Freelancer
Freelancer offers a freelance marketplace that connects employers and professionals who are interested in freelance work. Here, employers can hire data entry clerks, developers, programmers, writers, designers, and more on a contractual basis.
In 2009, Freelancer was established in Australia as an online marketplace for freelancers. The company has grown in popularity and reach, currently covering over 247 countries, including Canada. While its head office is based in Sydney, Australia, Freelancer promotes remote working.
Send jobs to 100+ job boards with one submission
Post Jobs for FREE- Completely free trial, no card required.
- Reach over 150 million candidates.
Pricing:
On Freelancer, it is free to post a project, receive bids from freelancers, and review freelancers' portfolios. Employers will only be charged once they award a project and the freelancer accepts. For fixed-price projects, the fee is 3% or C$3.00 (whichever is greater). For hourly projects, you will be charged 3% of each payment made to the freelancer.
If employers are interested in learning more about Freelancer's fees, advanced features, and add-ons, such as sealed bids, IP and NDA agreements, full-time posts, and more, read through Freelancer's fees and charges breakdown.
Posting Upgrades:
Project Upgrade | Price |
|---|---|
Featured | C$14.99 |
Urgent | C$14.99 |
Sealed | C$14.99 |
Recruiter | C$15.99 |
NDA | C$29.99 |
IP Agreement | C$29.99 |
Private | C$29.99 |
Review:
Freelancer is an international freelance marketplace that connects over 50 million employers and freelancers in more than 247 countries. With Freelancer, Canadian employers can browse through a list of talented freelance candidates based around the world, post projects, and hire freelancers.
Compared to local competitors, Freelancer offers the best features for remote work, including progress tracking, bidding, and free project posting. Additionally, Freelancer boasts an impressive local presence, with over 18,000 local vacancies advertised on its platform.
Pros:
- Freelancer does not charge employers to post a project.
- Canadian employers can browse through candidate profiles, live chat, view bids, compare proposals, and track projects' progress.
- Freelancer helps connect employers and job seekers in over 247 countries, making it the ideal platform for those looking to hire short-time and/or remote workers.
- Employers can choose to pay according to set goals or for complete projects.
- Job categories include law, logistics, sales, marketing, and design, among others.
Cons:
- Employers have highlighted that some freelancers are unqualified. Users are encouraged to thoroughly vet all freelancers and be vigilant for any fraudulent behavior.
- Freelancer's head office is based in Australia, which may impact response time.
- Customer support is only available through email and their hours are not specified on the website.
- The Canadian website portal does not support French language translation. Instead, French-speaking Canadian employers will have to use the Freelancer's French website.
- Freelancers are also warned to be vigilant about scam activity and only work with employers who have been verified.
Reputation:
We found 9,000 user reviews on Sitejabber with an average rating of 4.7 stars. The majority of reviewers were satisfied with the company's excellent customer support and employer features. However, some customers have complained about wrongful deductions and scam behavior from unverified employers and freelancers.
On Trustpilot, Freelancer received over 7,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 stars. Similar to Sitejabber's reviews, the majority of users were impressed with the customer support and efficient platform. Among these reviews, there are several users who complained about unfair deductions and poor quality of work from freelancers.
How to Post a Project on Freelancer:
Eight easy steps for posting a project on Freelancer.
Posting a Project on Freelancer.
Click on "Post a Project" on the home page.
You'll find this in the top right-hand corner of the home page.
Enter all of the details about the project.
Fill in your project name and a basic description of what you need to be done. You can also upload any files or images. When you have completed these details, click on "Next."
The system will automatically detect and add skills based on your project. You can add or remove skills as needed.
Post a project or a contest.
You can choose to post your project and receive free quotes, or you can post a contest and crowdsource ideas. For this example, we have chosen to post a project.
Choose how you want to pay.
You have the option of paying by the hour or paying a fixed price. Click on the option that suits your needs.
Set your budget.
Using the dropdown arrows, choose your preferred currency, then select your estimated budget.
Select the type of project you would like to post.
You can post a standard project for free or pay C$15.99 for a Freelancer consultant to help you find the right fit. Once you have made your selection, you can review the details of your post.
Upgrade your post.
You have the option of upgrading your post. Click on the button next to the upgrade to select it. If you don't want to upgrade your post, click on "Next."
Post your project.
After reviewing your project details, click on "Yes, post my project." You will then need to register or sign in to your Freelancer account. Once you've created an account, your project will go live.
Freelancer vs. Upwork:
Both Freelancer and Upwork offer very similar features, including free postings, a mobile app, and global reach. However, between the two competitors, Freelancer is the more popular option thanks to its history in the field and innovative features, such as live chat, progress tracking, and bidding.
Freelancer vs. Eluta.ca:
Eluta.ca and Freelancer differ in that while the former is a free, general job posting site that also offers paid plans, Freelancer is a marketplace that only caters to freelance workers. For those looking for Canada-based candidates, Eluta.ca offers great local reach. However, Freelancer is the better option for finding freelancers.
Freelancer vs. Workhoppers:
Workhoppers and Freelancer cater to Canadian businesses. Both sites have an international presence, but Workhoppers is based in Montreal with the majority of their business operations being in Canada. Freelancer charges a 3% fee per project they facilitate, while Workhoppers charges employers C$39.00 per month for a basic posting.
Key Information
Legal Name | Freelancer Technology Pty Limited |
Founding Date | Jan 01, 2009 |
Address | Level 37, Grosvenor Place, 225 George St., Sydney, New South Wales 2000 Australia |
Website |
FAQs:
How do I create a Freelancer account?
To create an account where you can manage Freelancer projects, click on "Sign Up" on the home page. Enter your email address to create an account.
How much does it cost to post a project on Freelancer?
While it is free to post projects on Freelancer, a fee of 3% is levied on all projects undertaken by freelancers.
How can I edit a Freelancer posting?
To edit your Freelancer projects, log in to your account, and open the posting you would like to change. Click on "Save Changes" before closing.
How can I delete a Freelancer posting?
To delete one of your project postings, simply click on the "Delete" button next to the posting in your list of jobs.
How can I find good candidates on Freelancer?
Firstly, a well-written job description will help you attract the best candidates. You can also read our article on the hiring process.
Do I have to pay upfront when using candidates from Freelancer?
No. You will only be required to make payment once you are completely satisfied with their work.
Is Freelancer a legit site?
Yes. Freelancer is a reputable company that has become one of the world's biggest online marketplaces for job seekers in Canada and across the world.
What are the jobs on Freelancer?
Freelancer hosts a range of freelance professionals, including graphic designers, developers, writers, SEO specialists, and logistics experts, to name a few.