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June 11, 2025
10 Best Upwork Alternatives for Smooth Project Delivery
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June 11, 2025
Many freelancers and clients are exploring alternatives to Upwork due to concerns over high fees, the complexity of the bidding system, and the challenges of standing out among hundreds of proposals.
This sentiment is echoed by others who feel that the platform's structure may not always match with their needs.
In response, many are turning to alternative platforms. Some popular alternatives are Fiverr, Freelancer, Toptal, Guru, and PeoplePerHour that offer better vetting processes, transparent client-freelancer interactions, and a focus on quality over quantity.
In this article, we will share 10 of the best Upwork alternatives and explain how they can help you finish your projects easily.
Here’s an overview of top 10 websites like Upwork:
| S.No. | Platform Name | Delivery Model | Pricing Model | Key Strength | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AiDOOS | End-to-end managed project delivery | Outcome-based pricing | No hiring, no micro management | |
| 2 | Fiverr | Pre-defined gigs by freelancers | Gig-based pricing | Quick hiring with clear prices | |
| 3 | Freelancer | Client posts job, freelancers bid | Bid-based pricing | Wide freelancer pool with bidding | |
| 4 | Toptal | Toptal matches client with talent | Hourly or fixed | High-quality vetted talent | |
| 5 | Guru | Client posts job, freelancers quote | Custom quote by freelancer | Low client fees, flexible terms | |
| 6 | PeoplePerHour | Post job or buy ready-made offers | Package-based or hourly | Easy access to creative freelancers | |
| 7 | SimplyHired | Job listings from many sources | Free job posting, pay per contact | Large job variety, simple search | |
| 8 | 99designs | Design contests or direct hire | Fixed contest prices or custom | Creative variety via design contests | |
| 9 | Workana | Clients post jobs, freelancers apply | Tiered freelancer fees | Strong in LATAM region | |
| 10 | Hubstaff Talent | Direct freelancer contact, no bidding | Freelancer sets rate, no fees | Zero platform fees, direct hiring |
Many freelancers and clients are looking for other platforms besides Upwork because they face some common problems. One big issue is that Upwork has very high fees, which both freelancers and clients find expensive.
On Reddit, one user said, “Upwork fees are killing freelancers, and clients end up paying too much.” (reddit.com).
Another common problem is that freelancers get too many proposals, many of which seem like copy-paste or AI-generated replies.
A Reddit user shared, “I get 50 applications in 30 minutes and half of them are obviously machine generated.”
Another said, “Every single application is an AI generated reply or just a generic message that shows no understanding of the project.” (reddit.com).
Because of this, some freelancers with good profiles feel ignored. One user wrote, “I have a very good profile but lately my proposals aren’t even getting opened.” This makes it hard for skilled freelancers to get noticed.
Some clients also find it hard to get the right specialist because of so many low-quality proposals. Many want platforms where freelancers are better vetted or where it’s easier to find experts.
Because of these challenges, many freelancers and clients are trying other websites.
Here are 10 best Upwork alternatives for tech talent:
AiDOOS is a platform that helps businesses complete tech projects without hiring full-time staff.
It uses a model called the Virtual Delivery Center (VDC), where AiDOOS builds and manages a team for you, handles tasks, and ensures the project is finished on time.
This makes it different from platforms where you have to find and manage freelancers yourself.
It focuses on outcomes rather than hours, which helps everyone stay on the same goal.
Best For:
Companies needing help with IT, software, or cloud projects but don't want to hire full-time employees.
Project Types:
Software development, cloud services, data analytics, and other tech-related tasks.
Delivery Model:
AiDOOS creates and manages a team for your project, taking care of everything from start to finish.
Pricing Model:
Costs are based on the tasks or outcomes you want. You can also get a free estimate for your project.
Platform Fees:
AiDOOS takes a portion of the project cost as a fee, but this doesn't affect what the experts are paid.
Vetting Process:
Experts go through technical tests and interviews to ensure they are qualified.
Payment Terms:
Payments are made after the project or parts of it are completed and accepted. You can pay using different methods like bank transfers.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
Unlike Upwork, where you have to find and manage freelancers yourself, AiDOOS handles everything for you.
They build the team, manage the work, and ensure the project is delivered on time. This saves you time and reduces the hassle of managing multiple freelancers.
Fiverr is an online marketplace where freelancers offer services, known as "gigs," across various categories such as graphic design, writing, programming, and more.
Unlike platforms where clients post jobs and wait for bids, Fiverr allows clients to browse and purchase predefined services directly from freelancers.
On Fiverr, you can set up a “gig” in minutes and start offering services right away. Many freelancers on social media say they earned over $14,000 once they built up good reviews.
Yet, there is very high competition, and new sellers often have to lower prices just to get those first reviews. Many freelancers find themselves undercharging which leads to quality issues for their clients' work.
