17 Best Freelance Websites and Apps To Find Work in Canada 2023

17 Best Freelance Websites and Apps To Find Work in Canada 2023. There has been a major shift towards remote work in recent years. In fact, about 16% of companies are now fully remote.

With this change, many people are considering freelance work.

It is an excellent way to make money while working from home, and there are many freelance apps and websites to choose from.

This article details the 17 best freelance apps and websites to find work in Canada. You’ll find out how it works, the pros and cons, and what kind of work you can find on each site.

What are Freelance Apps and Websites?

Freelance websites and apps are platforms that make it easy to browse and find freelance jobs. They are places where you can earn money for yourself rather than working for a company.

There is a wide range of jobs and opportunities for almost anybody with any skill set and experience.

You can get almost any job on freelancer apps, including writing, graphic design, marketing, web development, virtual assisting, and more.

Freelancing is an easy way to make money online once you build up experience and clients.

Best Apps For Finding Freelance Work

Below is a list of the 17 best websites and apps for freelancers.

1. Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest platforms to find freelance work online. It connects freelancers to businesses, companies, and individuals.

How does it work?

Clients post a description of a job and the price range they are willing to pay for the freelancer to complete the project.

Clients can invite specific freelancers to apply for the job or make it public for anyone to apply.

Freelancers respond to the job by submitting a proposal or accepting an invitation to interview on the platform.

Once the client chooses a freelancer, they can conduct an interview, talk about the job, and hire the freelancer.

Once hired, the client sends a contract with set hours, pay rate, and deadline.

What types of jobs can you get?

You can apply for almost any job on the platform. Upwork has over 2,500 skill categories available, including writing, website development, customer service, virtual assisting, marketing, and more.

The projects can be short-term, long-term, hourly, or fixed-price contracts.

Freelancer fees

It is free to join Upwork, but you can upgrade to Freelancer Plus to more effectively market yourself, submit proposals, and stand out for USD$14.99/month.

There is a service fee per client, depending on your earnings. The fee structure is as follows:

• $0-$500 – ​​20% service fee
• $500.01-$10,000 – 10% service fee
• Over $10,000.01 – 5% service fee

Recruiter fees

It is free to join, post jobs, and hire freelancers as a recruiter. You can pay for an optional Upwork Pro account where a team of experts will screen candidates based on your project requirements.

Pros

• Lots of work available with many jobs posted every minute
• Higher paying projects compared to many other sites
• You will often get hired quickly
• Payment protection – an hour worked is an hour paid

Cons

• Hefty fees of 5-20% per client
• It can be difficult to get your first client without any experience or reviews on your profile
• Many clients have small budgets and may underpay you

2. Toptal

Toptal is an exclusive network with only the top 3% of freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers, with every applicant vigorously tested and vetted.

How does it work?

For freelancers: If you have 2-3 years of experience as a freelance developer, designer, finance expert, product manager, or project manager, you can apply to Toptal. There is a screening process that lasts a few weeks.

Once you are approved, you gain access to jobs matching your skillset. Set your profile to available, and you will be contacted with opportunities that fit your expertise.

For recruiters: Post your job details, then have a call with Toptal’s team to share detailed job requirements. You’ll get recommendations from Toptal who find freelancers for the job.

What types of jobs can you get?

Software development, design, finance, and project manager jobs are all available on Toptal.

Many clients prefer long-term work for 40 hours per week, though you can work part-time as well.

Freelancer fees

Toptal does not take a cut from freelancers.

Recruiter fees

Like freelancers, recruiters set their own rates, and Toptal does not take a cut.

However, clients are required to put down a deposit of $500, which is applied as a credit to your first invoice once you hire a freelancer.

Pros

• Not much competition or others trying to underbid you
• Only the best freelancers are on the site
• No minimum work hours required

Cons

• The screening process takes a few weeks, so you will not be able to get started right away
• High costs for clients hiring freelancers
• Poor customer support
• Only 20 or 40 hours per week contracts
• The pricing for clients and freelancers is not very transparent

3. Freelancer

Like Upwork, Freelancer is a platform that connects freelancers to clients to find jobs.

How does it work?

Clients post a job, set their budget, choose a freelancer, and pay them using a milestone system similar to Upwork.

Freelancers can submit an application or bid for any job. If your application is chosen, you work with the client to handle the job, and Freelancer takes a portion of your earnings.

What types of jobs can you get?

With over 1,800 skill categories on the site, you can apply for many jobs in graphic design, software development, data entry, marketing, finance, writing, and more.

