The Best Online Job Boards for Freelancers
I distinctly remember scrolling Instagram a few years back and seeing a woman who was ‘going on a daytime hike on a random Tuesday’ (that seemed to be the hot financial-freedom phrase of the moment). I wanted to be her SO bad.
It wasn’t that I hated my job or didn’t want to work; I just wanted the freedom to be able to work on what I wanted, when I wanted, without having to be on someone else’s schedule all day long. I wanted to go on a hike on a random Tuesday.
So eventually, I took a leap of faith and started exploring self-employment.
Like everyone else, I Googled "how to become a freelancer" and got hit with a ton of articles about all these platforms that supposedly connect you with clients and give you "freedom." Some of that was true. Some of it was total BS.
If you're thinking about diving into freelancing, here's what I actually learned about the main platforms after using them for the past few years.
Fiverr: The Good and the Frustrating
What it's good for: Creative stuff you can package into clear services, like logo design, blog posts, voiceover work, or social media graphics.
Fiverr is basically like setting up your own little online shop. You create "gigs" (think "I'll write your About page for $75"), and people buy them. It's super simple to get going, which is a big plus when you're just finding your feet.
Pros:
FREE to create a profile
Crazy easy to get started.
Clients come to you, so you're not constantly pitching.
Great for creative, repeatable services.
There's a built-in audience actively looking for freelancers every day.
Cons:
They take a 20% cut of everything you make. Ouch.
Constant pressure to keep prices low because of global competition.
You're limited to selling predefined services, so it's not ideal for complex, consultative work.
What worked for me: I started with just one gig (I will run a focus group for you), then added more over time. I also added a note to the bottom of my gigs to “Please message me directly so I can create a custom quote for you”. That allowed me to start crafting more complex project scopes for higher rates.
Upwork: The Biggest Player
What it's good for: Pretty much everything: writing, design, development, marketing, virtual assistant work, - you name it.
It’s similar to Fiverr in that you can create your own profile, but it also offers a job board where people can post open projects that you can bid on.
Pros:
FREE to create a profile
Huge client base across all industries.
Built-in time tracking and payment protection – nice peace of mind.
You can actually land long-term, high-paying clients here.
You might even get invited to apply for jobs or found directly through your profile.
Cons:
Fees start at 20% when you're new, then drop to 10% for long-term clients. Still a chunk.
Intense competition – it feels like 50 people apply for every decent job.
"Proposal fatigue" is a real thing. You'll spend hours crafting pitches that go nowhere.
Can often feel like a race to the bottom on pricing.
What actually works: Start with smaller projects to build up your reviews. I know it stings to take a $200 job when you're aiming for $2,000 ones, but those first few ratings make a massive difference. And customize every single proposal. Mention something specific about their business or the problem they're trying to solve – it really stands out.
Freelancer.com: The Chaotic Middle Ground
What it's like: Similar to Upwork, but somehow more scattered. Clients post projects, and you bid on them.
Pros:
Wide range of job categories.
They have a free membership tier, so you can test it out.
Milestone-based payment protection – a good safeguard.
Cons:
The interface feels clunky and really dated.
Lots of low-quality jobs mixed in with the decent ones.
Confusing fee structure (project fees plus membership tiers).
My take: It's okay if you're just starting out and want to try different platforms, but I wouldn't make it your main focus. Stick to projects with verified payment and clients who have actual reviews.
Catalant: Where the Real Money Is (If You Qualify)
What it's for: This is for serious professionals – think ex-consultants, MBAs, or folks with deep corporate strategy experience.
Catalant connects independent consultants with Fortune 500 companies for high-level strategic work. We're talking $150+ per hour kind of stuff.
Pros:
High-paying, corporate-level projects.
Clients are serious and vetted.
Perfect for ex-consultants or senior professionals.
Cons:
Definitely not for beginners or creatives.
Projects often demand enterprise-level experience (business, finance, operations)
Extremely competitive, and you need a super polished, professional profile.
If you qualify: Polish your profile like it's a LinkedIn resume for a director-level position. Highlight specific results and case studies from your corporate work.
Contra: The New Kid That Doesn't Take Your Money
What's different: Zero fees on project work. You keep everything you make, which is incredibly refreshing after dealing with all these platforms taking 20%. However, there is a membership fee to actually see and apply to open jobs.
The whole thing feels more like a professional portfolio site than a typical freelance marketplace. It's invite-only for clients, which means way less spam.
Pros:
No commissions – you keep 100% of what you earn.
Great design and user experience.
Integrated invoicing and contract tools – super handy.
Less spam because clients are invite-only.
Cons:
You do have to pay a small fee to actually see and apply for the jobs that are posted (monthly membership ~$30)
Still growing, so fewer jobs than Upwork or Fiverr right now.
More geared towards creatives and digital marketers.
You'll need to actively promote your profile to get noticed.
Worth trying if: You're a designer, marketer, or creative professional who wants more control over how you present yourself. Use it alongside other platforms, not as your only option.
Kollabtree: For the Academics & Science Nerds
What it's for: This is super niche. Scientists, researchers, people with PhDs who want to do technical consulting.
If you need help with scientific writing, data analysis, or regulatory stuff, this is where the experts hang out. Think product R&D, clinical research, patented work.
Pros:
High-paying, specialized projects in science and health.
Great for PhDs, academics, and research professionals.
Less competition because it's so niche.
Cons:
Extremely niche audience, so not relevant for creatives or generalists.
Platform design feels a bit dated.
Projects can be long and involve complex regulatory work.
Which one should you actually use?
Depends on what you do:
Just starting out as a creative? Try Fiverr first. It's the easiest to get going.
Want the most opportunities? Upwork, but prepare for a grind at first.
Serious corporate background? Look into Catalant.
Want to avoid fees? Contra, but don't expect tons of work immediately.
Have a PhD in something science-y? Kollabtree could be perfect.
Written By: Dr. Annie Cole, Money Coach
Hi! I’m Annie, an expert money coach and financial educator who teaches women how to master all areas of their finances, from budgeting and paying off debt to investing, building wealth, and retiring early. In my 20s, I was a burnt-out social worker struggling on a $26,000 salary. By my 30s, I had climbed the ladder to a Vice President role, invested over $400k, owned $1 million in real estate, and cut 20 years off my retirement date. I now runs Money Essentials for Women to inspire women to step into new levels of money mastery and confidence.
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