Best For:
Individuals and businesses seeking a wide range of digital services, including design, writing, marketing, and programming.
Project Types:
Suitable for tasks like logo design, website development, content writing, video editing, and digital marketing.
Delivery Model:
Clients select and purchase predefined services ("gigs") offered by freelancers. After purchase, the freelancer delivers the work within the specified timeframe.
Pricing Model:
Freelancers set their own prices for each gig, with options for different packages (e.g., basic, standard, premium). Prices can range from $5 to several hundred dollars, depending on the service scope.
Platform Fees:
Buyers pay a service fee of 5.5% of the purchase price. For orders under $100, an additional $3 fee is applied.
Vetting Process:
Fiverr has a general open marketplace where freelancers can sign up and offer services.
However, for Fiverr Pro, freelancers undergo a rigorous vetting process that includes evaluation of their qualifications, past work experience, and performance.
Payment Terms:
Clients pay upfront when purchasing a gig. The payment is held in escrow by Fiverr and is released to the freelancer upon order completion and client approval.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
Fiverr offers a more streamlined process for clients who prefer to browse and purchase predefined services without the need for posting jobs and reviewing proposals.
This can save time for clients with straightforward project requirements.
Freelancer.com is an online platform where businesses and individuals can hire freelancers for various tasks.
Unlike some platforms where clients browse predefined services, Freelancer.com allows clients to post projects and receive bids from freelancers.
This setup is ideal for clients who have specific project requirements and want to choose from multiple proposals.
Freelancer.com has over 59 million users, making it easy to find clients in many categories. You can bid on tech, writing, design, and more.
But because so many freelancers bid on each job, often 20 or more, it is hard for new or smaller profiles to win work.
In addition, many social media users note that clients sometimes post jobs paying under $10 per hour, which can be discouraging for skilled freelancers.
Best For:
Clients and businesses looking to hire freelancers for tasks like software development, writing, design, marketing, and more.
Project Types:
Suitable for a range of projects, including app development, graphic design, content writing, data entry, and digital marketing.
Delivery Model:
Clients post a project with details and budget. Freelancers then bid on the project, and the client selects the most suitable freelancer.
Pricing Model:
Clients set a budget for their project. Freelancers place bids, and the client chooses based on the proposal and price.
Platform Fees:
A fee of 3% or $3 USD (whichever is greater) is charged when a project is awarded.
The Preferred Freelancer Program, freelancers undergo a vetting process that includes evaluation of their qualifications, past work experience, and performance.
Payments to freelancers are made upon project completion and client approval.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
Freelancer.com offers a bidding system where clients can receive multiple proposals for their projects, allowing for competitive pricing and a variety of options.
Toptal is a platform that connects businesses with highly skilled freelancers in areas like software development, design, finance, and project management.
Unlike other platforms, Toptal accepts only the top 3% of applicants after a strict screening process.
On the downside, many social media users say there are too many freelancers for each available job, making the application process long and time-consuming.
Also, some report that client fees on Toptal can be almost double what freelancers actually earn.
Best For:
Companies looking for highly experienced freelancers in tech, design, finance, and project management.
Project Types:
Software development, UI/UX design, financial consulting, product management, and project management.
Delivery Model:
Toptal matches clients with freelancers based on project needs. Clients can hire for short-term or long-term projects.
Pricing Model:
Freelancers set their own rates, typically ranging from $60 to over $200 per hour.
Platform Fees:
Toptal charges clients a $79 monthly platform fee . Additionally, Toptal applies a markup to freelancer rates, which can be up to 50%
Vetting Process:
Toptal has a rigorous screening process that includes language and communication tests, in-depth skill reviews, live screening, and test projects. Only about 3% of applicants are accepted.
Payment Terms:
Clients are invoiced twice a month with Net 10 terms, allowing time for review before processing .
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
Toptal offers a highly selective pool of freelancers, ensuring that clients work with top-tier professionals. This reduces the time and effort needed to find qualified talent.
Guru is an online platform that connects businesses with freelancers for various projects.
It allows clients to post jobs and receive quotes from freelancers, making it suitable for those who want to compare different offers before hiring.
Guru is available worldwide, so freelancers and clients from different regions can connect.
It offers flexible payment options like milestones, hourly, and fixed-price, which makes project management easier.
However, several social media posts mention that the site can feel clunky and that some features are missing.
Freelancers also report that customer support can be slow or unhelpful, and there have been occasional scam reports.
Best For:
Businesses and individuals seek freelancers for tasks like programming, writing, design, marketing, and more.
Project Types:
Suitable for a range of projects, including software development, graphic design, content writing, data entry, and digital marketing.
Delivery Model:
Clients post a job with details and budget. Freelancers then submit quotes, and the client selects the most suitable freelancer.
