8 Best Freelance Websites in the UK (2026 Edition)
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The UK has over 4 million self-employed workers, and more are going freelance every year. But finding consistent, well-paid work means choosing the right platform — and there are dozens competing for your attention.
We've tested and reviewed the 8 best freelance websites for UK-based freelancers in 2026. Each platform is rated on fees, the type of clients you'll find, how easy it is to get started, and whether it genuinely works for people based in the UK.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Fees | Best For | UK Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | 20% per sale | Beginners, creative gigs | Low |
| PeoplePerHour | 20% → 3.5% sliding | UK clients, repeat work | High |
| Upwork | 0–15% variable | Long-term contracts | Medium |
| Freelancer.com | 10% or $5 min | Budget projects, contests | Low |
| Toptal | 0% (invite-only) | Senior developers, designers | Medium |
| YunoJuno | 0% (client pays) | UK creative & tech pros | Very High |
| Bark | Pay-per-lead | Local services, trades | High |
| Malt | 0–10% | European tech & creative | Growing |
1. Fiverr
- Best For: Beginners, creative work, digital services
- Fees: 20% on every sale
- UK-Friendly: Partial — USD-based, currency conversion fees apply
- Link: Join Fiverr
Fiverr lets freelancers create fixed-price service listings called "gigs." Buyers browse and purchase directly, which means you don't need to pitch or submit proposals. It's popular for graphic design, copywriting, video editing, voiceover, and web development.
The platform uses a seller level system — New Seller, Level 1, Level 2, and Top Rated — with each tier unlocking more gig slots and higher pricing options. Reaching Top Rated requires at least 180 days of activity, 100 completed orders, and a 4.7-star rating.
Pros:
- No cost to join or list gigs
- Buyers come to you — no proposals needed
- Huge global marketplace with millions of active buyers
- Seller levels reward consistency
Cons:
- 20% fee is one of the highest among platforms
- Payments are in USD, so UK freelancers lose money on conversion
- Highly competitive — standing out takes time
- Earnings can be low starting out (most sellers earn under £400/month in their first year)
Verdict: Fiverr is a solid starting point for new freelancers building a portfolio. The 20% fee is steep, but the lack of upfront costs and the "buyers find you" model makes it low-risk. Best for creative services and digital skills.
2. PeoplePerHour
- Best For: UK-based clients and repeat project work
- Fees: 20% (first £250 per client) → 7.5% (£250–£5,000) → 3.5% (£5,000+)
- UK-Friendly: Very — 60% of users are UK-based
- Link: Sign up here
PeoplePerHour is one of the few major freelance platforms built with the UK market in mind. Around 60% of its users are based in the UK, which means you're more likely to find clients in your timezone who understand UK business norms.
The sliding fee structure rewards loyalty — the more you earn from a single client, the lower your commission drops. This makes it particularly good for freelancers who build long-term relationships rather than chasing one-off gigs.
You get 15 free proposal credits per month. These don't roll over, so use them strategically. The platform also offers "Hourlies" — pre-packaged services similar to Fiverr gigs that buyers can purchase instantly.
Pros:
- Fees decrease significantly with repeat clients (down to 3.5%)
- Strong UK client base — local work without timezone issues
- 15 free proposals per month
- Hourlies feature lets buyers purchase your services directly
Cons:
- 20% fee on initial earnings from each new client is high
- Free proposals don't roll over month to month
- Smaller overall marketplace than Upwork or Fiverr
- Less international reach if you want global clients
Verdict: The best platform for UK freelancers who want local clients and are willing to invest in repeat relationships. The fee structure genuinely rewards loyalty, which is rare among freelance platforms.
3. Upwork
- Best For: Experienced freelancers, long-term contracts, remote work
- Fees: 0–15% variable (based on skill demand, changed May 2025)
- UK-Friendly: Yes — large UK client and freelancer base
- Link: Create a profile
Upwork is the world's largest freelance marketplace. It's where many serious freelancers build their careers, particularly in tech, marketing, operations, and consulting. The platform supports both hourly and fixed-price contracts with built-in payment protection.
In May 2025, Upwork replaced its flat 10% fee with a variable 0–15% structure based on skill category and market demand. This means fees vary depending on what you do — some freelancers pay less than before, others more. You also need "Connects" to submit proposals, which cost £0.15 each. A Freelancer Plus subscription (£19.99/month) gives you 100 Connects and better visibility.
