Top Niche Freelance Marketplaces Competing With Fiverr

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. In 2025, Gun.io’s network exceeded 90,000 developers, illustrating its growing scale and the demand for its high-quality, curated talent.

Codeable

Codeable is the only WordPress freelancer marketplace dedicated exclusively to pre-vetted experts. With a core team of 20 and over 530 freelancers distributed across 60+ countries, it focuses on delivering quality over quantity. Unlike open bidding platforms, Codeable uses a matching system that connects clients with the right expert at fair rates, avoiding price wars and ensuring trust.

• 97% of experts have 6+ years of WordPress experience.

• 96% of clients say they would return with more work.

• 4.95/5 average project rating.

• 2,000+ projects delivered successfully every month.

• Strong industry partnerships, including WP Engine, supporting continued growth.

Also Read: Will AI Marketplaces Replace Fiverr?

For Creative Professionals

99designs

99designs is a dedicated platform for graphic design, making it a go-to destination for logos, branding, and creative assets. Its contest-based model allows clients to post briefs and receive multiple design submissions before choosing the best one. Businesses can also hire designers directly.

• Over 1 million freelance designers worldwide.

• More than 500,000 design contests launched to date.

• Trusted by companies like Warby Parker and Adidas.

• Designers earn while competing for high-visibility projects.

Dribbble

Dribbble began as a portfolio platform for designers and has evolved into a widely recognized community for creative professionals. Freelancers use Dribbble to showcase portfolios, attract clients, and apply for freelance or full-time positions through its curated job board. It has a global community of over 1 million creatives and is trusted by over 60,000 companies to source top design talent.

The platform generates approximately 1,500 clicks on job listings monthly, reflecting steady engagement and opportunities. Dribbble remains a go-to destination for UI/UX, product, and graphic designers seeking premium freelance opportunities and exposure to leading brands.

Behance

Behance, owned by Adobe, is one of the largest online networks for creative professionals. It allows freelancers to showcase their work in design, illustration, photography, animation, and more. The platform includes a job board, enabling access to both freelance and full-time opportunities. Behance boasts a massive community of over 50 million members and has seen more than 12 million creative projects shared on its platform.

Its integration with Adobe Creative Cloud makes it especially valuable for professionals looking to connect with peers, build visibility, and attract clients. Behance is a trusted hub for both emerging and established creatives worldwide.

Also Read: Fiverr vs Other Freelance Marketplaces

For Marketing Professionals

MarketerHire

MarketerHire connects businesses with pre-vetted marketing experts, specializing in growth marketing roles like performance marketing, SEO, and content strategy. Clients are often matched with qualified freelancers within 48 hours, making it ideal for companies seeking immediate campaign impact. Freelancers benefit from working with clients who value expertise and results.

By focusing on vetted talent and fast matching, MarketerHire differentiates itself from general freelance platforms, offering both clients and freelancers a reliable, high-quality, and results-driven marketing solution. This makes it a preferred choice for businesses seeking quick, effective marketing support.

GrowTal

GrowTal connects businesses with freelance digital marketing specialists, particularly in paid advertising and e-commerce. Its strict vetting process ensures that clients are matched with only qualified marketers, reducing the risks of uncurated freelance hiring. The platform has experienced 121% year-over-year growth, reflecting the rising demand for freelance marketing support.

Businesses save an average of 62% compared to hiring full-time employees and can onboard experts in just one week. For freelancers, GrowTal provides access to clients who value niche expertise, enabling sustainable freelance income. This makes it a premium choice for high-quality, fast, and flexible marketing talent.

Contently

Contently is a comprehensive content marketing platform connecting businesses with professional writers, editors, and strategists. Unlike general marketplaces, it provides workflow tools, analytics, and portfolio management for freelancers, while offering clients access to a curated pool of experienced content creators. The platform hosts over 160,000 freelancer profiles.

Content created via Contently is valued at over $13 million annually for its clients, delivering a 6x+ ROI. By combining vetted talent, professional tools, and measurable outcomes, Contently ensures businesses achieve high-quality, brand-specific content efficiently while freelancers gain exposure and consistent opportunities.

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 US-based client wanted a freelance marketplace that not only supported real-time bidding and escrow payments but also included AI-powered skill and project matchmaking, a feature most standard platforms struggle to implement effectively. The client had tried multiple solutions but could not get accurate matches or reduce hiring time. Our team designed and integrated a smart matchmaking system that analyzes freelancer skills, ratings, and past project performance to suggest the best candidates instantly.

Within months of launch, the platform gained traction, attracting both businesses and freelancers quickly. This solution not only mirrored the early success of Freelancer.com but also gave the client a unique competitive advantage by dramatically reducing project turnaround time and improving quality of matches.