Freelancer fees

It is free to sign up and get started with Freelancer. You get six free bids to bid on projects, and you can enter contests for free.

You have the option of purchasing upgrades to promote your bid and make yourself seen when applying for a job.

On fixed-price projects, Freelancer takes a 10% or USD$5 fee, whichever is greater. On hourly projects, Freelancer takes a 10% fee.

Recruiter fees

On fixed-price projects, Freelancer takes a 3% or USD$3 fee. On hourly projects, they take a $3% fee on each payment made to the freelancer.

Pros

• Easy to get started
• Easy communication with clients
• Multiple money withdrawal options
• Variety of jobs available
• Lower pricing compared to other platforms

Cons

• Many low-quality projects to weed through
• Poor support team
• They do not validate every freelancer to ensure they’re up to standard

4. Indeed

Indeed is a website for job listings of all types, from in-person to freelance work. Indeed compiles job listings from different sites and job boards, making applications easy.

How does it work?

Employers post jobs (either free or sponsored) with the job requirements and description.

Candidates apply with their resume, an optional cover letter, and answer any interview or screening questions required by the employer. Recruiters can message the candidate to schedule an interview.

What types of jobs can you get?

You can get almost any kind of job you can think of. Indeed has job listings for both in-person and freelance positions, including restaurant jobs, software development, writing, healthcare, and more.

Freelancer fees

It is completely free to sign up and get started. There are no fees for job seekers.

Recruiter fees

Recruiters can post jobs and interact with candidates for free. There is an option to upgrade to sponsored job postings, which promote your listing so more people can view it. This costs between $5-499 a day.

Pros

• Many jobs are posted at all times of day
• A variety of in-person, freelance, short- and long-term work
• Built-in resume builder
• You can get job alerts via email

Cons

• There are many applicants for each job with a high competition
• Some postings may have already been filled and employers haven’t removed them
• Not the most ideal site for finding freelance work

5. Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the best freelance apps for beginners. It is an online marketplace for freelance services, with many freelancers pricing their work starting at $5.

How does it work?

For clients: Search for the service you want, choose the freelancer and package, contact the seller to specify what you’d like done, and place an order. Depending on what you agreed upon, you will get delivery within a few days or weeks.

What types of jobs can you get?

On Fiverr, you can offer services that will be delivered in a specified time. For example, some of these gigs can be designing a brand logo, creating a mobile application, writing a 1,000-word article, or translating a book.

Freelancer fees

It is free to sign up and get started, but Fiverr takes a 20% cut of all your earnings.

Recruiter fees

Fiverr charges a service fee per gig. They take $2 for gigs up to $40 and 5% of orders over $40.

Pros

• It is a great site to get started and make some extra money on the side
• You don’t need to bid on projects or send proposals
• Fiverr brings you the buyers, so you don’t need to self-promote

Cons

• There is a huge competition with many people offering the same services
• It can be difficult to get started and get quality clients who are willing to pay well
• There is quite a large fee of 20%

 

6. Guru

Guru is an online marketplace connecting clients to freelancers where they can work on hourly or fixed-price projects.

How does it work?

Clients post a job listing describing the project requirements and their budget, and freelancers can apply for the jobs, much like Upwork and Freelancer. Freelancers chat with clients, get hired, and are paid on the platform.

What types of jobs can you get?

You can apply for many different categories of jobs, such as programming and development, design and art, writing and translation, and sales and marketing.

Freelancer fees

Signing up for a basic plan is completely free. With this plan, Guru takes a 9% fee on every payment. You can upgrade to a Basic+, Professional, Business, or Executive plan, which ranges from $11.95-$49.95 per month with additional upgrades and lowered job fees.

Recruiter fees

Recruiters can sign up, post unlimited jobs, and chat with freelancers for free. Guru takes a 2.9% fee of the amount invoiced to freelancers.

Pros

• Many jobs across different skills are available
• Multiple payment methods
• Easy hiring process
• A great platform to forge long-term partnerships

Cons

• To be seen in the list of freelancers applying for a job, you may need to pay to get your bid higher
• A high fee of 9% taken from freelancers

Also Read on 30 Smart and Practical Multiple Streams of Passive Income Ideas for 2023

7. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, great for connecting with recruiters and others in your field of work. It is similar to a social networking site but also includes job postings.

How does it work?

To search for a job on LinkedIn, you need to make sure your profile is up-to-date and complete with your skills, interests, and previous experience. You can let recruiters know you are available to work with the “open to work” badge displayed on your profile.

