Discover the top Upwork alternatives for freelancers! Explore these 5 platforms to land new gigs and grow your professional network. Don't miss out — read the full article now!
December 15, 2024
Being on the right platform like Upwork may help you find a job as a freelancer. Upwork provides fresh opportunities with a wide range of clients.
Therefore, any Upwork alternative you choose should be able to provide a wide array of jobs while offering safe payment platforms. It should also be affordable or provide value for your money with an easy-to-use interface.
To save you time, here are 5 of my best alternatives to Upwork based on user satisfaction, earning potential, and niche focus. These platforms cater to different needs and niches, so you’ll find one that works for you.
When I was choosing the best alternatives to Upwork, I spent a lot of time digging into reviews and testing some platforms myself. I checked discussions on Reddit (especially r/freelance, like this, for example) and read reviews from G2 and Trustpilot to see what freelancers like us were saying about these platforms. While I haven’t used all of them, I’ve worked on Fiverr, Guru and Hubstaff Talent in the past, and both had their perks. Nowadays, LinkedIn is where I get most of my clients, and I’ve found it super effective for building long-term professional connections. So, this list isn’t just random — it’s based on what I’ve seen, tested, and heard from others who’ve been in the freelancing trenches.
Fiverr is one of the top Upwork competitors. It has 4.2 million users, a fraction of what Upwork or LinkedIn has. Still, most freelancers opt between Upwork and Fiverr because they are affordable and easy to use.
But Fiverr has its own rules. For instance, a freelancer is called a seller (selling your services), while the client is the buyer. Therefore, you can create an account as a seller, buyer, or both. Fiverr promotes active sellers, especially when you are starting as a freelancer.
Here are some of the lessons that I came to learn while working on Fiverr:
I enjoy using LinkedIn a lot, especially lately.
LinkedIn is more of a social media platform like Facebook or Instagram. However, it can potentially connect you with professionals to establish long-term client relationships and position you as an industry authority.
One of the LinkedIn experts, Jasmin (Jay) Alić, shared an interesting insight about the platform’s engagement strategy. He explained that when you post on LinkedIn, your followers and connections see your content once a day. However, if you take the time to comment on others' posts, say just 10 people — you can significantly expand your reach and get noticed by more people within the same day. It’s not just about posting your own content; engaging with others’ posts helps boost your visibility and builds more connections organically according to Jay.
So you should always comment and react to other people's posts and articles if you want your content to attract a higher engagement. Posting alone won't cut it.
Keep in mind that there are over 1 billion LinkedIn users, therefore, you should be very mindful that you have a well-optimized LinkedIn profile. Your content appearing on the first page means that many eyes see your profile. More visibility means potential clients will start discovering you.
This is what I did to grow my profile:
Since LinkedIn is primarily a social networking platform for professionals, payment terms for freelance projects are handled outside the platform.
For example, you can use Solowise to establish your contract, payment terms, and preferred payment method directly with them. But be clear about your preferred payment method to avoid any unexpected fees or delays, and make sure it’s a method both you and the client can use smoothly.
Toptal is an alternative to Upwork not for its wide array of opportunities but because it is an elite job board. The screening process for Toptal is very intensive. Only 3% of top talent makes it to the platform.
Toptal looks for top professionals, so their screening process is rigorous. It typically involves:
I submitted my application to Toptal looking to get clients for my coding skills. The initial application part is not hard. I just filled in my personal information, specified skills, and uploaded a resume and profile picture before clicking “submit”.
This is what I received as a reply to my application.
Since then, I have not received any feedback from Toptal. However, this is understandable since the waitlist must be long.
Joining Toptal is about proving you’re among the best in your field. Another reason to try it is that the platform removes the hustle of having to bid for multiple jobs before landing one, like on Upwork.
Toptal already knows without a doubt that you are an expert in that field. Once you set up your profile and the job matching your skills becomes available, you get an exclusive invitation to the interviews.
The best thing is that Toptal doesn’t send a job interview invitation to more than 5 freelancers at a time, unlike Upwork, where you may have even 50 proposals for one job. Thus, you can earn well as you have access to high-paying jobs because not every freelancer can access the platform.
You have to also continue upskilling as the Toptal rewards profiles with more skills. The algorithm will link you with better-paying long-term clients if you display all your talents and skills.
Skills tagging on Toptal is how the team knows which freelancer to send job invitations to. Therefore, if you manage to maintain a consistently high-quality output, you can attract well-paying long-term clients.
If you’ve tried Upwork before, you might find Guru to be a breath of fresh air. The platform has some advantages that I enjoyed while working on it.
First, it has lower fees compared to Upwork, which means you get to keep more of your earnings. On Upwork, freelancers pay a 10% fee on every milestone, while Guru offers a tiered membership system that allows you to reduce fees to as low as 5% with a paid plan. Even without upgrading, Guru's fees are often lower than Upwork's. Clients also save money, as Guru charges them just a 2.9% processing fee for invoices.
