Which freelancing platform is best?

Upwork, Fiverr - what’s the best freelancer site? Here’s a deep dive into the best freelance sites you should check out.

Which Freelancer Site is the Best? Top Freelance Platforms to Check Out

It’s 2025, and luckily, there are now more freelance sites than ever before! While this is great for us freelancers, I will say that not all of these sites are worth your time (in my opinion).

So here’s what you should know about the different freelancing websites you can check out, and I’ll give you all the tea on the best freelance sites you shouldn’t miss!

best freelancing websites:

In this guide, I’ll break down the best freelance websites, including Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Pangea.app, and toptal. Let’s take a closer look at what each platform has to offer and how you can make the most of them…


By the way, are you new to freelancing?

Just started your freelance business and having trouble finding clients? Download this free ebook to learn everything you need to know about how to find clients effortlessly and build a sustainable freelance business.

Do you have a freelance agreement in place? If you don’t, download my freelance contract template now so you’re always protected.

You can also read this other blog post to learn how to become a successful freelancer on upwork.com or how to start freelancing with no experience.


Upwork

My number one will always be Upwork. This is honestly the best freelancer site overall because of its huge client base and dependable payment processes.

Upwork gets some bad rep because some clients are low-ballers, plus you have to pay to apply for roles, but nevertheless, I couldn’t recommend Upwork more. They have loads of high-paying clients, so you’re truly missing out if you don’t use this platform.

Why I recommend Upwork:

  • huge variety of Projects: upwork truly has something for everyone! There’s an wide range of jobs across industries, from tech, to marketing, design, writing, engineering, consulting, and more.

  • Long-Term Opportunities: Uyou can find long-term clients or ongoing contracts through the platform. It’s not just short-term work.

  • Built-In Tools: Upwork has built in time tracking and invoicing/contracts, so you don’t have to worry about getting paid.

The downside to Upwork? It’s very competitive nowadays, so you truly need to make your profile stand out with amazing reviews and impressive portfolio. But don’t worry- once you start landing clients, it’ll get easier and easier to land more- just stay consistent!

get a copy of my freelance contract template now

You can easily customize this template in google docs! (All you need is a free google account)

Fiverr


If you’d prefer one-off projects or fast gigs, a great freelance site for you to look into is Fiverr. This platform is great for starting small and scale up with high-ticket services once you’ve built up a reputation.

The downside of fiverr? Honestly, I feel like the budgets on this platform are much lower than others. The platform literally became famous for its “starting at $5” model.

There’s also a ton of competition here (not to mention, you’re also competing with low-rate overseas freelancers), so I feel like it’s harder to make actual money on this platform. .

Why Fiverr is alright (I won’t say great haha):

  • Affordable for Clients: Fiverr’s model attracts a lot of clients looking for affordable, one-off tasks. This is great for the client side, not so much for the freelancer side.

  • Gig-Based System: You don’t submit proposals or apply for gigs. You simply list specific services (aka “gigs”), and clients can come directly to you.

  • Easy to Get Started: Starting with Fiverr is pretty simple, you just need to set up your profile and portfolio. With no barriers to entry in mind, Fiverr is great choice for beginners.

Overall, Fiverr can be a great platform if you’re offering a specific service like logo design, copywriting, or social media content. Just keep in mind that because of the competitive pricing, it’s super important to differentiate yourself here to stand out.

Freelancer

Freelancer is another freelance site you can use to find freelance work. It operates kind of similarly to Upwork. To get hired, you have to place bids on projects, so it has a bit of a competitive edge like Upwork with the proposal bidding.

Personally speaking, I haven’t used freelancer much, but I’ve seen that it offers various projects in all industries. I would say it’s worth checking out at least and seeing if you have any luck.

Why Freelancer is Great:

  • Bidding System: You can submit bids for projects, which gives you more control over the types of jobs you want to pursue.

  • Large Marketplace: With millions of users, there's no shortage of job opportunities across many fields.

  • Contests: Freelancer also allows you to participate in job contests, which is a cool way to showcase your skills and stand out.

The biggest downside is that the bidding system can be a bit ruthless and impossible, especially for new freelancers. But like any other freelancing platform, perseverance and a solid portfolio can lead to ongoing work through this platform.

Pangea.app

If you’ve already tried Upwork, Fiverr, and freelancer and you’re not having much luck, the next best freelancing platform you should check out is Pangea.app.

This platform connects high-quality freelancers with startups, and the pay is excellent in comparison to most clients on Fiverr and sometimes Upwork.

Why Pangea is Great:

  • Freelancer-Friendly: Built specifically with early-career freelancers in mind, Pangea.app offers a supportive and transparent environment to find paid work fast.

  • Curated Clients: The platform partners with startups and innovative companies actively looking for freelance talent across marketing, design, content, and more.

  • Easy to Use: With a clean interface, no bidding wars, and quick onboarding, Pangea makes it easy to showcase your skills and land your first or next project.

This is a new platform that i’m trying out, so I can’t speak from experience yet. but I have heard nothing but amazing things about this platform on TikTok from other freelancers, so I’d not sleep on this one.

Toptal

Next up on the best freelancer site list is Toptal! If you’re an experienced freelancer looking for high-end projects, Toptal might be the best freelance site for you.

Unlike other platforms, Toptal has a rigorous screening process and only accepts the top 3% of freelance talent. While this might sound intimidating, it also means that if you’re accepted, you’re in a pool of highly sought-after professionals!

Why Toptal is Great:

  • Exclusive Opportunities: Only top-tier freelancers are accepted, making it a great platform for those with a specialized skill set.

  • Quality Clients: Toptal attracts high-quality clients, including large companies and startups looking for premium talent.

  • Higher Rates: Because the platform only works with top-tier freelancers, you can charge premium rates for your expertise.

If you’re an expert in fields like software development, product marketing, finance, or design, Toptal might be a great option for you to find and land high-paying, long-term projects.

More resources for freelancers

Freelancing isn’t easy, and I know it can be hard to find resources on Google. So, to make your life a little easier, here are some more free resources I’d recommend you check out. I created these with love and your success in mind, ensuring you feel empowered, confident, and well-equipped to thrive in your freelance business!

New to freelancing? This free ebook is your go-to guide! Learn how to find clients, set rates, and succeed with confidence. Packed with tips and expert advice—download now and start your freelance journey!

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing the best freelancer site, it really depends on your specific goals, experience, and skillset. If you're just starting out, Fiverr and Freelancer might be great places to build experience and find your niche.

But if you’re a few years into your freelancing journey and you’re looking for consistent, high-paying work, then Upwork or Toptal are probably your best options.

Each freelancer website offers different features and opportunities, so take some time to explore them and see which aligns with your career goals!

Hope this helps! And don’t forget that no matter which platform you choose, the key to success is consistency, quality work, and good communication. Happy freelancing!

Want more freelancing tips? Or want to start freelancing but don’t know how?

Want to start freelancing but still feeling unsure of how to begin? Or want some extra guidance and a printable workbook to organize your ideas? Grab a free copy of my ultimate freelancing for beginners ebook!

Next
Next

Tips for freelancing