There has been a major shift towards remote work in recent years, and about 16% of companies are now fully remote.
With this change, many people are considering freelance work, which can be easily found on freelance apps and websites.
This article details the best freelance apps and websites for finding work in Canada. You’ll learn how each one works, its pros and cons, and what kind of work you can find on each site.
Freelance Apps and Websites Explained
Freelance websites and apps make it easy to browse and find freelance jobs. They allow you to earn money for yourself rather than working for a company as a full-time employee.
There is a wide range of jobs and opportunities for almost anybody with any skill set and experience.
You can get almost any job on freelancer apps, including writing, graphic design, marketing, web development, virtual assisting, and more.
Freelancing is an easy way to make money online once you build up experience and clients.
Best Apps For Finding Freelance Work
| Platform | How It Works | Types of Jobs Available | Fees |
| Upwork | Clients post jobs, and freelancers apply or get invited. Once hired, contracts are sent with set hours, pay rates, and deadlines. | Over 2,500 skill categories, including writing, web development, and marketing. | Free to join, but you may subscribe to Freelancer Plus for $14.99/month, and you must pay a service fee that ranges from 5-20% every time you get paid. |
| Toptal | Exclusive network for the top 3% of freelancers. Clients post jobs, get recommendations, and hire screened freelancers. | Software development, design, finance, and project management. | No fees for freelancers. Clients pay a $500 deposit (applied as a credit). |
| Freelancer | Clients post jobs, and freelancers bid. Once chosen, work is done, and Freelancer takes a portion of the earnings. | Over 1,800 skill categories, including graphic design and software development. | Free to sign up. You’ll be charged a 10% or $5 fee on fixed-price projects and a 10% fee on hourly projects. |
| Indeed | Employers post jobs that qualified candidates can apply for. Indeed, compiles job listings. | Various jobs, including in-person and freelance positions. | Free for job seekers. Recruiters can upgrade to sponsored job postings ($5-499/day). |
| Fiverr | Freelancers create gigs, and clients search and place orders. Services are delivered in a specified time. | Various services like logo design, app development, and writing. | Free to sign up. Fiverr takes a 20% cut from freelancers. . |
| Guru | Clients post job listings, and freelancers can apply for them. Guru takes a fee on payments. | Diverse categories, including programming, design, and writing. | The basic plan is free but charges a 9% service fee. |
| Job seekers create profiles, connect with recruiters, and apply for jobs. Recruiters post jobs and connect with candidates. | Various jobs, both in-person and freelance. Generally for long-term work. | Free for job seekers and recruiters, but there are paid options for both that can make your account or job postings stand out. | |
| Peopleperhour | Freelancers apply after becoming certified. Clients choose a contractor, pay a deposit, and freelancers complete the project. | Various categories, including technology, writing, and digital marketing. | No fee to sign up. The freelancer service fee ranges from 3.5% to 20%. |
| 99Designs | Clients create design briefs; designers submit proposals or enter contests. | Graphic design services, including logos, branding, and websites. | Designers: 20% client intro fee + 5-15% platform fee. Clients: 5% fee. |
| FlexJobs | FlexJobs compiles remote, flexible job listings. Job seekers subscribe and apply. | Flexible, remote, freelance, and part-time jobs across 50+ categories. | Job seekers: $9.95-$59.95 for subscriptions. Employers: $399-$2,999 for an employer membership. |
Below is a list of the 17 best websites and apps for freelancers.
1. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest platforms for finding freelance work online. It connects freelancers with businesses, companies, and individuals.
How does it work?
Clients post a description of a job and the price range they are willing to pay for the freelancer to complete the project.
Clients can invite specific freelancers to apply for the job or make it public for anyone to apply.
Freelancers respond to the job by submitting a proposal or accepting an invitation to interview on the platform.
Once the client chooses a freelancer, they can conduct an interview, talk about the job, and hire the freelancer.
Once hired, the client sends a contract with set hours, pay rate, and deadline.
What types of jobs can you get?
You can apply for almost any job on the platform. Upwork has over 2,500 skill categories available, including writing, website development, customer service, virtual assisting, marketing, and more.
The projects can be short-term, long-term, hourly, or fixed-price contracts.