You can use the website’s Jobs section to browse for and apply to jobs matching your skills and interests. You can also connect with and message recruiters and others who work for the company you are applying to for a higher chance of your profile being viewed.

What types of jobs can you get?

Just like Indeed, you can apply for many different kinds of jobs, both in-person and freelance. Those who apply for jobs on LinkedIn are generally looking for long-term work with one client.

Freelancer fees

There are no fees for freelancers using LinkedIn. You can create your profile, connect with and message others, and apply for jobs for free.

You can upgrade to a LinkedIn Premium Career account for CA$39.99 per month, which includes several additional features such as more profile views, intel on the job and applicants, and featured applicant status.

Recruiter fees

You can post jobs and message applicants for free with LinkedIn, but you can upgrade to a Recruiter Lite account which costs $170 per month and offers many features such as accessing LinkedIn’s entire network of candidates, filtering applicants, and seeing more profiles in search results.

Pros

• You can research the companies and employees who work at the company you apply for
• Connect with recruiters and others in your job field
• Easily expand your network

Cons

• Not all employers post jobs on the site
• It can be hard to stand out from other applicants and get noticed

8. Peopleperhour

Peopleperhour is an online freelance marketplace used by over a million businesses worldwide.

How does it work?

For freelancers: You can apply to become a certified freelancer. Once approved, you can build your profile with previous experience and skills, search for projects you want to apply for, and submit a proposal.

If chosen for the project, the client will message you and go from there.

For clients: Post a project with the job description and details. Peopleperhour’s artificial intelligence system will match your project with skilled freelancers.

You can review their proposals, choose a freelancer, and pay a deposit to get started. Once the project is completed, pay the freelancer through their payment system.

What types of jobs can you get?

Peopleperhour has a wide range of categories and jobs to apply for. Some of the most popular include technology and programming, writing and translation, and digital marketing.

Freelancer fees

There is no fee to sign up, search for projects, or submit proposals. The freelancer service fee is as follows:

• Over £5000-lifetime billing per buyer: 3.5% (excl. VAT) service fee
• Between £250 and £5000-lifetime billing per buyer: 7.5% (excl. VAT) service fee
• Below £250-lifetime billing per buyer: 20% (excl. VAT) service fee

Recruiter fees

There are no fees for recruiters posting jobs or hiring freelancers; however, there is a service fee of about 10% on each transaction. There is also an optional listing fee of £10 to mark your project as urgent to make it stand out to freelancers.

Pros

• Freelancers can choose their own rates
• Secure payments into an escrow account
• Automatic invoicing
• Large network of businesses and clients, which can lead to a high volume of work

Cons

• Huge competition with other freelancers
• No guaranteed level of work
• High platform fees
• Poor customer support

9. 99Designs

99Designs is a graphic design service by Vista. Clients can work with designers and collaborate one-on-one with a project.

How does it work?

Clients create a brief that gets submitted to 99Designs to help them understand their design needs. 99Designs will help them find a designer to work with on the project.

They work together, finalize the design, and continue working together long-term if agreed. Or, clients can start a contest for designers to submit their ideas and pick the best one.

What types of jobs can you get?

Designers can create logos, branding, websites, packaging, and more.

Freelancer fees

Freelancers charge their own design fees based on the complexity of the project.

For each 1-1 project completed on the platform, designers are charged a 20% client introduction fee (applied to the first $500 of paid invoices with new clients) plus a platform fee (5% for top-level designers, 10% for mid-level designers, and 15% for entry-level designers).

Recruiter fees

Submitting briefs and hiring designers is free, but clients pay a 5% fee to use the platform.

Pros

• Designers choose their own rates
• Can establish a designer-client relationship and work with them long-term
• Contests and projects are available

Cons

• High fees for the designer, depending on skill level
• No interview, reviews, or feedback system
• Designers who participate in contests are not paid for their submissions if not chosen

10. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is considered the #1 site to find remote, work from home, and flexible job opportunities. This site compiles job listings from over 5,000 companies.

How does it work?

FlexJobs’ team finds and screens remote, flexible job listings from websites worldwide. They provide career coaching, resume reviews, and more. Job seekers sign up for a membership and can apply for the many jobs available.

What types of jobs can you get?

You can get flexible, remote, freelance, or part-time work on FlexJobs. There are over 50 different career categories, including administration, customer service, project management, and more.

