1️⃣Toptal
Toptal is the gated community of premium freelancers, connecting you to enterprise budgets and long-term contracts. The vetting is tough, but the payoff is higher rates and less bidding. If you want fewer proposals and more pay, this is where to aim.
Address: San Francisco, USA
- Top-tier clients with enterprise budgets
- Rates often 2x+ general marketplaces
- Minimal bidding and strong placement support
- Long engagements with reliable payouts
- Global remote opportunities
- Rigorous multi-step screening
- Limited categories outside tech and finance
- Availability can be waitlisted
2️⃣Braintrust
Braintrust flips the model: 0% fees for talent and steady enterprise demand. You keep what you earn and still land Fortune 100 work. Great for senior builders who want high pay without platform tax.
Address: San Francisco, USA
- 0% freelancer fees
- Enterprise contracts with high hourly rates
- Fast payouts and transparent terms
- Active client success support
- Strong community referrals
- Screening and referrals required
- Fewer roles for non-technical creatives
- Client volume varies by region
3️⃣Upwork
Upwork has the biggest deal flow, and the top performers command serious rates. Badges and specialized profiles help you stand out, but you still need a sharp pitch. Treat it like a sales pipeline and it can pay very well.
Address: San Francisco, USA
- Massive client demand
- Niche categories and badges to signal expertise
- Hourly and fixed projects
- Project Catalog for productized services
- Platform fees cut into margins
- Pay-to-bid Connects add cost
- Intense competition and occasional lowballing
- Vetting scams and spam require vigilance
4️⃣Fiverr Pro
Fiverr Pro elevates vetted freelancers with premium gig presentation and global reach. When your offers are dialed in, high-ticket packages move fast. Great for repeatable services and upsells.
Address: Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pro badge boosts trust and conversion
- Productized packages simplify selling
- Global buyer base
- Built-in upsells and bundles
- 20% commission reduces take-home
- Gig ranking can fluctuate without warning
- Response-time pressure and strict SLAs
- Not ideal for large bespoke projects
5️⃣Malt
Malt dominates the EU market with transparent day rates and direct client contact. It shines for on-site or hybrid work with big European brands. Expect solid pay after your first wins, but the ramp can feel slow.
Address: Paris, France
- Strong presence in France
- Germany
- and Spain
- Transparent rates and direct negotiations
- Quality mid-market and enterprise clients
- Primarily Europe-focused
- Commission and VAT complexity
- Slower to first contract if you lack local reviews
- More on-site expectations in some roles