Freelancing has become a way of life for tens of thousands of Ukrainians, and the number of freelancers has long exceeded 500 thousand people. And freelance exchanges, respectively - platforms for professional development and earnings, thanks to which millions of professionals can work without being tied to the office, cooperate with several customers and manage their time independently. But... how to choose “the right” exchange, which exchanges are better for beginners and which are better for more advanced professionals?

We at WAYUP believe that freelancing is a way of life. And we are working hard to promote and popularize it. So we can confidently answer all the questions related to freelancing exchanges that Ukrainian freelancers choose.

In this article you will find a brief overview of Ukrainian and global exchanges with a breakdown of the main criteria that may be of interest to a beginner. 

TOP Ukrainian freelancing exchanges. Rating.

Before you is a list of Ukrainian exchanges that have proven to be the most in demand among our specialists. All of them are characterized by simple registration via email or social networks, which simplifies the start. The main languages are Ukrainian and Russian.

Freelancehunt

Commission percentage: 10% of the order, can be divided equally - 5% each for the customer and the performer.

Withdrawal method: Bank transfer, cards, WebMoney.

Level of competition: Medium.

Categories: Programming, design and art, services, audio and video, promotion, architecture and engineering, mobile applications, administration, outsourcing and consulting, translations and word processing.

Additional features: You can connect an option to promote your account “Profile Plus”, it costs 399 UAH per month or 3999 UAH per year.

Freelance.ua

Commission percentage: from 100 UAH to 8% (depending on freelancer status).

Withdrawal method: Bank transfer, WebMoney.

Level of competition: Average, depends on the niche.

Categories: Programming, website development, optimization (SEO, SMM), design, texts, audio/video, advertising and marketing, networks and information systems, photography, management, architecture/interior, animation/multiplication, outsourcing and consulting, training and consulting, engineering.

Additional features: Newcomers can use one-time service “Start” for 89 UAH. For the rest PRO-accounts are available: 299 UAH - month, 825 UAH - 3 months, 3120 UAH - year. 

Weblancer.net

Commission percentage: 5% commission from freelancer.

Withdrawal method: PayPal, WebMoney, bank cards.

Level of competition: High competition, you need to earn rating.

Categories: Website Administration, Architecture and Engineering, Audio and Video, Web Design and Interfaces, Websites, Graphics and Photography, Printing and Identity, Software Programming, Website Promotion (SEO), Text and Translation, Management and Governance, Study and Tutoring, Economics and Law.

Additional features: To get acquainted with the service newcomers are given 10 days of free test period.

Kabanchik.ua

Commission percentage: from 5% for performers.

Withdrawal method: Bank cards, cash in person.

Level of competition: Low, often looking for local services.

Categories: advertising and marketing, design, tutoring services, website and application development, photo and video, business services, translations, There are also requests for labor such as “homemaker”, courier services and others. 

Additional features: On this platform you can find a customer in your city and meet in person. Whether this is a plus or a minus, you decide for yourself.

Top global freelancing exchanges

International exchanges are not only open to our specialists, but also provide excellent opportunities for career growth. In addition, they allow you to earn in foreign currency. English is the main language of communication almost everywhere.

Upwork

Commission percentage: 10-20% (depending on earnings).

Withdrawal method: PayPal, Payoneer, bank transfers.

Level of competition: High, especially in popular niches.

Categories: Development, design and creative, sales and marketing, writing and translation, administration and customer support, finance and accounting, engineering and architecture, law.

Additional features: Ability to become Top Rated, use the built-in time tracker to complete tasks, and make direct calls via video calls.

Fiverr

Commission Percentage: 20% commission from the performer.

Withdrawal method: PayPal, bank transfers.

Competition level: Medium, lots of small tasks.

Categories: Programming and technology, graphics and design, digital marketing, writing and translation, video and animation, AI services, music and audio, business, consulting.

Additional features: Users can create their own services (hygiene) and set their own prices.

Freelancer

Commission percentage: 10% for fixed projects, 20% for hourly projects.

Withdrawal method: PayPal, Skrill, bank transfers.

Level of competition: High competition, it is important to build up a rating.

Categories: Website development, graphic design, data entry work, mobile app development, internet marketing, software development, SEO, writing, legal work, finance, logistics.

Additional features: A lot of convenient filters for searching tasks, including by language. There is even Ukrainian. However, I got only 4 tasks for this query, but still.

Guru

Commission percentage: 9% (reduced commission for premium accounts).

Withdrawal method: PayPal, Payoneer, bank transfers.

Competition level: Medium.

Categories: Programming and project development, design and art, writing and translation, administrative and secretarial work, business and finance, sales and marketing, engineering and architecture, legal services, education and training.

