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What We Look For in the Best Freelance Websites to Hire UK Freelancers1.Fiverr: Reliable Freelancers, Great Prices2. Upwork: Flexible Hiring For All Kinds of Projects3. Toptal: The Very Best of UK Freelance Talent4. DesignCrowd: Crowdsource Work From UK Graphic Designers5. Bark: A Wide Variety of UK Freelancers6. Fiverr Pro: Same as Fiverr, But With Higher Standards7. 99designs: All-in-One Website For Freelance Graphic DesignAre You a UK Freelancer Looking to Sell Your Services?What Do I Need to Know to Freelance in the UK?The BEST Websites to Hire Freelancers in the UKFAQ
Short on Time? These Are the Best Freelance Websites to Hire UK Freelancers 2023
What We Look For in the Best Freelance Websites to Hire UK Freelancers
While I was looking for the best UK freelancers, I made sure to keep an eye out for the following website features:- Freelancer rating system. An at-a-glance rating system gives you an idea of how trustworthy, communicative, and professional each freelancer is. Every website on this list allows clients to leave publicly visible feedback for freelancers.
- Vetted talent pool. The best freelance websites vet their freelancers so you can be sure the person you’re hiring really can do what they claim. This usually involves either short tests that allow freelancers to display that their skills are verified, or an application and review process that ensures only the best freelancers are allowed into the talent pool.
- Search filters. With most freelance websites hosting talent from across the globe, you’ll need a good search filter to narrow your search down to UK freelancers.
- Freelancer profiles. A good freelancer profile will quickly show you where a freelancer is located. If you’re hiring from outside of the UK, some even show the local time so you can gauge the best time to contact them.
- Built-in currency conversion. Having currency conversion built in makes it easier to assess a freelancer’s value, and to pay for a freelancer’s services. You’ll find this extremely helpful if you’re hiring from outside the UK.
1.Fiverr: Reliable Freelancers, Great Prices

Features
- Freelancer profiles. Click on a seller’s username to see where they’re located, how long they’ve been selling on Fiverr, their skills and experience, and a full list of their available gigs. You can also message them directly if you want to ask any questions before hiring.
- Verified skills. Fiverr sellers can take built-in tests to verify their skills. If they pass, they earn a green checkmark next to every skill that’s been verified. This helps you to feel confident that the seller can provide the service they’re advertising.
- At-a-glance rating system. Whenever you search for gigs, you’ll see an average star rating for that seller. If you click on this on the gig page, it’ll take you to the reviews section. Here, you’ll be able to see a rating breakdown for the seller’s communication, whether the service was as described, and if the client would recommend the seller.
- Discounts for long-term hiring. If you need ongoing help, you can save up to 5% by signing up for multiple orders in advance. This is a great way to both save money and ensure your chosen freelancer has room in their schedule to continue working with you.
Vetted talent pool? | No – but there are basic skills tests for freelancers to verify their skills |
Search filters | Comprehensive filters that let you search by seller location, spoken languages, ratings, and more |
Built-in currency conversion | Yes – you can pay with 20+ different currencies |
Starting Price | $5.00 |
2. Upwork: Flexible Hiring For All Kinds of Projects

Features
- In-depth search filters. You can easily narrow your search down to UK freelancers using Upwork’s search filters. You can even filter by their English language level (basic, conversational, fluent, or native/bilingual) and your budget.
- Job postings. If you haven’t got time to search for a UK freelancer yourself, you can easily set up a job post and start collecting applications. Upwork will also show you a list of freelancers that meet your job requirements, so you can send out invitations.
- Rating system. Upwork freelancers earn Rising Talent, Top Rated, and Top Rated Plus badges by establishing a great reputation with clients. You’ll see these badges whenever you search for talent or in the Project Catalog, helping you find the best talent Upwork has to offer.
- Expert talent vetting. The very best freelancers on Upwork are eligible to apply for the Expert-Vetted badge. To earn this, their skills are evaluated by experts in their field and Upwork’s talent managers. If you see an Expert-Vetted badge, you can be sure you’re hiring from the top 1% of Upwork’s talent pool.
Vetted talent pool? | No, but freelancers can verify their identity and language. Top Upwork freelancers can be invited for skills vetting |
Search filters | In-depth search filters that allow you to search by location, talent level, language, and more |
Built-in currency conversion | No – USD only |
Starting Price | $5/hour |
3. Toptal: The Very Best of UK Freelance Talent

