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FREELANCER.COM VS FLEXJOBS
Felipe Quintero Gómez

Felipe Quintero Gómez

10/25/2024

Are you looking for freelance jobs but unsure whether to choose Freelancer.com or FlexJobs? It’s a common dilemma when you need quality projects and want to avoid unreliable offers. Choosing the right platform can make a difference in your income and stability.

In this article, we’ll help you compare both options by analyzing their features, fees, and payment methods, so you can decide which suits your needs best and move forward with confidence in your freelance career.

Freelancer.com vs FlexJobs: Which Offers Better Freelance Jobs?

Main Differences Between Freelancer.com and FlexJobs

The most important difference between Freelancer.com and FlexJobs lies in their business model.

Freelancer.com

charges commissions to both freelancers and clients. If you work hourly or on a project basis, they will withhold 10% of your earnings.

They offer membership plans that reduce these commissions, but these plans come at an extra cost. The cheapest plan is $5 per month (around 20,000 COP), and the most expensive can go up to $97 per month (around 400,000 COP).

The platform is designed to offer a wide range of projects, from small jobs to long-term collaborations.

FlexJobs

On the other hand, FlexJobs follows a subscription-only approach. While you can browse some listings without paying, most job and salary details are only available to paying members.

A subscription unlocks full job descriptions, allowing you to make a more informed choice.

This model ensures job curation, meaning fewer scams and higher-quality offers, though many of these are geared toward more traditional jobs with benefits rather than short-term freelance projects. In short, while Freelancer.com is a comprehensive platform for freelancers worldwide, focusing on short- and long-term projects, FlexJobs is centered on offering jobs with flexible or remote schedules, aimed at those seeking stability in a company.

Features of Each Platform

Freelancer.com

Founded in 2009, Freelancer.com is one of the most popular platforms for finding independent work across various industries.

Whether you’re a developer, graphic designer, writer, or marketing specialist, you can find a wide variety of projects on this platform. Employment: Freelancers can submit proposals to projects posted by clients. It’s a system similar to that used by Upwork.

Prices: You can set your rates per hour or project, but always keep in mind the 10% commission the platform charges. It’s essential to know how to calculate your finances to avoid economic imbalance.

Verification: You can verify your account through social media or a mobile phone number.

Disputes: There’s a dispute system, but it slightly favors clients, which could result in slower or more costly processes for freelancers.

FlexJobs

Unlike Freelancer.com, FlexJobs doesn’t just focus on freelance jobs but on remote and part-time jobs with flexible conditions.

While it also offers freelance projects, its proposal is more aligned with professionals seeking jobs in traditional companies but with the flexibility of working from home. Employment: Users can apply for flexible jobs directly at companies. FlexJobs filters and verifies each listing to ensure jobs are legitimate.

Prices: The platform offers memberships that range from weekly to annual subscriptions, with frequent discounts on these rates.

Verification: All jobs are manually verified by the FlexJobs team, minimizing the risk of encountering fraud.

Disputes: Due to its nature, FlexJobs doesn’t have a dispute system, as the selection and hiring process is external to the platform.

Payment Methods for Freelancer.com and FlexJobs

On Freelancer.com, payments are made through the platform. Once the client approves the work, the money is released to the freelancer. You can withdraw your earnings using PayPal, bank transfers, and other options, but you should be mindful of the fees. FlexJobs, as a subscription platform, doesn’t manage payments between the employer and the worker. Once you land the job, all payment-related matters are negotiated directly with the hiring company, offering you more flexibility and fewer fees.

Don’t forget, if you work internationally, DolarApp can be your best ally to receive payments in dollars, avoiding high currency conversion fees and hidden charges that other platforms often impose.

So, Where Do You Find Better Offers?

It depends on the type of work you’re looking for and your experience in the field. Freelancer.com offers a larger number of small, quick projects, ideal if you want to work on several projects at once or are looking for short-term work.

However, this means you’ll be competing with thousands of other freelancers and will need to make attractive proposals. On the other hand, FlexJobs is the better option if you’re looking for more stable jobs or prefer to work long-term at a company that values flexibility.

It’s perfect if you want to avoid the competitive bidding process and prefer to apply directly to curated, reliable job offers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Both Platforms (Comparison Table)

Platform

Advantages

Disadvantages

Freelancer.com

- Wide variety of freelance projects

- 10% commission on all payments

- Contest model

- High competition among freelancers

- Direct negotiation

FlexJobs

- Verified jobs

- Paid subscription model

- Scam-free listings

- Fewer short-term freelance offers

- More stable opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Which platform has more job offers? Freelancer.com has a larger number of freelance projects available, as it covers a wide range of industries and job types. FlexJobs, on the other hand, has fewer listings, but all are verified and focused on higher-quality, more stable remote or flexible jobs.

  2. How are payments managed on each platform? On Freelancer.com, payments are managed directly on the platform, with a milestone system that ensures freelancers get paid upon completing project stages. FlexJobs does not manage payments, as it simply connects freelancers with hiring companies, and payment agreements are negotiated directly.

  3. Which is the best platform for beginner freelancers? For freelancers just starting out, Freelancer.com may be an interesting option due to the wide variety of small jobs and the possibility of gaining experience quickly. However, if you prefer a more secure approach with verified jobs and more stable conditions, FlexJobs would be ideal, although it has an initial subscription cost.

  4. Can I work from anywhere in the world on these platforms? Yes, both Freelancer.com and FlexJobs allow freelancers to work from anywhere in the world, although some jobs on FlexJobs may be restricted to certain regions or countries, depending on labor laws or employer preferences.

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