You may need a freelancer for a short-term project, a one-off assignment, or because you don’t want to assume the risk of hiring someone full-time. No matter your reason, stop settling for average and start seeking assistance from experts who are eager to capture your voice and captivate your audience.

Searching for the ideal site to hire a freelancer shouldn't be a tricky task. But don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you.

To assist your selection process, our team spent hours investigating the most desirable freelance hiring solutions and condensed that research into a quick resource for you to make your next great hiring decision.

We’ve listed the 19 best freelance websites below.

1. Toptal

Toptal connects clients who have too much work on their plates with the perfect freelancer. They employ an extensive screening process which is to be completed and passed to gain access to their list of exceptional clients who need assistance with substantive projects. In fact, Toptal only accepts the top 3 percent of applicants who are tested and interviewed, making their pool of talent highly valuable. We firmly suggest using Toptal because of its rigorous requirements for selecting freelance talent.

  • Extensive screening process

  • High profile clients

  • Reasonable rates

2. Gun.io

Gun.io helps you hire elite freelancers at a moment's notice. They’re trusted by teams committed to excellence in software engineering like Tesla, CISCO, and NBC. Their founders are even active open source developers and have designed their vetting practices with CTOs in mind. Use Gun.io's services because their community of freelancers is comprised of triple-vetted industry elites.

  • Reliable/last-minute freelancers

  • Brand name recognition

  • Triple-vetted industry elites

3. Gigster

Gigster expedites the delivery of digital transformation applications by giving companies the agility and ability to succeed in a software-defined world. They envision a future where the best ideas flourish and provide excellent choices for customers to enrich their lives. Gigster believes in democratizing this capability—enabling all companies to build their digital DNA to engage their customers and empower their employees.

  • Exceptional client engagement

  • A global network of freelancers

  • A wide range of skill-sets

4. Upwork

Upwork possesses over 1.5 million clients and hosts almost every type of freelancer imaginable. Work can be done as hourly or per project, and they have employers whose skill levels range from entry-level to industry experts. The best part? Because of the vast availability of work, anyone can find a freelancer through this platform.

  • Long and short-term freelancers

  • Smooth client interface

  • A broad portfolio of projects

5. Fiverr

Fiverr helps clients find the perfect freelancer because they create their portfolios based on their specific skill sets. Most companies post positions that freelancers can apply for, but using Fiverr’s way, freelancers can market their services to companies and can put their gigs into categories by using keywords that show up in different searches. Their name stems from the idea that freelancers will start their prices at five dollars per project.

  • Unique platform

  • Niche freelancers

  • Reasonable Rates

6. Simply Hired

The Simply Hired platform allows clients to find freelancers in almost any field, making it ideal for anyone looking for extra help. Freelancers are available in over 24 countries in 12 different languages. Whether you need human resources to employ or a salesperson, there will be a freelancer for you. Their website also includes a blog with hiring tips as well as a location-based search.

  • Diverse skill-sets

  • A global network of freelancers

  • Support tools and resources

7. People Per Hour

People Per Hour works to streamline the process of freelancing by organizing communication and payments as well as job management. Freelancers can send up to 15 proposals to clients for free before they are chosen for a project. Clients can post jobs and get notified for new freelancers available at no cost. This site is worth checking out for those who are focused on completing any web-focused project.

  • Proposals provided prior to project

  • A constant stream of clients

  • Clear communication

8. Aquent

Producing work around the globe for digital marketing and creative professionals, Aquent presents opportunities for clients to hire freelancers to work remotely or on-site. They provide free online courses that offer training in practical skills for freelancers to hone in on their abilities or sharpen them. Simply search using specific keywords and a location to find the best freelancer for you!

  • Frequently trained freelancers

  • A large pool of freelancers

  • Remote or on-site help

9. LocalSolo

LocalSolo is free to use, and there are no commission fees. The profile is free, and the work is free—but freelancers still get paid. Clients work directly with their talent regarding rates, payments, and contracts. The profiles created with LocalSolo are easier on the eyes than a lot of other platforms, so the freelancers are more enticing. Clients like yourself use this site because they have a large job board with access to plenty of projects, contracts, and even full-time freelancers.

  • Free to use

  • Direct contact with clients

  • Easy/enticing platform

10. The Creative Group

Part of a more extensive staffing agency, The Creative Group, is directed for freelance creative professionals in fields of marketing, copywriting, photography, and graphic design. Freelancers can find positions that are full time, contract to hire, and more—simply input the “freelance” filter to edit your search.