Freelancer fees
It is free to join Upwork, but you can upgrade to Freelancer Plus to more effectively market yourself, submit proposals, and stand out for USD$14.99/month.
There is a service fee per client, depending on your earnings. The fee structure is as follows:
- $0-$500 – 20% service fee
- $500.01-$10,000 – 10% service fee
- Over $10,000.01 – 5% service fee
Recruiter fees
It is free to join, post jobs, and hire freelancers as a recruiter. You can pay for an optional Upwork Pro account where a team of experts will screen candidates based on your project requirements.
Pros
- Lots of work available with many jobs posted every minute
- Higher paying projects compared to many other sites
- You will often get hired quickly
- Payment protection – an hour worked is an hour paid
Cons
- Hefty fees of 5-20% per client
- It can be difficult to get your first client without any experience or reviews on your profile
- Many clients have small budgets and may underpay you
Related: How Does Upwork Work?
2. Toptal
Toptal is an exclusive network with only the top 3% of freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers, with every applicant vigorously tested and vetted.
How does it work?
For freelancers: If you have 2-3 years of experience as a freelance developer, designer, finance expert, product manager, or project manager, you can apply to Toptal. There is a screening process that lasts a few weeks.
Once you are approved, you gain access to jobs matching your skillset. Set your profile to available, and you will be contacted with opportunities that fit your expertise.
For recruiters: Post your job details, then have a call with Toptal’s team to share detailed job requirements. Toptal will recommend freelancers for the job.
What types of jobs can you get?
Software development, design, finance, and project manager jobs are all available on Toptal.
Many clients prefer long-term work for 40 hours per week, though you can work part-time as well.
Freelancer fees
Toptal does not take a cut from freelancers.
Recruiter fees
Like freelancers, recruiters set their own rates, and Toptal does not take a cut.
However, clients are required to put down a deposit of $500, which is applied as a credit to your first invoice once you hire a freelancer.
Pros
- Not much competition or others trying to underbid you
- Only the best freelancers are on the site
- No minimum work hours required
Cons
- The screening process takes a few weeks, so you will not be able to get started right away
- High costs for clients hiring freelancers
- Poor customer support
- Only 20 or 40 hours per week contracts
- The pricing for clients and freelancers is not very transparent
3. Freelancer
Like Upwork, Freelancer is a platform that connects freelancers to clients to find jobs.
How does it work?
Clients post a job, set their budget, choose a freelancer, and pay them using a milestone system similar to Upwork.
Freelancers can apply or bid for any job. If your application is chosen, you work with the client to handle the job, and Freelancer takes a portion of your earnings.
What types of jobs can you get?
With over 1,800 skill categories on the site, you can apply for many jobs in graphic design, software development, data entry, marketing, finance, writing, and more.
Freelancer fees
It is free to sign up and get started with Freelancer. You get six free bids to bid on projects, and you can enter contests for free.
You can purchase upgrades to promote your bid and make yourself more visible when applying for a job.
On fixed-price projects, Freelancer takes a 10% or USD$5 fee, whichever is greater. On hourly projects, Freelancer takes a 10% fee.
Recruiter fees
On fixed-price projects, Freelancer takes a 3% or USD$3 fee. On hourly projects, they take a $3% fee on each payment made to the freelancer.
Pros
- Easy to get started
- Easy communication with clients
- Multiple money withdrawal options
- Variety of jobs available
- Lower pricing compared to other platforms
Cons
- Many low-quality projects to weed through
- Poor support team
- They do not validate every freelancer to ensure they’re up to standard
4. Indeed
Indeed is a website for job listings of all types, from in-person to freelance work. Indeed compiles job listings from different sites and job boards, making applications easy.
How does it work?
Employers post jobs (either free or sponsored) with the job requirements and description.
Candidates apply with their resume and an optional cover letter and answer any interview or screening questions required by the employer. Recruiters can message the candidate to schedule an interview.
What types of jobs can you get?
You can get almost any kind of job. Indeed has job listings for both in-person and freelance positions, including restaurant jobs, software development, writing, healthcare, and more.
Freelancer fees
It is completely free to sign up and get started. There are no fees for job seekers.
