Freelancing guide
Posted on Dec 30, 2025
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If you’re an Indian freelancer, you would have tried Fiverr at least once, with listing gigs, waiting for clients, and dreaming of that first international client.
As your freelancing journey progresses, Fiverr’s gig-only model can start to feel limiting.
That's when freelancers start looking for Fiverr alternatives with more reasonable fee structures, better long-term contracts, and higher-quality clients, options that actually support a sustainable long-term career.
In this guide, we’ll dig into why you might want Fiverr alternatives, what really matters when picking a new platform, and which alternative sites are actually worth it if you’re an Indian freelancer.
Why you should look for a Fiverr alternative?
Fiverr is a digital marketplace where freelancers offer predefined gigs.
On Fiverr, you just set up a profile, publish your gigs,and then wait for buyers to find you.
Before you decide to move beyond Fiverr, it helps to first understand why so many freelancers start with Fiverr and then look for Fiverr alternatives.
Downside of Fiverr for Freelancers
1. Heavy commission on every project
Fiverr takes a 20% cut on every order, regardless of how much the project is worth
Fiver doesn't offer a lower fee for long-term or repeat clients, regardless of how long you've been working with the same buyer.
2. Intense price competition
New sellers frequently undercut themselves to get clients early on, which lowers the average.
Some categories, like content writing, basic development, and logo design, are popular and also highly saturated.
3. Dependence on algorithm
Ranking and income are closely linked, and it's affected by feedback, cancellations, and performance metrics.
Fiverr’s internal ranking systems control visibility.
4. Short-term project orientation
Fiverr is built for quick, one-time tasks, not for long-term partnerships.
Clients look for fixed deliverables and a fixed price, which can sometimes be limiting.
5. Extra loss on payouts to India
For Indian freelancers, once earnings are converted into Indian Rupees, FX margins, payout provider fees and bank charges all cut into the final amount received.
Upside of Fiverr for Freelancers
Reasons on why freelancers often start their career with Fiverr
1. Access to a large global buyer base
Fiverr has around 4.2 million active buyers across a wide range of service categories,
2. Low barrier to entry
For beginners, Fiverr offers a low-risk route to get first international projects, test offers, and learn how global clients operate.
Signing up and publishing gigs are free, with no screening, portfolio reviews, or complex approval steps.
3. Clearly defined packages
As freelancers define deliverables, timelines, and prices upfront, it reduces the need for constant back-and-forth over scope.
This, in a way, helps them to learn to write precise offers, set expectations, and prevent extra work.
Top 10 Fiverr Alternatives by intent and type of offering
This section breaks down the top platforms for freelancers based on what they offer, what freelancers want to achieve, and the kind of work they do, so it’s easier to pick the right fit.
Below is a quick comparison before we deep dive into the key Fiverr alternatives:
Solution | Best For |
Upwork | Freelancers wanting larger projects, retainers, and long-term client relationships |
Freelancer.com | Beginners testing multiple skills and comfortable bidding for a high volume of small projects |
Truelancer | Indian freelancers working with local startups/SMEs and looking to build early reviews |
Guru | Freelancers and agencies wanting flexible contracts and lower platform fees for ongoing work |
Toptal | Senior developers, designers, PMs, and finance pros seeking premium, long-term global clients |
Turing | Experienced software developers who prefer stable, well-paid full-time remote roles |
99designs | Serious designers focused on logos, branding, packaging, and UI with higher-budget clients |
VistaPrint | Freelancers and designers who want affordable, professional offline branding and marketing collateral |
Personal website & social channels | Freelancers ready to build a personal brand, attract direct clients, and avoid marketplace fees |
Hosted service pages | Freelancers with their own audience who need a simple, global services + payment page |
A. Multi-Category Platforms
1. Upwork
Upwork is a global freelancing marketplace where clients post projects and freelancers send proposals to work on them.
Pros
Supports multiple contract types like hourly, fixed-price, milestones, and retainers
Talent badges (like Top Rated and Expert-Vetted) can boost trust and visibility
The bidding system lets you proactively go after higher-value projects
Strong search filters and proposal tools make it easier to find relevant jobs
Cons
A high 20% fee can feel heavy for new freelancers.
