The Best Freelance Websites for Finding Work in Creative Fields

As a creative freelancer, you want to put your work out there so you can find the right clients. But with so many freelance websites available, finding the perfect platform can feel daunting. As each offers different features and client bases, it’s essential to select one that aligns with your professional aspirations, skill set, and brand identity. In this article, we’ll outline what to consider before advertising your services on a freelance website. We will also list all of the top freelancing websites—detaining their features, fees, and more—to ensure you choose a platform that not only enhances your visibility but also supports your creative endeavors effectively.

Here’s What to Look for in a Freelance Website Before Advertising Your Services

Not every freelance website will align with your professional goals, skills, or unique brand. When creatives like interior designers, architects, artists, and graphic designers consider advertising their services on these platforms, they should first ensure that they will connect with the right audience, retain most of their earnings, and more. Here’s what to look for before creating a profile on one of the following freelance websites.

Appropriate Target Audience and Specialization

One of the first aspects to consider is whether the platform caters to the right audience. Freelance websites vary greatly in terms of focus and client base. Some platforms like Behance and 99designs are tailored specifically towards creative professionals and attract clients looking for high-quality creative work.

This specialized focus increases the likelihood of connecting with clients who appreciate and seek out professional design skills. In contrast, more general platforms might offer a broader range of job opportunities but may not attract as specialized a clientele.

Advanced Portfolio Features

For creatives, the ability to showcase their work effectively is paramount. A good freelance website for creatives should offer robust portfolio features that allow designers to present their work in an attractive and professional manner.

This includes high-quality image uploads, customization options to reflect personal branding, and enough space to detail the project specifics and the creative’s role. A strong portfolio presentation can significantly influence client decisions, making it essential for the platform to support creatives in highlighting their best work.

Community and Networking Opportunities

Many freelance websites also function as community hubs where creatives can connect, share insights, and even collaborate. Platforms that foster community through forums, webinars, and local meetups can be invaluable for networking and learning from peers. These interactions can lead to new opportunities, partnerships, and the exchange of ideas that are crucial for growth and inspiration in creative fields.

Retained Rights and Royalties

Creatives should closely review how different platforms handle rights to the work and royalties. Some sites might require exclusivity, which can limit freelancers from showcasing their projects elsewhere, while others may take a more lenient approach, allowing creatives to retain full rights to their designs. Understanding these terms is essential to ensure that creatives protect their work and continue to benefit from it financially, especially in cases of repeat use or high visibility projects.

Client Interaction and Workflow Tools

Efficient communication and project management tools are crucial for ensuring projects run smoothly. Look for platforms that offer integrated tools for messaging, file sharing, and project tracking, which can help streamline the workflow and keep projects on schedule.

Additionally, good support systems, including customer service and conflict resolution protocols, are important, as they ensure that any issues can be addressed promptly, allowing creatives to maintain professional relationships and focus on their work.

These Are the Best Freelancing Websites for Finding Work in Creative Fields

Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest and most well-known freelancing platforms in the world, connecting millions of freelancers with clients across the globe. It caters to a wide array of professional services ranging from writing, graphic design, and programming to consulting and legal services. The platform operates on a bidding system, where freelancers submit proposals for jobs that interest them.

Upwork charges a sliding fee scale based on the freelancer’s lifetime billings with a client, starting at 20% for the first $500 and decreasing to 5% as earnings exceed $10,000. This structure encourages long-term relationships between clients and freelancers. Additionally, Upwork offers both free and paid membership plans, enhancing visibility and offering additional connects for bidding.

• Specialization: Broad, including tech, creative, administrative, and more.
• Fees: Service fees range from 5% to 20% based on the freelancer’s earnings with a client (the more you earn from the client, the lower the fee).
• Membership Costs: Offers a free plan and a Plus plan for $14.99/month, providing additional visibility and proposals.
• User Base: Millions of freelancers and clients globally.

Fiverr

Fiverr revolutionized the freelance marketplace by introducing a unique gig-based system, where freelancers, known as ‘sellers,’ offer specific tasks or services starting at $5. This platform is particularly popular among graphic designers, digital marketers, and writers, but it also includes a wide array of other services such as video editing, programming, and even quirky personal offerings like personalized gifts. Its user-friendly interface and extensive service categories make it a go-to for startups and businesses looking for diverse services at competitive prices.

• Specialization: Fiverr is broad, covering digital services from graphic design and video editing to writing and programming.
• Fees: Fiverr charges freelancers a flat 20% fee on every transaction.
• Membership Costs: No membership fee for basic use, but there are paid plans that offer more bids and visibility.
• User Base: Millions of users worldwide, both freelancers and buyers.