Recruiter fees
Recruiters can post jobs and interact with candidates for free. However, they can upgrade to sponsored job postings, which promote their listing so more people can view it. This costs between $5-499 a day.
Pros
- Many jobs are posted at all times of day
- A variety of in-person, freelance, short- and long-term work
- Built-in resume builder
- You can get job alerts via email
Cons
- There are many applicants for each job with high competition
- Some postings may have already been filled and employers haven’t removed them
- Not the most ideal site for finding freelance work
5. Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the best freelance apps for beginners. It is an online marketplace for freelance services, with many freelancers pricing their work starting at $5.
How does it work?
For freelancers: Complete your seller profile, create your gig (what service you will offer), and specify details such as the price and description. You can create packages with three different pricing tiers for each gig.
For clients: Search for the service you want, choose the freelancer and package, contact the seller to specify what you’d like done, and place an order. Depending on what you agreed upon, you will get delivery within a few days or weeks.
What types of jobs can you get?
On Fiverr, you can offer services that will be delivered in a specified time. For example, some of these gigs can be designing a brand logo, creating a mobile application, writing a 1,000-word article, or translating a book.
Freelancer fees
It is free to sign up and get started, but Fiverr takes a 20% cut of all your earnings.
Recruiter fees
Fiverr charges a service fee per gig. They take $2 for gigs up to $40 and 5% of orders over $40.
Pros
- It is a great site to get started and make some extra money on the side
- You don’t need to bid on projects or send proposals
- Fiverr brings you the buyers, so you don’t need to self-promote
Cons
- There is a huge competition with many people offering the same services
- It can be difficult to get started and get quality clients who are willing to pay well
- There is quite a large fee of 20%
Related: How Does Fiverr Work?
6. Guru
Guru is an online marketplace connecting clients to freelancers where they can work on hourly or fixed-price projects.
How does it work?
Clients post job listings describing project requirements and budgets, and freelancers can apply for jobs, such as Upwork and Freelancer. Freelancers chat with clients, get hired, and are paid on the platform.
What types of jobs can you get?
You can apply for many different categories of jobs, such as programming and development, design and art, writing and translation, and sales and marketing.
Freelancer fees
Signing up for a basic plan is completely free. With this plan, Guru takes a 9% fee on every payment. You can upgrade to a Basic+, Professional, Business, or Executive plan, which ranges from $11.95-$49.95 per month with additional upgrades and lowered job fees.
Recruiter fees
Recruiters can sign up, post unlimited jobs, and chat with freelancers for free. Guru takes a 2.9% fee of the amount invoiced to freelancers.
Pros
- Many jobs across different skills are available
- Multiple payment methods
- Easy hiring process
- A great platform to forge long-term partnerships
Cons
- To be seen in the list of freelancers applying for a job, you may need to pay to get your bid higher
- A high fee of 9% taken from freelancers
7. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, great for connecting with recruiters and others in your field of work. It is similar to a social networking site but also includes job postings.
How does it work?
To search for a job on LinkedIn, you need to make sure your profile is up-to-date and complete with your skills, interests, and previous experience. You can let recruiters know you are available to work with the “open to work” badge displayed on your profile.
You can use the website’s Jobs section to browse for and apply to jobs matching your skills and interests. You can also connect with and message recruiters and others who work for the company you are applying to for a higher chance of your profile being viewed.
What types of jobs can you get?
Just like Indeed, you can apply for many different kinds of jobs, both in-person and freelance. Those who apply for jobs on LinkedIn are generally looking for long-term work with one client.
Freelancer fees
There are no fees for freelancers using LinkedIn. You can create your profile, connect with and message others, and apply for jobs for free.
You can upgrade to a LinkedIn Premium Career account for CA$39.99 per month, which includes several additional features such as more profile views, intel on the job and applicants, and featured applicant status.
Recruiter fees
You can post jobs and message applicants for free with LinkedIn, but you can upgrade to a Recruiter Lite account which costs $170 per month and offers many features such as accessing LinkedIn’s entire network of candidates, filtering applicants, and seeing more profiles in search results.
