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Marketplace Script
8 Most Popular Freelance Marketplaces: Build Your Own with Pre-Built Software
By Kaushik Sankar Das on Jan 16 2026
The gig economy is continuing to grow, and more professionals now are choosing to offer their services independently through popular online freelance platforms. Due to flexible working hours and a wealth of project opportunities, more than 1.5 billion skilled professionals offer their services through online freelance platforms. These freelance marketplaces enable freelancers to directly connect with clients and offer their services from the comfort of their homes.
In this post, we will explore the top 8 freelance marketplaces operating globally. We will also discuss how you can build your own online freelance platforms using ready-made software solutions. Read on for further insights.
What are Freelance Marketplaces?
Freelance marketplaces are online platforms where clients and freelancers can connect with each other for exchanging services and employment. Through these platforms, clients can hire services in various fields, including content writing, graphic design, website development, tech services, physical services such as plumbing and electrical work, and more. These platforms offer a convenient work structure for freelancers and clients. Clients get access to high-quality work at affordable rates without signing up for full-time employment. Similarly, freelancers too can take up jobs as per their convenience, without working through a fixed 9-5 schedule. The platform owners generate revenue in the form of freelancer commissions, project listing fees, transaction fees, and other revenue streams.
Top 8 Freelance Marketplaces Operating Globally
Fiverr
Fiverr is a popular gig-based freelance marketplace where the prices of freelance services start at $5. Through this platform, clients can hire freelancers in a variety of fields, including graphic designing, programming, content writing, website development, and more. One important fact about Fiverr is that here freelancers are referred to as sellers and clients are referred to as buyers. Here the sellers post gigs (services), and the buyers buy these gigs.
Pros of Fiverr
- Gives freelancers easy access to the global market.
- Includes secure payment systems that protect the earnings of professionals.
- The simple interface makes it easier for buyers and sellers to buy and sell gigs.
Cons of Fiverr
- Sellers have to pay a high commission fee (20% of their earnings)
- Due to high competition, it becomes difficult for sellers to stand out on the platform.
Fiverr is an ideal platform for freelancers who offer services and clients who look for low-budget and project-based tasks.
Upwork
Upwork is another top freelance marketplace operating globally. This platform caters to a wide range of industries, including technology, web design, virtual assistance, legal consulting, and more. Upwork is an ideal platform for those who want to explore diverse work opportunities and clients who want top-notch talent for their projects.
Pros of Upwork
- Covers a wide range of job categories
- Enables secure payments through the escrow system
- Offers time-tracking tools for hourly projects
Cons of Upwork
- It becomes difficult for freelancers to stand out due to high competition
- Freelancers have to pay high service fees
Freelancer
This global freelance marketplace is dedicated to posting freelance services in various categories. Here, professionals can offer services in various fields such as website and software development, logo, UX, UI design, writing and translation, IT services, data entry, and more. The platform generates revenue primarily in the forms of service fees and premium services.
Pros of Freelancer
- Professionals can offer services in a vast variety of projects
- Connects businesses with a global talent pool at affordable rates
Cons of Freelancer
Just like other top freelance marketplaces, Freelancer too has huge competition. This makes it challenging for freelancers to stand out and get their desired price.
Freelancer is ideal for professionals who like to bid on projects and clients who want to explore competitive rates for services.
Toptal
Toptal is a reputable freelance marketplace platform that employs a rigorous screening process to allow professionals to offer services through their platform. It connects businesses with the top 3% of talent, providing the best skills available in the industry. So, only freelancers who are highly skilled get an opportunity to offer their services through this marketplace. They have to go through an application and approval process to get qualified for this freelance site.
Pros of Toptal
- Conducts rigorous screening for approving professionals. Offers the best 3% talent to high-end clients.
- Matches clients with suitable talent within a quick time.
- The platform uses AI and human insights for offering personalized matches.
Cons of Toptal
- As the platform offers premium services, they come at premium prices. Clients have to pay high hourly rates and monthly platform charges.
- As the platform offers limited talent, clients have limited choices. Likewise, only a small number of professionals get to offer their services through this marketplace.
Toptal is an ideal marketplace for companies looking to hire the best talent from the global pool and freelancers who want to work with high-end clients.
Guru
Guru is another widely popular global freelance marketplace that enables freelancers to offer a wide range of services in the fields of writing, programming, design, sales & marketing, engineering services, and more. The platform includes secure payment gateways and builds credibility through feedback scores.
Pros of Guru
- Employers can post jobs and access profiles for free.
- Gives access to millions of global freelancers offering a wide range of services.
- The platform supports both fixed-price and hourly projects. Clients can choose what best suits their needs.
Cons of Guru
- There are risks of freelancers being approached by scammers posting as a legitimate company.
- Smaller marketplace and less active in particular niches.
Guru is an ideal platform for freelancers who want to attract clients through proven experience and for businesses that want flexible pricing for services.
MyBuilder
MyBuilder is a service-based freelance marketplace where skilled professionals can offer services in a wide range of categories, including plumbing, gardening, electrical services, home repairs, tech support, and more. Through such a marketplace, clients can easily hire a talented professional offering services in their locality.
Pros of MyBuilder
- Clients can receive prompt service offered by skilled freelancers.
- Freelancers can offer services in various fields.
- Offer competitive prices and services are affordable
Cons of MyBuilder
- The quality of services may not always meet the expectations of clients.
- There can be pricing discrepancies, so clients need to have a transparent conversation before hiring a service.
Best platform for clients looking to hire a home service offered by a local professional.
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is another service-based freelance marketplace where professionals can offer physical services to customers within a particular locality. Through this platform, professionals can offer services in multiple fields, including furniture assembly, moving, cleaning, electrical services, house painting, gardening, and more. The platform offers a list of services along with clear prices, and clients can conveniently hire.
Pros of TaskRabbit
- All taskers are thoroughly background checked. Clients are safe to hire these experts.
- The site offers dedicated customer support to platform users.
- Offers repeated services until the customer is fully satisfied with the work.
Cons of TaskRabbit
- Taskers have to start with low payments.
- Income for taskers on the platform is unpredictable.
Ideal for taskers who want to offer physical services locally and clients who want to hire local services at competitive prices.
99Designs
99Designs is another top-notch global freelance marketplace that allows freelancers to offer a wide range of designing work. The services offered on this marketplace include logo and branding design, website and app design, business & advertising, art & illustration, labels, packaging, design for books & magazines, and more.
Pros of 99Designs
- The platform is specialized in design, offering comprehensive solutions in the field.
- Offers a 100% money-back guarantee, allowing clients to make secure investments.
- Gives easy access to a wide global talent pool.
Cons of 99Designs
- High-quality designs on the site can be quite expensive.
- Design may look similar and lack adequate uniqueness.
This platform is ideal for businesses who seek quality freelance design, branding and packaging services at competitive rates.
Build Your Own Online Freelance Marketplace with Bestfreelancerscript
As a large population of freelancers and clients these days turn to popular freelance marketplaces for offering and hiring different types of services, building such a marketplace proves to be a highly profitable business endeavor. If you are looking to build a marketplace similar to the above-discussed popular platforms, Bestfreelancerscript is here to help.
We are a reputable software development company dedicated to helping startup founders and entrepreneurs build successful online marketplaces. We offer pre-built freelance marketplace software that comes with all essential features of a successful online freelance platform. By using our software, you can easily build a freelance marketplace like Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, or MyBuilder without coding or spending a fortune. Connect with us today for a free demo of our freelance marketplace software.
