If you’re looking for the most well-paid, best freelance jobs on the market today and the websites to find them, whether you’re freelancing on the side or full-time, then you’ve come to the right place.

No matter if it’s a few more bills than usual these days, a slow down at your day job, a boss that’s getting progressively worse, or you’re just ready for a change of pace, we have got your back with these best freelance job websites.

• 31 Premium Freelance Websites to Find Work in 2021
• Which Skill is Best for Freelancing?
• What Freelance job is Most Profitable?
• How can I get a Freelance job with no Experience?

31 Premium Freelance Websites to Find Work in 2021

1. 99designs

This site is set up in a bit of a different format than typical freelance sites, but it does work in the design context. Clients publish a contest, and designers submit their work as their application.

Read Also: How to Make Money Online (for Africans)

The client chooses the design they like best, and the designer gets paid. I’m sure you’ve noticed the downside – if you don’t win, you don’t get paid. However, it can be an excellent way to build up your portfolio at the beginning, and if you’ll be doing work anyway, it can be a great resource.

2. Upwork Inc.

Once upon a time, there existed two leading platforms for landing freelance jobs: oDesk and Elance. Eventually, their two kingdoms combined to create one large peaceful marketplace for people to land freelance jobs from clients all over the world. Enter: Upwork. As a result, this freelance jobs site is huge.

They have over 12 million freelancers and 5 million clients listing upwards of 3 million freelance jobs each year. Just about every freelancer can find their niche here, but beware: Upwork takes a 20% cut until you build up a regular relationship with a client. It’s very beginner-friendly, but be prepared to take lower-priced freelance jobs through sites like Upwork, then you would from the more carefully curated marketplaces that focus on a specific niche.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr gets its name from its site design: every job starts at $5. It sounds low, but you can set up tiers above the base $5 option, which adds up fast! It’s also a great way to get started and build up your portfolio.

4. People Per Hour

This one is great for marketers, as well as SEO folks and software engineers. PPH takes care of just about everything in the process, but only allows for 15 applications before charging. Browsing is free though, so totally worth it to send out some feelers and see if you think it’s worth it.

5. Toptal

Toptal screens 3% of the talent may or may not be entirely accurate (I’ll discuss Toptal’s vetting process in a moment).

What matters is Toptal saves you time spending hours filtering through freelancers for their performance. After all, if Toptal didn’t have hoops for freelancers to jump through, then their available talent would dilute. As a result, their market differentiation would be… the same as almost any other freelance marketplace.

Many entrepreneurs hiring on Toptal note their support staff is very hands-on. Toptal also has a fantastic UI and billing process. 

6. Guru.com

Guru makes it easy to create a profile that shows off your experience, making it easier to be contacted by potential employers, while also wading through the massive amounts of job postings made every day. They give a decent amount of free applications, rationed by the year, and charge about 9% commission.

7. Dribble

See above – another way to get people’s attention and get your work in as many places as possible. The other benefit to these sites is that you’ll get feedback from other designers, and potential clients, on your work. Feedback is crucial to improvement, so accept it openly! Also, browse the other designers on the site to get a feel for what kind of projects you like and what you may want to work on in the future.

8. Flexjobs Corporation

This is a very well-curated site for not only freelance jobs but also remote and otherwise flexible gigs. It’s sorted by the type of freelance job (or otherwise) you may want, and you won’t have to worry about scam postings, because they research the jobs and monitor new gigs pretty thoroughly. As might have guessed, it’s not free if you want regular access to their freelance jobs, though.

9. Behance

This isn’t a freelance job site per se, but it is something you need to do now. Like, right now right now. These kinds of sites help designers showcase their work, and because the site has a much higher DA than any personal website you’ll put together, your work has a higher chance of showing up early in the search engine based on the keywords you research. It’s a must for designers of any skill level, and something you need to get set up right away.

10. DesignCrowd

This is another marketplace similar to 99 Designs, with somewhat fewer designers active on the site. They also have contests, but pay out lower amounts. Those are actually both advantages for new designers, as there is less competition from very experienced designers, and you’re more likely to be selected.

