How MobileAppDaily Created the List of the Best Freelancing Websites?
To create this list of the best freelancer platforms, I had to follow a series of steps to provide the most authentic options to our audience. Since it was a multifaceted systematic process, I broke it down into short chunks as mentioned below for you to be able to access it with ease. So, here they are:
1. Research and Data Collection
Research and data collection was the backbone of our process. To begin, I along with my team started gathering information about all the major freelancing platforms that are available online. This included both popular as well as emerging platforms.
After that, I consulted different writers, graphic designers, software developers, etc., from the company and asked whether they had used any of these online work websites. I also checked out user reviews, industry reports, and expert analyses to understand the market which helped us identify key players.
2. Criteria Development
To shortlist the best options, I needed clear criteria. So, I included the following factors within our criteria.
- User Interface: I checked the propensity of UI to deliver a user-friendly and easily navigable experience on the freelance platform.
- Range of Job Categories: I assessed all the job categories that were provided for professionals of different skills to cover all the essential jobs.
- Fees and Commissions: The assessment of fee structure including membership plans, transaction fees, and commissions on earnings.
- Payment Security: I learned about the safety and reliability of the payment methods used, both from a freelancer's and client’s perspective.
- Customer Support: The quality and responsiveness of customer service.
- Community and Support Features: I checked out features like forums, support content, and educational resources for freelancers available on the website.
- User Reviews: I took feedback from actual users about their overall experience with the platform.
3. Evaluation and Comparison
In this step, I began evaluating each website based on our set criteria. For this, I asked my team members to test each of these platforms as per their perspective and collected their feedback. I also checked out each of these platforms personally to create a balanced impression of what I thought and the teammates thought about the platform.
So, we began by signing up on each platform to go through the onboarding process and interact with all the features available. This helped us determine the usability and overall experience of the platform.
4. Ranking and Selection
Once I evaluated everything, I started to rank each of these best freelance services based on the criteria we established earlier. I gave special attention to aspects like security, job variety, and opportunities.
Also, I ranked each of these websites based on their overall score as per the established criteria and specific strengths in terms of niche or any unique feature for new or experienced freelancers.
List of the Best Freelance Websites for Beginners
The majority of freelancing websites for beginners are the ones that also cater to experienced professionals. So, it is difficult to figure out which ones are ideal from a beginner’s perspective. However, I read through forums, calculated data during our shortlisting process, and even asked some of the experts within our company.
Based on their perception and my observation, here are the top 5 platforms for beginners with reasons to choose them.
1. Fiverr
Focus:
Why it's great for beginners:
- Simple interface: Delivers easy creation and management of gigs & projects.
- Predefined packages: Help in structuring offers and pricing.
- Beginner-friendly community: The majority of sellers start on Fiverr and share tips for beginners.
2. Upwork
Focus:
Why it's great for beginners:
- Extensive project pool: Delivers a wide range of projects for a variety of skill levels.
- Detailed profiles: Showcase your skills and experience effectively.
- Freelancer University: Offers free courses and resources that help beginners succeed.
3. Freelancer.com
Focus:
Why it's great for beginners:
- Contest platform: Participate in contests to win projects and show your skills.
- Escrow system: Offers secure payments and protects both parties.
- Beginner-friendly resources: Delivers tutorials and guides to help you get started.
4. Guru.com
Focus:
Why it's great for beginners:
- Easy-to-use interface: Simple navigation and project management tools for beginners.
- Variety of project types: Offers a wide range of freelancing opportunities.
- Secure payment system: Safe transactions for both clients and freelancers.
5. PeoplePerHour
Focus:
Why it's great for beginners:
- Hourly rate system: Ideal for freelancers who prefer to get billed by the hour.
- Workroom feature: Facilitates collaboration and communication amongst clients.
- Beginner-friendly support: Offers resources and guidance for beginners to help them sail smoothly.
Comparison of Top 5 Freelance Sites
Choosing the top 5 amongst the list was a tricky job because the majority of these platforms stood out for one or the other reason.