Freelancer fees

Job seekers are required to purchase a subscription to apply for jobs and contact recruiters. You can access the site for a week, one month, three months, or a year. The pricing is as follows:

• 1 week – $9.95
• 1 month – $20.95
• 3 months – $39.95
• 1 year – $59.95

Recruiter fees

Employers are required to sign up for an employer membership, including unlimited job posts, resume searches, and a customizable employer profile. The pricing is as follows:

• 1 month – $399.00
• 3 months – $859.00
• 1 year – $2,999.00

Pros

• Many different flexible jobs available in one place
• The site screens all job listings
• No fees on your earnings
• Extra services like career coaching and resume reviews

Cons

• Primarily US-based jobs posted
• High fees for job seekers and employers

11. Truelancer

Like Upwork and Freelancer, Truelancer is an online platform for clients to hire freelancers for their projects. It is a great app for freelance writers.

How does it work?

Clients post a project with the details and price range. Freelancers sell their services or submit proposals to projects they want to work on. Clients review the proposals, choose the best freelancers, and hire them to work on the project.

Truelancer is one of the best freelance apps for beginners due to less competition and verified jobs.

What types of jobs can you get?

Many job categories are available, including graphic design, sales and marketing, mobile app development, and blogging and writing.

Freelancer fees

Truelancer charges freelancers a service fee of 8-10%, depending on their membership plan.

Recruiter fees

There is no fee to recruiters using the platform, except for payment processing fees charged by third-party payment processors.

Pros

• Not a lot of competition as not many freelancers use the site
• A wide range of freelance jobs available
• Lower platform costs than other similar sites

Cons

• Employers may tend to hire more experienced freelancers, so getting your first client may be difficult
• Fewer jobs available compared to other sites

12. Codeable

Codeable is a WordPress freelancer platform, matching clients to expert WordPress developers.

How does it work?

Codeable has a rigorous vetting and hiring process for only the best WordPress experts. They conduct a professional review where they look for WordPress and freelance experience.

Next is a technical exam, a behavioral interview, a live coding test, and an internal exam.

If freelancers pass, they get hired for a 45-day trial period. If they are up to standard, they can be matched to and work with clients on projects.

Clients submit a brief to the website describing the project. The project is matched with the top 1-5 recommended experts who clients can choose from.

What types of jobs can you get?

If you are a WordPress expert, you can get any jobs related to the WordPress platform, including e-commerce development, theme development and customization, and design.

Freelancer fees

Codeable guarantees you are paid USD$70-$120 per hour but does not specify any platform fees.

Recruiter fees

Clients pay USD$70-$120 per hour. The full project price is calculated before the freelancer works on it. Codeable also takes a 17.5% service fee.

Pros

• You can choose your own rates and upsell clients
• Not much competition on the site, especially if you are an expert
• No bidding system like other sites that ensures you are paid well

Cons

• Rigorous vetting and hiring process before you can start working on projects
• Only for WordPress experts

13. DesignCrowd

DesignCrowd is an online custom design marketplace connecting clients to freelance designers.

How does it work?

Clients submit a brief to DesignCrowd with what they need and their budget. Within a few hours, freelancers submit custom designs. Clients can choose their favorite design and download the files.

For freelancers to sell their designs, they can either enter design contests or get assigned to work on One Designer Services.

What types of jobs can you get?

DesignCrowd is for freelance designers. You can design logos, flyers, websites, business cards, advertisements, and more.

Freelancer fees

It’s free to sign up and get started, but DesignCrowd takes a 15% commission on design charges.

Recruiter fees

DesignCrowd takes up to USD$129 and a 4% transaction fee for posting a design project. There is a refundable 20% Project Management Fee for packages of USD$200 and over.

Pros

• Easy to sign up and get started
• Many different design projects are available

Cons

• High competition with lots of active designers
• If your design is not chosen, you may not get paid

14. Dribbble

Dribbble is a platform to discover and connect with designers across the world. It is a self-promotion and social networking platform.

How does it work?

As a designer, you can upload your work to the site with an invitation from an existing user. You can create a portfolio with previous work for clients to find. You can also search for jobs and reach out to clients on the Freelance Design Project board.

What types of jobs can you get?

Freelance designers can get any design job, from branding and website design to mobile app design.

Freelancer fees

It is free to browse content and upload designs, but you need to be invited by a member of the site to sign up. Dribble does not have information about freelancer fees on its website.

