 10% commission on your earnings from each client.
- The platform offers a free basic membership, but there are paid plans with extra perks.
2. Fiverr
Fiverr is another huge freelance site. Instead of bidding on jobs, freelancers (or sellers) create gigs or services that clients (or buyers) can purchase. Think of it like an online marketplace where clients browse through different services and hire freelancers directly. Clients browse through gigs and pick the ones that best fit their needs.
The key to success on Fiverr is setting up a strong gig. This means writing a clear description, setting fair prices, adding eye-catching images, and offering different pricing tiers to give clients more options. The better your gig looks and the more detailed it is, the higher the chances of getting hired.
Fees:
- Fiverr takes a 20% commission on each transaction, meaning you keep 80% of what you earn.
3. Freelancer
Freelancer is one of the largest platforms connecting freelancers with clients worldwide. It offers various jobs, including writing, translation, design, programming, data entry, marketing, and many more.
As a freelancer, you need to create a profile, highlight your skills, and bid on the projects you want to apply. The platform provides tools for secure payments, project management, and communication. However, Freelancer charges a 10% fee on projects. Free users have limited bids per month, but upgrading to a paid plan offers additional benefits and a chance to get hired.
4. Toptal
If you’re an experienced freelancer looking for high-paying, premium clients, Toptal might be the perfect fit for you. Unlike other freelance platforms where anyone can sign up, Toptal is exclusive—only the top 3% of freelancers make it through their rigorous screening process.
So, what makes Toptal different? Quality over quantity. Instead of browsing hundreds of gigs or bidding on jobs, freelancers on Toptal get matched with high-profile clients, including big companies and startups. It’s ideal for software developers, designers, finance experts, and project managers who have years of experience and a solid portfolio.
How to Get a Job on Toptal: First, you’ll need to pass a multi-step screening process, which includes interviews, technical skill tests, and test projects. Once accepted, Toptal will match you with top-tier clients looking for experts in your field. You don’t have to bid on jobs, Toptal brings the projects to you!
If you’re confident in your skills and want to work with big-name clients, Toptal is a fantastic choice. But if you’re just starting, you might want to build experience on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr first.
5. People Per Hour
PeoplePerHour connects skilled professionals with businesses seeking various services. Freelancers can find opportunities in writing, design, marketing, web development, business consulting, and more. Whether you’re just starting or already experienced, you can land short-term gigs or secure long-term projects.
To get started, create a strong profile that showcases your expertise, experience, and best work samples. After setting up your profile, browse job listings and submit proposals for projects that match your skills.
Besides applying for jobs, you can also create “Hourlies” fixed-price services that clients can purchase instantly. This feature lets you offer specific services with clear pricing, making it easier to get quick projects without waiting for client invitations.
Fees
- PeoplePerHour takes a 20% commission on your first $250 earned with a client.
- Once you surpass $250, the fee drops to 7.5%.
6. Hubstaff Talent
Hubstaff Talent is a free job marketplace that connects freelancers and businesses worldwide. It allows professionals and agencies to showcase their skills, list their qualifications, and apply for job opportunities. At the same time, businesses can post job openings and directly invite freelancers to apply.
Unlike many other freelance platforms, Hubstaff Talent does not charge any fees or commissions, allowing freelancers to keep 100% of their earnings.
The platform offers opportunities in various fields, including web development, marketing, design, writing, virtual assistance, and customer support.
7. 99designs
99designs is a freelance platform dedicated to creative professionals, specifically graphic designers. It connects designers with clients who need logos, branding, packaging, website design, and other visual assets.
To get a job on 99designs, start by creating a profile that highlights your skills, portfolio, and design expertise. A well-crafted profile helps attract potential clients and increases your chances of getting hired. Next, build a strong portfolio showcasing your best work so clients can easily match with you.
One of the best ways to land projects on 99designs is by joining Design Contests. With over 1,500 open contests daily, designers can browse opportunities by industry, keyword, prize amounts, and schedule to find the perfect match. Participating in contests is a great way to challenge yourself with interesting projects, sharpen your design skills, and grow your client network. However, keep in mind that contest entries are free, but only the winning design gets paid.