Toptal

Toptal prides itself on connecting clients with the top 3% of freelance talent around the world, focusing primarily on high-end technology projects and financial consulting. This exclusive network includes software developers, designers, finance experts, and project managers who undergo a rigorous screening process to ensure only the highest caliber of freelancing talent.

Toptal does not charge any fees to the freelancers; instead, it focuses on providing premium talent to enterprises and startups, ensuring high rates and quality projects. Ideal for freelancers who have a strong portfolio and extensive experience, Toptal is a platform that promotes long-term engagements and significant career opportunities.

• Specialization: Highly focuses on connecting clients with the top 3% of freelancers in software development, design, and finance.
• Fees: No specific fees listed for freelancers; Toptal absorbs the cost of connecting freelancers with clients.
• Membership Costs: No membership fee for freelancers.
• User Base: A smaller, more elite group of freelancers compared to mass-market freelance sites.

Guru

Guru is a flexible freelancing platform that facilitates the connection between freelancers and businesses across a diverse range of industries including programming, writing, design, and administration. It offers a unique WorkRoom feature for managing projects, allowing for an efficient collaboration and communication process.

Freelancers on Guru pay a nominal fee on earnings, which decreases with the increase in the amount billed with a client, starting from 9% and reducing to as low as 5%. The platform also provides various membership plans that can enhance freelancers’ ability to secure more work by increasing bids and decreasing job fees, making it a versatile choice for freelancers at any career stage.

• Specialization: Offers a broad range of freelance jobs but is often used for IT, finance, and administrative roles.
• Fees: Offers a sliding fee scale from 5% to 9% based on the membership tier.
• Membership Costs: Free membership is available, but paid memberships that provide more bids and lower fees range from $11.95/month to $49.95/month.
• User Base: Over 3 million members worldwide.

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour stands out with its focus on connecting freelancers with clients for both hourly and project-based jobs, particularly in the fields of freelance web development, writing, and graphic design. This platform allows freelancers to send proposals directly to jobs posted by clients or to post hourlies, which are fixed-price offers for specific services.

PeoplePerHour charges a service fee sliding scale that decreases the more you earn with a client, starting at 20% for earnings up to 250 pounds and dropping to 3.5% beyond 5000 pounds. It’s especially popular in the UK and Europe, providing an excellent platform for freelancers looking to establish steady work relationships.

• Specialization: General but with a good amount of creative, web development, and marketing jobs.
• Fees: Service fees start at 20% for the first £500 billed with a client and decrease to 5% as earnings with a client exceed £5000.
• Membership Costs: No membership fee is required to create a profile and start bidding, but there is a fee to buy additional proposal credits.
• User Base: Primarily used in the UK and Europe but also accessible globally.

99designs

99designs specializes in creative work, particularly in graphic design, by hosting contests where designers can submit their work in response to a client brief. Clients then choose the design that best suits their needs. This platform is ideal for designers looking to showcase their creativity and compete for work in a dynamic environment.

99designs also allows for direct hire projects, where designers can work one-on-one with clients. The platform’s fee structure varies per project and contest, providing flexibility and opportunity for designers at all levels to engage with potential clients and build their portfolios.

• Specialization: Exclusively focuses on design work, including logo design, web design, and more through a contest format.
• Fees: Varies depending on the design contest’s price; the platform takes a percentage.
• Membership Costs: No subscription fees for designers; they earn money by winning contests or being hired for direct projects.
• User Base: Used by designers worldwide looking to compete in design contests.

Behance

Owned by Adobe, Behance is a leading online platform where creative professionals, such as graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers, can showcase their portfolios and discover career opportunities. While primarily a portfolio site, Behance also integrates job listings, allowing members to find freelance and full-time opportunities.

There are no fees for creating and maintaining a portfolio, making it an invaluable resource for exposure in the creative community. Behance’s connection to the Adobe Creative Cloud also offers unique advantages, such as seamless integration with Adobe tools and a wide-reaching audience.

• Specialization: Primarily for creative professionals like graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers to showcase their portfolios.
• Fees: Free to use for showcasing work and discovering job opportunities.
• Membership Costs: No fees for a basic account, but integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions.
• User Base: Millions of creative professionals worldwide.

SimplyHired

SimplyHired is a job search engine that aggregates listings from all over the web, making it easy for freelancers to find job opportunities in a variety of fields, from tech to creative sectors. The platform is free for job seekers, offering tools like a resume builder and salary estimator to help applicants stand out.

Employers pay to post jobs so they can hire freelancers, ensuring a wide range of opportunities are available. SimplyHired’s broad approach makes it an excellent tool for freelancers seeking both local and remote opportunities, providing a comprehensive view of the job market in one user-friendly platform.