Pros
- You can research the companies and employees who work at the company you apply for
- Connect with recruiters and others in your job field
- Easily expand your network
Cons
- Not all employers post jobs on the site
- It can be hard to stand out from other applicants and get noticed
8. Peopleperhour
Peopleperhour is an online freelance marketplace used by over a million businesses worldwide.
How does it work?
For freelancers: You can apply to become a certified freelancer. Once approved, you can build your profile with previous experience and skills, search for projects you want to apply for, and submit a proposal.
If chosen for the project, the client will message you and go from there.
For clients: Post a project with the job description and details. Peopleperhour’s artificial intelligence system will match your project with skilled freelancers.
You can review their proposals, choose a freelancer, and pay a deposit to get started. Once the project is completed, pay the freelancer through their payment system.
What types of jobs can you get?
Peopleperhour has a wide range of categories and jobs to apply for. Some of the most popular include technology and programming, writing and translation, and digital marketing.
Freelancer fees
There is no fee to sign up, search for projects, or submit proposals. The freelancer service fee is as follows:
- Over £5000-lifetime billing per buyer: 3.5% (excl. VAT) service fee
- Between £250 and £5000-lifetime billing per buyer: 7.5% (excl. VAT) service fee
- Below £250-lifetime billing per buyer: 20% (excl. VAT) service fee
Recruiter fees
There are no fees for recruiters posting jobs or hiring freelancers; however, there is a service fee of about 10% on each transaction. There is also an optional listing fee of £10 to mark your project as urgent to make it stand out to freelancers.
Pros
- Freelancers can choose their own rates
- Secure payments into an escrow account
- Automatic invoicing
- Large network of businesses and clients, which can lead to a high volume of work
Cons
- Huge competition with other freelancers
- No guaranteed level of work
- High platform fees
- Poor customer support
Related: Best Work From Home Jobs For Moms
9. 99Designs
99Designs is a graphic design service by Vista. Clients can work with designers and collaborate one-on-one with a project.
How does it work?
Clients create a brief that gets submitted to 99Designs to help them understand their design needs. 99Designs will help them find a designer to work with on the project.
They work together, finalize the design, and continue working together long-term if agreed. Clients can also start a contest for designers to submit their ideas and pick the best one.
What types of jobs can you get?
Designers can create logos, branding, websites, packaging, and more.
Freelancer fees
Freelancers charge their own design fees based on the complexity of the project.
For each 1-1 project completed on the platform, designers are charged a 20% client introduction fee (applied to the first $500 of paid invoices with new clients) plus a platform fee (5% for top-level designers, 10% for mid-level designers, and 15% for entry-level designers).
Recruiter fees
Submitting briefs and hiring designers is free, but clients pay a 5% fee to use the platform.
Pros
- Designers choose their own rates
- Can establish a designer-client relationship and work with them long-term
- Contests and projects are available
Cons
- High fees for the designer, depending on skill level
- No interviews, reviews, or feedback system
- Designers who participate in contests are not paid for their submissions if not chosen
10. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is considered the #1 site for finding remote, work-from-home, and flexible job opportunities. It compiles job listings from over 5,000 companies.
How does it work?
FlexJobs’ team finds and screens remote, flexible job listings from websites worldwide. They provide career coaching, resume reviews, and more. Job seekers sign up for a membership and can apply for the many jobs available.
What types of jobs can you get?
FlexJobs offers flexible, remote, freelance, or part-time work in over 50 different career categories, including administration, customer service, project management, and more.
Freelancer fees
Job seekers are required to purchase a subscription to apply for jobs and contact recruiters. You can access the site for a week, one month, three months, or a year. The pricing is as follows:
- 1 week – $9.95
- 1 month – $20.95
- 3 months – $39.95
- 1 year – $59.95
Recruiter fees
Employers are required to sign up for an employer membership, which includes unlimited job posts, resume searches, and a customizable employer profile. The pricing is as follows:
- 1 month – $399.00
- 3 months – $859.00
- 1 year – $2,999.00
Pros
- Many different flexible jobs available in one place
- The site screens all job listings
- No fees on your earnings
- Extra services like career coaching and resume reviews
Cons
- Primarily US-based jobs posted
- High fees for job seekers and employers
11. Truelancer
Like Upwork and Freelancer, Truelancer is an online platform for clients to hire freelancers for their projects. It is a great app for freelance writers.