Beyond contests, experienced designers can attract clients and receive direct project invitations. Building a strong reputation will help you secure more opportunities and grow your freelance design career.
Fees
- 99designs charges a platform fee ranging from 5% to 15%, depending on your designer level.
8. Dribbble
Dribbble is a go-to platform for designers, illustrators, and creatives to showcase their work and land freelance gigs or full-time jobs. It’s not just a job board, it’s a community where you can get inspired, connect with other creatives, and grow your career.
Getting started is simple: create a portfolio with your best work, engage with the community by liking and commenting on designs, and start networking. If you’re serious about finding jobs, check out Dribbble’s job board, where clients post freelance and full-time opportunities.
9. Guru
Guru is a freelance platform where you can find projects in writing, design, programming, marketing, sales, translating, and more.
To start, freelancers create their profiles and an offer for their services. Companies can then contact them to check their availabilities before starting to work with them. You can get paid per milestone, task, hour, or regularly.
Freelancers can browse jobs, send proposals, and connect with clients. A free account gives access to job listings, but a paid membership offers more bids and better visibility.
10. Servicescape
ServiceScape is a freelance platform that connects professionals with clients looking for writing, editing, translation, and graphic design services. Instead of bidding on projects, freelancers create a profile showcasing their skills and expertise, and clients reach out to them directly.
This setup makes it easier to land jobs without constantly applying. However, one thing to keep in mind is the 50% commission fee, ServiceScape takes half of your earnings from every project. While the fee is quite high, the platform simplifies the job search by bringing clients to you, so you can focus on delivering quality work.
11. DesignCrowd
DesignCrowd is a freelance marketplace that connects talented designers with clients looking for custom designs. Whether you specialize in logos, business cards, website design, or even t-shirt graphics, this platform offers plenty of opportunities.
One of the main ways to get work on DesignCrowd is by joining design contests. In these contests, clients post projects, and multiple designers submit their ideas. The client then selects the best design, and the winner gets paid. While only the selected designer earns money, participating in contests can help freelancers build their portfolios, gain exposure, and attract future clients.
Freelancers can also get hired directly by clients for one-on-one projects, making it easier to secure consistent work. The platform charges a 15% fee on earnings, which is lower than some other design marketplaces.
12. Solid Gigs
SolidGigs is a freelance job site that helps you save time by delivering hand-picked job opportunities straight to your inbox. It’s perfect for freelancers in writing, design, marketing, development, and other fields who want to focus more on work and less on job hunting. Instead of sifting through countless listings, SolidGigs curates the best freelance gigs from across the web and sends them directly to you, making it easier to land high-quality projects.
Unlike other freelance marketplaces, SolidGigs charges a monthly subscription fee of $31 instead of taking a percentage of your earnings. You also have full control over the types of jobs you receive. You can set up custom search filters based on location, budget, keywords, and more, ensuring you get job alerts tailored to your skills and preferences. This way, you can quickly find opportunities that align with your expertise without wasting time on irrelevant listings.
13. ComeUp
ComeUp is a freelance platform that makes it easy for both beginners and experienced professionals to offer their services at fixed prices. Previously known as 5euros.com, it focuses on microservices, where freelancers list specific tasks in areas like writing, design, video editing, marketing, and many more. Clients can browse these offers and purchase the ones that fit their needs without the hassle of bidding or negotiations.
Conclusion
Freelancing opens up a world of opportunities, whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your career. With so many platforms available, you can find the one that best fits your skills, work style, and goals. The key to success is building a strong profile, delivering high-quality work, and maintaining good client relationships.
And remember, freelancing is competitive! The more skills you have, the better your chances of landing great projects. If you’re looking to level up without spending money, check out our guide on the Best Free Online Learning Platforms to find top resources for learning design, writing, coding, marketing, and more.
So, why wait? Choose a platform, start applying, and take your freelancing career to the next level!
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