Ready to elevate your freelancing journey but not sure where to start ? Look no further ! This comprehensive guide dives deep into the world of Freelancer, demystifying its robust features, membership plans, and even the nitty-gritty of its pricing.
Whether you’re an employer on the hunt for top-tier talent or a freelancer eager to land your next big project, this article is your one-stop resource for mastering Freelancer.com. Don’t miss out on the insider tips and tricks that could set you on the path to freelancing success !
Read further to learn more about Freelancer, in our review we will detail its features, pros and cons with our rating, and a conclusion about why you should use it.
Click on “open” if you want to see exactly what we will talk about in the rest of this article.
Overview
What is Freelancer?
Freelancer is a global online marketplace that connects clients with freelancers skilled in a variety of fields. With over 50 million registered users, it is one of the world’s largest freelance platforms.
Clients can post jobs across 1800+ skills, ranging from web development to graphic design, and receive competitive bids within minutes. Freelancers, on the other hand, can browse through these jobs and place their bids.
The platform ensures secure transactions through its milestone payment system, allowing payment to be released only when the client is 100% satisfied with the work.
Additionally, Freelancer offers a time tracker and mobile app to keep both parties updated on project progress. It also provides enterprise solutions for businesses looking to outsource large-scale projects.
Freelancer specifications
Features | Bid History / Capture Screenshots / Desktop application / Milestones / Mobile app / Multi-Language / Notifications / Portfolio management / Project Success Rate / Real-Time Bidding / Real-time Updates to Workers / Time Tracking / Trust Factor / Vetting Process |
Best suited for | Individuals, Freelancers, Small businesses |
Website languages | Brasil / Chinese / Deutsch / English / French / Indian / Italian / Japanese / Korean / Nederlands / Portuguese / Russian / Spanish / Turkish / Ukrainian / Vietnamese |
Website URL | Visit official website |
Support link | Support page |
Live chat | Yes |
Company address | Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia |
Year founded | 2010 |
Pricing
Freelancer pricing: How much does Freelancer cost?
With plans ranging from just $4.99 to $99 per month, you can choose the perfect fit for your budget and project requirements.
Whether you’re a newbie looking for a basic plan or a seasoned pro in need of premium features, Freelancer has got you covered. Dive in to explore a flexible fee structure, daily withdrawal options, and a host of perks designed to elevate your freelancing game !
Pricing range | From $4.99 to $99 per month |
Pricing types | Annual subscription / Commission based / Monthly subscription |
Free plan | Yes |
Free trial | Yes, 30 days |
Money back guarantee | Yes, 30 days |
Pricing page link | See plans |
Freelancer pricing plans
Paid Membership Plan
Basic Plan : $4.99 per month
- 50 Bids Per Month: Allows you to bid on up to 50 projects each month.
- 50 Skills: Add up to 50 skills to your profile.
- Unlock Rewards: Gain access to platform rewards.
- Unlimited Project Bookmarks: Bookmark as many projects as you like.
- Preferred Freelancer Eligible: Eligibility to become a Preferred Freelancer.
- Custom Cover Photo: Personalize your profile with a custom cover photo.
- 3 Free Highlighted Contest Entries Per Month: Stand out in contests.
- 12 Free Sealed Contest Entries Per Month: Keep your contest entries confidential.
- 5 Employer Followings: Follow up to 5 employers.
Plus Plan : FREE ($8.95 after 1-month trial)
- 100 Bids Per Month: Double the number of bids compared to the Basic plan.
- 80 Skills: Add more skills to your profile.
- Client Engagement: Enhanced client engagement features.
- Daily Withdrawal Requests: Withdraw funds daily.
- 5 Free Highlighted Contest Entries Per Month: More highlighted contest entries.
- 25 Free Sealed Contest Entries Per Month: More sealed contest entries.
- 10 Employer Followings: Follow more employers.
- 5 External Invoicings: Invoice clients outside the platform.
- Free Project Extensions: Extend project deadlines for free.
- High Value Project Bidding: Bid on high-value projects.
Professional Plan : $49.00 per month
- 300 Bids Per Month: A significant increase in the number of monthly bids.
- 100 Skills: Showcase a wide array of skills.
- Bid Insights: Get insights into your bidding performance.
- 15 Free Highlighted Contest Entries Per Month: Even more highlighted entries.
- 75 Free Sealed Contest Entries Per Month: Keep more of your contest entries confidential.
- 20 Employer Followings: Follow a larger number of employers.
- 15 External Invoicings: More external invoicing options.
- Premium Freelancer Insights: Access to premium insights.
Premier Plan : $99.00 per month
- 1500 Bids Per Month: An enormous number of bids for the serious freelancer.
- 400 Skills: Showcase a vast range of skills.
- 30 Free Highlighted Contest Entries Per Month: Maximum number of highlighted entries.
- 150 Free Sealed Contest Entries Per Month: Maximum number of sealed entries.
- Unlimited Employer Followings: Follow an unlimited number of employers.
- Unlimited External Invoicings: No limit on external invoicings.
- Free NDA Projects: Ability to work on projects that require a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Fee and charges ( Excluded from Paid Membership )
- Fixed Price Projects: Freelancers are charged a fee of 10% of the project’s total cost or $5.00 USD, whichever is greater, upon accepting a project award. If you receive payment exceeding the original bid amount, additional fees will be charged on the overage payments.
- Hourly Projects: A 10% fee is applied to each payment received from the employer. This fee covers the platform’s administrative and operational costs.
