Fiverr is one of the largest freelance marketplaces in the United States, putting vetted freelancers in direct communication with clients offering remote jobs. Since its founding in 2010, it has become a hub for freelancers worldwide, whether they’re creative professionals seeking design work or remote managers hoping to oversee complex projects.

However, Fiverr is hardly the only game in town when it comes to hiring freelancers. There are many other freelance platforms that operate on variations of the Fiverr business model. These other sites may appeal to employers and independent contractors who want options beyond Fiverr. Different platforms have different selling points, including lower commission fees, niche industry focus, or built-in project management tools that make them especially useful for certain kinds of work.

Here are some of the top Fiverr alternatives where employers can find top-tier talent and remote workers can find well-paid freelance work.

What is Fiverr?

Fiverr is an online freelance services marketplace where individuals and businesses can hire high-quality freelancers for digital services, including writing, digital marketing, programming, video editing, software development, web development, project management, and graphic design services. The platform enables buyers (a.k.a. people looking for services to be fulfilled) to browse categories, compare offers, and order services directly, while freelancers can showcase their skills, set packages, and build client relationships.

Fiverr takes its name from the idea that the base price for freelance jobs on the site is $5. In reality, most skilled professionals on the platform charge quite a bit more for their services. The site utilizes a gig model for employment, which may appeal to customers who only need help for one-off projects and aren’t looking for full-time employees. With that said, companies may end up utilizing the same freelancers for multiple projects if they develop a positive working relationship.

Pros and cons of Fiverr

Fiverr is appealing to contractors and their clients alike, but it does have its downsides. Here’s where it shines and where an alternative might be better:

Pros of Fiverr

Here are some of the upsides to this popular platform:

• For clients seeking professionals. Fiverr offers a vast marketplace of freelance talent, making it easy to find a service provider for almost any task at a wide range of price points. The platform’s review system provides transparency, and the fixed-price gig model helps clients manage their budget effectively.

• For job seekers. Fiverr is an excellent platform for new freelancers to get started, build a portfolio, and connect with potential clients. The platform handles payment processing and offers project management tools where multiple freelancers submit proposals to prospective clients. These administrative aides can simplify the business side of freelancing, allowing you to focus on your craft.

Cons of Fiverr

Fiverr isn’t for everyone, and it can sometimes cause frustration for clients and vendors alike. Here are some potential downsides to the platform:

• For clients seeking professionals. The sheer volume of freelancers on Fiverr can lead to inconsistent quality. As a client, you might have to sift through many options to find reliable and experienced freelancers. Communication can also be a challenge, particularly with freelancers in different time zones or when language differences arise. While client reviews help sort the wheat from the chaff, keep in mind that many people only leave reviews when they’re extremely happy or dissatisfied with a service. This leaves the mid-range unaccounted for in some cases. 

• For job seekers. The high competition and low initial price points on many Fiverr gigs can make it difficult for freelancers to earn a sustainable income. Some qualified professionals may feel they’re in a race to the bottom, especially when competing against what can feel like a million freelancers worldwide. The platform also takes a percentage of each transaction, further reducing your earnings as a gig worker.

Best Fiverr alternatives

• Shopify Partners
• Upwork
• Toptal
• Guru
• 99designs
• Bark
• Codeable
• Index.dev

There are numerous platforms where businesses can find freelancers and gig workers can land jobs to make money online. You might search these platforms and find that Fiverr freelancers have also set up profiles there. In other cases, you might find a different talent pool, spanning everyone from entry-level designers to veteran project managers. Here are some freelance sites to consider in addition to Fiverr:

Shopify Partners

Shopify Partners connects freelancers with businesses using the Shopify platform that seek specialized talent to improve their ecommerce stores. There are two categories in the Shopify Partners ecosystem. Service Partners offer skills in website building, email marketing, business consulting, and other ecommerce services. Technology Partners can build custom apps and integrations for Shopify stores.

If you’re an employer, you can use Shopify Partners to find top talent to contract for your business. If you’re a freelancer, you can apply to work as a Shopify Partner. After completing a rigorous vetting process, you’ll be able to connect with premium clients and pitch an array of bespoke or pre-packaged services that draw upon your expertise.

Upwork

Upwork is a popular platform that’s used by some of the world’s biggest companies. It’s also a place where small startups post job listings to attract talented designers, bookkeepers, writers, translators—even lawyers and HR managers.

Upwork clients pay a marketplace fee (typically 3% to 5%, depending on what plan you select) while freelancers pay service fees on their earnings (often around 10%). This arrangement can be financially appealing, but Upwork does come with drawbacks. It’s a very competitive environment for freelancers—the vast amount of job seekers on the platform can encourage gig workers to undercut one another on price, as is the case with Fiverr.

For employers, the sheer number of freelancers can be overwhelming. Upwork’s vetting isn’t as rigorous as that of other Fiverr alternatives (e.g., Shopify Partners or Toptal). Service quality can vary as a result.

Toptal

Toptal uses vetting to distinguish itself from other gig sites. Its pitch is that its freelancers come from the “top 3% of the world’s talent.” The types of professionals found on Toptal are similar to those on other platforms: product and project managers, writers, graphic designers, software developers, and other highly skilled professionals.

