Work today doesn’t have to mean a 9–5 office job. Thanks to freelancing platforms, anyone—from students and creatives to stay-at-home parents—can find flexible, remote opportunities online. After researching trends, interviewing freelancers, and analyzing hundreds of profiles, I’ve curated the top 5 freelancing websites that make it easier than ever to start in 2025.

5 Best Freelancing Websites:

1. Upwork 

Overview & Highlights

• Founded: 2015 (merger of Elance + oDesk)

• Scale: 18 million freelancers, 5 million clients, and $1 billion yearly rewards.

• What Makes It Great:

  • Rich filters for skills, rate, and experience

  • Hourly & fixed-price projects, plus long-term retainers

  • Robust messaging, time tracking, and escrow system

Ideal for

• Freelancers seeking stability and ongoing projects

• Professionals across all niches—writing, design, dev, marketing

Considerations

• Service fees start at 20%, decreasing with earnings

• Connects system: you pay to send proposals; careful planning required

2. Fiverr 

Overview & Highlights

• Launch: 2010 

• Gig-based model starting at $5, with options for add-ons and tiered packages 

• Over 3 million services live at any time

What Makes It Great

• Simple to set up ‘gigs’, no bidding required

• Ideal for quick-turnaround or niche services

• Fiverr Pro caters to clients looking for high-end freelancers. 

Ideal for

• Beginners who want to offer one-off services (logo design, proofreading)

• Creatives testing demand for niche gigs

Considerations

• Fees range from 15–20%

• Gig competition is fierce—differentiation is key

3. Freelancer.com 

Overview & Highlights

• Founded: 2009 in Australia; 60 million users across 247 countries 

• Offers bidding-based jobs and contests

What Makes It Great

• Large project variety—from $10 micro-tasks to enterprise-level contracts

• Ideal for competitive pricing and earning diverse experience

Ideal for

• Freelancers comfortable competing on price

• Those testing multiple niches and pricing strategies

Considerations

• Fees: ~10% per project

• Interface can feel cluttered; requires selecting legit posts carefully

4. Guru 

Overview & Highlights

• Founded: 1998 Supports short-term and long-term contracts with a WorkRoom environment and secure SafePay guarantees

What Makes It Great

• Flexible payment terms—hourly, task-based, recurring

• User-friendly WorkRoom helps manage multiple freelancers on a single project

Ideal for

• Freelancers in design, writing, software, and admin roles looking for repeat work

• Consultants who prefer structured contracts

Considerations

• Platform fees between 5–9% depending on membership

• Less traffic than Upwork or Fiverr—more niche but potentially higher value

5. PeoplePerHour (PPH) 

Overview & Highlights

• Based in the UK, launched 2007 

• Hybrid model: offers Hourlies (fixed-priced offerings) and custom project bids

What Makes It Great

• Excellent for local and remote opportunities

• WorkStream dashboard allows efficient team-style client management 

Ideal for

• Short-term gigs and standardized packages

• Those looking to grow into project teams or consultative work

Considerations

• Interface can feel dated and slightly rigid compared to newer platforms

 Honorable Mentions

• Toptal: Elite, highly vetted work for developers and finance experts—great pay, but tough admission 

• Arc.dev: Developer-focused with AI matching—ideal for coders seeking remote tech roles 

 Freelance Revenue Snapshot

🔍 These ranges reflect entry to mid-level earnings. Top-rated freelancers, especially on Upwork, Fiverr Pro, or Toptal, can earn significantly more.

 EEAT: Why You Can Trust This Guide

• Expertise: Two years of research analyzing surveys, platform updates, and freelancer success stories

• Experience: I’ve tested signups, bid processes, fee structures, and client management systems firsthand

• Authority: Insights are supported by industry stats (Upwork payouts, Fiverr lists, Toptal vetting) 

• Trustworthiness: No paid promotions—just clear, objective comparison to help new freelancers launch smart

 Advice for Anyone Starting Out

1. Define Your Niche: Pick one or two platforms that align with your skills. Don’t spread thin.

2. Start with Free Research: Browse projects, read top freelancer profiles, learn client expectations.

3. Build a Compact Portfolio: Use mock or personal projects to showcase relevant work.

4. Set Thoughtful Pricing: Begin slightly below market average to build feedback.

5. Optimize Your Profile: Include a strong headline, clear description, and relevant experiences.

6. Submit Targeted Proposals: Focus on client needs, reference previous work, and keep answers concise.

7. Gather Testimonials: Do a few low-cost jobs or pro-bono gigs to earn reviews fast.

8. Diversify Income Streams: Once established, mix 2–3 platforms to avoid overdependency.

9. Track and Invest: Budget for platform fees, consider premium memberships for more visibility.

 Final Thoughts

There’s no one perfect freelance website—each excels in different areas:

• Upwork for long-term contracts

• Fiverr for fast, packaged gigs

• Freelancer.com to explore & compete

• Guru for repeat, consultant-style work

• PeoplePerHour for hybrid and local-focused projects

Your best path? Start small, learn one platform really well, gather momentum with a strong portfolio, and expand from there. Every step increases your visibility, money, and confidence.

If you’re just starting out and don’t have any work samples yet, don’t worry. Here’s a complete guide on how to create a portfolio of freelance work without any experience to help you stand out on these freelancing platforms.