11. AngelList

If you’ve swallowed the start-up pill and your dream is to someday work for a cool, up and coming company, start your path with Angel List. Start-up companies of all kinds search for talent on Angel List, from established to brand new, so you can get a taste of the start-up culture and possibly get your foot in the door for long term employment.

12. Craigslist Inc.

Forget selling your grandma’s dusty couch, Craigslist has a pretty great job posting section too. You don’t get the security of a site that holds the client accountable, so it’s an excellent idea to set up a contract (or meet up in person, if possible), but most people posting are looking for work done as quick as possible.

Here’s a hack if you want to look through remote jobs: go to the corresponding Craigslist for major cities and search for remote work that way. 

13. Aquent

This is another great company that will make the connections for you. Their clients come to them with gaps they need to fill, and they turn to their group of freelancers to do the job. They mainly focus on marketing, but also dabble in tech and creative jobs too.

14. Indeed

Indeed collects all the jobs on the interwebs and puts them all in one place. They’re easy to search through, and looking specifically for remote jobs is a piece of cake. If you’re open to working at a local company, you can search that too. Best of all, it’s free!

15. We work Remotely

As the name suggests, the site is for freelance workers of all types. However, they have plenty of customer support jobs posted that you can look through to see what fits.

16. Authentic Jobs Inc.

AuthenticJobs.com is the online home of Authentic Jobs, a company that says their goal is to connect creative and talented professionals with “outstanding” work opportunities.   

This website operates like most other available job search websites. AuthenticJobs.com says high quality companies, like New York Times, Tesla, Twitter, SquareSpace, and many others, turn to them to list their job postings and find the best qualified individuals for their needs. 

People are welcome to go to their website and search through available jobs using a variety of search criteria, including Job Type, Skills, Location, Company Type, Compensation Type, and more.

17. Cloud Peeps Inc.

CloudPeeps is a talent recruitment marketplace matching freelance public relations, content marketing, writing, press, and business development professionals with companies around the world. Founded by entrepreneur, marketer, and writer Kate Kendall in 2014, CloudPeeps came into being when she recognized a need for a reliable platform to connect businesses with professional freelancers.

Taking a community-based approach to business, CloudPeeps is committed to building a strong, mutually beneficial network of freelancers and businesses. On CloudPeeps, Freelancers can create a profile and pitch for a variety of jobs, offering them the freedom to do exactly the work they want to do from anywhere in the world.

For businesses, CloudPeeps provides a database of vetted freelancers, where companies can find professionals who are ready to begin work right away. CloudPeeps gives companies the option of hiring on a freelance basis for smaller projects or when they don’t have the resources to hire a full-time employee, allowing them to set clear budgets and achieve their goals.

18. Envato

Envato Studio’s most popular category is logos, so if that’s your thing, start here. They’re also known for very fast turn-around and an easy-to-use platform, both win-wins for beginners!

19. BELAY

BELAY is a virtual solutions company founded by husband-and-wife duo Bryan and Shannon Miles. In 2010, the couple founded Miles Advisory Group (MAG), a virtual assistance organization, and in 2017, brought together its separate businesses in web support, copywriting, and bookkeeping to form BELAY, an entirely remote team including everyone “from the corporate team in mid-Atlanta” to “contractors all over the U.S.”

BELAY is dedicated to offering workplace flexibility as a part of both its company culture and recruiting process “because it allows and empowers” everyone on the team “to exercise a healthy work-life balance and genuinely find joy” in their work.

Flexible jobs posted in the past include remote, full-time and part-time jobs in administrative, consulting, sales, accounting & finance, and HR & recruiting fields. BELAY seeks trustworthy, reliable, enthusiastic, and self-motivated professionals who are ready to learn.

While “not obligated to work a set schedule,” candidates are “expected to be professional and flexible,” maintain “Monday through Friday U.S. business hours,” and maximize their time without sacrificing time with “family, friends, and what is most important.”

