17 Freelance Marketplaces Compared: Which Budget-Friendly Option Wins for Small Businesses?

Choosing a freelance marketplace for your small business isn’t just about finding talent. It’s about balancing quality, cost, and features to get the best return on your investment. Each platform comes with its own pricing structure, talent pool, and trade-offs. Some charge steep fees but offer protection, while others save you money at the expense of vetting. This list breaks down 17 popular freelance marketplaces so you can see how they stack up against each other and decide which one fits your budget and business needs.

1. Legiit

   Legiit positions itself as a straightforward marketplace for digital services, with a focus on marketing, SEO, and content creation. The platform charges sellers a service fee, which keeps costs predictable for buyers compared to percentage-based models on other sites. You’ll find fixed-price services listed clearly, so there’s less haggling and more transparency upfront.

   The trade-off here is selection. Legiit‘s talent pool is smaller than giants like Upwork or Fiverr, but many small businesses find this works in their favor. Fewer options mean less time sorting through profiles, and the niche focus on digital marketing attracts specialists rather than generalists. If you need marketing help without the overwhelm of massive marketplaces, Legiit offers a middle ground between affordability and focused expertise.

2. Upwork

   Upwork is the largest freelance marketplace by user base, offering everything from web developers to virtual assistants. The platform charges clients a sliding service fee starting at 5% for larger contracts, which is competitive. However, hourly rates can climb quickly, especially for experienced professionals who know their worth.

   The biggest advantage is choice. You can post a job and receive dozens of proposals within hours. The downside? Sorting through those proposals takes time, and quality varies wildly. Upwork’s vetting process is minimal, so you’re responsible for screening candidates. For small businesses with tight budgets, the time investment can offset the initial cost savings. Upwork works best when you know exactly what you need and can evaluate talent efficiently.

3. Fiverr

   Fiverr built its reputation on five-dollar gigs, though most services now cost much more. The platform uses a fixed-price model where freelancers list packages at set rates. Buyers pay a service fee of around 5.5%, which keeps transactions simple and predictable.

   The main trade-off is control. You’re choosing from pre-set packages rather than negotiating custom terms. This speeds up hiring but limits flexibility. Quality on Fiverr ranges from amateur to professional, and the rating system doesn’t always reflect the full picture. Budget-conscious businesses appreciate the transparency of pricing, but you’ll need to read reviews carefully and possibly test a few sellers before finding the right match. Fiverr excels for quick, small tasks but can feel limiting for complex projects.

4. Freelancer.com

   Freelancer.com operates on a contest model alongside traditional hiring. You can post a project and have multiple freelancers submit sample work before you choose a winner. This reduces risk but adds complexity. The platform charges a 3% project fee for basic members, which is lower than many competitors.

   The contest feature is both an advantage and a drawback. You get to see actual work before committing, but it means freelancers are working for free upfront. This can attract less experienced talent willing to take that gamble. For straightforward projects like logo design or simple coding tasks, the contest model offers good value. For ongoing relationships or complex work, the traditional bidding system works better but still requires careful vetting.

5. Toptal

   Toptal markets itself as the top 3% of freelance talent, with a rigorous screening process for developers, designers, and finance experts. There’s no public pricing, but expect rates significantly higher than most platforms. Toptal charges clients directly and handles all payment processing.

   The value proposition is clear: you pay premium rates for vetted professionals. For small businesses, this creates a tough trade-off. You’ll save time on screening and reduce the risk of bad hires, but hourly rates can reach $100 to $200 or more. Companies with critical projects and limited time to manage freelancers find Toptal worth the investment. Those watching every dollar will struggle to justify the cost, especially when other platforms offer competent talent at a fraction of the price.

6. 99designs

   99designs specializes in graphic design and uses a contest-based model similar to Freelancer.com but with better quality control. You set a prize amount, describe your project, and receive multiple design submissions. The platform takes a percentage of the prize as its fee.

