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Buyer’s guide · Updated Nov 2026

The best Freelance Marketplaces tools

Compare Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Freelancer.com and more on client fees, freelancer commission and payment protection, plus Kmong and Wishket for Korea. Freelance marketplaces connect businesses with independent talent through proposal boards, packaged gigs, contests or vetted networks. Fees as of November 2026.

Top of the list: Kmong vs Upwork →

Our top picks

Ranked by editor's picks, reader endorsements, third-party ratings and profile completeness. How we rank →

1.
U
Upwork ★ Editor's pick
The largest work marketplace: hire independent talent hourly, by fixed-price milestones or from a project catalog, with funded-milestone protection.
Rated 4.2 on Trustpilot Free plan
2.
Kmong
South Korea's largest gig marketplace: buy fixed-price services from vetted experts in about 700 categories, paid through escrow.
Rated 4.9 on Google Play Free plan
3.
Toptal
Hire from the top 3% of freelance developers, designers and consultants, matched within about 24 hours, with a no-risk trial.
Rated 4.8 on Trustpilot From $79/mo
4.
Freelancer.com
Global freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace: post projects free, take bids or run contests, and pay through milestone escrow.
Rated 4.4 on Trustpilot From $4.99/mo Free plan
5.
P
UK-born freelance marketplace: buy fixed-price Offers or post a project and get AI-matched proposals, with escrow until you're satisfied.
Rated 4.1 on G2 Free plan
6.
Fiverr
The marketplace for packaged freelance services: pick a Gig, choose a tier and pay up front, or hire hand-vetted talent through Fiverr Pro.
Rated 3.4 on Trustpilot From $5/gig Free plan
7.
Contra
Commission-free network for creative independents: portfolios, job board, escrow-backed projects, invoices and digital product sales in one place.
Rated 2.0 on Trustpilot From $29/mo Free plan
8.
Guru
Long-running US freelance marketplace with low fees: 2.9% for clients, 5-9% for freelancers, SafePay escrow and flexible payment agreements.
Rated 1.7 on Trustpilot From $8.95/mo (billed yearly) Free plan
9.
Wishket
Korea's IT project platform: post a software project free, get manager-reviewed proposals from vetted developers and agencies, paid via escrow.
Free plan

At a glance 9 tools

# Tool Rating Pricing Free tier Platforms
1 Upwork 4.2 (Trustpilot) Free Basic plan; clients pay up to 7.99%; freelancers 0-15% Yes Web · iOS · Android · macOS · Windows
2 Kmong 4.9 (Google Play) Free to join; buyers pay 4.5% fee; sellers pay tiered 4.4-16.4% + 3.3% Yes Web · iOS · Android
3 Toptal 4.8 (Trustpilot) $79/mo client subscription; talent rates set per engagement No Web · iOS · Android
4 Freelancer.com 4.4 (Trustpilot) Free to post; clients 3% (min $3); freelancers 10% (min $5) Yes Web · iOS · Android
5 PeoplePerHour 4.1 (G2) Free to join; clients pay 10% + £0.60; freelancers 20% to 3.5% tiered Yes Web · iOS · Android
6 Fiverr 3.4 (Trustpilot) Gigs from $5; clients pay 5.5% service fee; freelancers keep 80% Yes Web · iOS · Android
7 Contra 2.0 (Trustpilot) Free; 0% commission; $15-$29 per-payment fee unless Pro ($29/mo) Yes Web
8 Guru 1.7 (Trustpilot) Free to post; clients 2.9% fee; freelancers 5-9% job fee Yes Web · iOS · Android
9 Wishket — Free for clients (project cost + VAT); partners pay 10-25% commission Yes Web

Frequently asked questions

What is the best freelance platform in 2026?

Upwork is the best default for most companies because it supports hourly and fixed-price work with funded-milestone protection. Fiverr is faster for well-defined tasks bought as packages, and Toptal is better for senior, pre-vetted hires.

Which freelance platform has the lowest fees?

For clients, Wishket charges no platform fee, Guru charges 2.9% and Freelancer.com charges 3% or USD 3. For freelancers, Toptal and Contra take no commission, although Contra charges a flat USD 15 or USD 29 per payment on its Free plan. Fees as of November 2026.

Is Upwork or Fiverr better?

Upwork is better for ongoing, hourly or custom-scope work where you want proposals and interviews. Fiverr is better for clearly defined tasks you can buy at a fixed price straight away.

How do I protect my payment on a freelance platform?

Keep all payments on the platform and fund escrow or milestones before work starts. On Upwork, fixed-price work is protected only when the milestone was funded in advance; Freelancer.com, Guru, Kmong and Wishket also hold funds in escrow.

What are the best freelance platforms in South Korea?

Kmong is the largest Korean gig marketplace for packaged services, and Wishket specializes in IT and software outsourcing. Both are priced in KRW, use escrow and support Korean tax invoices.

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