• Specialization: A job listing aggregator that features a wide range of job types, including freelance opportunities.
• Fees: No fees for job seekers; employers pay to post jobs.
• Membership Costs: One of few freelancing sites that is completely free for job seekers.
• User Base: Extensive, due to its broad approach to job listings.

FlexJobs

FlexJobs is beloved by freelancers for its curated list of remote, part-time, and flexible job opportunities, ensuring that each listing is legitimate and scam-free. This platform offers a range of tools to assist freelancers and remote workers in finding quality job opportunities efficiently.

These tools include detailed information on each company, curated job listings, and exclusive research on employers that are hiring. FlexJobs also provides skills tests, job search checklists, and webinars to enhance job search capabilities and marketability. The service is particularly valued for its strong emphasis on creating a safe and reliable job-seeking experience.

• Specialization: Specializes in remote, part-time, freelance, and flexible jobs across various industries.
• Fees: Charges job seekers a membership fee to access vetted job listings.
• Membership Costs: Membership costs range from $14.95 for one month to $49.95 for a year.
• User Base: Popular among job seekers looking for verified and scam-free job postings.

Aquent

This online job board focuses on placing freelancers in marketing, creative, and digital roles. It provides a range of online courses through its Gymnasium platform to help freelancers enhance their skills in various areas including web development, design, and digital marketing. These educational resources are designed to keep freelancers at the forefront of industry trends and demands.

Aquent also features a robust portfolio tool that allows freelancers to showcase their work to potential employers effectively. For employers, the hiring process on Aquent is simple and straightforward. This platform is ideal for professionals who are looking to advance their careers by continuously learning and adapting.

• Specialization: Marketing, creative, and digital talents.
• Fees: Charges clients, not freelancers.
• Membership Costs: No membership fee for freelancers.
• User Base: Large companies seeking high-quality creative talent.

LinkedIn ProFinder

While freelancers could simply search through LinkedIn job postings, the platform offers another tool to workers. LinkedIn ProFinder helps freelancers connect with potential clients within LinkedIn’s extensive professional network, where they find many freelance jobs. It leverages the comprehensive LinkedIn ecosystem, offering freelancers tools such as personalized profile recommendations and the ability to directly interact with potential clients through LinkedIn’s messaging system.

Freelancers can also utilize LinkedIn’s insights to understand more about companies and the people who work there, making it easier to tailor proposals and pitches. This service is particularly beneficial for freelancers who already have a strong LinkedIn presence and wish to expand their professional services.

• Specialization: Professional services across various fields.
• Fees: Free initial proposals; requires LinkedIn Premium for ongoing use.
• Membership Costs: LinkedIn Premium starts at about $29.99 per month.
• User Base: Professionals in the U.S., leveraging LinkedIn’s network.

We Work Remotely

We Work Remotely is one of the largest global platforms dedicated to remote work. It offers freelancers access to a wide array of job listings in fields like programming, executive roles, project management, customer support, and more. We added this platform to our list specifically because it helps workers find freelance design jobs.

The platform provides useful resources such as a remote work guide and a learning portal which hosts articles and tips on thriving in a remote working environment. This helps freelancers and remote workers maximize their productivity and maintain work-life balance while pursuing opportunities on the platform.

• Specialization: Remote jobs in programming, design, marketing, and more.
• Fees: No fees for job seekers; employers pay to list jobs.
• Membership Costs: Free for job seekers.
• User Base: Global users seeking full-time remote or freelance opportunities.

Working Nomads

Working Nomads curates remote job opportunities, primarily in the tech and digital sectors. It offers freelancers the convenience of receiving personalized job alerts directly to their inbox, allowing them to apply promptly to newly posted positions. The platform’s clean, straightforward interface makes it easy for freelancers to navigate and find relevant job opportunities without hassle. Working Nomads is particularly appealing to digital nomads and tech professionals seeking flexibility and the freedom to work from anywhere.

• Specialization: Remote jobs in tech, development, and digital fields.
• Fees: Free for job seekers; job listing fees for employers.
• Membership Costs: Free for job seekers.
• User Base: Tech professionals and digital nomads worldwide.

SkipTheDrive

SkipTheDrive simplifies the process of finding telecommuting, remote, and work-from-home opportunities. It offers tools like a telecommuting calculator to help freelancers evaluate potential savings from remote working. The platform aggregates job listings from various sources, providing a comprehensive selection of remote opportunities across multiple industries. SkipTheDrive also offers resources such as blogs and articles that provide tips and strategies for effective remote working, catering to those who prefer or require a home-based work environment.

• Specialization: Telecommuting jobs in various industries.
• Fees: Free for job seekers; employers pay for job listings.
• Membership Costs: Free for job seekers.
• User Base: Individuals seeking remote, part-time, or freelance work.