Pros:
- Largest global marketplace with high-value contracts
- Payment protection and escrow for both parties
- Strong tools for time tracking, invoicing, and messaging
- Freelancer Plus members see roughly 50% higher hire rates
Cons:
- Variable fees mean you won't always know your exact cost
- Connects system adds expense before you even land work
- Highly competitive — new freelancers struggle to get first reviews
- Profile approval can be slow or rejected in saturated categories
Verdict: The industry standard for experienced freelancers seeking substantial, ongoing contracts. Not ideal for beginners due to the Connects cost and competition, but hard to beat for long-term earning potential.
4. Freelancer.com
- Best For: A wide range of project types, contests, and global reach
- Fees: 10% or $5 minimum (whichever is greater), plus 3% client fee
- UK-Friendly: Partial — international platform, USD-based
- Link: Join Freelancer
Freelancer.com has over 50 million users and supports a huge range of project types. Work is found through competitive bidding or contest formats, where multiple freelancers submit work and the client picks a winner.
The Preferred Freelancer programme gives top performers priority access to projects and dedicated support. Fees are lower than Fiverr at 10%, though the contest model means you might do work without getting paid.
Pros:
- Large client base with projects across many industries
- Lower base fee than Fiverr or PeoplePerHour
- Contest system can showcase your skills to new clients
- Preferred Freelancer programme rewards top performers
Cons:
- Contest model means unpaid speculative work
- Quality of clients can be inconsistent
- USD-based — conversion fees for UK freelancers
- Dispute resolution can be slow
Verdict: A decent option for freelancers comfortable with competitive bidding. The 10% fee is fair, but the contest format and inconsistent client quality make it less reliable than Upwork or PeoplePerHour for steady UK work.
5. Toptal
- Best For: Senior developers, designers, and finance professionals
- Fees: None charged to freelancers (clients pay a markup)
- UK-Friendly: Yes — remote-first, global client base
- Link: Apply to join
Toptal is an exclusive freelance network that accepts fewer than 3% of applicants. If you get in, you gain access to premium clients — including companies like Airbnb, Shopify, and JPMorgan — and rates typically range from £60 to £200+ per hour.
The screening process takes 2–5 weeks and includes a language assessment, technical interview, test project, and live coding challenge. It's rigorous, but freelancers who pass pay no fees — Toptal makes money by adding a 40–50% markup to the rate clients pay.
Pros:
- No fees deducted from your earnings
- Premium clients willing to pay top rates
- Dedicated talent managers match you to projects
- Strong community and networking opportunities
Cons:
- Only 3% of applicants are accepted
- Screening process is time-consuming (2–5 weeks)
- Limited to tech, design, and finance roles
- Not suitable for beginners or generalists
Verdict: If you have 5+ years of specialist experience in development, design, or finance, Toptal offers the highest earning potential of any platform on this list. The barrier to entry is high, but so are the rewards.
6. YunoJuno
- Best For: UK creative, tech, and marketing professionals
- Fees: 0% for freelancers (clients pay 4–11%)
- UK-Friendly: Excellent — London-based, strong UK network
- Link: Join YunoJuno
YunoJuno is a UK-built platform connecting freelancers with companies in creative, tech, and marketing sectors. It has over 120,000 vetted professionals, and the average UK day rate on the platform is £379 — with strategy roles averaging £520/day and developers £438/day.
What makes YunoJuno different is that freelancers keep 100% of their earnings. The platform charges clients a service fee instead, which means your quoted rate is your take-home rate. Payments are typically processed within 10 days.
Pros:
- No fees taken from freelancers — you keep everything
- Strong UK client base, particularly in London
- Built-in compliance tools (IR35, right-to-work checks)
- High average day rates compared to other platforms
Cons:
- Focused on creative and tech sectors — not suitable for all industries
- Strongest in London — fewer opportunities outside the capital
- Some freelancers have reported payment delays in 2025–26
- No phone support available
Verdict: The top choice for experienced UK creative and tech freelancers. Zero fees and built-in compliance handling make it particularly attractive in the current IR35 landscape.
7. Bark
- Best For: Lead generation, local services, and trades
- Fees: Pay-per-lead (£1.80 per credit, 3–20 credits per lead)
- UK-Friendly: Yes — UK-based platform
- Link: Join Bark
Bark works differently from the other platforms on this list. Instead of browsing and bidding on projects, you buy credits to respond to leads from potential clients. Each lead costs between 3 and 20 credits (roughly £5–£36), and you keep 100% of whatever you earn from the job.
It covers over 800 service categories — from web design and photography to plumbing and personal training. This makes it more of a lead-generation tool than a traditional freelance marketplace.
