Top 5 freelance platforms

We’ve been discussing previously remote jobs and most of these can be found on freelance platforms. For obvious reasons, so far, freelance platforms have been used mainly by freelancers. However, with the COVID 19 pandemic, the Internation Labour Organization estimates a rising trend in job loss.  However tragic this may sound, it will be a reality all of us need to face. We have 2 options: stay the same (and probably perish like dinosaurs did) or reinvent ourselves and move forward in the new reality. As expected, I vote for lifelong learning and continuous transformation. With this in mind let’s see where else you can find job opportunities if your geographical area or industry has been highly impacted by the new pandemic.  

What are freelance platforms?

Freelance platforms or online marketplaces for freelancing services are basically websites that match supply and demand for remote jobs. A traditional job board shows a series of available jobs from different employers at a specific moment in time. In addition to this, the freelance platforms provide all the tools needed for the “employer” to recruit and hire the freelancer as well as receive the job output in a secure manner. The freelance platform not only lists the options but assists both sides in being sure that the exchange will be mutually beneficial. If working through a platform, the freelancer has protection in place to make sure he receives the money for the work performed. On the other side, the employer has the possibility to split the work into milestones or pay by the hour to make sure he is satisfied with the output. 

The best know freelance platforms 

Fiverr

Fiverr was founded  10 years ago in Tel-Aviv and is an online marketplace for freelancing services. It used to focus mostly on Marketing & Design jobs but it has gradually expanded its portfolio towards Wrtiing&Translation Services, Business, Lifestyle, and even programming and tech. 

It started as a platform where you could find $5 gigs, like designing a logo or creating a simple marketing ad but it evolved and now it can offer more complex projects and solutions. 

Pros

It works well for beginners as it focuses on one-time small projects.

Cons 

Pricing is very competitive and most people go there looking for the cheapest offer. 

Upwork

Upwork, formerly know as o-Desk came to light 18 months after the merge between Elance and o-Desk, 2 of the biggest freelance platforms around the 2010s. It now holds a top position reporting around 15 million users and $300M yearly revenue in 2019. 

Upwork now services 12 main job categories. Apart from the traditional ones – Software development, Marketing, Design, etc, it expands towards newer niches like Engineering and Architecture, Legal, Accounting.    

Pros

Apart from the fact it has a wide offering of jobs, you can also pick the type of job that suits you best: one-time projects, mid-term collaborations(6 months), or even long-term employment. It offers security with the escrow system it has in place which goes a long way towards freelancers’ protection.  

Cons 

The fees are quite high(20% of the earnings until you reach 500usd with a client and afterward 10%). Also there is quite some competition on this platform making it sometimes a bidding war between the freelancers.  

Toptal

Toptal, more than being a simple online marketplace for freelance services is a remote company in itself, offering additional screening and selection services for companies seeking remote employees. It prides itself in providing only the top 3% of the workforce that applies on the platform, because of its rigorous selection process. This is where it gets its name as well – Top Talent. Their job areas are limited to software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers.

Pros

The jobs you can get through Toptal are elite and higher-paying. Their section process increases your chances of a good match with a top employer. 

Cons 

The selection process is lengthy and complex which makes it less accessible to beginners.

People per Hour

People per Hour is a UK based freelance platform that offers projects in the most common freelancing categories: marketing, design, software development, writing, and translations. It has a 4-star rating across TrustPilot and Glassdoor which keeps it in the top existing platforms.

Pros

You can choose between one-time projects and long-term collaborations.

Cons

The postings are not so many as on the other marketplaces. 

Guru

Though on the market since 1998 (formerly known as e-Moonlighter.com), at the moment of writing Guru.com ranks lower than People per Hour with 2.4 stars on TrustPilot and 3.9 on glassdoor. Nevertheless, it remains a go-to option for several job functions as it expanded its reach as well, covering 8 areas including Legal, Engineering&Architecture, and other new-wave ones. 

Pros

The competition among freelancers might be lower.

Cons

The job specs are not always clear and complete. 

You should go ahead and build solid profiles on each of these platforms to get started online. Based on your experience and preferences, you’ll later decide which one is a good fit for your remote options. 

Now that you hold all these options, get ready for your next interview!