The Creative Loft

The Creative Loft specializes in job opportunities within the creative industry, such as photography, fashion, and interior design. It offers an extensive database of jobs, which is updated frequently, providing freelancers with a plethora of opportunities to explore. Freelancers can use the platform’s portfolio tool to showcase their work to potential employers. Additionally, The Creative Loft provides a unique feature that allows users to track their application history directly on the platform, enhancing the job search process for creative professionals. This platform is perhaps the most applicable to our readers, many of whom are interior designers, event planners, and other creatives.

• Specialization: Photography, fashion, interior design, and other creative fields.
• Fees: One of several freelance job sites that requires a subscription for full job access.
• Membership Costs: About $9 per month.
• User Base: Creatives in the U.S., especially in photography and fashion.

Truelancer

Truelancer offers freelancers a platform to showcase their skills through a personalized profile where they can list their services and examples of their work. The platform includes a robust project management tool, allowing freelancers and clients to communicate, share files, and track project progress seamlessly within the site.

Truelancer’s contest feature also lets freelancers participate in design, writing, and coding contests, providing a unique way to demonstrate skills and earn money. The platform encourages ongoing development by offering freelancers opportunities to engage in diverse projects across many industries.

• Specialization: Broad range including IT, writing, data entry, and freelance designers.
• Fees: 8% to 10% service fee on freelancer earnings.
• Membership Costs: Free basic membership; paid memberships offer more benefits.
• User Base: Global, diverse sectors.

ServiceScape

ServiceScape is tailored to freelancers who specialize in editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. The platform offers a detailed profile system that includes not only the freelancer’s bio and services but also integrates client reviews and a scoring system based on past performance.

This allows freelancers to build their reputation within the community based on quality work and client satisfaction. ServiceScape’s integrated communication tools help maintain clear and efficient interactions between freelancers and clients, ensuring smooth project flows.

• Specialization: Editing, writing, graphic design, and translation services.
• Fees: About 50% service fee on freelancer earnings.
• Membership Costs: No membership fee for freelancers.
• User Base: Freelancers in editing, writing, and design fields.

DesignCrowd

DesignCrowd offers a unique marketplace for graphic design through design contests, where clients post briefs for logos, business cards, t-shirts, and more, and freelancers submit their designs. Freelancers have the opportunity to receive feedback directly from clients, refine their work, and compete with other designers.

This competitive environment helps freelancers hone their skills and build their portfolios. In addition to contests, DesignCrowd also allows freelancers to work on one-on-one projects, offering flexibility in the type of work they choose to undertake.

• Specialization: Graphic design through crowd-sourced contests.
• Fees: Fee is deducted from contest payments on this freelance site.
• Membership Costs: No membership fees; earns from contest postings.
• User Base: Graphic designers worldwide in design challenges.

Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff Talent offers a free resource for companies and freelancers to connect without any fees. It provides a robust platform where freelancers can create detailed profiles, showcasing their skills and past work. Hubstaff integrates seamlessly with its own time-tracking software, allowing freelancers to manage projects efficiently and transparently with potential clients. The platform focuses on remote work opportunities, making it ideal for freelancers who prefer to work from anywhere while accessing a global client base.

• Specialization: Broad range of remote jobs including development, marketing, and administration.
• Fees: No fees for freelancers or employers; free to use.
• Membership Costs: Completely free.
• User Base: Global, targeting startups to large enterprises looking for talent.

Freelancer

Freelancer.com is a dynamic marketplace that allows businesses and individuals to post projects which freelancers can then bid to complete. Covering a vast range of job categories from web development and writing to marketing and accounting, the platform is designed to cater to almost any freelance job requirement.

Freelancer charges a fee of 10% on fixed-price projects or 10% on hourly projects, providing a straightforward pricing model. The site also offers various membership tiers, which provide benefits like increased bids per month, enhanced project visibility, and reduced fees, making it an attractive option for freelancers looking to expand their reach.

• Specialization: Broad, across various fields including IT, graphic design, writing, marketing, and many others.
• Fees: Freelancers are charged a project fee or an hourly fee depending on the type of project. Project fees are generally 10% or $5, whichever is greater, and hourly fees are 10%.
• Membership Costs: Free membership allows limited bids per month; paid memberships range from $0.99 to $69.95 per month, offering additional bids, reduced fees, and more visibility.
• User Base: Millions of users worldwide, making it one of the largest freelance job platforms.

Final Thoughts on Freelancing Websites

By considering the target audience, portfolio features, community engagement, rights retention, and client interaction tools provided by these freelance websites, creatives can select a platform that not only displays their work in the best light but also fosters professional growth and opportunities.

Remember, the best freelance website is one that resonates with your creative vision, supports your professional goals, and connects you with clients who will value and champion your work. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your freelance business, the right platform can make all the difference.

Which do you use to support your freelance career? Let us know in the comments below!