While several job search websites post openings for freelancers all over the world, this article will focus only on those that facilitate accepting payments and serve as a middleman that connects freelancers with potential clients. But the competition is really high, and you need to know which ones will provide you with a constant stream of income. The majority of them will charge you a service fee, but you can find free platforms as well.
Here is a list of the ten best websites in India where freelancers can find gigs and earn a living. The list comprises the popular ones like Freelancer, Upwork, Fiverr, and lesser-known platforms like Toptal and Hubstaff Talent. We also have a guide that explains the features to look for and how to choose one or multiple platforms and make your presence known as a professional freelancer.
Image | 1 ![]() | 2 ![]() | 3 ![]() | 4 ![]() | 5 ![]() | 6 ![]() Adobe | 7 ![]() | 8 ![]() | 9 ![]() | 10 ![]() |
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Name | Freelancer | Upwork | fiverr | Toptal | Hubstaff Talent | Behance | Guru | 99designs | AngelList | FlexJobs |
Features | Offers Monthly and Annual Plans | Filter Search Results According to the Services You Offer | Flat 20% Commission for Every Sale | Charges No Commission | Free Platform for Beginners and Professionals Alike | A Platform for Creative Professionals | Find Long-Term Work and Receive Recurring Payments | Work One-on-One or Participate in Contests | Work and Learn With Startups | Mandatory Registration Required to Apply For Jobs |
Price Starts at | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 |
Commission | Depends on the project | $0-$500: 20% $500.01-$10,000: 10% $10,000.01 or more: 5% | Flat 20% | Freelancers are not charged | Free platform | Free platform | Depends on the type of membership | Freelancers are not charged | Free platform | No commission |
Paid upgrades and memberships | Upgrades and memberships available | Plus membership for $14.99/month | Fiverr Pro | Not available | Not available | Not available | Available | Not available for freelancers | Not available | Available |
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Here are our top ten recommendations for websites for freelancers in India that include Toptal, Guru, Fiverr, and more. Even if you are an expert in your field, you may face some difficulty landing gigs on freelance marketplaces. So you may choose to search for projects in more than one platform if time and money are no object.
From ₹0.00
Commission | Depends on the project |
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Paid upgrades and memberships | Upgrades and memberships available |
From ₹0.00
Commission | $0-$500: 20% $500.01-$10,000: 10% $10,000.01 or more: 5% |
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Paid upgrades and memberships | Plus membership for $14.99/month |
From ₹0.00
Commission | Freelancers are not charged |
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Paid upgrades and memberships | Not available |
From ₹0.00
Commission | Free platform |
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Paid upgrades and memberships | Not available |
From ₹0.00
Commission | Depends on the type of membership |
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Paid upgrades and memberships | Available |
From ₹0.00
Commission | Freelancers are not charged |
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Paid upgrades and memberships | Not available for freelancers |
Here is a quick and easy guide to help you choose the best freelance marketplace for your skills. Learn about commission, free platforms, convenient payment terms and methods, and more from the sections below.
The major source of income for freelance marketplaces is the percentage they take from the money you get paid by your hirer. While some websites charge a fixed percentage, others follow a sliding fee scale (variable price according to the money you earn). Here is an example.
Suppose you agree to complete a project for $5000, Upwork's sliding fee scale will take $550 as service fees, while Fiverr's flat 20% rate will deduct $1000 from the total amount. Wait, don't make a decision yet. Here is another case to consider: if the services you offer don't usually go above $500, the service fees will be the same regardless of whether you sell it in Upwork or Fiverr.
All freelance marketplaces will have an FAQ section that explains the fee structure. Understand it thoroughly before you even think about creating a profile.
There are two types of free platforms: one that offers all its services for free and the other that charges the clients. Both are beneficial for freelancers. But there are upsides and downsides. Websites that are completely free only serve as an intermediary. Hirers can post their project, and freelancers can contact them with their proposals and portfolio.
The platform will not facilitate the acceptance of payments, nor will it offer mediation for dispute resolution. You are on your own with negotiating payments and milestones. Both free platforms and the ones that charge you can have fraudsters, so none has an advantage over the other in this case. Then there are websites like Toptal and 99designs.
These websites charge the clients and not the freelancers. Toptal is a safe freelance marketplace since companies are vetted before allowing them on the platform. Some websites like Guru allow freelancers to split the job fee with the hirer during the agreement stage of a project. Free platforms are a great place for beginners to learn to send compelling proposals.
Almost all freelance marketplaces that charge service fees will also offer options to promote your bids. This is one way these websites make money. But this could be advantageous to you. Freelance marketplaces are flooded with freelancers. A project could receive over 100 bids, and the hirer may not have enough time to go through all of them.
So the ones that appear on the top will have a higher chance of getting awarded the project. If you are willing to invest some money, your initial journey in these freelance websites will be easier, and you will see yourself landing projects faster than ever before (provided you have the required skill set too). Websites offer more than one way of promoting proposals.
For example, you can take exams and publish a badge in your profile that demonstrates your expertise in a particular field. This badge will also appear on the proposals you send. Some websites offer to display a "pro" or "expert" badge after verifying your proficiency. For example, you can publish certificates you earned through Linkedin Learning on your Linkedin profile.
There are several modes through which freelance marketplaces transfer your earnings to you. Check the withdrawal terms and conditions to find out if your preferred payment method is available. Most websites allow direct bank account withdrawal, but if you want your money to be withdrawn to your Paypal or Skrill account, the website should support it.
Make sure to check if there are any fees for withdrawals too. Another important piece of information to check on the payment terms and conditions page is the allowed frequency of withdrawals and the withdrawal limit. This is different for different websites. For example, Fiverr lets you withdraw funds once every 24 hours, while Freelancer processes withdrawals twice a week.
Certain membership plans can also change the withdrawal limit and frequency of withdrawals allowed. Check if the website allows setting up automatic withdrawals. Your earnings will reach your preferred payment method based on the schedule you choose.
It shouldn't come as a surprise to you that freelance marketplaces can have fraudsters lurking somewhere. Most freelance marketplaces don't require hirers to prove their identity. They can create a profile and start posting jobs. Here are some tips that will help you save time and money:
Are you an entrepreneur? Or do you want to become a digital marketing guru? Here is an article that will help you find the best digital marketing courses on the internet. Click on the link below to go through our top 10 recommendations and find out how to choose the right course type, select between self-paced or mentor-led, and more.
All set to start your freelancing career? There is a reason freelancers prefer freelance marketplaces. It is easy to find work and enables smooth payment processing. But the growing community of freelancers is making it difficult for us to find work, and people who are new to freelancing are not sure which platform to choose.
The first and foremost thing to consider is the commission. Do your research and find a platform that takes less commission. A website that allows you to promote your proposals will help you land high-paying jobs easily. The second most important aspect to consider is the mode of payment. Go for a website that supports withdrawing earnings to your preferred payment method.
Author - Arun F Xaviour
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