In 2020, freelancing and remote worker made for 36% of the US workforce. It's no surprise that the number is still going up: freelancers have complete control over their workload, projects, and clients.

Companies are increasingly hiring freelancers to meet work demands during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there are more potential freelancing work than ever before, ranging from grocery shoppers to web programmers.

Even if you've already built an online portfolio, if you've been looking for freelance gigs, you're probably aware of how difficult it can be. But don't worry, INC91 Media has compiled a list of the greatest freelance websites in this article.

Here are the top Freelance Websites for Beginners and Professionals in 2021

Upwork

Upwork is a freelancing website to connect freelancers and clients from across the globe.

• Freelancing type: Brand marketing, Software programming, Website Developer and Designer
• Pros: Credible clients, budget-based projects, payment protection,
• Cons: high commission fee, lengthy selection process,

From web design and software development to customer service and bookkeeping, the platform covers a wide range of topics.

Clients and freelancers can connect in a number of different ways: clients can post a task and recruit talent, or they can purchase a predetermined service from the project catalog. Similarly, freelancers might use the job board to advertise their services.

To begin working as a freelancer on Upwork, you must first create a profile. Make sure it contains information about yourself, your skills, and your work experience. When you apply for work or pitch a project, keep in mind that clients will check your profile to see if you're qualified.

Upwork operates on a sliding basis, which means that the more you work, the less you pay. The commission cost, for example, begins at 20% for the first $500 bill and gradually decreases as you receive more money.

Withdrawals can be made via direct transfer, PayPal, or wire transfer, among other methods.

Fiverr

Fiverr.com platform allows to connects freelancers with business clients looking for services for different digital projects.

• Freelancing type:  Web design & development, Social media Services, Digital marketing
• Pros: diverse category, online courses & Gig, free registration, 
• Cons: long payment process & high commission fee,

Fiverr.com freelance portal makes it easy for many freelancers and business clients to communicate with each other. Note that freelancers are referred to as sellers on the website, while their services are referred to as gigs, and business owners are referred to as buyers.

Sellers can sign up for free, post their gigs, and choose their own prices instead of sending outbids. Meanwhile, customers can shop by browsing through several categories.

When a buyer buys a gig, the system automatically charges their account and holds the funds. After deducting a commission fee, the system will send freelancers 80% of the offered amount.

It can take up to 14 days for freelancers to withdraw their money, depending on their seller level. There are many payment options to withdraw, such as PayPal, debit card, and wire transfer. 

Toptal 

Toptal is a freelance platform that links businesses with highly skilled industry specialists.

• Freelancing type: Software Programming, Interim management, Financial consulting,
• Pros: top-tier companies and talent, free invoicing and payments
• Cons: extensive screening process, big projects only

From web developers and web designers to finance consultants and product managers, Toptal boasts a diverse choice of freelancers. To become a freelancer at Toptal, you must pass five steps of the screening procedure, starting with a comprehensive English evaluation and ending with a project review. Only the best 3% of applicants are selected for the platform.

You'll have access to a variety of job postings from major clients and companies, including Motorola and Airbnb, once you've completed all of the procedures. Failure to pass the test, on the other hand, will put your application on wait for several months.

TopTracker is a dedicated time tracking and invoicing solution offered by Toptal. Freelancers can be paid the whole budget fee they offer using this service, and payments will be made via Payoneer, Paypal, or a direct local bank transfer.

Guru 

Guru is a place for freelancers and companies across the globe to work together.

• Freelancing type: Marketing, Programming, Administration
• Pros: Free membership, Secure payment, Customized job listings,
• Cons: Potentially many fake clients

Guru is a platform where freelancers and businesses from all around the world can collaborate. Professionals with varied skills, such as programmers, graphic designers, and product managers, can be hired by businesses.

This freelance platform makes searching for jobs and submitting quotes to clients simple. Begin by registering and creating a freelancer profile. Based on your skillset and work experience, the algorithm will make employment recommendations.

Freelancers can bid on long or short-term assignments, and each project has set pricing. Your winnings can be withdrawn using a variety of methods, including PayPal and wire transfer. More crucially, the site uses SafePay to ensure that freelancers get paid on time.

Also Read: The Top 10 Digital Marketing Influencers

Freelancer.com

Another freelance website is Freelancer.com, which brings together experts and businesses from all over the world to work on various projects.

• Freelancing type: Content Writing & Translation, Website Development, social media marketing
• Pros: progress tracker, live chat, 24/7 customer support
• Cons: complex interface, spam applicants, and fake clients

Thanks to the wide range of expertise, clients can easily find an expert of any type.

You can sign up as a business owner or freelancer and start posting projects. Signing up as a freelancer will require you to fill out a short registration form. Include specific details about your skills, educational background, and professional experience.

In addition to projects, there are many contests, such as visual or design work. Freelancers can benefit from these contests by earning money along with reviews on their profiles. 

Every freelancer will receive full payment after completing a job. However, the platform takes 10% of your total earnings for contests and fixed projects. Like most freelance sites, you can choose to use PayPal or wire transfer for withdrawal.

People Per Hour

People Per Hour, as the title suggests, assists organizations in locating professional freelancers to hire by the hour or project. Various industries, such as public relations, marketing, and journalism, employ millions of freelancers.