20. Crowdsource

CrowdSource, founded in 2010, is an industry leader, providing managed crowdsourcing services to businesses that require specialized content. Headquartered in Swansea, Illinois, CrowdSource maintains a West Coast office in San Francisco, California, working with clients of all sizes and industries, including national leaders such as Staples, Orbitz, Target, Overstock.com, Groupon, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Utilizing a skilled team of writers, moderators, transcriptionists and editors, CrowdSource provides quality copywriting, data, content moderation and transcription services customized to individual clients. In the past, CrowdSource has offered freelance, telecommuting, and flexible scheduling positions that can be done from anywhere in the United States.

CrowdSource employees that work on-site can enjoy access to its award-winning office space that houses an open bar lounge, a 24/7 gym, game room, and an open floor plan that fosters open communication and team collaboration.

21. Outsource.com

Outsource.com is an online marketplace where businesses, organizations, and individuals can go to find professional freelancers to help them fill long and short-term roles as well as create a team of capable individuals from all over the world for project-based opportunities. They have over 2,000 professional freelancers who underwent pre-screening and tests, ensuring that they are highly proficient in their respective area of expertise.

With Outsource.com, companies and organizations that seek professional freelancers are provided with a high-quality guarantee plus a refund option. Freelancers from Outsource.com have received satisfactory ratings with low failure rate compared to other leading freelancer marketplaces like Upwork.

Clients just have to provide specific requirements such as job description, duration, and pay and Outsource.com will provide a shortlist of the most qualified candidates. Clients pick the right fit, freelancers get the job done and get paid. Everybody is happy.

22. Creative Group

The Creative Group (TCG) is a leader among marketing and creative staffing agencies. They specialize in connecting talented, creative professionals with companies looking to hire interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations talent. As the marketing and creative staffing division of Robert Half, They offer flexible staffing

solutions to meet companies’ project, contract-to-hire and full-time employment needs. Through their parent company, they also have the resources to support organizations’ temporary and full-time staffing needs in the areas of technology, accounting, finance, administrative and legal.

23. ProductionHUB Inc.

ProductionHUB is a global network of local crew and vendors that serves the film and video production industry. Find and hire anything you need, whether it’s a camera operator for one day, a video editor for one month or a full-time producer. Since launching in 1999, they have grown beyond a simple directory into the most trusted resource for finding qualified and experienced crew, vendors and employees. We’re your film and video production partner.

24. CrowdSpring

This is solely for designers and “creatives,” – which, translated, encompasses every type of design from general graphic design to logo design. It’s also free for freelancers and very easy to sign up for – no waiting list or invite-code necessary.

25. Linkedin

LinkedIn is a social media platform for businesses. It’s in your best interest to have a LinkedIn profile so you can connect with potential prospects. One way to find freelance jobs is with LinkedIn Jobs.

26. Media Bistro

Media Bistro has a nice little variety of categories, which includes writing and editing. Their curated list features everything from book editing to PR content, so you’re sure to find a few things that fit your niche.

27. Freedom With Writing

Not only can you sign up for their newsletter with writing opportunities, you can actually submit to write for them. They pay well, but you’ll need to come up with a pretty good idea to pitch. If you have a concept you think will work well, it’s definitely worth a shot. While you’re waiting to hear back, you can always check out the opportunities in their newsletter too.

28. Working Not Working Inc.

Founded by two world-renowned former freelancers, this extremely high-quality freelance community accepts only a very small percentage of applicants who request to join their platform—though the level of projects (and pay) once you’re inside can lead to well into thee six-figures in freelance income if you’re staying busy from the gigs their client companies like Apple, Facebook, Google, and more, continually post for designers, artists, photographers, producers and advertising pros.

29. YouTeam

If you’re an experienced software developer, YouTeam is a great site that’ll pair you up with remote contract work (and even freelance jobs) on-demand.

While most engineers on their platform aren’t full-time freelancers, this can be a great place to pick up some long-term projects if you’re already a contractor for another IT consulting firm or software development shop. In order to join the platform, software firms and their developers are first thoroughly vetted and verified, which adds an additional layer of credibility to this platform.