   This approach works well for visual projects where you need to see options before deciding. The downside is cost. Contest prizes start around $300 for basic packages and climb from there. You’re paying multiple designers to work on your project, which increases your total spend compared to hiring one person directly. For businesses that struggle to articulate design preferences, the contest model reduces miscommunication. If you know exactly what you want, hiring a single designer on another platform will cost less.

7. PeoplePerHour

   PeoplePerHour caters to European and UK-based businesses but accepts clients globally. The platform charges a service fee that decreases as you spend more with the same freelancer, starting at 20% and dropping to 3.5%. This rewards ongoing relationships but makes initial projects expensive.

   The tiered fee structure is the key differentiator here. If you’re hiring for a one-off task, you’ll pay significantly more in fees than on platforms with flat rates. For businesses building long-term relationships with freelancers, the decreasing fees create real savings over time. The talent pool skews toward UK and European time zones, which is a plus for businesses in those regions and a potential drawback for others. PeoplePerHour makes sense when you plan to work with the same freelancer repeatedly.

8. Guru

   Guru offers flexible payment options including hourly, fixed-price, and task-based arrangements. The platform charges a processing fee of 2.9% plus transaction costs, which is lower than most competitors. Guru also provides a workroom feature for collaboration and file sharing.

   The lower fees make Guru attractive for budget-conscious businesses, but there’s a catch. The platform requires a membership fee for full access to features like unlimited job posts and advanced search filters. Free members face limitations that can slow down the hiring process. Guru works well if you plan to hire regularly and can justify the membership cost. For occasional hiring, the savings on transaction fees may not offset the membership expense. The smaller user base also means fewer candidates per job post compared to Upwork or Fiverr.

9. SimplyHired

   SimplyHired aggregates job listings from across the web, including freelance positions. It’s free to post jobs, and you pay nothing in platform fees. The catch is that you’re managing everything yourself, from screening to payment.

   This represents the ultimate trade-off between cost and convenience. You avoid all marketplace fees, but you also lose protections, payment processing, and dispute resolution services. SimplyHired works best for businesses with experience hiring freelancers and systems already in place for contracts and payments. First-time buyers or those seeking hands-off management will find the savings aren’t worth the added complexity. The platform shines for finding local freelancers or full-time contractors rather than quick project-based work.

10. Catalant

    Catalant focuses on high-level consultants and business experts rather than task-based freelancers. The platform handles everything from matching to project management, but costs reflect this white-glove service. Expect to pay consultant rates plus platform fees.

    For small businesses, Catalant is a hard sell unless you need strategic expertise for a critical project. You’re paying for curation and managed services, which reduces risk but increases cost substantially. Companies needing help with business strategy, market research, or financial planning find value here. Those looking for execution work like content writing or web design will pay far more than necessary. Catalant competes with Toptal at the high end, offering a different talent pool but similar cost considerations.

11. DesignCrowd

    DesignCrowd operates on a crowdsourcing model similar to 99designs but with a broader international talent pool. You post a design brief, set a prize amount, and receive submissions from designers worldwide. The platform takes a percentage of the prize.

    The international focus often means lower prices than 99designs, with contests starting around $100. The trade-off is more variable quality and potentially longer turnaround times due to time zone differences. DesignCrowd works well for budget-conscious businesses willing to provide detailed feedback and manage submissions actively. If you prefer a more curated experience, 99designs offers better quality control at a higher price. DesignCrowd represents the budget option in the design contest space.

12. TaskRabbit

    TaskRabbit focuses on local, in-person tasks rather than remote freelance work. You’ll find help with everything from furniture assembly to moving to handyman services. Pricing includes an hourly rate set by the tasker plus a service fee charged to clients.

    This platform solves a different problem than most freelance marketplaces. For small businesses needing physical help, office setup, or local errands, TaskRabbit fills a gap. The costs can add up quickly with hourly rates plus fees, making it more expensive than hiring directly. However, the convenience and built-in insurance make it worth considering for occasional needs. TaskRabbit doesn’t compete with Upwork or Fiverr for digital services, but it’s the clear winner for local, physical tasks.