Competition is high, and you need paid “Connects” to apply for many roles
Compared to Fiverr, Upwork is better suited for freelancers who want larger, long-term, relationship-driven projects rather than only small, one-off gigs.
2. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is a multi-category marketplace where clients post projects and freelancers submit bids. Work spans development, design, writing, data entry, research, admin support and more.
Pros
Covers a wide range of categories, including development, design, writing, data entry, research, admin support, and more.
A built-in escrow system where clients fund the project upfront, so you’re not stressing about whether you’ll get paid.
There are verification badges for both clients and freelancers, which help build trust on the platform.
Cons
Heavy competition on popular listings.
Careful filtering is required, as there are many shady, low-quality projects.
Charges a 10% freelancer fee, and no lower rates for high-volume earnings
A 3% client fee, which can further squeeze projects that already have tight budgets
Compared to Fiverr’s gig model, Freelancer.com is cheaper in fees but more bid-driven and slower to get work, especially when you’re new.
3. Truelancer
A multi-category freelancing platform that covers writing, design, development, marketing, support and other services.
Pros
Significant presence of Indian startups, SMEs and agencies.
Familiar time zones and communication styles for Indian freelancers.
Cons
Comparatively smaller international footprint
Intense competition in popular, low-skilled barrier areas.
Truelancer is more India-focused and a job bid marketplace, while Fiverr runs on packaged gigs.
4. Guru
Guru is a freelance marketplace that focuses on flexible contracts and lower fees.
Built around its SafePay escrow system, clients pre-deposit funds into a secure account before you start work, so you’re not chasing payments later.
Pros
Lower commissions in the 5–9% range.
Supports hourly, fixed-price, milestone, and task-based work, which suits long-term or complex projects
SafePay escrow holds client funds upfront, reducing the risk of not getting paid
Cons
Has fewer job postings than bigger sites like Upwork or Fiverr, and its interface also feels old
Clients are very price-sensitive, and most perks and lower fee tiers are available only with paid membership plans.
Guru is often a better fit if you want structured contracts and lower fees.
B. For Developers & Specialists
These platforms are specifically attractive to developers beyond the general all-rounder sites above.
5. Toptal
Toptal is a highly selective talent network that connects experienced developers, designers, finance professionals, and product managers with premium global clients for long-term, high-value work.
Pros
Access to top-tier clients, including large enterprises and funded startups
Very strong earning potential for seasoned professionals and no platform commission.
Long-term and full-time remote roles provide income stability
Cons
The screening process is extremely challenging and multi-step
Only suitable if you’re already an expert in your field
Compared to Fiverr, Toptal is far better for senior professionals who want fewer, higher-quality clients and long-term premium engagements instead of high-competition, low-ticket gigs.
6. Turing
Turing is a specialised remote hiring platform that uses a robust AI-driven screening process to vet full-time developers and match Indian talent with top US companies.
Pros
Full-time roles, with very high earning potential for skilled developers
Access to well-funded startups and large international companies
No need to constantly hunt for new clients or projects
Cons
Only relevant for software development and closely related roles
Screening is rigorous and can be time-consuming
Compared to Fiverr, Turing is better for experienced developers who want stable, well-paid, full-time remote jobs rather than short, low-priced gigs.
C. For Designers & Brand Creators
These platforms focus specifically on visual and brand design work.
7. 99designs
99designs is a design-only platform where most projects start as contests and can evolve into direct, one-on-one client work for logos, branding, packaging, and other visual design.
Pros
Clients typically have better budgets
Helps you build a strong, real-world portfolio quickly through contest briefs
Winning a contest often leads to repeat work and long-term client relationships
A tiered system (from entry level to top-tier) rewards quality and boosts your visibility over time
Cons
You don’t get paid for entering a contest unless your design is selected
Platform fees are higher for newer or lower-tier designers
Compared to Fiverr, 99designs is usually better for serious designers who want clients to choose them for their style and creativity, not just for the cheapest logo gig.
8.VistaPrint
VistaPrint is not a marketplace but a branding and printing service that helps freelancers look more professional through physical marketing.