Additional features: There are 5 types of accounts on the exchange. Free allows you to place only 10 applications per month. Paid accounts cost from 12 to 50 dollars.

Workzilla

Commission percentage: 10%

Withdrawal method: Bank transfer, e-wallets.

Level of competition: High.

Categories: Web development, transfers, personal errands, design, marketing.

Additional features: Convenient system of task selection, for permanent work we recommend to buy a pro-account for $12/month.

Experienced freelancers should also consider the Toptal exchange. Here, registration requires a selection process, and everyone is not allowed in. But the conditions here are excellent: 0% commission for performers, really high rates.  


The best freelancing exchanges in Ukraine

Based on the information provided, we can highlight the best freelance exchanges that are ideal for Ukrainian professionals in terms of ease of use, conditions for beginners and availability of additional features. Everything to make it easier for you to find the right projects and develop in your favorite business!

1. Freelancehunt - wins in terms of intuitive interface, easy navigation. Why is it ideal for beginners? The platform has a lot of free tutorials, tips and guides for those who are just starting their journey in freelancing to adapt faster. There's a built-in messenger that will allow you to stay always in touch and not miss a message from a client.

Interesting: there are regular promotions and contests for users, where valuable prizes or promo codes for paid services are raffled off. There are statistics of prices for freelancers' services, so it's easy to navigate when you don't understand how much to ask for a project. Super useful for a beginner.

2. Weblancer.net - is also characterized by a convenient interface. Although it is not very modern, it is not complicated in any way. Good for beginners: it has its own blog about freelancing, so you can find a lot of information by reading these materials. There is a full-fledged smartphone app on both iOS and Android. 

Interesting: there is a referral system where you can get rewards.

3. Freelance.ua - clear interface and easy registration, which attracts beginners and small businesses. The platform gives good opportunities for starting a career in freelancing thanks to a large number of tasks, including projects for beginners, and access to customers from Ukraine. But know - there are different reviews online, bad ones too. This exchange is in the top 3 solely because of the ease of starting and the lack of a large number of alternatives in the Ukrainian sector. 

Interesting: unlike large international exchanges, here the competition between freelancers is lower, which makes it easier to get the first orders.

Best global freelancing exchanges

As for the international market, here are our top 3:

1. Upwork - quite clear interface even for those who have difficulty in English. For beginners, the platform offers detailed tutorials, blogs and tips on how to create a profile, find clients and work successfully. Upwork unites millions of freelancers and customers from all over the world, which gives you the opportunity to work with international clients and participate in large projects. Customers are willing to pay for quality services by global standards.

Interesting : has a feature called “Upwork Talent Badges” that helps talented freelancers stand out with badges such as Top Rated and Rising Talent, which increases the chances of getting lucrative projects.

2. Freelancer is a relatively new interface with a rather nice dark theme. The menu is divided into categories, so it's very easy to find the page you need. There are plenty of projects for freelancers at different levels, including entry level. The platform offers tasks in almost all areas of business - from simple data entry tasks to complex technical projects. Due to this, both beginners and experienced professionals can work on the platform. 

Interesting : Freelancer offers a unique opportunity to participate in competitions for projects, where customers choose the best proposals. This allows aspiring freelancers to make a name for themselves, even if they don't have a large portfolio yet.

3. Fiverr is an easy-to-use platform that features a fixed services (Gig) system starting at $5, allowing freelancers to sell their services at predetermined prices. 

Interesting thing: access to an international client base, which greatly increases the chances of getting work even for newbies with little experience.

New freelance exchanges

It's hard to make a ranking in this section, as there is still very little information and reviews about new sites. But here is a brief overview, catch it.

Contra

Commission percentage: 0% for freelancer

Withdrawal method: Direct bank transfer, PayPal. 

Level of competition: Medium. 

Categories: Design, marketing, development, content production, consulting. Additional features: The service is free for freelancers, focused on professionals with fixed rates for projects. It is possible to create free portfolios and get paid directly.

Lemon.io

Commission percentage: Depends on the project and conditions, up to 20%.

Withdrawal method: PayPal, bank transfer. 

Competition level: High (the platform curates only verified developers). 

Categories: Software development, web development, applications. 

Additional features: The platform emphasizes on vetting and selecting only quality developers, which reduces competition for those who have passed the selection process.

Malt

Commission percentage: 10%. 

Withdrawal method: Bank transfers. 

Level of competition: High. 

Categories: Web development, design, marketing, consulting. 

Additional features: Focused on freelancers working with businesses, with the ability to create and promote individual profiles and portfolios.

YunoJuno

Commission percentage: 10%

Withdrawal method: Bank transfers

Competition Level: Medium

Categories: Web development, design, marketing, copywriting.