13. Contra

    Contra takes a commission-free approach, charging freelancers nothing and instead making money through premium features. For buyers, this means potentially lower costs as freelancers don’t need to inflate rates to cover fees. The platform focuses on creative and tech professionals.

    The zero-commission model is appealing in theory, but Contra’s smaller user base limits your options. You’ll find fewer freelancers than on established platforms, which can extend your search time. The platform works best for businesses already networked in creative industries who can attract talent to the platform. For those starting from scratch, the limited selection may not offset the fee savings. Contra represents an interesting alternative model but hasn’t yet reached the scale to compete directly with major platforms.

14. CloudPeeps

    CloudPeeps curates a community of marketing and content freelancers, positioning itself between open marketplaces like Upwork and exclusive platforms like Toptal. The platform vets freelancers before approval, and you can browse profiles or post projects. CloudPeeps charges a monthly subscription for access.

    The subscription model changes the cost calculation. If you hire frequently, the monthly fee plus freelancer rates may cost less than paying per-project fees elsewhere. For occasional hiring, you’re paying for access you don’t fully use. The curated community offers better quality than completely open platforms but not the top-tier vetting of Toptal. CloudPeeps fits businesses with ongoing marketing needs and budgets that can absorb a monthly platform cost in exchange for reduced per-project fees.

15. Working Not Working

    Working Not Working serves the creative industry, connecting businesses with designers, art directors, and other creative professionals. The platform operates more like a job board with portfolio hosting than a traditional marketplace. Access to contact information requires a paid membership.

    This model works differently than project-based marketplaces. You’re essentially paying for access to a curated directory of creative talent, then negotiating directly. There are no transaction fees, but the membership cost is fixed regardless of how much you hire. For agencies or businesses with regular creative needs, the model makes sense. For small businesses hiring once or twice a year, paying an annual membership to make one hire is inefficient. Working Not Working targets companies with consistent creative hiring needs.

16. Bark

    Bark flips the traditional marketplace model by having freelancers pay for leads rather than charging clients. You post your project for free, receive quotes from interested freelancers, and choose who to hire. There are no buyer fees.

    This model benefits clients financially but can attract aggressive sales tactics from freelancers trying to recoup their lead costs. You’ll receive multiple quotes quickly, but quality varies significantly. Bark covers a wide range of services from web design to legal help, making it more of a general services marketplace than a specialized freelance platform. For small businesses, the zero-cost model is appealing for initial outreach, but you’ll need strong screening skills to separate quality providers from those just trying to recover lead expenses.

17. Mayple

    Mayple focuses specifically on marketing freelancers and agencies, with a matching service that pairs businesses with vetted professionals. The platform charges a flat monthly fee per engagement rather than percentage-based fees. Mayple also provides performance monitoring tools.

    The flat-fee model creates predictability but requires longer commitments. You’re essentially paying for a managed service rather than just marketplace access. For small businesses uncertain about marketing strategy, the guidance and matching service add value beyond what open marketplaces provide. The cost is higher than hiring directly on Upwork but lower than full-service agencies. Mayple fits the middle ground for businesses that need marketing expertise but can’t afford agency retainers. The trade-off is less control over freelancer selection compared to browsing profiles yourself.

Each freelance marketplace makes different trade-offs between cost, quality, convenience, and selection. Platforms with low fees often require more time for screening and management. Those with high fees or subscriptions offer better vetting and support. Your best choice depends on what you value most: saving money, saving time, or reducing risk. For quick tasks with tight budgets, platforms like Fiverr or Bark keep costs down. For critical projects where mistakes are expensive, investing in Toptal or Mayple makes sense. Most small businesses will find their sweet spot somewhere in the middle, balancing reasonable costs with adequate quality control. Test a few options to see which platform’s particular set of trade-offs aligns with how you work and what you can afford.