Pricing Model:
Clients set a budget for their project. Freelancers provide quotes based on the project requirements.
Platform Fees:A 2.9% handling fee is charged on each invoice paid. This fee is refunded if payment is made via eCheck or wire transfer.
Vetting Process:
Guru does not have a formal vetting process for freelancers. Clients are encouraged to review freelancer profiles, feedback scores, and portfolios.
Payment Terms:
Guru offers flexible payment terms:
Fixed Price: Set a total cost for the job, with optional milestones.
Hourly: Pay freelancers based on hours worked.
Task-Based: Pay for individual tasks as they are completed.
Recurring Payments: Set up regular payments for ongoing work.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
Guru offers lower platform fees compared to Upwork, making it more cost-effective for both clients and freelancers.
Its flexible payment options and the ability to negotiate terms directly with freelancers.
PeoplePerHour is an online platform that connects businesses with freelancers for various projects.
Clients can post jobs or browse freelancer profiles to find suitable candidates. The platform uses AI to match freelancers with relevant projects.
But many social media users point out the high competition, lots of freelancers fight for the same jobs, making it hard to stand out.
In addition, PeoplePerHour charges fees (for example, an $8 dispute fee), and that fee often seems to favor clients over freelancers which lead to bad reputation for clients on social media for no fault of their own.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking freelancers for tasks like design, writing, marketing, and programming.
Project Types:
Suitable for projects such as logo design, website development, content creation, SEO, and social media management.
Delivery Model:
Clients can post a job and receive proposals from freelancers or purchase predefined services called "Offers" for quick tasks.
Pricing Model:
Freelancers set their own rates. Clients can choose to pay per project or per hour, depending on the agreement.
Platform Fees:
A service fee of £0.6 + 10% is charged on payments made by credit card or electronic payment services.
Vetting Process:
Freelancers must complete an application process, including profile verification and approval by the PeoplePerHour team.
Payment Terms:
Clients pay into an escrow system when a project starts. Funds are released to freelancers upon project completion and client approval.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
PeoplePerHour platform's AI matching system helps clients find suitable freelancers quickly, and the escrow payment system ensures security for both parties.
The option to purchase predefined services "Offers" allows for faster project initiation.
SimplyHired is a job search website that collects job listings from many places like company websites, job boards, and staffing agencies.
This platform is useful for employers looking to post job openings.
As so many candidates use these listings, it is tough for freelancers to get noticed as clients get a mountainload of candidates to choose from with quality processing.
SimplyHired also does not provide any built-in payment processing, so clients and freelancers must arrange payments outside the site.
Best For:
Individuals searching for jobs across various industries and employers wanting to post job listings to reach a wide audience.
Project Types:
Full-time, part-time, freelance, and contract positions in fields like technology, healthcare, finance, education, and more.
Delivery Model:
Employers post job listings, and job seekers can search and apply directly through the SimplyHired website.
Pricing Model:
Posting a job is free. Employers pay to view contact information of applicants, with costs starting at $9.99 per candidate.
Platform Fees:
Employers are charged per applicant they choose to contact, which helps control recruitment costs.
Vetting Process:
SimplyHired does not vet job seekers. Employers are responsible for reviewing applications and selecting suitable candidates.
Payment Terms:
Employers pay when they decide to contact an applicant and the payment for the project is outside the job portal.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
SimplyHired offers a cost-effective approach for employers by allowing free job postings and charging only when they choose to contact applicants.
This can be more economical compared to platforms like Upwork, where fees are applied to both posting jobs and hiring freelancers.
99designs is an online platform that connects businesses with freelance designers for various design projects.
Clients can either start a design contest to receive multiple design concepts from different designers or hire a designer directly for one-on-one collaboration.
99designs has a strong designer community, so clients get many style options when they run contests.
The platform also offers good support and a money-back guarantee if clients are unhappy.
On the flip side, contest fees and designer rates can be expensive for clients. Designers themselves say contests take many hours of work, and often they only earn minimum wage or less.
Best For:
Businesses and individuals looking for custom designs such as logos, websites, branding materials, and more.
Project Types:
Logo design, website design, business cards, packaging, book covers, and other graphic design projects.
Delivery Model:
Design Contest: Clients provide a brief, and multiple designers submit their concepts. The client selects the best design.
1-to-1 Project: Clients hire a designer directly for personalized collaboration.
Pricing Model:
Design Contests: Fixed pricing packages ranging from $299 to $1,199, depending on the package level.
1-to-1 Projects: Pricing is negotiated between the client and the designer based on project scope.
Platform Fees:
A 5% platform fee is added to the project cost.
Vetting Process:
Designers undergo an application process and are categorized into Entry, Mid, or Top Level based on their skills and experience.
