The World’s Top 10 Freelancing Sites

You know you should be freelance, but the problem is you’re not sure where to start. The good news is there are tons of different freelancing sites and freelance opportunities out there, all at your fingertips! The bad news is that not all of them are worth your time or effort, and it can be hard to figure out which ones to focus on first. If you want to jump into freelancing in the next few months, this guide will help you sort through the maze of different sites out there and discover which ones will be best for your needs and goals.

1) Upwork

With 17 million freelancers, Upwork is the leading freelancing site in the world. In 2016, this site ranked 2nd for most engaged users. There are over 5 million project postings at any given time on Upwork, with work ranging from $2 to $10 per hour. For more lucrative projects that pay upwards of $30 per hour, posting on Elance and oDesk could be a better option.

Some may say these sites have diluted their quality standards by allowing low paying jobs and multiple profiles to flourish. While these sites are reputable enough for all kinds of professions, they should not be your first choice if you’re looking for high-end clients or experienced freelance professionals. If you’re new to freelancing or want the convenience of not having to look through job listings yourself, check out some other top freelance sites below

2) Fiverr

Fiverr is the world’s top freelancing site for instant services and freelancers can earn money for as little as $5. No specific skill set is required to get started with Fiverr and users are given Gigs to choose from, which are priced by the number of minutes each Gig takes to complete. There are Gigs in a wide variety of fields, ranging from 3D design to voiceovers. You can purchase any Gig as either a one-time service or buy them on an hourly basis through Fiverr Pro.

3) Freelancer

Freelancers are people who are skilled in a particular profession or trade and that work either as independents, through membership-based freelancing sites, or through online markets. There are many benefits to working as a freelancer, such as the ability to choose your own hours and offer your skills to people in other locations. A lot of times you can have a degree but still need some extra income so freelance work is perfect for this type of circumstance. That is why it has become one of the fastest growing careers in the United States. Let’s look at some of the top freelancing sites out there today:

4) PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is one of the top freelancing sites in the world. Millions of people use PeoplePerHour to find online work and lots of them live in emerging markets like Brazil, Russia, India, or Nigeria. This site offers freelancers from all over the world a chance to have great experience at a relatively low cost.
PeoplePerHour operates as a marketplace that matches freelance professionals with clients from around the world who need their expertise. Currently available on iOS and Android devices, PeoplePerHour has millions of jobs ranging from design to engineering and marketing campaigns for businesses all over the world. At this point in time, PeoplePerHour is hiring for jobs outside their headquarters in London too, like Berlin or New York City.

5) ProZ

ProZ is a top freelancing site, where language professionals can offer their expertise. Whether you’re looking for an Italian to translate a marketing campaign, or you want someone who can write an engaging social media post in Spanish, ProZ will be your one-stop-shop for freelance linguists. With the mission of connecting people across the globe through a common language, ProZ fosters economic growth by providing opportunities and training for developing professionals. You don’t need to be fluent in English to apply—ProZ has profiles written in six languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, French, German and Vietnamese.

Guru

Guru has been used by millions of people over the years to find freelance work. With its robust system, it is easy to find work and connect with clients. Many freelancers have found success and freelancing through Guru. It ranks as one of the top freelance sites in the world. It is quick, easy and user-friendly – perfect for someone just starting out on their own or for seasoned professionals that are looking for a job to boost their income. It offers most kinds of jobs, from business consulting to web design; there really is something for everyone.

7) ODesk

Odesk is a site where employers can post jobs and freelancers can apply for the positions. They offer competitive pay and prompt payments. Additionally, employers receive quality applications from skilled professionals in over 180 countries. Those who sign up on Odesk are able to post jobs on other freelancing sites. Jobs posted are seen by millions of visitors, making Odesk one of the world’s top freelancing sites.

8) Amazon Mechanical Turk

Topping the list of top freelancing sites is Amazon Mechanical Turk, which allows anyone to work as a Crowdsourcer by doing tasks for money. After creating an account, you are directed to specific projects that you can complete and you’ll be paid for each one that you successfully complete. It is a great way to make some extra cash on the side if you’re looking for additional income.
Amazon Mechanical Turk helps individuals from all over the world get connected with online projects that they can do anytime, anywhere at their own pace with no boss standing over them telling them what to do.

9) 99Designs

Looking for an affordable way to get your idea out there? 99Designs allows you to post a project and then, through an open community of designers, find the perfect designer for you. The site has also grown in popularity with freelancers looking for jobs as their market expands. As of 2015, 99Designs had 40 million registered users from all over the world. Projects range from logo design to poster design and, if you’re not satisfied with the outcome, can offer you a complete refund.

10) Elance

Elance is a freelance site for people looking to find freelancers to complete projects. One of the coolest things about Elance is that it gives everyone an opportunity to take part in the freelancing world, not just professional business owners or those with a lot of experience under their belt. Signing up as a freelancer on Elance requires you to have some type of skill–like graphic design, proofreading, or writing–and show your work portfolio (an example of what you can do).
Elance has been a fantastic resource for businesses and individuals looking for temporary help. The registration process is quite simple and only takes five minutes, so there is no excuse not to join!