How does it work?
Clients post projects with details and price ranges. Freelancers sell their services or submit proposals for projects they want to work on. Clients review the proposals, choose the best freelancers, and hire them to work on the project.
Truelancer is one of the best freelance apps for beginners because of the low competition and verified jobs.
What types of jobs can you get?
Many job categories are available, including graphic design, sales and marketing, mobile app development, and blogging and writing.
Freelancer fees
Truelancer charges freelancers a service fee of 8-10%, depending on their membership plan.
Recruiter fees
There is no fee to recruiters using the platform, except for payment processing fees charged by third-party payment processors.
Pros
- Not a lot of competition as not many freelancers use the site
- A wide range of freelance jobs available
- Lower platform costs than other similar sites
Cons
- Employers may tend to hire more experienced freelancers, so getting your first client may be difficult
- Fewer jobs available compared to other sites
12. Codeable
Codeable is a WordPress freelancer platform that matches clients to expert WordPress developers.
How does it work?
Codeable has a rigorous vetting and hiring process for only the best WordPress experts. They conduct a professional review, looking for WordPress and freelance experience.
Next is a technical exam, a behavioural interview, a live coding test, and an internal exam.
If freelancers pass, they get hired for a 45-day trial period. If they are up to standard, they can be matched to and work with clients on projects.
Clients submit a brief to the website describing the project. The project is matched with the top 1-5 recommended experts from whom clients can choose.
What types of jobs can you get?
If you are a WordPress expert, you can get any job related to the WordPress platform, including e-commerce development, theme development and customization, and design.
Freelancer fees
Codeable guarantees you are paid USD$70-$120 per hour but does not specify any platform fees.
Recruiter fees
Clients pay USD$70-$120 per hour. The full project price is calculated before the freelancer works on it. Codeable also takes a 17.5% service fee.
Pros
- You can choose your own rates and upsell clients
- Not much competition on the site, especially if you are an expert
- No bidding system like other sites that ensures you are paid well
Cons
- Rigorous vetting and hiring process before you can start working on projects
- Only for WordPress experts
13. DesignCrowd
DesignCrowd is an online custom design marketplace connecting clients to freelance designers.
How does it work?
Clients submit a brief to DesignCrowd with what they need and their budget. Within a few hours, freelancers submit custom designs. Clients can choose their favourite design and download the files.
For freelancers to sell their designs, they can either enter design contests or get assigned to work on One Designer Services.
What types of jobs can you get?
DesignCrowd is for freelance designers. You can design logos, flyers, websites, business cards, advertisements, and more.
Freelancer fees
It’s free to sign up and get started, but DesignCrowd takes a 15% commission on design charges.
Recruiter fees
DesignCrowd takes up to USD$129 and a 4% transaction fee for posting a design project. There is a refundable 20% Project Management Fee for packages of USD$200 and over.
Pros
- Easy to sign up and get started
- Many different design projects are available
Cons
- High competition with lots of active designers
- If your design is not chosen, you may not get paid
14. Dribbble
Dribbble is a platform to discover and connect with designers across the world. It is a self-promotion and social networking platform.
How does it work?
As a designer, you can upload your work to the site with an invitation from an existing user. You can create a portfolio with previous work for clients to find. You can also search for jobs and reach out to clients on the Freelance Design Project board.
What types of jobs can you get?
Freelance designers can get any design job, from branding and website design to mobile app design.
Freelancer fees
It is free to browse content and upload designs, but you need to be invited by a member of the site to sign up. Dribble does not have information about freelancer fees on its website.
Recruiter fees
Recruiters subscribe to a monthly job board or designer search service to create job postings. The subscription models are as follows:
- Job Board – CAD$382/month
- Designer Search – CAD$382/month
- Job Board + Designer Search – CAD$638/month
Pros
- A great community of like-minded designers
- Dribbblers sometimes organize events and get together in-person
- You can get feedback on your designs from other designers
Cons
- A lot of competition and many other designers on the site
- Design uploads are limited
- It can be intimidating if you are just starting out
15. Freeup
Freeup is an online platform connecting clients to pre-vetted freelancers, accepting only the top 1% of talent. Clients can choose from entry-level, mid-level, or expert-level freelancers for their projects.
