Upwork is still huge, but it is no longer the only serious place to find freelance work or hire talent. The freelance economy keeps expanding: Upwork’s Freelance Forward study reports 64 million Americans freelanced in 2023 (38% of the U.S. workforce) and contributed $1.27 trillion in earnings. That scale means platform choice matters more than ever. Different marketplaces now specialize in different outcomes: premium-vetted talent, contest-based creative work, commission-free payments, or regional focus.
Sources: Upwork Freelance Forward (2023).
This guide compares 15 strong Upwork alternatives for 2026. You will get quick comparisons, fees where they are publicly documented, and practical tips for choosing the right platform based on your goals.
Quick Comparison: 15 Best Sites Like Upwork (2026)
| Platform | Best For | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | Productized services | Gig-style listings and fast delivery |
| Freelancer.com | Big marketplace | Large volume of projects and contests |
| Toptal | Premium vetted talent | Top 3% network and no-risk trial |
| Guru | Flexible contracts | WorkRooms + low client handling fee |
| PeoplePerHour | UK/EU-friendly work | Tiered fees per client relationship |
| Contra | Commission-free for freelancers | 0% freelancer commission + contract tools |
| Braintrust | Enterprise clients | Client-paid fee model (talent fee 0%) |
| UpStack | Vetted engineers | Top 1% talent + risk-free onboarding |
| 99designs | Design-only work | Contests + 1-to-1 design projects |
| Codeable | WordPress work | Strict vetting + fixed estimates |
| Topcoder | Competitions | Global challenges and prize-based work |
| Workana | LATAM market | Tiered freelancer commission + low client fee |
| Truelancer | Budget-friendly work | Lower freelancer fees with memberships |
| Arc | Remote vetted talent | Fast matching with vetted freelancers |
| Gun.io | Senior devs | Custom matching + transparent client pricing |
How We Picked These Upwork Alternatives
We prioritized platforms that actually move the needle on hiring speed, project quality, and cost transparency. Some of these are open marketplaces, while others are curated or vetting-first networks. A few focus on specific verticals (like WordPress or design), which can be a huge advantage if you want higher-quality matches without endless filtering.
How to Choose the Right Alternative
Use this simple selection rule:
- Need speed + volume? Choose a large marketplace like Fiverr or Freelancer.com.
- Need quality and vetting? Choose curated networks like Toptal, UpStack, Braintrust, or Gun.io.
- Need a niche focus? Choose vertical platforms like Codeable (WordPress) or 99designs (design).
- Want lower freelancer fees? Consider Contra (commission-free) or Workana (tiered fees).
Scam Avoidance (Quick Version)
Regardless of platform, avoid off-platform payments, verify company domains, and never pay upfront to get hired. If a client asks for personal info early, slow down and verify.
The 15 Best Sites Like Upwork for Freelancing in 2026
1) Fiverr
Fiverr is the most productized freelance marketplace. Instead of bidding, you list predefined services (“gigs”) with clear scope and pricing. It is excellent for repeatable tasks like logo design, video editing, or copywriting.
On fees: Fiverr’s Help Center explains that buyers pay a 5.5% service fee, with a small-order fee added under certain thresholds, and sellers typically keep 80% of the purchase amount (i.e., a 20% seller fee). These fees apply to extras and tips too, so it is important to bundle work smartly rather than relying on multiple small add-ons.
Best for: Productized services and fast turnaround. Fees info: Buyer fees and Seller earnings (80%).
2) Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is one of the largest open marketplaces. You can bid on projects or enter contests. The fees are clearly documented: freelancers pay 10% or $5 minimum on fixed-price projects (and 10% on hourly), while employers pay a 3% fee on projects.
This platform is good for volume and visibility, but competition is high and prices can be aggressive. It works best if you can differentiate by niche expertise or strong portfolio samples.
Best for: High volume job boards, contests, and broad categories. Fee schedule: Freelancer Fees and Charges.
3) Toptal
Toptal is known for its screening process and premium talent pool. It positions itself as a network of the “top 3%,” and focuses on matching vetted freelancers with serious clients. Toptal also offers a no-risk trial: if a client is not satisfied during the trial period, they can part ways at no cost.
This is a strong alternative to Upwork if you want higher rates and fewer low-quality leads. It is not for beginners, but it is excellent for experienced developers, designers, and product leaders who prefer curated opportunities over open bidding.
Best for: Senior, vetted talent and high-budget clients. How it works: Toptal process and trial.
4) Guru
Guru combines a traditional marketplace with its own WorkRooms for project management. Employers pay a 2.9% handling fee on invoices, and freelancers pay a job fee that varies by membership level (5% to 9%). The platform is flexible for hourly or fixed projects and supports milestone-based work.
Guru is a good middle-ground option: less noisy than some marketplaces but not as restrictive as fully vetted networks. If you want steady, professional clients without extreme competition, Guru is worth exploring.
Best for: Professional services with structured workflows. Fees: Employer fee and Freelancer job fee.
5) PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is popular in the UK and Europe. Freelancer fees are tiered by lifetime billing per client: 20% below a threshold, 7.5% mid-tier, and 3.5% at higher totals. This structure rewards long-term client relationships.
PPH also uses proposal credits, which means freelancers get a limited number of proposals per month before needing to purchase more. That encourages more selective bidding and often improves quality on both sides.
Best for: UK/EU freelancers and long-term client relationships. Fee details: PPH freelancer fees.
6) Contra
Contra is commission-free for freelancers, which is its biggest advantage. You keep 100% of earnings, and clients pay contract or invoice fees instead (flat per contract or per month for ongoing work). Contra also provides built-in contracts, invoices, and payment tools.