Pros
Affordable option for printed branding assets like cards, brochures, and posters
Simple tools to customise designs and place repeat orders without much hassle
Helps you create a polished offline presence for meetings, events, and networking
Cons
Doesn’t help you find clients or projects; it’s not a work platform
Relying on preset templates can sometimes limit how unique your designs feel
Compared to Fiverr, VistaPrint isn’t a place to get clients at all, but it can make you look much more professional when you do meet potential clients through other channels.
D. For Consultants, Coaches & Multi-Discipline Creators
Instead of relying purely on marketplaces, some freelancers gradually move toward direct client acquisition and their own infrastructure.
9. Personal Website and Social Channels
A simple site or landing page that presents services, case studies and contact options, supported by activity on platforms like LinkedIn, X, YouTube or Instagram.
Pros
Complete control over positioning, pricing, process and branding.
No marketplace commission or dependency on ranking algorithms, and can introduce higher-value, strategic offers.
Cons
There is no built-in audience, so you have to drive traffic yourself through content and outreach
It takes time and consistency before inbound leads start showing up
Compared to Fiverr, a personal website turns you from a gig seller into a business owner who owns the relationship with each client end-to-end.
Hosted service pages (like Ruul, Topmate, etc.)
These tools let you spin up a simple service page to list your offers, retainers, or digital products, and get paid globally with built-in invoicing and basic compliance.
Pros
One of the fastest ways to get a professional-looking services page live
All your offers, prices, and payment links live on a single, shareable URL
Easier for clients to see what you do and pay without back-and-forth
Cons
There is no internal marketplace, so you must bring your own client traffic
You still need social, referrals, or a website to drive people to this page
Compared to Fiverr, hosted service pages focus on smooth payments and presentation, while clients come from your own network and marketing efforts.
Getting paid as an Indian freelancer: Where Infinity Fits
Finding better platforms only solves the problem partially. The other part is, when an international client pays you, how much of that money actually reaches your Indian bank account?
That’s what InfinityApp is built for.
InfinityApp is designed for Indian freelancers and businesses that work with international clients, providing fast, secure digital rails and clear, predictable pricing.
Here’s how it changes the last mile of getting paid:
Virtual bank accounts in 50+ currencies
Infinity partnered with regulated global banking partners and multi-currency virtual accounts to help you receive payments from 160+ countries.No hidden intermediary deductions
Funds move over local rails instead of long SWIFT routes with multiple intermediaries, ensuring no intermediary cuts.Lowest fee in the market
Infinity charges a simple flat 0.5% transaction fee (all-inclusive), this way, you can save the maximum of what you earn.One day settlement
Payments reach your Indian bank within 24 hours, compared to the 2–5 working days common with traditional international transfers.Automatic, free FIRA
FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) is generated automatically after every successful transaction, so that you can stay compliant without putting any effort.
So, while Fiverr and its alternatives help you find clients and pick what kind of work you want to do, Infinity makes sure the money you earn actually reaches your Indian bank account fast, clean, and compliant.
Sign up with Infinity today and bring your global earnings home the smart way.
FAQs about top 10 Fiverr alternative
1. Why do freelancers look for alternatives to Fiverr?
Fiverr’s 20% commission, algorithm-driven visibility, race-to-the-bottom pricing, and extra payout losses (especially to India).
2. Which Fiverr alternative is best for beginners?
If you’re starting, Freelancer.com, Truelancer, and entry-level projects on Upwork are usually the easiest places to get your first few clients and reviews.
3. Which Fiverr alternatives have the lowest fees or best value?
Platforms like Guru (with 5–9% commissions) are cheaper than Fiverr’s 20%, but the best value usually comes from direct clients via your own website or hosted service pages.
4. How do I choose the right platform for my work?
Choose a platform based on your goal, and match it to its fees, client quality, and how well it fits the kind of projects you actually want to do.
5. Do freelancers earn more on Fiverr alternatives?
Not automatically, but you can often earn more per project if you pick the right niche, platform, and clients instead of competing only on price.
6. Is it necessary to leave Fiverr entirely when I start using alternatives?
No, most freelancers keep Fiverr as one of several channels while slowly shifting to other platforms or direct work with better margins.





