By Noah Williams 
Getting started as a freelancer can feel overwhelming at first, especially with so many platforms out there. But the good news is that there are websites designed specifically to help beginners find work, build their skills, and grow their income. Whether you’re into writing, design, coding, or even virtual assistance, there’s a freelance platform waiting for you.
This guide walks you through some of the best freelance platforms for beginners. These websites are user-friendly, have plenty of opportunities, and are great for building experience—even if you’re just starting out. Let’s take a look at where you can kick off your freelance journey.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms in the world and a great place for beginners. You’ll find jobs in all kinds of categories like writing, customer service, graphic design, and programming. When you create a profile, you can showcase your skills, work history (even personal projects), and rate. Clients post jobs and freelancers can send proposals—sort of like applying for a gig.
The platform might seem a little competitive at first, but don’t let that stop you. Many clients are open to hiring beginners, especially if you write a strong proposal and offer fair rates. The more jobs you complete, the better your profile looks. Over time, it becomes easier to land higher-paying gigs.
Fiverr
Fiverr is another great option for those just getting started. Unlike Upwork, where clients post jobs, on Fiverr, you create the services—called “gigs”—that you offer. You can set your own prices, starting as low as $5, which is great for attracting your first few customers and building reviews.
As you gain experience and positive feedback, you can raise your prices and offer more premium services. Fiverr is perfect for creative services like graphic design, writing, voiceovers, and video editing, but there are also categories for business help, lifestyle services, and more. It’s beginner-friendly and easy to use.
Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is another large platform that connects freelancers with clients all over the world. The setup is similar to Upwork—you bid on jobs that match your skills. There are plenty of short-term and long-term projects, and many clients are open to working with newbies.
One nice thing about Freelancer is that it offers contests in addition to jobs. For example, if you’re a designer, you can enter logo design contests and earn money if your design wins. It’s a fun way to get noticed, add work to your portfolio, and possibly land future clients.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelance platform, but it’s open to freelancers worldwide. The site focuses mostly on digital services like SEO, writing, social media, and design. As a beginner, you can either apply for jobs posted by clients or create “Offers”—packages of your services that buyers can purchase directly.
What’s great about PeoplePerHour is that it often features freelancers on its homepage and category pages, which can bring attention to your profile. If your services are good and you keep your prices beginner-friendly, you can land your first few clients fairly quickly here.
Toptal
Toptal is a more exclusive freelance network, but it’s worth mentioning for beginners with strong skills who are ready for a challenge. The platform focuses on high-quality clients looking for experienced developers, designers, and finance experts. It’s not the easiest place to start, but if you already have some skills or a strong portfolio, it can be a great long-term goal.
Even if you don’t get accepted right away, knowing about Toptal can give you a goal to work toward. Many freelancers start on easier platforms and move up to more selective ones like Toptal once they’ve gained experience and confidence.
Guru
Guru is a lesser-known but solid platform for freelancers of all levels. It’s easy to set up a profile, and you can browse jobs in categories like writing, design, programming, and administrative work. The platform lets you showcase your work history, portfolio, and hourly or fixed prices.
Guru also has a feature called “WorkRoom” which helps you manage communication, files, and deadlines with clients. This makes it easier to stay organized, especially when you’re juggling multiple gigs. It’s a low-pressure platform that’s great for building up your skills and reputation.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a bit different from the others—it’s a subscription-based site that curates legitimate freelance and remote job listings. You pay a small monthly fee, but in return, you get access to a carefully selected list of high-quality jobs without worrying about scams.
It’s ideal for beginners who want a more traditional job-search feel but still want freelance or remote flexibility. FlexJobs covers many industries including writing, marketing, education, and even entry-level admin roles. If you’re serious about freelancing and want to avoid the clutter of bigger platforms, this might be worth the investment.
SolidGigs
SolidGigs isn’t a marketplace like Fiverr or Upwork—it’s a lead-generation service. Every week, the team at SolidGigs handpicks freelance job listings and sends them straight to your inbox. Instead of spending hours searching, you get curated opportunities so you can focus on pitching and working.
This platform is great for beginners who don’t want to deal with crowded platforms and want to focus on building real relationships with clients. It does have a small monthly fee, but the time saved and quality of listings make it a smart choice for many freelancers starting out.
Believe it or not, LinkedIn can be a powerful freelance platform. You can use your profile to show off your work, connect with potential clients, and even find freelance jobs through its job board. Many business owners and recruiters use LinkedIn to find freelancers, so having a strong profile here can go a long way.
Start by adding “freelancer” or “independent contractor” to your job title, and clearly list the services you offer. You can also post content, share work samples, and engage with others in your industry. It’s not as traditional as the other platforms, but it’s an underrated way to find consistent freelance work.