While working on Guru, I also noticed it has less competition. While on Upwork I might compete with 50 or more freelancers for a single job, on Guru there were often fewer than 10 proposals per job. Guru also lets you choose different payment options, like hourly, milestone-based, or task-based, so you can work in a way that fits the project.
Here are some tips I’ve learned from my time as a content writer on Guru to help you get more clients:
Of course, not everything about Guru is perfect. The lack of a mobile app can be inconvenient if you’re someone who likes checking in on the go. Also, some freelancers report waiting for responses for days or not getting enough help to resolve problems. Some also feel that the security measures, like the ID verification requirement, seem too intrusive and costly. But from my own experience, Guru feels like a quieter, more focused alternative to Upwork, and it’s definitely worth exploring if you’re tired of endless competition.
HubStaff Talent is completely free to use. No fees for freelancers, no hidden costs, nothing. That alone makes it worth checking out, but there are more reasons why it could be your next favorite platform.
HubStaff Talent is much easier to use than platforms like Upwork. The job listings are usually clear and detailed, with clients outlining exactly what they need, their budget, and deadlines. This makes it simple to decide if a job is right for you and to create a tailored proposal. I’ve found that Upwork, on the other hand, often has vague listings that can leave you guessing, making it harder to pitch yourself effectively.
Another thing I like about HubStaff Talent is that there’s less competition. With fewer freelancers on the platform, it’s easier to get noticed — especially if you’re active and apply regularly. Plus, you can talk directly with clients without dealing with a complicated bidding system, which makes it easier to build trust and agree on terms. Many of the clients are startups or small businesses looking for ongoing help, so if you’re after long-term projects, this platform is a great fit. And for clients who want to track hours, HubStaff Talent’s built-in time tracking makes it easy to stay transparent and organized.
My first project on HubStaff Talent was writing email campaigns for a SaaS startup. The job listing was clear about what they needed — someone to craft five automated email sequences for their onboarding process. Unlike other platforms, I didn’t have to bid or spend on Connects; I simply sent a direct email with my pitch and portfolio.
The process was seamless thanks to the platform’s straightforward setup. The client and I communicated directly without any middleman tools slowing us down. Plus, since HubStaff Talent doesn’t charge freelancer fees, I kept my full payment—no deductions, which was a big relief after using platforms like Upwork.
What I loved most was that this wasn’t a one-off gig. Many listings on HubStaff Talent focus on long-term roles, and this client eventually hired me for ongoing work. It felt like a great return on the time I invested into applying.
Winning clients on job boards is about standing out and showing that you’re the right person for the task. Here are key tips to help you do just that, plus some additional strategies for boosting your visibility and attracting the right opportunities.
Your profile should have a professional bio, portfolio, and detailed work experience to attract potential clients. However, customize your profile to suit the platform you are using. LinkedIn for instance might favor a more casual approach while Upwork a formal one.
“Standing out on any job board is one of its toughest challenges, particularly for beginners. To secure high-paying clients, focus on building a stellar profile. Keep your profile simple showcasing 2-3 strong, relevant examples and explain the results you delivered. Avoid generic templates as clients spot them instantly. Then post before-and-after snapshots or write about the impact your work had on clients.”
Client reviews are gold on your profile. They help you build trust as it highlights your reliability and expertise. When potential clients come across testimonials or reviews from past clients, it plays a crucial role in their decision-making process.
Positive feedback builds trust and credibility, showing that you deliver results and are reliable. It’s one of the most effective ways to convince a new client that you’re the right person for the job.
“If you don't have any reviews yet – maybe you are new to the platform or just started your freelance journey – ensure you ask for testimonials immediately after you finish your first task.”
Just having a client doesn't mean that you should stop looking for more of them. Keeping your options open, brings up more opportunities for you by connecting you with diverse clients helping you avoid gaps in work.
It might be okay to be a general specialist, but niching down might help you become an expert in that speciality easily.
For instance, if you are a SEO writer, you can niche down to be:
Remember, it's okay to be an expert in several niches as some clients value versatility.
For example, I’m a pentester—a cybersecurity professional who tests and evaluates systems, networks, and applications by simulating attacks to uncover vulnerabilities. But beyond that, I also write on a wide range of topics, showcasing my ability to adapt to different needs and industries.
Focus on one or two platforms max. Pitching for work on more platforms will divide your attention and you won't be able to bring in your A-game. Each of these platforms has its strengths and unique features, so take some time to explore and see which one aligns with your ambitions.
By selecting a platform that complements your expertise, you’ll be ready to engage clients confidently, build meaningful relationships, and take your freelance career to the next level.
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