10 Best Freelance Platforms to Hire Top Talent in 2025

Finding talent has never been easier, or more overwhelming. That’s why choosing the best freelance platforms in 2025 is crucial for hiring smarter, faster, and more cost-effectively.

Remote work and the gig economy give businesses access to a global pool of professionals, but the real challenge is knowing where to hire. In the U.S., about 22% of the workforce will work remotely by 2025, with many jobs now offered as hybrid arrangements.

The best platforms connect companies with skilled freelancers for one-off projects, ongoing roles, or long-term partnerships. Whether you’re a startup founder needing a quick website, an HR manager scaling a team, or a small business cutting costs, these sites provide instant access to vetted talent worldwide.

Let’s break down the top 10 freelance platforms, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, and share which ones fit different business needs. We’ll also introduce Wing Assistant, a managed alternative that offers pre-vetted, long-term support without the hiring headaches.

Freelance platforms are great for quick or specialized projects, but if you need reliable, ongoing talent, a managed solution like Wing Assistant is the smarter choice.

What to Look for in a Freelance Platform

Not all freelance platforms are built the same, and choosing wisely can save you time, money, and frustration. The best platforms strike a balance between giving you access to skilled professionals and providing tools that make hiring and managing projects simple.

1. Talent Quality

Some platforms emphasize quantity with low-cost freelancers, while others carefully vet candidates to ensure consistent quality. Decide whether you need broad access or highly screened talent.

2. Ease of Use

A good platform should make it easy to post jobs, review proposals, and communicate with freelancers. Look for an interface that saves time and keeps projects moving smoothly.

3. Pricing & Payment Protection

Transparent fees, fair pricing models, and escrow-based payments help protect both you and the freelancer. If you plan to hire often, check whether the platform offers subscriptions or predictable pricing instead of per-project costs.

4. Use Cases

• For one-off projects (e.g., logo design, quick edits), general marketplaces with large talent pools are ideal.
• For building a team or securing long-term help, specialized or managed solutions are often the better fit.

5. Managed vs. Unmanaged Platforms

• Unmanaged: You handle hiring, onboarding, and oversight yourself.
• Managed: The platform provides vetted talent, ongoing support, and even replacement guarantees, perfect for busy founders or teams that want to reduce risk and save time.

Top 10 Best Freelance Platforms to Hire Talent in 2025

With many options available, deciding where to hire freelancers isn’t always simple. Each platform promises access to top talent, but the experience, pricing, and reliability can vary widely.

To help you cut through the noise, we’ve compiled a detailed breakdown of the best freelance platforms in 2025, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, pricing models, and standout features, so you can choose the right fit for your business needs.

1. Upwork

Overview: One of the largest and most popular freelance talent platforms, Upwork connects millions of freelancers with businesses worldwide. It offers everything from writing and design to development and marketing.

Best for: Companies looking for a wide variety of skills across industries.

Pros:

• Large, diverse talent pool
• Built-in time tracking and payment protection
• Flexible project structures (hourly or fixed price)

Cons:

• High service fees for freelancers
• Quality can vary across candidates.

Pricing model: Free to post jobs, with Upwork charging freelancers service fees (10–20%) that may affect overall pricing.

Notable features: Escrow payments, job posting templates, and long-term contract support.

2. Fiverr

Overview: Fiverr is known for its gig-based model, where freelancers list services at set prices starting from $5. It has become one of the top freelance websites with categories covering digital marketing, content, video, and more.

Best for: Quick, budget-friendly tasks and creative projects.

Pros:

• Transparent pricing upfront
• Wide variety of service categories
• Easy browsing and ordering

Cons:

• Quality can be inconsistent
• Add-ons can make “cheap” services more expensive.

Pricing model: Pay per gig. Fiverr takes 20% commission from freelancers.

Notable features: Fiverr Business for team collaboration, rating, and reviews for quality control.

3. Toptal

Overview: Toptal positions itself as one of the best freelancing sites for employers seeking elite, pre-vetted talent in software development, finance, and design. Only the top 3% of applicants are accepted.

Best for: Businesses needing top-tier, highly vetted professionals for complex projects.

Pros:

• Rigorous vetting ensures high quality
• Dedicated account managers
• Strong focus on technical and specialized talent

Cons:

• Higher costs compared to other platforms
• Smaller talent pool due to exclusivity

Pricing model: Hourly or project-based, with higher-than-average rates.

Notable features: Matching service that pairs clients with best-fit freelancers.

4. Freelancer.com

Overview: Freelancer.com is one of the oldest freelance talent platforms, offering millions of professionals across nearly every field. Clients post jobs and receive competitive bids from freelancers.

Best for: Employers seeking affordability and global reach.

Pros:

• Huge global talent pool
• Competitive pricing due to the bidding system
• Escrow for payment security

Cons:

• Overcrowded marketplace
• Mixed quality results

Pricing model: Free to post, employers pay fees (around 3%) on awarded projects.

Notable features: Contests for design and innovation projects, milestone payments.

5. Guru

Overview: Guru focuses on professional services like design, development, and writing. It’s one of the best freelance platforms for small to mid-sized businesses needing affordable, skilled help.