Additional features: The platform focuses on creative professionals and provides work from well-known brands. It also offers integration with time tracking and reporting tools.

Giggrabbers

Commission percentage: 5%

Withdrawal method: PayPal, bank transfers

Competition Level: High

Categories: Web development, design, marketing, startups.

Additional features: The platform allows freelancers to attract funding for their own projects. A fundraising system is integrated, making it unique for startups and budding entrepreneurs.

Freelancing exchanges for beginners

Someone may assume that it is better to start where there is an opportunity to respond to projects for free.

Yes and no. Because, as experience shows, in most cases this opportunity is not enough to take a real project. Usually it takes a little more effort, time to spend and, of course, to invest finances.

Therefore, it is worth trying on all exchanges that you like. And there is simply no single “magic site”. If we talk about quality projects, the TOP freelance exchanges for beginners are Freelancehunt and Upwork, as they offer quality projects and help to confidently make the first steps, avoiding unscrupulous customers. The best freelancing exchanges for beginners in terms of getting and fulfilling quick orders are Fiverr and Kabanchik.

In general, there is no specific freelancing exchange for beginners, you need to set yourself up to dive into this field entirely and fight on a par with the sharks of the market. 

Freelancing exchanges for different professions

Without detailed reviews, let's summarize each direction - just link.

Freelance exchanges for programmers:


Freelance exchanges for copywriters:


Freelance exchanges for layout:


Freelancing exchanges for translators: 


Exchanges for designers:

Reviews of exchanges: where is the best place to work

In general, each platform has its own specifics, so you need to look for where exactly you will be comfortable. See our rating of freelance exchanges, choose from the above, try it out, look for your niche. 

The most popular freelancing exchanges don't lend themselves to everything. Know that everywhere you need to try, nothing is given for nothing, you need persistence. And WAYUP students can say this with 100% confidence. The proof is in their own words. Our YouTube podcast series “Successful Success” contains stories that can inspire you.

For example, here is the story of Katya , who managed to find 4 clients in 2 weeks on Upwork: 

What about other platforms? What are freelancers across the internet saying about them? Here are random reviews from around the web:

I have been using Freelancehunt services for about 5 years. Thanks to this site I have the opportunity to carry out interesting projects at a convenient time, communicate with new interesting people, participate in competitions and win! For me it is an opportunity to realize my creative ambitions, develop and learn new things!

Freelancehunt

I have been using Freelancehunt services for about 5 years. Thanks to this site I have the opportunity to carry out interesting projects at a convenient time, communicate with new interesting people, participate in competitions and win! For me it is an opportunity to realize my creative ambitions, develop and learn new things!
source: https://www.otzyvua.net/freelancehuntcom/review-1978917


Fiverr

One of the best western freelancing platforms.
Really good platform. Working with clients is quite concise. For 10 completed orders (yes, a little) never once came across a client who: tried to greatly underestimate the price of the order, demanded perfect quality, demanded deadlines unrealistic for the work he wants to get. All clients communicated respectfully. There were clients with poorly prepared TOR (Terms of Reference).
I want to emphasize the scale of the market, there are a lot of categories, so everyone will find a place in which area to fulfill orders. 
source: https://www.otzyvua.net/fiverr/review-1857203

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some more questions you want answered:

1. How much can I earn from freelancing?

Freelancing earnings vary depending on a variety of factors, including specialization, experience, complexity of projects, and market. Beginners can start at $5-30 per hour, while experienced freelancers can earn anywhere from $50 per hour and much more.

2. How do you find your first clients?

Take your portfolio design seriously. This is what we focus on in any WAYUP online courses. It is also useful to use social networks, participate in professional groups and forums, ask for recommendations from acquaintances.

3. How to create an attractive profile?

In your profile, clearly describe your skills and experience, share examples of previous work, and (if available) post client testimonials. On most platforms there is an indicator of the level of completion of the profile - strive to fill it as much as possible, all possible fields.

4. What to do if the client does not pay? 

Work through trusted platforms that offer safe transactions. Basically, all major exchanges do this. If there is even a problem, contact the platform support to resolve the situation, usually there is a special arbitration for this purpose.

5. How to find your first order?

Send requests for as many orders as possible. This is not 10 responses, but hundreds. Write specifically for each order. Forget about template responses - you need to let the customer know at once what you can do to help them with their request. 


Going freelance in 2024 can be a significant step towards transforming your career and lifestyle. The platforms mentioned in this article offer great ways to start your freelancing journey and could be the key to achieving your financial and professional goals. Where to start? You can start by choosing your training. In our courses, you'll not only get profile knowledge, but also instructions on how to get into freelancing. See the programs and register now!