30. ZipRecruiter

Chances are, you’ve already heard of ZipRecruiter because of how many companies use their jobs platform to hire full-time talent, but did you know they also regularly post a large number of high-quality freelance jobs with opportunities to do part-time sales for top companies?

You can earn anywhere from $500 up to $10,000/mo (with the right company, skill set and experience) as a contractor that’s compensated through a combination of part-time salary and commission on sales.

31. Red Hat

Red Hat works with higher level clients in general, and employs freelancers and remote workers to help their clients with everything from software development to sales. If you have some experience, or think your skill set is high enough, check them out.

Which Skill is Best for Freelancing?

It’s no surprise that recruiters and hiring managers are sourcing highly-skilled workers from freelance marketplaces like Moonlighting, not just for traditional roles but also for cutting-edge skills like blockchain and app development.

See what skills are in-demand on Moonlighting in 2020, the fastest-growing freelance marketplace:

1. Graphic Design

If you are in the freelance design business, you can feel good knowing that the growth predictions are bright. Graphic design is a skill that has always thrived on freelancing and will continue to be a hugely attractive skill this year as the demand for websites and marketing collateral and product creation continues apace.

Much of this growth will be specifically targeted at freelance designers with companies and startups looking for strong, reliable talent that is willing to work on-demand.

2. Blockchain

Originally created for cryptocurrency, blockchain is quickly evolving to suit other purposes. Some companies want to take advantage of blockchain’s secure and distributed model in different industries: law, governance, logistics, insurance, and healthcare. Freelancers should consider acquiring blockchain expertise on top of more traditional skills. Aside from being one of the trending skills this year, blockchain is expected to be in demand for the long haul.

3. Sales

For many brands, utilizing independent sales reps is a key part of their sales strategy. For some, it’s not cost-effective to employ in-house reps, or they simply need to get feet on the ground quickly without having to put resources into establishing a salaried team.

Others recognize the depth of the existing networks and relationships an independent rep may provide, which can open up new business opportunities in existing markets, and provide access to new territories. Whatever the reason, businesses often look to hiring independent sales representatives as an alternative to way to build a sales force.

4. Digital Marketing

Marketing is a widely recognized necessity for every business — 63% of business owners say marketing is the most important expense to grow their business. An effective digital marketing strategy will comprise of a holistic multi-channel approach including email, content, social media, automation, and search engine optimization (SEO).

Freelance marketers are often skilled in most or all of these channels, are often more efficient than in-house marketing teams, and at times even for a lower cost.

5. Social Media Marketing

Marketing is an accepted business expense, as it is a proven way to boost business growth. Most companies employ a diverse range of channels such as content, email, SEO, and social media. Freelancers are usually asked to handle one or even all of these types of digital marketing. No one anticipated how popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram would become; now, social media marketing is considered essential in increasing brand recognition.

6. Career Advice and Mentoring

Career coaching is going through a “great awakening.” As more and more people are searching to balance work they love with a healthy lifestyle, we are seeing an increase in the demand for expert advice to help professionals find their next job or switch fields, and provide guidance through job searches, interviews, resumes, promotions, and everything in between.

7. Customer Service

Customer support jobs are naturally suited to remote work and moonlighting in the gig economy since the work is primarily completed via computer and phone, and many opportunities are available for off-peak working hours.

8. Writing & Editing

The writing profession is largely romanticized as the starving artist or creative hermits, holed away from society while working on the next Great American Novel. That may be true for some fiction writers. But there’s also a massive world of commercial writing that includes everything from web content to technical manuals to journalism, grant writing, and advertising copywriting. And all of this has to be arranged and corrected by editors.

9. Website Design

Web design has been ruling the freelance job market for quite some time and its position will remain unchanged over coming years. Businesses small and large that do not have a significant presence on the internet will find survival difficult in coming years.

Hence, there is a rush of sorts to have one or more websites. Web designers create the look and layout of web pages. Their skills are in-demand in many types of organizations, from charities to startups, giving you flexibility to work on high-impact projects.