This is a strong choice for freelancers who want to bring their own clients onto a platform, or for clients who want a clean, low-friction way to manage contracts and payments without freelancer commissions.
Best for: Commission-free payments and modern workflow tools. Fee details: Contra commission-free and Client fees.
7) Braintrust
Braintrust is an enterprise-focused marketplace with a client-paid fee model. According to Braintrust’s payment docs, talent fees are 0% and clients pay a 15% fee on invoices. That structure is attractive to senior freelancers who want transparent take-home pay and enterprise-grade clients.
If you are a high-skill freelancer (engineering, data, design, or product), Braintrust can be a strong Upwork alternative with fewer low-budget offers.
Best for: Enterprise clients and zero talent fees. Fee model: Braintrust payments and Fee invoice.
8) UpStack
UpStack is a vetted engineering network. The platform positions itself around top-tier developers and quick matching. It offers a risk-free onboarding period and states typical hourly rates in the $65–$75 range for vetted developers.
This is not a low-cost marketplace; it is built for teams that want reliability and speed, and for developers who prefer serious client work over bidding wars.
Best for: Vetted engineering talent and enterprise-grade matching. Details: UpStack overview and Rates and hiring process.
9) 99designs
99designs is design-focused. Designers can work via contests or 1-to-1 projects. Fees are transparent: clients pay a 5% platform fee, and designers pay a platform fee based on their level (5% to 15%). There is also a client introduction fee for new client relationships.
If you are a designer, 99designs can be a strong alternative to Upwork because it brings clients specifically searching for creative talent.
Best for: Graphic design, branding, and creative work. Fees: Platform fee and Client introduction fee.
10) Codeable
Codeable is a WordPress-only marketplace with strict vetting. It is one of the best alternatives to Upwork for WP projects because clients are already looking for WordPress experts and pricing is standardized.
Codeable adds a 17.5% service fee to expert estimates, and typical rates range from $80–$120 per hour. Experts are screened for quality and communication, which tends to produce better client experiences and fewer low-quality leads.
Best for: WordPress development and premium WP projects. Pricing: Codeable fee details and How pricing works.
11) Topcoder
Topcoder is built around competitions, challenges, and community. It is not a traditional marketplace, but it offers a path to paid work and reputation-building through contests and client projects.
If you enjoy competitions, Topcoder can be a strong alternative to Upwork. It rewards performance and can be a great way to build visibility with large enterprise brands.
Best for: Competition-based work and developer challenges. Community details: Topcoder for freelancers.
12) Workana
Workana is a large platform in Latin America and Spanish-speaking markets. It uses tiered freelancer commissions: 20% on the first $300 with a client, 10% up to $3000, and 5% beyond that. Clients also pay a 4.5% service cost on payments.
If you work with LATAM clients or want to build long-term client relationships, Workana’s tiered structure can make it more cost-effective over time.
Best for: LATAM markets and long-term client relationships. Fee details: Freelancer commissions and Client service cost.
13) Truelancer
Truelancer offers a lower-fee alternative for global freelancing. Its fee documentation lists freelancer service fees in the 8%–10% range depending on membership, plus optional proposal credits and withdrawal fees.
It can be a good fit if you want lower platform fees and do not mind more price-sensitive clients.
Best for: Budget-friendly freelancing with lower fees. Fees: Truelancer fee schedule.
14) Arc
Arc is a vetted talent marketplace focused on developers, designers, and marketers. Arc highlights fast matching and handles invoicing and payments. It also runs time-limited promotions for new customers, so it is worth checking their current offers before hiring.
If you want a curated talent pool with less noise than open marketplaces, Arc can be a solid alternative to Upwork.
Best for: Curated remote talent with fast matching. How it works: Arc hiring flow.
15) Gun.io
Gun.io focuses on senior software talent. Its pricing page explains that developers set their own rates and keep 100%, while clients see the all-in price up front. For full-time hires, Gun.io charges a percentage of first-year salary.
If you are hiring senior engineers or are a senior developer who wants serious client work, Gun.io is a strong Upwork alternative.
Best for: Senior engineers and high-touch matching. Pricing: Gun.io pricing.
FAQ: Upwork Alternatives
Which platform has the lowest freelancer fees?
Contra is commission-free for freelancers, while Workana and PeoplePerHour reduce fees as you build long-term client relationships.
Which platform is best for premium clients?
Toptal, Braintrust, UpStack, and Gun.io generally target higher-budget clients and vetted talent.
Which platform is best for WordPress?
Codeable is the strongest WordPress-focused marketplace due to strict vetting and standardized pricing.
Your Best Alternative Depends on Your Model
There is no single “best” Upwork alternative. The right platform depends on whether you are optimizing for volume, quality, fees, or niche specialization. If you are a freelancer, pick one high-quality platform and one high-volume platform, then build long-term client relationships to lower fees and increase repeat work.
If you are a client, start with a platform that matches your budget and quality expectations, then test two or three short engagements. The fastest way to find the right fit is a small paid trial.
Build Your Own Job Board (Bonus)
If you want to build your own freelance marketplace or niche job board with WordPress, keep it simple: choose a job-board-ready theme, install a job board plugin, define categories and approval rules, and add payment or membership options once you have traffic. Focus on a clear niche (for example, WordPress devs, designers, or local contractors) and publish helpful content that attracts both freelancers and clients.
Need help building a marketplace or job board? Wbcom Designs can help you plan and launch the right stack. Contact them here: Wbcom Designs.
