1
Upwork
Freelance Platform
Founded: 2003
Users: 18M+
Fee: 5-20%
Pros:
- Large job variety
- Secure payments
- Global clients
- Time tracking
Cons:
- High competition
- High fees for beginners
- Bidding required
- Connects system
Earning Potential:
Beginner:
$15-25/hour
Intermediate:
$30-60/hour
Expert:
$80-150+/hour
Tips:
- Complete profile 100%
- Start with small jobs
- Add portfolio work
- Take skill tests
2
Fiverr
Gig Marketplace
Founded: 2010
Sellers: 500K+
Fee: 20%
Pros:
- Easy to start
- No bidding needed
- Passive income potential
- Global exposure
Cons:
- High commission
- Very competitive
- Low pricing pressure
- 14-day clearance
Gig Pricing:
Basic:
$30-50
Standard:
$80-150
Premium:
$200-500+
Tips:
- Create 3 packages
- Use quality images
- Offer quick delivery
- Promote on social media
3
Freelancer.com
Global Platform
Founded: 2009
Users: 50M+
Fee: 10%
Pros:
- Large user base
- Contest feature
- Milestone payments
- Free membership
Cons:
- Low-budget projects
- High competition
- Spam messages
- Slow support
Earning Rates:
Entry:
$10-20/hour
Mid:
$25-45/hour
Expert:
$50-80+/hour
Tips:
- Take skill exams
- Enter contests
- Use milestone payments
- Start with small projects
4
Amazon MTurk
Microtasks
Launched: 2005
Workers: 500K+
Countries: 3
Pros:
- Easy to start
- Flexible timing
- No special skills
- Work anytime
Cons:
- Very low pay
- Repetitive tasks
- Geographic restrictions
- Poor interface
Task Pay:
Surveys:
$0.50-$3.00
Data Entry:
$0.01-$0.10
Transcription:
$0.10-$0.50
Tips:
- Filter by approval rate
- Work for trusted requesters
- Use MTurk Suite
- Act fast on good HITs
5
PeoplePerHour
UK Platform
Founded: 2007
Users: 1M+
Fee: 15-20%
Pros:
- Quality clients
- Better pay rates
- Hourlies system
- European market
Cons:
- Smaller market
- EU timezone focus
- Slow first jobs
- Complex fees
GBP Rates:
Beginner:
£20-35/hour
Intermediate:
£40-70/hour
Expert:
£80-150+/hour
Tips:
- Create Hourlies
- Target UK/EU clients
- Use SafePay
- Add video profile
6
Guru
Established Platform
Founded: 1998
Members: 3M+
Fee: 2.9-8.95%
Pros:
- Low commission
- Work Order system
- SafePay protection
- Flexible plans
Cons:
- Smaller user base
- Less job volume
- Old interface
- Limited mobile app
Membership:
Basic:
Free (8.95%)
Pro:
$21.95 (5.95%)
Business:
$33.95 (4.95%)
Tips:
- Choose right plan
- Use Work Orders
- Track analytics
- Be patient
7
Toptal
Elite Platform
Founded: 2010
Acceptance: <3%
Fee: 0%
Pros:
- Very high pay
- Premium clients
- No commission
- Quality screening
Cons:
- Extreme screening
- Only top 3%
- Long approval
- Full-time often
Premium Rates:
Junior:
$60-90/hour
Senior:
$100-150/hour
Lead:
$160-250+/hour
Tips:
- Prepare thoroughly
- Polish portfolio
- Practice communication
- Show enterprise experience
8
99designs
Design Contests
Founded: 2008
Designers: 1M+
Fee: 15-40%
Pros:
- High-value projects
- Portfolio building
- Direct interaction
- Creative freedom
Cons:
- Spec work (free)
- High competition
- Large platform cut
- Time-consuming
Contest Prizes:
Bronze:
$299
Silver:
$499
Gold:
$799
Tips:
- Target new contests
- Communicate actively
- Submit multiple designs
- Start with lower levels
9
SimplyHired
Job Aggregator
Founded: 2003
Sources: 15K+
Cost: Free
Pros:
- Multiple sources
- Completely free
- Salary estimator
- Company reviews
Cons:
- Not freelance
- Traditional jobs
- Limited remote
- Redirects to sites
Salary Ranges:
Entry:
$65-85K
Mid:
$90-120K
Senior:
$130-180K+
Tips:
- Use filters
- Set job alerts
- Upload resume
- Research companies
10
FlexJobs
Remote Jobs
Founded: 2007
Scam-free: 100%
Membership: $9.95+
Pros:
- Scam-free guarantee
- Hand-screened jobs
- Career coaching
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Paid membership
- Smaller database
- Mostly US-based
- Limited freelance
Job Types:
100% Remote:
65% ($70-120K)
Partial Remote:
20% ($55-90K)
Flexible:
10% ($45-80K)
Tips:
- Use all features
- Detailed search
- Customize applications
- Network with members