10. Website Development

The world of web development experiences constant transformation every year, whether it’s related to tools, services, coding, languages, or designs. And with every year, new trends and technologies emerge to evolve the way developers work. Independent web developers are far more likely to re-skill, and provide expertise in emerging development trends including artificial intelligence, voice search integration, and chatbots.

11. Virtual Assistant

Being a virtual assistant requires no specialized training or certifications, so it’s one of the most attractive options for freelance newbies. The potential client base is quite large: entrepreneurs, coaches, executives, authors, etc., in a variety of industries. They all need assistance with administrative tasks like appointment setting, email handling, travel logistics, and so on.

12. Video Production/Creation

With our attention spans decreasing rapidly, video viewing has become an increasingly important part of our lives. YouTube and other video sharing platforms are only increasing in popularity, and content creators are now optimizing videos to their specific audience.

Plus the power of visual appeal is a new ball game and one that cannot be beat. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that video production and creation is a popular skill that is going to be in demand in 2020. You don’t have to be an expert in creating exciting videos, but the basic knowledge will take you a long way, especially in your freelancing career.

13. Accounting & Bookkeeping

Accounting and bookkeeping are shrouded in mystery for most people, no thanks to the complex tax and business laws in most countries. While different kinds of finance software are now in the market, companies still need qualified professionals who know how to use these tools and the rules to follow.

Plus, many startups and SMBs would love to hand off their bookkeeping tasks so that they could focus on their core business. If you have the skills and qualifications to tackle accounting and bookkeeping, you can charge a competitive rate as a freelancer.

14. Excel/Spreadsheets

While most people are familiar with this Microsoft software staple, manipulating data beyond simple SUM formulas often requires the work of a professional. If PIVOT Tables and VLOOKUPs are your jam, you have a great opportunity to get hired to tutor or crunch, analyze, and glean fruitful results from complex queries for clients.

And if you’re not an expert yet, it’s really not rocket science; you can learn advanced Excel functionality in a matter of weeks. All you need is an analytical mind, an eye for details, and a willingness to take up courses like this one.

15. Illustration

Many corporate brands are moving away from stock imagery and using illustration due to its softer, more playful approach. Illustration is generally a more interesting way to display content and feels more personal which is important in an age where consumers are demanding transparency and the human touch.

What Freelance job is Most Profitable?

We’ve collected 10 high-paying freelance jobs, along with average hourly pay data from Salary.com.

Depending on your experience, you may be able to set your rates higher than these average rates, but having this information can give you a good starting point when it comes to negotiating your freelance rate.

1. Accountant

Average Pay: $38/hour

Accountants maintain financial records and record financial transactions. Handling ledger accounts, preparing balance sheets and P&L statements, and creating financial reports are some common duties. A bachelor’s degree is required and a CPA certification will help you command more money.

2. Account Executive

Average Pay: $43/hour

Account execs create relationships with new accounts and work to increase business opportunities for companies and clients. This role may provide sales quotes and handle requests for proposals. A proven track record and a few years of experience will earn freelancers a higher rate.

3. Copywriter

Average Pay: $38/hour

Experienced copywriters will write copy for advertising and marketing initiatives. They may write ad copy, taglines, emails, articles, newsletters, and ebooks. Knowledge of SEO and a strong portfolio will help a copywriter earn the highest pay.

4. Graphic Designer

Average Pay: $36/hour

Graphic designers with a few years experience can find high-paying freelance jobs. This role creates art and visual materials for packaging, websites, ads, and films. A bachelor’s degree and a strong portfolio are a must.

5. PR Manager

Average Pay: $52/hour

PR managers maintain the public image for an employer or client. Writing and distributing press releases, working with media outlets, and managing social media are a few ways this is done. To work as a PR manager, typically five or more years of experience is desired.

6. Professor

Average Pay: $41/hour

Due to the growth of online education and eLearning platforms, professors can find high-paying freelance jobs to teach one class, or teach on an ongoing basis. Many of these roles are virtual. A professor will often need a master’s degree and will plan course curricula, provide support, assess student progress, and more.

7. Programmer

Average Pay: $38/hour

Programmers create code and software applications for operating systems. Programmer’s code converts designs into instructions for computers to follow. The ability to write programs in different computer languages, such as C++ and Java is required.

