Here are 20+ freelancing websites and apps that are worth checking out in 2025, especially if you want legit places to earn money. Some are well-known, others are emerging or niche, some specific to certain geographies or skill sets. I’ll include pros, cons, and tips—especially relevant if you’re freelancing from Pakistan (or similar markets).
Major Global Platforms
These are well-established. Good if you want volume, variety, and international clients. But competition tends to be higher, and fees sometimes quite steep.
| Platform | What it’s good for | Downsides / Things to watch out | Tips to succeed |
|---|
| Upwork | Very wide range of categories (writing, design, dev, admin etc.), long-term contracts + hourly jobs. WorkshareX+3Globeinvestinfo+3Webflow+3 | High competition, fees, sometimes lots of low-budget bids. Getting first jobs can be hard. Globeinvestinfo+2Webflow+2 | Build a strong profile, specialise in a niche, get small jobs first for reviews, deliver over and above. |
| Fiverr | Good for “gigs” / fixed-scope small jobs; easier to start with because clients come to you. Medium+2Markaz+2 | Commission is high; lots of competition; may need to lower prices initially. I'M Nouman+2Webflow+2 | Make good gig descriptions, have good images/portfolio, use “gig extras”, promotions. |
| Freelancer.com | Lots of job categories, global clientele. Good when you want many opportunities. TechRadar+2Globeinvestinfo+2 | Many bids per job, sometimes clients with low budgets. Time spent writing proposals doesn’t always pay off. WorkshareX+1 | Apply selectively (only where your profile matches well), have sample works ready, avoid very low paying jobs. |
| Toptal | Premium market, high paying work (software, design, finance consulting). Good if you have strong experience. Neel1701+1 | Difficult entry process (rigorous screening). Might take time to get accepted; fewer small jobs. Medium+1 | Prepare portfolio well, show results & metrics, possibly do small jobs outside first to build credibility. |
Rising Platforms / Newer Alternatives
These are newer, or less mainstream, but they have features that might benefit you more (lower fees, less competition, better local support, or focused niches).
| Platform | What makes it interesting/new/good | Things to check or disadvantages |
|---|
| Workcroft | Rising name. Better freelancer-friendly policies. Sliding service fee based on how much you’ve billed with the same client. More transparency. workcroft.com | Since newer, fewer clients in some niches; might be less known so trust must be built. Need to see if payments are smooth for international / cross-border. |
| Speedlancer.com | A task-type platform: you do small tasks/jobs, quicker turnarounds. If you can do small freelance tasks reliably and fast, this can be a good source. ScamAdviser+3speedlancer.com+3Startup Jobs+3 | Because fast, often low pay per task; tasks may require very specific skills or fast turnaround; check reviews. ScamAdviser |
| AuthenticJobs | Focused on tech / design / creative roles. Typically higher quality job postings. Good for people who want more serious client work rather than micro-gigs. Flexiple+2Medium+2 | Fewer jobs than huge platforms; sometimes premium/job listings are paid; high competition for good jobs. |
Regional / Local Platforms
These can sometimes be better if you want easier payout, less competition, and more understanding of local issues (currency, payment gateways, local clients).
| Platform | Region / Focus | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|
| WorkChest | Pakistan; Pakistani freelancers. workchest.com+1 | Local payments, easier trust, showing local portfolio helps, less competition than global platforms. | Lower pay than international gigs sometimes; fewer international clients; might have less variety of high-end work. |
| Lancerile | From what sources suggest, a Pakistani marketplace for freelancing. lancerhire.com | Low commission, easier for beginners in Pakistan; local support. | Newer platform -> maybe less client volume or fewer high paying jobs. |
Job Boards / Hybrid Models
These aren’t strictly “freelance marketplaces” but job boards or hybrid models; good for remote or contract roles.
| Platform | How it works / What you can get | Things to watch out |
|---|
| RemoteOK / RemoteOK Pro | Remote job listings, freelance/contract/part-time roles. Some tools to help automate search / apply. RemoteOK Pro+1 | Many job boards have “expired / filled” posts; some jobs require experience or specific location/time-zone requirements; some “remote” roles aren’t fully remote. |
| Other job boards in tech / design / creative (like those aggregated in Webflow blog lists, AuthenticJobs, etc.) | These often have high quality roles and better clients; maybe more stable income. | More competition; application process more formal; might require strong portfolio. |
Things to Keep in Mind (For Freelancers Everywhere, Especially in Pakistan / Similar)
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Payment Gateways & Withdrawals: Ensure the platform supports payment methods you can use in Pakistan (PayPal, Payoneer, bank transfers etc.). Delays or high fees can cut into your earnings.
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Portfolio & Niche: Having a focused skill (e.g. copywriting, WordPress dev, graphic design, video editing) and a decent portfolio helps a lot more than being “jack of all trades.”
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Rates & Pricing: Don’t undervalue too much—low rates can get clients but also set expectations; gradually increase as you build reviews.
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Time vs Return: Sometimes taking lots of small low-pay tasks wastes time. It’s often better to find fewer, better paying jobs.
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Client Vetting & Contracts: Always have clear scope, deliverables, revisions, deadlines. Use escrow or platforms that hold payment until work is approved.
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Localizations: Sometimes platforms/local clients prefer work in local languages, local culture (e.g. Urdu content, Pakistani market understanding); those can be your differentiator.
Full-ish List of 20+ Sites / Apps to Explore
Here is a combined list (mix of the ones above + others) to check out. Not all are “new” but all are relevant in 2025:
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Upwork
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Fiverr
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Freelancer.com
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Toptal
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PeoplePerHour
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Guru
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Designhill
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RemoteOK / RemoteOK Pro
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AuthenticJobs
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Speedlancer
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Workcroft
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99designs (for designers/creative)
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WorkChest (Pakistan)
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Lancerile (Pakistan)
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Local job boards (in Pakistan) – look for Facebook groups, LinkedIn, etc.
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Workfree (community-powered platforms) workfree.io
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Remote contract / gig aggregators
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Micro-task sites (for simple tasks) – though these pay less
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Specialized niche bootcamps / consultant markets for certain skills (like voiceovers, UX, video editing)
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New & emerging tech freelance networks (e.g. freelancing in AI, prompt engineering, etc.)