Pros:
- No commission on completed work — keep 100% of earnings
- 800+ service categories covering creative and trade work
- UK-focused with strong local lead generation
- Simple model — buy credits, contact leads, win work
Cons:
- Lead quality varies — not every contact converts
- Cost per lead adds up quickly (£5–£36 per contact)
- No payment protection or escrow
- Works best as a supplement, not a primary income source
Verdict: Bark isn't a freelance platform in the traditional sense — it's a lead-generation service. Best used alongside other platforms to supplement your client pipeline. Track your cost-per-lead carefully to ensure a positive return.
8. Malt
- Best For: European tech and creative freelancers
- Fees: 0–10% (clients also pay a service fee)
- UK-Friendly: Growing — originally French, expanding into the UK market
- Link: Join Malt
Malt is a European freelance platform with over 550,000 freelancers across 165 countries. It's strongest in France, Germany, and Spain, but has been expanding its UK presence. The platform focuses on tech, design, and marketing roles.
Malt offers project insurance up to €20 million and processes payments within 10 days. The community-driven approach includes local events and networking opportunities.
Pros:
- Low fees compared to Fiverr or PeoplePerHour
- Strong in European markets — good for cross-border work
- Project insurance included
- Community events and networking
Cons:
- UK presence is still growing — fewer local clients than PPH or YunoJuno
- Some freelancers report payment delays
- Complex setup for international payments
- Less established reputation in the UK market
Verdict: Worth watching as it grows in the UK. Currently better suited to freelancers who also want European clients, particularly in tech and creative roles.
What About IR35?
If you're freelancing in the UK in 2026, you need to understand IR35. These are tax rules that determine whether you're genuinely self-employed or should be treated as an employee for tax purposes.
Key changes for 2026:
- Joint liability rules take effect from April 2026, making recruitment agencies and clients jointly responsible for PAYE and NICs
- Making Tax Digital becomes mandatory for freelancers earning £50,000+ from April 2026
- Small company threshold changes will reclassify around 14,000 companies, potentially creating more outside-IR35 roles
Platforms like YunoJuno include IR35 compliance tools, which can simplify this. If you're using platforms without built-in compliance (like Fiverr or Upwork), make sure you're managing your own IR35 status with an accountant.
How to Choose the Right Platform
Your best platform depends on where you are in your freelance career:
Just starting out? Begin with Fiverr (low barrier, buyers find you) and PeoplePerHour (UK clients, 15 free proposals). Focus on building reviews and a portfolio.
Building momentum? Move to Upwork for higher-value contracts or stick with PeoplePerHour to benefit from decreasing fees as you build client relationships.
Experienced specialist? Apply to Toptal (if you have 5+ years in tech, design, or finance) or YunoJuno (for UK creative and tech work). Both offer premium rates with minimal or zero fees.
Want local leads? Try Bark as a supplement — but track your spend carefully and don't rely on it as your only source of work.
Don't limit yourself to one platform. Many successful UK freelancers use two or three simultaneously — a primary platform for steady work and one or two others for lead diversification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which freelance platform has the lowest fees?
Toptal and YunoJuno charge freelancers nothing — clients pay the platform fees instead. Among platforms that do charge freelancers, Malt (0–10%) and Freelancer.com (10%) have the lowest rates.
Is Fiverr or Upwork better for UK freelancers?
It depends on your experience level. Fiverr is better for beginners who want buyers to find them. Upwork is better for experienced freelancers seeking long-term, higher-value contracts. For UK-specific work, PeoplePerHour beats both.
Can I use multiple freelance platforms at once?
Yes, and most successful freelancers do. Using two or three platforms gives you more consistent lead flow and reduces your dependence on any single marketplace.
Do I need to pay tax on freelance platform earnings in the UK?
Yes. All freelance income is taxable. You'll need to register as self-employed with HMRC and file a Self Assessment tax return. From April 2026, Making Tax Digital is mandatory for freelancers earning £50,000 or more.
What is IR35 and does it affect platform freelancers?
IR35 is UK tax legislation that determines if a contractor is genuinely self-employed or should be taxed as an employee. It primarily affects freelancers working through limited companies. If you're a sole trader using platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, IR35 is less likely to apply — but check with an accountant if you're unsure.
Final Thoughts
There's no single best freelance platform — but there is a best platform for you based on your skills, experience, and what kind of clients you want.
For UK freelancers, PeoplePerHour and YunoJuno stand out for their local focus and favourable fee structures. For global reach and high-value contracts, Upwork and Toptal are hard to beat. And for getting started quickly, Fiverr remains the lowest-barrier option.
The freelance market in the UK is growing, with new regulatory changes in 2026 making it even more important to choose platforms that support your compliance needs. Whichever platform you pick, focus on building genuine client relationships — that's what turns a freelance side hustle into a sustainable career.
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