8. Software Developer

Average Pay: $42/hour

One of the most common high-paying freelance jobs, this role involves designing and developing software programs by coding, debugging, testing, and troubleshooting. Knowledge of HTML, PHP, and XML is often needed. Having a strong portfolio of past work will help you earn a higher rate.

9. Technical Writer

Average Pay: $41/hour

A technical writer with a few years of experience under their belt and certifications related to their expertise can command the highest wages. This role helps make complex and technical information clearer by writing instruction manuals, guides, journals, and documents.

10. Web Developer

Average Pay: $35/hour

Web developers design and create websites, taking responsibility for the look of a site and its functionality. Web developers will write code, use programming languages, integrate graphics and audio, and meet with clients to discuss needs.

How can I get a Freelance job with no Experience?

So, is it possible to start a freelancing career if you have no freelance experience? The truth is, you cannot gain any freelance experience if you cannot get into any freelance job. So, landing your first freelance job can seem difficult when you have no freelance experience.

Whether you are looking for freelance writing jobs or you are interested in web design or something else, here are some tips on how to find freelance jobs with no experience.

1. Improve Your Existing Skills

If you have no professional or work experience, you may have some other skills acquired while studying at school or college. Some skills may include research skills, typing skills, communication skills, and much more depending on the area of your study, level of education, etc factors. If you are good at something, hone your existing skills to be better at them. Besides, focus on other areas that may interest you and be good at them.

If you can type in fast, keep practicing it. You may be interested in doing work at home typing jobs online one day. If you spend a lot of time on social media sites, try and build a following of loyal audience. You can learn how to gain more followers, how to engage them, what time they are more active online, and much more. You can become an expert in using social media sites and use your expertise to land social media marketing jobs.

2. Have Samples of Your Work

Even though you have no freelance or work experience, you can create a few samples of your work that you can showcase to your potential clients to land your first freelance job. Once you get hired, one job leads to another. So, if you do not have a portfolio of past work because you have not any employment history, you may need to create sample work to show to your potential clients.

For instance, if you are interested in finding freelance writing jobs online, you can create a few sample articles or blog posts about a topic or more you are familiar with. Your sample work must be free from grammatical and spelling mistakes, and it should convey your personal style and voice so that the potential clients can see your writing style.

3. Look for Jobs That Do Not Require Any Experience

There are jobs that do not require the expertise of a professional to complete. There are some jobs like researching jobs, proofreading jobs, typing jobs, and even writing jobs that involve writing a blog post or article on a topic of general interest or personal opinion, do not require any skill or experience to do.

If you are reliable, can commit to deadlines, and adhere to the instructions given by the clients, you can do these jobs and gain freelance experience that can help you land more and better-paying jobs.

4. Be Prepared to Take on Low-Paying Jobs or Work for Free

When you are looking for finding freelance jobs without experience, you should not be looking for high-paying freelance jobs that require the expertise of professionals with relevant experience. Instead, look for low-paying jobs that are easy to breakthrough.

Read Also: What is the Easiest way to Earn Money Online?

Once you have done a few jobs, you can build a portfolio of your work to show to potential clients who will pay you more if they hire you. You may even offer to work for free if the job lets you build your portfolio.

5. Network with Others Online

Once you have created a few samples of your work or built a portfolio of your work, start networking with others on places like social media sites, forums, and blogs or websites where you can post comments and engage with others to reach out to your potential clients. You need to put your name out there where your potential clients are.

Networking with others may lead to any job openings that they know of. Send emails to potential clients to inquire about any possible job openings. If they find your portfolio, proposal, and social media presence suitable, they will hire you.

Final Thoughts

Freelancing is one of the best ways to make money online. Thousands of clients post thousands of freelance jobs on various freelance sites each day. If you are looking to build a career in freelancing, whether part-time or full-time, you need to find a niche to get started.

Finding freelance jobs with no experience can seem difficult and landing the first job can be the hardest part of all. You could keep in mind the above tips when it comes to how to find freelance jobs with no experience.