Payment Terms:
Clients pay upfront for design contests. In 1-to-1 Projects, payment terms are agreed upon between the client and designer, with options for milestone payments. Payments are held securely until the project is completed to the client's satisfaction.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
99designs offers a specialized platform focused solely on design projects, providing clients with access to a curated community of professional designers.
The option to run design contests allows clients to explore a variety of creative concepts before selecting the final design, which is not a feature commonly found on platforms like Upwork.
Workana is an online platform that connects businesses with freelancers for various projects.
Clients can post jobs and receive proposals from freelancers, making it suitable for those who want to compare different offers before hiring.
Workana is popular in Latin America, so clients and freelancers in similar time zones can connect easily.
Beginners can use the free tier to send two proposals each week, which helps them get started without paying.
However, if you want to send more than two bids each week, you must pay for a higher plan and if an experienced freelancer cannot pay, the clients miss on the qualified talent just because of platform fees.
Best For:
Businesses and individuals looking to hire freelancers for tasks like software development, writing, design, marketing, and more.
Project Types:
Suitable for a range of projects, including app development, graphic design, content writing, data entry, and digital marketing.
Delivery Model:
Clients post a job with details and budget. Freelancers then submit proposals, and the client selects the most suitable freelancer.
Pricing Model:
Clients set a budget for their project. Freelancers provide quotes based on the project requirements.
Platform Fees:
A service fee of 4.5% is charged on each payment made to freelancers, with a minimum fee of $2 USD.
Vetting Process:
Freelancers create profiles showcasing their skills and experience. Clients can review these profiles, including ratings and feedback from previous clients.
Payment Terms:
Clients deposit funds into an escrow system when a project starts. Funds are released to freelancers upon project completion and client approval.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
Workana offers a more flexible fee structure, especially for long-term collaborations, where the commission decreases as the total billing amount increases.
The platform's focus on the Latin American market provides clients with access to a diverse pool of talent in similar time zones.
Hubstaff Talent is a free online platform that connects businesses with remote freelancers and agencies worldwide.
Unlike many other platforms, it does not charge any fees to either clients or freelancers. This makes it ideal for companies looking to hire remote workers without extra costs.
There is also no built-in time tracking or dispute system, clients and freelancers must manage payment security on their own.
Businesses and individuals seeking remote freelancers in fields like software development, design, marketing, and writing.
Suitable for projects like web development, graphic design, content creation, digital marketing, and administrative support.
Clients can browse freelancer profiles and contact them directly. There is no bidding system; instead, clients and freelancers communicate to agree on project terms.
Freelancers set their own rates. Clients and freelancers negotiate payment terms directly without platform interference.
Hubstaff Talent is completely free for clients. There are no service fees or commissions.
Freelancers create profiles showcasing their skills and experience. Clients can review these profiles, including ratings and feedback from previous clients.
Clients and freelancers agree on payment methods and schedules directly. Hubstaff Talent does not handle payments.
Why is it a Better Alternative to Upwork?
Hubstaff Talent offers a cost-effective solution by eliminating platform fees, making it more economical for both clients and freelancers.
Its straightforward approach allows direct and transparent communication and negotiation between parties.
People look for Upwork alternatives because they may want lower fees, different ways of working, or better support.
The platforms we shared offer many choices, some let you hire fast, some give you a full team, and others help you pay less.
Each platform has its own way of matching freelancers, handling payments, and managing work. The right platform depends on your goals, project size, and how much help you need.
AiDOOS is not a regular freelancer marketplace like Upwork. Instead of making you hire and manage people, AiDOOS takes your project and handles everything from start to finish.
You get outcome-based work, which means you focus on what needs to be done , not how or who does it.
CTA:
Ready to try a new way of getting work done? Explore AiDOOS and see how easy project delivery can be!
Schedule A Meeting To Setup VDC
Several platforms offer alternatives to Upwork, such as AiDOOS, Fiverr, Freelancer, Toptal, Guru, PeoplePerHour, SimplyHired, 99designs, Workana, and Hubstaff Talent, these sites offer lower fees, clearer pricing, or better vetting of talent.
Businesses are moving away from Upwork because they want lower fees, easier hiring, better project support, or less time spent managing freelancers.
Yes, Upwork is suitable for long-term or recurring projects but some businesses find it hard to manage long-term freelancers or prefer platforms that handle the full project for them.
Upwork’s bidding system lets freelancers send proposals, but some platforms like Fiverr offer fixed-price services without bidding, and AiDOOS skips bidding completely.
Yes, platforms like Guru, Workana, and Hubstaff Talent have lower or no service fees compared to Upwork.
Platforms like AiDOOS offer full project handling and delivery, so you don’t need to hire or manage freelancers yourself.
AiDOOS works on results, you share the task, and they deliver it without you needing to hire or guide anyone