Features
- Extensive freelancer profiles. Toptal’s freelancer profiles go into a ton of detail about a freelancer’s work history, previous projects, and experience with specific skills. You’ll also be able to see a portfolio of work, which will help you get a feel for if they’re the right fit for you.
- No-risk trial. Every time you hire a new freelancer, Toptal gives you two weeks to decide whether they’re a good fit for your project. If they’re not, you won’t be billed for the time. This makes sure you’re only paying for UK freelancers that bring value to your business.
- Browse before you hire. While TopTal doesn’t allow you to search through its entire talent pool, you can see a handful of available freelancers by clicking on a category page. If you find a freelancer you want to work with, you can start the hiring process by clicking a button in their profile.
- Toptal Projects team builder. If you need multiple UK freelancers for your project, Toptal’s recruiters will curate a remote team for you. This is limited to website and software development projects, but it’s an invaluable resource if you need a temporary team to manage a project.
Vetted talent pool? | Yes – every freelancer on Toptal has passed a talent screening |
Search filters | No – but a Toptal recruiter will find freelancers for you |
Built-in currency conversion | No – USD only |
Starting Price | $500* |



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Features
- Great search filter. Not only is there a category page for UK designers, but you can also narrow your search down even further by what kind of design project you need help with.
- Plenty of project add-ons. Whether you want to make sure your project gets noticed by top-rated designers or you want to protect your project with an NDA, there’s an option for that at checkout.
- Easily rehire designers. You’ll get the name of every designer that submits a contribution to your project. If you like working with them, you can easily rehire them from your project management screen.
- Freelancer portfolios. Designer portfolios on DesignCrowd are automatically updated to show any public designs submitted by the freelancer. You can also filter the portfolio by design category.
Vetted talent pool? | No |
Search filters | Yes, but they’re basic |
Built-in currency conversion | Yes – you can pay with 7 different currencies |
Starting Price | $109.00 |

Features
- Clear ratings system. Bark uses a 5-star rating system, and you’re able to read full client reviews on each freelancer’s profile. You can also filter the reviews section to only show reviews with a certain star rating.
- Freelancer profiles. Freelancers can upload photos, social media feeds, additional services, FAQs, and more to their profiles. You can also request a callback or send them a message directly from their profile.
- Free quotes. Because freelancers don’t list their prices on Bark, you’ll have to contact the ones you’re interested in working with for a free quote. If you don’t get a response within 48 hours, you may receive quotes from other freelancers within the same industry. So, you’re not out of luck if your first choice is busy.
- Hundreds of service categories. Bark hosts both in-person and remote freelancers. Whether you’re looking for a local independent nail artist or you want to hire a remote web designer in the UK, you’ll find plenty of freelancers to choose from on Bark.
Vetted talent pool? | No |
Search filters | No – but you can request quotes based on your location |
Built-in currency conversion | No – Bark doesn’t facilitate payments |
Starting Price | Unknown / Variable |
6. Fiverr Pro: Same as Fiverr, But With Higher Standards

Features
- Enhanced seller profiles. Fiverr Pro profiles show you which skills have been verified by Fiverr’s team. You’ll also see links to external portfolios and social media profiles, plus a list of notable clients the seller has worked with.
- Budget-friendly pricing. Every Fiverr gig has three different pricing options, so you’ll always be able to find a gig to suit your budget.
- Secure messaging. Fiverr’s mandatory secure messaging platform ensures all of your project information and documents remain secure. This is text only, which might not suit everyone, but it means that Fiverr can access all communications in case of any issues.
- 24/7 customer support. When you purchase a Fiverr Pro gig, you’ll get access to the 24/7 Pro customer support channel. No matter what you need help with, you’re guaranteed to receive a response within an hour.
Vetted talent pool? | Yes – every Fiverr Pro seller has passed skills verification |
Search filters | Yes – but on the main Fiverr website only |
Built-in currency conversion | Yes – you can pay with 20+ different currencies |
Starting Price | $5.00 |
7. 99designs: All-in-One Website For Freelance Graphic Design



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Features
- In-depth designer profiles. Designer profiles have an entire page dedicated to their portfolios. On the About page, you’ll also see statistics regarding how many contests they’ve won, how many repeat clients they’ve had, and their responsiveness.
- At-a-glance rating system. Whenever you search for designers, you’ll be able to see an average score out of 5 below their name and how many reviews they’ve received. You can read the full reviews on their profile, giving you a good indication of what they’re like to work with.
- Tons of design categories. Whether you need someone to design product packaging, billboards, or even a WordPress theme, you’ll be able to find a designer for your project on 99designs.
- Stay in touch with designers. Once you’ve received work from a designer, their contact details will be stored under Designers > Your Contacts. This allows you to quickly invite them to projects or contact them directly the next time you need a new design.
Vetted talent pool? | No |
Search filters | Yes, but they’re basic |
Built-in currency conversion | Yes – you can pay with 10+ different currencies |
Starting Price | $299.00 |
Are You a UK Freelancer Looking to Sell Your Services?
Fiverr is a great website for selling your services in the UK. With one gig purchased every four seconds, Fiverr can be a pretty lucrative source of income. Plus, every Fiverr seller gets access to free courses and tools to help them manage their freelance business. If you regularly use things like invoicing software, task management suites, and time trackers, you can even save money as a Fiverr seller. Signing up for Fiverr is super easy and 100% free. To start your Fiverr journey, go to the Fiverr homepage and click the Join button.


