Top 5 Freelancer Websites Better Than Fiverr and Upwork – KDnuggets

Fiverr and Upwork are two of the most well-known freelancing platforms globally, but let’s face it—they are far from perfect. While they’ve helped millions of freelancers connect with clients, these platforms also come with significant downsides. For starters, they take up to 20% commission on your hard-earned money. Add to that losses from transaction fees, taxes, and foreign exchange rates, and your earnings quickly shrink. On top of this, the market has become oversaturated, making it harder than ever to stand out and secure work. To make matters worse, both freelancers and clients often express dissatisfaction with the platforms’ policies and practices.

But don’t worry—there is good news. There are better alternatives out there—platforms that treat freelancers with respect instead of just another product to monetize.

In this article, we will introduce you to the top five alternatives to Fiverr and Upwork. These platforms prioritize your success as a freelancer, offering features like 0% commission in most cases, multiple payment gateway options, and even connecting you with work when you’re struggling to find clients. They foster one-on-one relationships with their users and help you earn above-market rates.

1. Toptal

 
Toptal is a premium freelancing platform designed for experienced professionals who want to earn extra income while working on top tier projects. Unlike traditional freelancing platforms, Toptal focuses on connecting top-tier talent with some of the world’s leading companies, offering opportunities that go beyond just freelance gigs.

What sets Toptal apart is its strict onboarding process, which is designed to identify the top 3% of talent in your field. The selection process includes multiple stages, such as skill assessments, interviews, and test projects, ensuring that only the most qualified candidates are accepted.

Toptal offers above-market rates, allowing you to earn significantly more for your skills and expertise. Moreover, the platform provides opportunities for long-term engagements, and in some cases, companies may even hire you full-time. This makes Toptal not only a platform for freelancing but also a gateway to potential full-time career opportunities with renowned global companies.

2. Wripple

 
Wripple is a freelancing platform that provides a truly personalized experience for marketing professionals. Unlike other platforms, Wripple stands out by charging zero commission, which means you keep 100% of your earnings—every dollar you make goes straight to you. What makes Wripple even more unique is its proactive approach to securing work for freelancers. If you are struggling to find projects, the Wripple team actively works on your behalf to help you find the perfect fit, ensuring you’re matched with opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

The only downside is that it is all related to marketing. This means that if you are a data scientist, you have a chance, but you need to have marketing experience working with marketing data and be familiar with the strategies involved.

What made me fall in love with the platform is that it makes you feel involved; you feel like part of the team and that you are being well taken care of.

3. Contra

 
Contra is a modern freelancing platform that’s designed to simplify the freelancing experience while delivering high-quality opportunities. Its smooth onboarding process, assisted by AI, makes it incredibly easy to get started. Creating a profile, setting up payment methods, and searching for gigs can all be done in just a few minutes. Despite being a relatively new platform, Contra is quickly gaining traction thanks to its focus on connecting freelancers with high-quality clients who value their skills and won’t lowball them. Think of Contra as a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and the best hiring practices, ensuring a professional yet efficient freelancing experience.

Contra also empowers freelancers to build and grow their reputation as independent experts. The platform makes it simple to manage invoices and payments, all with zero commission fees, meaning you keep 100% of your earnings. Freelancers can also enjoy flexible roles that suit their lifestyle. Additionally, Contra provides a user-friendly dashboard packed with useful stats and tools to help you optimize your profile and stand out from the competition.

4. Kolabtree

 
Kolabtree is a specialized freelancing platform designed for scientists, researchers, and technical experts. It’s an excellent choice for professionals in fields like data science, machine learning, engineering, and other tech-based industries where expertise is highly valued. Unlike general freelancing platforms, Kolabtree focuses on connecting experts with organizations and individuals who require specialized skills for complex projects. This makes it a perfect platform for those looking to work on cutting-edge research and technical challenges.

One of the biggest advantages of Kolabtree is its high earning potential. Depending on your experience and expertise, you can charge anywhere from $100 to $300 per hour, making it one of the most lucrative platforms for skilled professionals. The platform allows you to showcase your expertise, bid on projects that match your skills, and work with clients who value and compensate you fairly for your knowledge.

5. Freelancer.com

 
Freelancer.com is one of the oldest freelancing platforms in the industry, offering a wide variety of job categories for freelancers across the globe. Over the years, it has evolved and risen as a popular alternative to platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Whether you’re a writer, designer, developer, marketer, or any other type of professional, Freelancer.com connects you with clients seeking talent for both short-term gigs and long-term projects.

One of Freelancer’s key strengths is its diverse range of opportunities, with projects available in almost every industry. It also provides features like contests similar to 99designs.com, where freelancers can showcase their skills and compete for projects, allowing them to stand out and attract clients. While the platform charges a commission on projects, its large user base and global reach make it a valuable option for freelancers looking to expand their opportunities.

Conclusion

 
Choosing the right freelancing platform depends on your skill set, experience, and career goals. 

• If you are an experienced professional, start with Toptal to earn above-market rates and work on high-quality projects. 
• For those with a background in marketing, Wripple is an excellent choice, offering a commission-free and highly personalized experience. 
• If you prioritize a smooth onboarding process, intuitive UI, and top-notch hiring practices, Contra is your best bet. 
• For data scientists, technical experts, or researchers, Kolabtree is the ideal platform to monetize your expertise and work on impactful projects.
• If you are new to freelancing and still exploring your options, Freelancer.com is a great starting point. It provides access to a wide variety of projects, helping you gain experience and build your portfolio.

No matter where you are in your freelancing journey, these platforms offer unique opportunities tailored to your needs. Choose the one that aligns with your skills and goals, and start building a successful freelancing career today.
 
 

Abid Ali Awan (@1abidaliawan) is a certified data scientist professional who loves building machine learning models. Currently, he is focusing on content creation and writing technical blogs on machine learning and data science technologies. Abid holds a Master’s degree in technology management and a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication engineering. His vision is to build an AI product using a graph neural network for students struggling with mental illness.