• Freelancing type: Journalism, Software Programming Marketing & Branding
• Pros: Automated invoice, Secure payment Options, location-based listings
• Cons: free project bids are maxed up to 15 per month

Freelancers can sign up for a free account and begin building a profile. Each application will be reviewed by the moderators before being approved. After being approved, freelancers can begin looking for employment in a variety of categories.

Freelancers can send offers and determine their prices when working on a project. They can easily raise an invoice from their dashboard once they've finished.

People Per Hour, like most freelancing sites, charges freelancers a service fee per client. The freelance website charges a 20% service fee on $350 in profits. Fortunately, as you labor more, the charge will reduce.

LinkedIn and LinkedIn ProFinder

LinkedIn is one of the most popular websites offering an easy way to find projects in different fields.

• Freelancing type: Graphic design, Marketing, Copywriting & Content Writing, translation,
• Pros: Networking opportunities, cost-effective Solution, recent news updates
• Cons: Spam content by Malicious Networker.  

Linkedin also the best professional social networking site where people can interact and connect.

To get started, simply sign up and establish a profile. Include as much information about your abilities, education, and work experience as feasible. More work prospects may arise as a result of a detailed LinkedIn profile.

Adding a daily new post to your profile can also help you gain more attention. Create a post outlining your skills and attaching your work portfolio if you're a freelance writer, for example. Employers would come across to your profile to make an offer.

It's also a good idea to look through LinkedIn job advertising for freelance jobs. Use similar keywords and arrange the results from the most recent to locate your ideal freelancing work.

Flexjobs

Flexjobs is a website that specializes in flexible and remote job opportunities, including freelance, part-time and full-time jobs.

• Freelancing type: Content writing, transcription, content marketing,
• Pros: Scam-free, reliable support, 30-day money-back guarantee
• Cons: Some premium project can be found outside the Flexjobs

Education and training, as well as media professionals and writing jobs, are among the major categories.

Flexjobs verifies the legitimacy of each job posted on the site. It checks and screens all job postings, weeding out phony businesses and scams. This freelance website does not have any adverts on its page, unlike other online employment boards.

Users must subscribe to the site in order to locate freelancing work. Starting from $6.95 per week, there are mainly four different plans to choose from. Each subscription includes unrestricted access to job postings, a personalized work portfolio, career guidance, and free skills testing.

A prepaid card or PayPal can be used to pay for the subscription. There is a 30-day refund guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the service.

SimplyHired

SimplyHired is a job board where clients can post project opportunities for free.

• Freelancing type: Finance, Data entry, Human Resources Services
• Pros: Free job tools, Email alerts, helpful guides,
• Cons: Spam content from unreliable third-party websites

SimplyHired is a free job board where employers can post job openings. It also compiles job postings from throughout the internet into a single page. The site provides a simple user design that makes browsing jobs by category a breeze.

Freelance jobs floated in a variety of industries, including marketing and finance. Simply type relevant terms into the search box to find a certain job. Filling in the city, state, or ZIP code can help you get more relevant results.

Job searchers can also learn more about a company by visiting its corporate pages, which include a pay overview, a list of benefits given, and reviews submitted by genuine employees.

Without creating an account, anyone can browse SimplyHired. Signing up for an account, on the other hand, will offer you access to a number of job-related resources, such as a salary calculator and a résumé builder.

ServiceScape

ServiceScape is an online job board specializing in freelance writing, editorial, and translation work.

• Freelancing type: Academic writing, Manuscript editing Document translation
• Pros: Flexible scheduling option, Custom pricing structure, effective communication
• Cons: Limited field of expertise and Huge commission percentage

Freelancers can use the site to create profiles and advertise them to a growing client base.

The hiring procedure is what sets ServiceScape apart from other platforms. Freelancers do not place bids or make proposals; instead, they just wait for employment offers from clients. As a result, having a profile that sticks out is important.

ServiceScape makes it simple for freelancers and employers to connect. Both sides have the ability to send messages and set up a conference call.

Every month, ServiceScape distributes income by PayPal, check, and Gusto. Freelancers might charge on a project-by-project or hourly basis. However, for each completed work, the site charges a 50% commission fee. 

How to Choose Top Freelance Websites

We considered various elements to ensure that each freelance website on the following list is reliable and trustworthy, including:

• Terms and conditions. The terms and conditions of chosen freelance websites are well-documented and protect both freelancers and employers.
• Customer support. Each freelance site offers customer service to help consumers navigate the site and address any issues.
• Payment and withdrawal options. Local and international freelancers can be paid through freelance websites using a variety of methods, including bank transfers and electronic payments.

Conclusion

That concludes our list of the best freelance websites for finding employment in 2021. It doesn't have to be difficult to find a freelance job. The majority of websites merely need you to create an account and a profile.

However, before setting up an account, double-check how each freelance website operates. Take into account the payment method, withdrawal method, and service fee. Here are our top freelance website choices for anyone looking for administrative or technical work, such as web developers, social media managers, or finance consultants:

• Upwork
• Toptal
• LinkedIn

Meanwhile, these are the finest freelance websites to go to if you're seeking creative employment like writers, graphic designers, or illustrators:

• Fiverr
• Flexjobs
• Freelancer

We wish you luck in your search for the ideal freelancing job. Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries or recommendations.