Best for: Businesses looking for flexible payment agreements.

Pros:

• Multiple payment options (milestone, hourly, task-based)
• Workrooms for team collaboration
• Low fees compared to competitors

Cons:

• Smaller talent pool than Upwork or Fiverr
• Less visibility for niche roles

Pricing model: Employers pay 2.9% per transaction. Freelancers pay a tiered membership fee.

Notable features: Daily job-matching recommendations, safe payment gateways.

6. PeoplePerHour

Overview: A UK-based platform, PeoplePerHour, connects businesses with freelancers specializing in web projects, marketing, and design. Its focus on hourly and project-based work sets it apart, giving employers flexibility depending on their needs.

Best for: SMBs needing affordable tech and creative services.

Pros:

• Hourlies (pre-set service offers) for quick hiring
• Integrated communication tools
• Transparent freelancer profiles

Cons:

• Limited compared to bigger global sites
• Quality can vary widely

Pricing model: Free to post projects; freelancers pay a service fee based on earnings.

Notable features: AI project matching and escrow system.

7. 99designs

Overview: 99designs is one of the top freelance websites for design-focused work, including branding, logos, and packaging. Clients can work directly with designers or launch design contests.

Best for: Companies needing branding, logos, or custom design work.

Pros:

• Specialized, design-only focus
• Contest model gives multiple creative options
• Transparent designer portfolios

Cons:

• It can be expensive for high-quality designs
• Limited to design services

Pricing model: Pay per project or contest, with tiered pricing packages.

Notable features: 1-to-1 designer matching, design contests.

8. CloudPeeps

Overview: A boutique freelance talent platform, CloudPeeps focuses primarily on marketing, social media, and content professionals. Unlike massive marketplaces such as Upwork or Fiverr, CloudPeeps takes a more curated approach, accepting fewer freelancers to maintain quality and specialization.

Best for: Startups and small businesses needing marketing expertise.

Pros:

• Curated, higher-quality freelancers
• Flexible project types
• Strong focus on marketing talent

Cons:

• Smaller freelancer pool
• Less variety outside of marketing niches

Pricing model: Subscription-based access to the platform, plus project fees.

Notable features: Tiered memberships, community-driven ecosystem.

9. We Work Remotely

Overview: A job board-style platform for remote work, We Work Remotely isn’t a traditional marketplace but one of the best freelancing sites for employers looking for global, long-term hires.

Best for: Companies hiring developers, designers, and remote operations staff.

Pros:

• Large global remote talent pool
• High visibility for job postings
• Strong tech and design focus

Cons:

• No built-in vetting or escrow system
• Works more like a job board than a managed service

Pricing model: Employers pay a flat fee per job posting.

Notable features: Categories tailored to remote-first roles, extensive remote community reach.

10. LinkedIn Services Marketplace

Overview: The Services Marketplace, built directly into the LinkedIn ecosystem, allows businesses to connect with freelancers, consultants, and independent professionals across various industries. Businesses gain instant access to a freelancer’s work history, recommendations, and professional network, adding an extra layer of trust and credibility.

Best for: Professional services, consulting, and B2B support.

Pros:

• Access to LinkedIn’s massive professional network
• Direct communication and transparency
• Verified profiles and recommendations

Cons:

• Still relatively new and evolving
• Limited workflow management tools compared to other platforms

Pricing model: Free to list services; freelancers negotiate rates directly.

Notable features: Integration with LinkedIn profiles, built-in credibility from recommendations.

Comparison of the Top Freelance Platforms in 2025

Wing Assistant: A Better Alternative to Freelance Platforms

Freelance sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer work for quick, one-off tasks, but they often come with headaches: endless vetting, inconsistent quality, and little accountability.

Wing Assistant solves these problems with a fully managed service. Instead of sorting through profiles, you’re matched with pre-vetted assistants backed by a dedicated account manager who ensures smooth communication and consistent results.

With fixed monthly pricing, costs stay predictable, unlike hourly or project-based fees on freelancing sites. Plus, project management is included, so you’re not just hiring a person; you’re getting a support system.

Wing also goes beyond short-term gigs. From admin and marketing to sales and customer service, its assistants provide reliable, long-term support that scales with your business.

In short, freelance platforms are fine for small projects, but Wing is built for businesses that need dependable, ongoing talent.

Why the Future of Hiring Is Managed Support

The rise of remote work has made skilled professionals more accessible through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, which are great for short, project-based needs. But for ongoing support, the freelance model often falls short on consistency, accountability, and scalability.

That’s where managed solutions like Wing Assistant shine. You get pre-vetted assistants, predictable pricing, and built-in project management, covering roles from admin and marketing to sales and customer service.

In the end, it comes down to your goals: short-term flexibility with freelance platforms, or long-term reliability with a managed service.

Are you ready to see the difference for yourself? Explore Wing’s services or schedule a free consultation today.

Dianne Florendo

Dianne has extensive experience as a Content Writer, she creates engaging content that captivates readers and ranks well online. She stays on top of industry trends to keep her work fresh and impactful. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into relatable stories. When she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her with a crochet hook in hand or working on a fun craft project. She loves bringing creativity to life, whether it’s through words or handmade creations.