However, based on my perception as well as that of my team, I shortlisted these 5 applications to be compared. So, check the table below to find freelancing jobs.
| Platform | Focus | Pros | Cons | Best For |
| Upwork | General Freelancing | Largest pool of clients & projects, secure payment system with escrow, and diverse project categories | High competition, can be overwhelming for beginners, lower project rates compared to some platforms, and requires strong proposals and client communication skills | Freelancers with various skills (writing, programming, design, etc.) looking for a large project pool |
| Fiverr | Gig-based Freelancing | Easy to set up gigs with predefined packages, simple pricing structure for clients, good for offering specific, and well-defined services | Limited project scope due to gig format, can be saturated in some competitive categories, and lower earning potential for complex projects. | Freelancers offering specific and well-defined services (logo design, social media management, etc.) |
| Toptal | High-level Freelancing | Exclusive platform for vetted, top-tier freelancers, focus on premium, high-paying projects, and a highly selective screening process ensures quality | Very competitive entry process (fewer than the top 3% accepted), a limited number of projects compared to Upwork, and requires proven work experience and strong portfolios | Established freelancers with high-level skills and experience seeking well-paying projects |
| LinkedIn | Professional Networking & Freelancing | Leverage existing professional networks for finding clients, build credibility through established profiles & recommendations, and ProFinder adds a dedicated project board. | Limited project scope compared to Upwork or Fiverr, requires active networking and profile management, and ProFinder has a subscription fee. | Freelancers looking for project opportunities through professional connections and branding (writers, consultants, etc.) |
| Flexjobs | Curated Remote Jobs | Focus on vetted, remote-work opportunities, filters for benefits, work style, and company culture, and reduces the risk of scams and time wasted on unsuitable jobs. | A subscription fee is required for access, limited project scope compared to Upwork, and job postings can be competitive. | Freelancers seeking legitimate remote work opportunities, with a focus on work-life balance and benefits |
Additional Notes:
- Behance is a strong choice for creative freelancers like designers, artists, etc. but is not ideal for direct project finding.
- We Work Remotely focuses primarily on remote work opportunities but isn't really a freelance platform.
- Platforms like Jooble and SolidGigs can cater to a broader job market which can include freelance gigs so project focus might be less defined.
Quick Tips & Tricks for Freelance Beginners
For beginners, freelancing can be a tricky route to take. You have to make your value on certain platforms and keep things consistent so that you get a steady clientele. Also, the work needs to be of great quality as your next gig depends on the reviews you get.
If you got overwhelmed reading the above statements, then this section is for you. Below, we have covered quick tips & tricks that will help you survive initially on this platform and reign after you have made a steady clientele.
- Keep the Job: Freelancing is passive income in the beginning, so don’t quit your job
- Say Yes to Automation: Start using resources like ChatGPT, Gemini, etc., to fasten the process of content generation yet beware that you don’t surpass the AI content limit.
- Make Grip Over a Niche: Keep your niche specific and build over your previous successes.
- Stay Away from Bad Clients: It’s not always poor work but a poor client who doesn’t understand the vision so exits without thinking.
- Work on Your Portfolio: Create an impressive portfolio that perfectly exhibits your strengths.
- Keep Upskilling: Never stop upskilling; your next client can bring in challenges for which you may not have a solution.
- Organize Work: Organize your work so that it becomes easy to juggle between multiple tasks and gigs.
- Stay Compliant: Ensure that your work is legally compliant so that the client or you don’t have to face any issues later on.
- Keep Yourself Fit: Always keep your health as well as your mental state steady.
- Seek the Right Price: Try to find the right price for the services you provide and don’t be afraid of negotiations while fixing the price.
- Create Good Visibility: Showcase your latest work to clients and network with clients on LinkedIn.
- Ask for Feedback: Always ask for testimonials from the clients as they are the litmus test of your work quality.
- Partner with the Right Talent: Try partnering with people who complement your skills in SEO, graphic designing, etc.
- Get Feedback & Stay Updated: Get your feedback from the client to get an idea of the quality. Stay updated about the latest news & trends available in your niche.
- Underpromise and Over-Deliver: Practice underpromising and over-delivering to increase client satisfaction.
Final Verdict!
We have rounded up the best freelancing websites that are sure to benefit freelancers. These sites can significantly transform the ways in which people work and collaborate in the digital age. With exceptional flexibility and great income opportunities, the gig economy is sure to rise. And, if you are striving to make a career as a freelancer in this digital age, you must try the above-mentioned sites to achieve sure-shot results.