Toptal freelancers can expect an extremely rigorous vetting process overseen by humans, not algorithms. On the other side of the vetting, accepted freelancers can command high rates and keep 100% of their earnings. Employers can expect to pay higher rates than on other gig platforms, and there are fewer workers to choose from, given Toptal’s pledge to only allow the “top 3%” to access its job search engine. 

Guru

Guru stands out by offering a wider array of payment structures than many of its competitors. This includes hourly, fixed-price, and milestone payments (where gig workers are paid as they reach different milestones in ongoing projects). The platform’s SafePay tool offers payment security and peace of mind; employers pay only when they’re satisfied with the work, and Guru offers dispute resolution services to mediate as needed.

Guru also charges lower service fees than other platforms—2.9% for payment handling, which can be remitted to those using an e-check or a wire transfer. These lower fees can help cut down on a company’s overall project costs. Freelancers pay between 5% and 9% of each invoice they submit to the platform.

99designs

99designs is a freelance marketplace that specializes in design services, including logos, branding, packaging, and websites. Customers can hire a designer directly, or they can sponsor design contests where freelancers make proposals and share previews of their work.

On the freelancing side of the equation, designers must apply for listing on the platform. You’ll pay a $100 flat fee to the platform to be paired with a client, and then you’ll remit 5% to 15% of whatever your client pays for your services.

Bark

Bark is an expansive gig platform that covers both global and local freelancers, offering a wide array of services, including writing, web design, marketing, and in-person labor. Whether you need to hire a translator in China or want furniture assembly quotes from local professionals, Bark can help you source these services quickly.

Professionals on Bark receive free leads from the platform. They purchase credits that they can redeem to communicate with clients. Bark uses dynamic pricing for these connections, so it can be hard to estimate the cost of pursuing a lead. On the plus side, the platform offers a credit refund policy for pros who don’t win business after redeeming their first credit pack.

Codeable

Codeable is a highly specialized platform that focuses exclusively on WordPress development. WordPress is a website builder with open-source software, so it requires more hands-on coding than platforms like Shopify. Codeable offers a network of pre-vetted, expert-level WordPress developers. Each client-developer partnership is overseen by a Codeable staff member to manage projects and ensure successful delivery.

The Codeable platform is not for quick or small projects; it’s a premium service for clients who need experienced WordPress help and are willing to pay for it. To that end, Codeable charges a 17.5% service fee on top of the fee paid to a developer. This model—charging the client rather than the developer—makes Codeable a desirable platform for WordPress experts. However, this has also led to a highly competitive community angling for a limited number of jobs.

Index.dev

Index.dev is a popular platform for technical projects, especially those that specialize in back-end engineering for websites and apps. Specific topics include development for iOS, Android, Java, Python, and DevSecOps, among many other specialties. The platform uses an AI-powered system to quickly match clients with vetted talent. Each pairing comes with a dedicated account manager.

Index.dev is geared toward clients with specific, high-level technical needs and is not suitable for entry-level projects. Listed professionals on the platform go through a rigorous vetting process. You can negotiate pricing on a per-project basis, with account managers facilitating custom fees and commissions.

Tips for freelancers using service marketplaces

• Optimize your profile and portfolio
• Focus on a limited number of specialties
• Prioritize customer service

Whether you’re pursuing freelance jobs on Fiverr or exploring alternatives, you can gain visibility and book more work by employing these tips:

Optimize your profile and portfolio

Whether you’re on Fiverr, Upwork, Shopify Partners, or another platform, your profile is your digital storefront. Make your profile stand out with a professional photograph, a concise and well-written biography, and compelling, accurate service descriptions. Most of all, spend time on your portfolio. It should showcase your best work and demonstrate your expertise in your chosen niche.

Focus on a limited number of specialties

Instead of offering a wide range of generic services, specialize in a specific niche (e.g., Shopify store design, product copywriting, Android app development, etc.). This specialization allows you to become an expert and command higher rates than you might receive as a generalist. Research your competitors to set a competitive pricing strategy that reflects the quality of your work without undervaluing your time and expertise.

Prioritize customer service

There are lots of talented professionals advertising their skills on freelance sites. While you need expertise to stand out, you can further distinguish yourself by offering good customer service. Respond to client inquiries promptly and professionally. Clearly communicate project timelines, manage expectations, and provide regular updates on your progress. Positive client relationships lead to excellent reviews and repeat business.

Tips for businesses using service marketplaces

• Thoroughly define your project
• Take the necessary time to vet candidates
• Start with a small project and then scale up

If you’re wading through a sea of freelancers, it can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Here are some tips you can use as an employer to maximize your returns on freelance marketplaces:

Thoroughly define your project

Get on the same page as your prospective hire by providing a detailed project description. Clearly outline your goals, the project deliverables, and any overriding expectations. The more information you provide from the outset, the easier it’ll be to find a freelancer with the right skills and experience. You’ll also save valuable time, for yourself and the freelancer alike, once the project commences.

Take the necessary time to vet candidates

Price is always a factor when hiring, but the most successful clients do not rely on price alone. To find a quality freelancer, you should carefully review their portfolio, read their past client reviews, and pay attention to their communication style during your initial interactions. The time you spend on this due diligence could reduce the risk of a project going off the rails or failing to meet expectations.

Start with a small project and then scale up

Before committing to a large, high-value project, consider hiring a new freelancer for a smaller, low-risk task. This “test project” allows you to evaluate the freelancer’s skills, reliability, and communication style without making a major financial commitment. If they perform well, you can confidently move forward with a larger contract.