  • A large staffing agency

  • Creative professionals

  • Full-time/part-time/contract freelancers

Which site for freelancers is best?

11. 99 Designs

99 Designs' platform is made for freelance designers who compete in contests and then receive feedback as the client chooses the one that they see fits the best. It is an excellent way for designers to get their work seen and for clients to build their portfolio using the perfect freelancer. Hundreds of thousands of clients and freelancers have had successful contracts using 99 Designs.

  • Contests for client projects

  • Client control at all times

  • An easily operated platform

12. Nexxt

Nexxt is a recruitment media company that uses today’s most effective marketing techniques to help you achieve a full spectrum of talent. By fusing precise targeting and machine learning with multi-channel marketing capabilities and a diversified talent network, Nexxt helps you develop custom advertising campaigns and efficiently fulfill whatever your next hire may be.

  • Custom multi-channel campaigns

  • Efficient and expert freelancers

  • Wide-range of skill-sets

13. Remote

Get connected with freelancers by receiving job requests indicating someone is looking for work with the skills that you need. You are in charge of choosing the freelancers you want to have a contract with, and once the freelancer is interested, you set up the contract, communicate with them, send documents or files, and send your payment all through this platform.

  • Remote freelancers

  • A broad range of skill-sets

  • A global network of freelancers

14. TaskRabbit

Join TaskRabbit’s mission to provide opportunities for millions of hard-working people across the United States, United Kingdom, and soon, the world. Their unique two-sided marketplace matches millions of customers with over 60,000 Taskers, offering convenience, quality, and at accessible prices.

  • A global network of freelancers

  • Convenient portal and platform

  • A two-sided marketplace

15. Skyword

Skyword is on a mission to make it easy for brands to tell authentic stories that establish trust and build lasting relationships. They believe that when you meet people's needs for information with original, expert content, both you and your audience win. And they’ve got the results to prove it.

  • Long-lasting partnerships

  • Expert professionals

  • Audience proven results

16. Designhill

This is a virtual marketplace for creatives who specialize in digital work. The interactive environment allows clients to give real-time feedback that helps designers to better understand what the client requires. Freelance designers can create their portfolios to show off their work to potential clients. The company also holds contests that freelancers compete in by contributing to a client's project.

  • Niche freelancers

  • Contests for client projects

  • Extensive digital portfolio

17. Guru

Clients find the perfect freelancer on Guru because it allows them to show off their past work. You will also be able to see how much a company has spent using Guru's freelancer pool—helping to decide whether or not a freelancer will be an accurate fit for your project. Choose jobs by location, category, or job type.

  • Remote or onsite help

  • Reasonable rates

  • A detailed vetting process

18. Hireable

Hireable enables you to get a freelance talent outside America or Europe with equal opportunity. It has a straightforward user interface that provides precisely what you expect from a freelance website. Rest easy knowing you will continuously get job alerts, recommendations, and keep a saved client list for future projects.

  • Comfortable client to freelancer interface

  • Constant communication

  • Successful portfolio

19. Flex Jobs

Founded in 2007, FlexJobs is dedicated to helping clients find a better way to work. They are a company full of passionate people who believe in the importance of remote and flexible jobs, and they are committed to providing a better way to find them. They believe the old ways of working are rigid and broken and that there is always a better way to work.

  • Passionate/flexible freelancers

  • Easy to navigate platform

  • Sensible pricing

Conclusion: How Do You Choose The Best Website For Freelancers?

Finding the perfect freelancer can be a complicated process because there are so many diverse sites ready to provide various services.

If you're searching for a matching service that can help pair you up with the perfect freelancer for your project, consider Toptal or Upwork, so you are paired with the right talent for your needs.

If you require a freelancer fast, then we suggest using Gun.io. However, if you want to take your time and handle the hiring yourself, then we recommend sites such as 99 Designs and Designhill that allow freelancers the chance to compete for your project.

If you need a specialized freelancer, such as in IT, try our recommendations for best IT staffing agencies and best IT recruiting agencies.

Ultimately, which sites you utilize depends on a multitude of factors, such as:

  • How quickly you need to hire a freelancer (i.e., your timeline)

  • How much experience you have hiring freelancers

  • Whether or not you're able to test technical skills

  • How many freelancers you need to bring on

  • What level of experience those freelancers need

  • What your budget constraints are

  • How important quality is to your project(s)

Knowing these factors helps the hiring process go much more smoothly.