- Contests: If you win a contest, a fee of 10% of the prize amount or $5.00 USD, whichever is greater, is charged. This fee is applied when the prize money is released to you.
- Preferred Freelancer Program: If you are part of this program, a 15% project fee is charged when you are awarded and accept a Recruiter project. This fee is not charged upfront but is applied when you receive payment.
Withdrawal Fees
- The platform offers multiple withdrawal methods, each with its own set of fees. For example, International Wire Transfers come with a $15.00 USD fee. However, methods like PayPal and Skrill are free.
Features
Freelancer features: What can you do with it?
Designed to foster a seamless interaction between clients and freelancers, these features cover every aspect of the freelancing process, from initial discovery and bidding to project tracking and payment.
Whether you’re a client looking for top-notch talent or a freelancer seeking exciting projects, these features are engineered to provide a transparent, efficient, and quality-driven freelancing experience.
Fast Bids
Instant Engagement: The “Fast Bids” feature is designed for immediate interaction between clients and freelancers. As soon as a project is posted, freelancers can place their bids, making it one of the most dynamic aspects of the platform.
Algorithm Matching: The platform uses algorithms to match projects with freelancers who have the relevant skills, ensuring that bids are not just fast but also highly relevant.
No Obligation: The quotes are obligation-free, meaning clients are not committed to hiring a freelancer just because they received a bid, offering flexibility in choice.
Automated Notifications: As soon as a bid is placed, clients receive instant notifications, ensuring they don’t miss out on potential matches.
Bid Management Dashboard: Clients have access to a dashboard where they can review all bids, compare them, and even categorize them for easier decision-making.
Bid History: Both freelancers and clients can view the history of bids on a particular project, providing insights into the competitiveness and demand for the project.
Quality Work
Vetting Process: Freelancer.com has a rigorous vetting process that freelancers must pass to join the platform, ensuring that only qualified professionals are available for hire.
Global Talent Pool: With over 60 million freelancers, the platform offers a diverse range of skills and expertise, from graphic design to software development, and everything in between.
Quality Assurance: The platform has mechanisms for clients to release payments only after they are satisfied with the work, ensuring quality deliverables.
Skill Tests: Freelancers often have the option to take skill tests, the results of which are displayed on their profiles, providing additional assurance of their capabilities.
Project Success Rate: Freelancer.com often displays a ‘Project Success Rate’ or similar metrics on freelancer profiles, indicating their track record of delivering quality work.
Dispute Resolution: In case of unsatisfactory work, the platform offers a dispute resolution mechanism, safeguarding the interests of both the client and the freelancer.
Browse Portfolios
In-Depth Analysis: The “Browse Portfolios” feature is not just a gallery of past work; it’s a comprehensive showcase that often includes case studies, client testimonials, and detailed descriptions of each project.
This enables clients to understand the freelancer’s approach, problem-solving skills, and overall expertise.
User Experience: The portfolio section is designed for easy navigation, often categorized by skill set or industry, allowing clients to quickly find relevant work samples.
Trust Factor: Reviews and ratings are often attached to each portfolio item, providing social proof and adding an extra layer of trust.
Multi-Media Support: The portfolios often support various media types, including images, videos, and PDFs, allowing freelancers to showcase their work in a comprehensive manner.
Search and Filter: Clients can use advanced search and filter options to find freelancers based on specific skills, industries, or even geographic location, making the portfolio browsing experience highly customizable.
Direct Communication: Many times, the portfolio section includes a direct messaging feature, enabling clients to immediately reach out to freelancers whose work they find impressive.
Track Progress
Time Tracker: The built-in time tracker logs the hours a freelancer works, which can be reviewed by the client. This ensures billing transparency and helps in project management.
Mobile App: The mobile app allows clients to track progress on-the-go, offering notifications and updates directly to their smartphones.
Real-Time Updates: The tracking features are real-time, meaning the client can see what the freelancer is working on at any given moment, enhancing accountability and project management.
Screenshot Feature: Some time trackers take periodic screenshots while freelancers are working, offering clients a visual confirmation of work being done.
Task Lists and Milestones: The tracking system often integrates with task lists and milestones, allowing clients to see which tasks are completed, pending, or in-progress.
Collaboration Tools: The tracking feature often comes with built-in collaboration tools like chat and file sharing, making it a comprehensive workspace for both freelancers and clients.
Conclusion
Freelancer review: Why you should use it?
Freelancer stands out as a versatile platform that caters to both clients and freelancers, offering a range of features to streamline the hiring process, project management, and payment.
With a massive global talent pool, the platform allows you to find professionals across 1800+ skills, ensuring a good match for almost any project.
The platform’s milestone payment system adds a layer of security, ensuring you only pay for work that meets your standards.
The time tracker and mobile app keep you updated on project progress, making it easier to manage tasks and timelines.
Pros
- Broad Talent Pool: With over 60 million registered freelancers, you have a wide array of skills and expertise to choose from.
- Fast Bidding: The platform’s algorithm ensures that 80% of projects receive bids within 60 seconds, speeding up the hiring process.
- Quality Assurance: Rigorous vetting and skill tests for freelancers ensure that you’re hiring qualified professionals.
- Project Management Tools: Features like time tracking and a mobile app make it easier to manage projects efficiently.
Cons
- Inconsistent Work: Like many freelance platforms, there’s no guarantee of consistent work availability.
- Spam Bids: Despite efforts to eliminate them, spam bids can still be an issue.
- Fees: The platform charges fees that could add up, especially for smaller projects.
- Isolation: The platform doesn’t offer a built-in community or networking features, which could lead to a sense of isolation for freelancers.
FAQ