How does it work?
Freelancers are vetted through a rigorous screening process to ensure they’re up to standard.
Once they set up an account, they can view open projects from clients, contact them for a brief chat, and if selected, they are hired for the position. Freelancers set their own rates based on their skill level.
What types of jobs can you get?
You can apply for a wide range of jobs, including copywriting, web development, digital marketing, and Amazon services.
Freelancer fees
There are no sign-up or monthly platform fees. You choose your hourly rates and get paid for what you ask.
Recruiter fees
Freeup adds a 20% flat rate ($2 minimum) onto the amount clients pay to freelancers.
Pros
- No extra fees to freelancers
- Not too much competition
- Simple process of matching freelancers to clients
Cons
- Rigorous screening process
- Not many jobs may be posted as it is quite a new freelance site
16. Behance
Like Dribbble, Behance is a creative network where you can showcase and discover your creative work.
How does it work?
Creative designers showcase their work through Projects. Behance members can follow your profile, and you can follow others.
Like a social media network, you have a feed where you can view projects similar to the ones you’ve liked.
There is also a Jobs section, where recruiters post job listings.
What types of jobs can you get?
You can apply for design jobs, such as UX and website design, art director, and graphic design.
Freelancer fees
It is free to create projects, participate in the community, and apply for jobs.
Recruiter fees
Behance used to charge a one-time job posting fee for USD$399/month or unlimited job posts for USD$1,499/month. However, they are now allowing recruiters to post jobs for free for a limited time.
Pros
- Great for featuring projects and case studies on your profile
- Completely free to share your portfolio and apply to jobs
- Huge community of like-minded designers
Cons
- Requires more work to stand out from others
- Not many jobs are posted often
17. WeWorkRemotely
WeWorkRemotely is a large remote work community with many jobs posted monthly. You can find remote freelance, temporary, part-time, or full-time jobs.
How does it work?
Employers pay to post a job on the site, making it visible to job seekers. Anyone looking for a job can apply completely free without signing up for an account.
What types of jobs can you get?
You can apply for remote jobs in many different categories, including programming, design, customer support, and sales and marketing.
Freelancer fees
For job seekers, it is free to use the site. You do not need to sign up to apply for jobs.
Recruiter fees
The base price for a job listing is $299/month. You can also purchase additional upgrades to make your ad stand out, which cost between $59-$149.
Pros
- 100+ jobs added every week
- Good search feature
Cons
- High competition as jobs are likely posted elsewhere
- Most jobs posted are for the US only
- Not the most user-friendly interface
How To Choose a Freelancer Website
To choose from the many different freelancer apps, consider what kind of work you will be doing. Will you be applying for design, writing, or software development jobs?
Some freelance websites are best for designers, such as 99Designs and DesignCrowd, while others are more general, like Upwork and Fiverr.
You should also consider freelance job apps that have lower commission fees so that you can make the most money. However, keep in mind that the sites with the lowest fees usually have lower-quality clients and lower-paid jobs.
There are many other factors to consider when choosing a freelancer website, such as the size of the network, type of job, and customer support.
Pros of Freelance Apps and Websites
A few pros of freelance apps and websites include:
- Freedom of working whenever and wherever you want
- You can choose the clients and projects you want to work on
- You control your workload by working how much or little you’d like
- You get exposure and a lot of experience
- The opportunity to work with long-term clients
Cons of Freelance Apps and Websites
A few cons of freelance apps and websites include:
- You are responsible for marketing yourself and finding clients
- Work may be sporadic at times and is not always guaranteed
- The level of communication varies from client to client
- Many freelance apps like Fiverr and Upwork have high service fees
Conclusion
Freelancing is a great way to make money online from home. You can find freelancing apps for students, writers, designers, and many other categories.
During your search, you’ll come across many different freelance websites, each with different fee structures and ways of finding jobs.
If you’re choosing a website to get started on your freelance journey, consider which will work best for you with the advice above.
Related: Best Online Jobs for Students.
