Top Niche Freelance Marketplaces Competing With Fiverr

Last Updated on September 10, 2025

Freelancing has become a central part of the global workforce, and businesses today have more choices than ever to find the right talent. While a freelance platform like Fiverr is widely recognized for its low-cost, gig-based model, many professionals and companies prefer marketplaces that are specialized, industry-focused, or quality-driven.

These niche freelance platforms compete with Fiverr by providing curated expertise, premium services, and long-term collaboration opportunities. Below is a deeper look at some of the leading alternatives to Fiverr, organized by industry focus.

Top Niche Freelance Marketplaces

For High-End Tech Professionals

Toptal

Toptal is an exclusive freelance platform for software developers, designers, finance experts, and project managers. Over 1 million freelancers apply annually, but only 3% are accepted, resulting in around 30,000 highly skilled professionals. This rigorous vetting ensures businesses access top-tier talent for critical projects. Toptal’s largest markets are the US (21.9%), India (13.1%), China (5%), the UK (4.1%), and Canada (2.8%), reflecting its global reach. Startups and enterprises benefit from reliable, premium talent, while freelancers gain access to high-profile clients and specialized opportunities not typically available on general marketplaces, making Toptal a standout choice.

Gun.io

Gun.io specializes in software development talent and matches freelancers with businesses ranging from fast-growing startups to established enterprises. The platform is known for its selective screening process and transparent approach. Freelancers can set their own rates, and the system ensures they receive their full payment without unnecessary fees cutting into their earnings. For clients, Gun.io provides peace of mind by guaranteeing that they’re working with thoroughly vetted developers who can deliver results.

Codeable

Focused exclusively on WordPress development, Codeable is a premium marketplace for businesses that need expertise in one of the most widely used content management systems in the world. Unlike platforms that rely on bidding, Codeable uses a matching system to connect clients with the most suitable WordPress experts. This eliminates bidding wars and fosters a fair, transparent process. For clients, this means reliable results, while for freelancers, it ensures they’re valued for their expertise rather than undercut on price.

Also Read: Will AI Marketplaces Replace Fiverr?

For Creative Professionals

99designs

99designs is a dedicated platform for graphic design, making it a leading destination for businesses that need logos, branding, or other creative assets. Clients can launch design contests by posting a brief, allowing multiple designers to submit their work. This contest-based model ensures that clients receive diverse creative options before selecting the best one. Alternatively, businesses can hire designers directly for custom projects. For freelancers, 99designs provides an opportunity to showcase their creativity while competing for high-visibility projects.

Dribbble

What started as a design portfolio community has grown into one of the most recognized platforms for creative professionals. Dribbble allows designers to showcase their work, attract new clients, and apply for freelance and full-time jobs via its curated job board. Many top-tier companies use Dribbble to discover talent, making it a valuable platform for freelancers who want to stand out and connect with premium opportunities.

Behance

Owned by Adobe, Behance is one of the largest online communities for creative professionals. It allows users to create and showcase portfolios in fields like graphic design, illustration, photography, and animation. Behance also includes a job board, giving freelancers access to both freelance and full-time roles from companies across the globe. With its connection to Adobe’s ecosystem, Behance offers creatives a powerful platform to share their work and network with peers and potential clients.

ProductionHUB

ProductionHUB serves the media and entertainment industry, connecting clients with freelance professionals in video production, film editing, live events, and related fields. Unlike Fiverr’s broad gig offerings, ProductionHUB focuses narrowly on creative production, making it the go-to choice for companies in need of specialized video or film expertise. Freelancers benefit from access to industry-specific projects that align closely with their skills and experience.

Also Read: Fiverr vs Other Freelance Marketplaces

For Marketing Professionals

MarketerHire

MarketerHire provides businesses with access to vetted marketing professionals, often within 48 hours. The platform focuses on growth marketing roles, including performance marketing, SEO, and content strategy. Unlike general marketplaces, MarketerHire ensures clients are paired with marketers who can deliver measurable results quickly. This makes it especially popular with companies seeking immediate impact from their campaigns.

GrowTal

GrowTal specializes in connecting businesses with freelance digital marketing talent, particularly in paid advertising and e-commerce. Its vetting process ensures that only qualified marketers are matched with clients, reducing the risks that come with hiring through uncurated platforms. For freelancers, GrowTal offers the opportunity to work with businesses that value their niche expertise.

Contently

Contently is more than a freelance marketplace, it’s a full content marketing platform. It connects businesses with professional writers, editors, and content strategists while also offering workflow tools, analytics, and brand content management solutions. Freelancers benefit from having a professional portfolio on the platform, while clients enjoy access to a curated pool of content creators who are experienced in producing high-quality, brand-specific material.

For Long-Term & Specialized Projects

Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest and most versatile freelance platforms in the world, offering both fixed-price and hourly contracts. Unlike Fiverr’s gig-based model, Upwork is better suited for larger, ongoing projects across diverse categories such as IT, customer service, marketing, and creative work. The platform hosts over 18 million registered freelancers and 5 million clients in over 180 nations, making it a global leader in freelancing.

In 2023 alone, Upwork had 851,000 active clients, a 4.55% increase from 814,000 in 2022. Since 2019, its active client base has grown by 57.59%, adding 311,000 new clients. While competition can be high, Upwork remains a trusted choice for businesses seeking flexibility and for freelancers pursuing long-term, sustainable opportunities.

Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is another global leader in freelancing, with projects spanning thousands of categories. It is particularly popular for small-to-medium businesses and startups, offering competitive pricing and broad talent pools. Like Upwork, Freelancer.com supports both short-term gigs and long-term collaborations, making it a key rival to Fiverr for businesses that want flexibility and scale.

At Oyelabs, we’ve seen firsthand how impactful this model can be. A client approached us to build their own freelance marketplace with features inspired by Freelancer.com, from bidding to escrow payments. We delivered a 100% customizable solution, and within months of launch, their platform began gaining traction, attracting both businesses and freelancers, similar to the way Freelancer.com grew in its early days.

Guru

Guru is another established freelance marketplace that connects businesses with talent in areas such as programming, writing, design, and consulting. It is particularly popular for long-term collaborations, with its built-in “WorkRooms” feature that helps manage projects, communications, and payments in one place. For freelancers, Guru provides a stable environment with repeat client opportunities.

PeoplePerHour

Popular in Europe, PeoplePerHour connects clients with freelancers for both hourly and project-based work. It covers categories such as web development, design, and marketing, with an emphasis on quality through freelancer vetting. Compared to Fiverr, it provides a more curated environment, offering businesses greater confidence when hiring freelancers for creative and marketing projects.

Build Your Freelance Platform Like Fiverr

The rise of niche freelancing has created opportunities for entrepreneurs to build platforms that connect businesses with the right talent. If you’re exploring the potential of apps like Fiverr for freelancing, now is the perfect time to act. At Oyelabs, we specialize in designing and developing custom marketplaces that balance intuitive design, secure payments, and features tailored to your business goals. Whether you envision a gig-based model like Fiverr or a specialized platform targeting specific industries, our solutions ensure a seamless experience for clients and freelancers alike.

Final Thoughts

While Fiverr remains a dominant player in the freelance economy, its competitors have carved out strong positions by targeting specific industries, offering higher-quality talent, and focusing on long-term collaboration. Platforms like Toptal and Arc cater to premium tech talent, 99designs and Dribbble serve the creative industries, and marketplaces like Upwork, Freelancer.com, and Guru provide versatile solutions for ongoing projects. For businesses and freelancers alike, choosing the right platform depends on whether the priority is cost, specialization, or quality.