Recruiter fees

Recruiters subscribe to a monthly job board or designer search service to create job postings. The subscription models are as follows:

• Job Board – CAD$382/month
• Designer Search – CAD$382/month
• Job Board + Designer Search – CAD$638/month

Pros

• A great community of like-minded designers
• Dribbblers sometimes organize events and get together in-person
• You can get feedback on your designs from other designers

Cons

• A lot of competition and many other designers on the site
• Design uploads are limited
• It can be intimidating if you are just starting out

15. Freeup

Freeup is an online platform connecting clients to pre-vetted freelancers, accepting only the top 1% of talent. Clients can choose from entry-level, mid-level, or expert-level freelancers for their projects.

How does it work?

Freelancers are vetted through a rigorous screening process to ensure they’re up to standard.

Once they set up an account, they can view open projects from clients, contact them for a brief chat, and if selected, they are hired for the position. Freelancers set their own rates based on their skill level.

What types of jobs can you get?

You can apply for a wide range of jobs, including copywriting, web development, digital marketing, and Amazon services.

Freelancer fees

There are no sign-up or monthly platform fees. You choose your hourly rates and get paid for what you ask.

Recruiter fees

Freeup adds a 20% flat rate ($2 minimum) onto the amount clients pay to freelancers.

Pros

• No extra fees to freelancers
• Not too much competition
• Simple process of matching freelancers to clients

Cons

• Rigorous screening process
• Not many jobs may be posted as it is quite a new freelance site

16. Behance

Like Dribbble, Behance is a creative network where you can showcase and discover your creative work.

How does it work?

Creative designers showcase their work through Projects. Behance members can follow your profile, and you can follow others.

Like a social media network, you have a feed where you can view projects similar to the ones you’ve liked.

There is also a Jobs section, where recruiters post job listings.

What types of jobs can you get?

You can apply for design jobs, such as UX and website design, art director, and graphic design.

Freelancer fees

It is free to create projects, participate in the community, and apply for jobs.

Recruiter fees

Behance used to charge a one-time job posting fee for USD$399/month or unlimited job posts for USD$1,499/month. However, they are now allowing recruiters to post jobs for free for a limited time.

Pros

• Great for featuring projects and case studies on your profile
• Completely free to share your portfolio and apply to jobs
• Huge community of like-minded designers

Cons

• Requires more work to stand out from others
• Not many jobs are posted often

17. WeWorkRemotely

WeWorkRemotely is a large remote work community with many jobs posted monthly. You can find remote freelance, temporary, part-time, or full-time jobs.

How does it work?

Employers pay to post a job on the site, making it visible to job seekers. Anyone looking for a job can apply completely free without signing up for an account.

What types of jobs can you get?

You can apply for remote jobs in many different categories, including programming, design, customer support, and sales and marketing.

Freelancer fees

For job seekers, it is free to use the site. You do not need to sign up to apply for jobs.

Recruiter fees

The base price for a job listing is $299/month. You can also purchase additional upgrades to make your ad stand out, which cost between $59-$149.

Pros

• 100+ jobs added every week
• Good search feature

Cons

• High competition as jobs are likely posted elsewhere
• Most jobs posted are for the US only
• Not the most user-friendly interface

How To Choose a Freelancer Website

To choose from the many different freelancer apps, consider what kind of work you will be doing. Will you be applying for design, writing, or software development jobs?

Some freelance websites are best for designers, such as 99Designs and DesignCrowd, while others are more general, like Upwork and Fiverr.

You should also consider freelance job apps that have lower commission fees so that you can make the most money. However, keep in mind that the sites with the lowest fees usually have lower-quality clients and lower-paid jobs.

There are many other factors to consider when choosing a freelancer website, such as the size of the network, type of job, and customer support.

Pros of Freelance Apps and Websites

A few pros of freelance apps and websites include:

• Freedom of working whenever and wherever you want
• You can choose the clients and projects you want to work on
• You control your workload by working how much or little you’d like
• You get exposure and a lot of experience
• The opportunity to work with long-term clients

Cons of Freelance Apps and Websites

A few cons of freelance apps and websites include:

• You are responsible for marketing yourself and finding clients
• Work may be sporadic at times and is not always guaranteed
• The level of communication varies from client to client
• Many freelance apps like Fiverr and Upwork have high service fees

Conclusion

Freelancing is a great way to make money online from home. You can find freelancing apps for students, writers, designers, and many other categories.

During your search, you’ll come across many different freelance websites, each with different fee structures and ways of finding jobs.

If you’re choosing a website to get started on your freelance journey, consider which will work best for you with the advice above.