What Do I Need to Know to Freelance in the UK?
Freelancing is an extremely freeing way of working, but it’s not for everyone. Talking from personal experience, it’s really easy to get caught up in the idea that you can make money from your hobby or passion, so that you forget that freelancing comes with a lot of legal obligations. Truthfully, I need a lot more room than I have here to give you a full breakdown of everything you need to know about freelancing in the UK. So, I’ve condensed my list down into the key things you need to know to get started.If You’re a UK Citizen
If you want to start working for yourself as a UK citizen, you’ll need to follow this process:- Decide on a company type. Most freelancers are sole traders, meaning it’s only them in the business and they’re fully responsible for taxes, profits, and losses. You can also be in a partnership with another person or company and share that responsibility, or set up a limited company.
- Decide on a name. You can either trade under your name or a company name, and that comes down to personal preference. Bear in mind that if you create a company name, there are different rules for sole traders and limited companies.
- Register as self-employed. To ensure compliance, it is important to register for self-assessment taxes with HMRC (the UK tax office) no later than the 5th of October within the ongoing tax year. I advise completing this registration promptly upon commencing your trading activities, as failure to do so within your second year of operation can result in penalties.
- Start a document folder. You’ll need to keep copies of invoices, payments received, receipts, HMRC communications, and any other documents related to your business. HMRC can – and will – investigate accounts for any reason, so it’s best to have these documents in an easy-to-find folder.
- Set up banking accounts. While you can use your personal bank account to receive money if you’re a sole trader, you’ll need a separate business account if you’re a limited company. I also recommend you open a business savings account to put money aside for self-assessment taxes and national insurance.
- Set up your accounts. You can either pay for an accountant or use accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero. Make sure you note down every transaction related to your business, as you’ll be able to deduct costs like insurance, software licenses, and banking fees from your taxes.
- Take out insurance. Depending on what products or services you’re selling, you’ll need insurance to protect yourself from potential legal issues. Professional Indemnity Insurance is the most common, and it may be required by some clients. If you’re working from home, you’ll need to check whether your home insurance allows you to run a business from home.
- Start selling. Now you’re set up, you can head into the wild world of freelancing and start making a living from the work you’re passionate about. Congrats!
If You’re Not a UK Citizen
The process is mostly the same as for a UK citizen (outlined above), but there are a few extra steps you’ll need to take before you can register as self-employed in the UK:- Apply for a Visa. Whether you’re planning a trip or relocating to the UK, starting your own business will require an Innovator or Start-up Visa. You can submit your application for these while you’re already in the UK on a different Visa. After you’ve sent in your application, expect to wait 3 weeks for a reply if you’re outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you’re within the country.
- Apply for a National Insurance (NI) number. Every self-employed person needs an NI number for tax purposes. You’ll be able to apply for this once you’ve received the right to work in the UK. It can take up to 8 weeks to receive this following your application.
- Register for self-employment. Once you’ve got both of these things secured, follow the steps I’ve outlined above to set up your freelance business. Welcome to the UK!
The BEST Websites to Hire Freelancers in the UK
Many freelance websites worldwide offer talent from across the globe, making it challenging to locate freelancers in the UK. Nevertheless, it is not impossible. The top freelance websites in the UK provide robust search filters and detailed freelancer profiles, enabling you to ensure that you are hiring UK-based freelancers.
It’s for this reason that my top recommendation is Fiverr. You can filter any search to show UK sellers only, and its freelancer profiles tell you everything you need to know about your chosen professionals. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for help with a one-off project.
On the other hand, Upwork is a great choice for its option to hire freelancers by the hour or for specific projects. If you’re hiring from outside the UK, you’ll love the ability to see a freelancer’s local time on their profile.
If only the best UK freelance talent will do, then I recommend Toptal. Each freelancer is rigorously vetted and constantly assessed, so you can be sure that Toptal freelancers represent the best their industry has to offer. Plus, as a Toptal customer, you’ll get a dedicated recruiter that will work with you to find a UK freelancer that fits your project seamlessly.
Coffee break almost over? Don’t worry, here’s a quick comparison table to get you up to speed:
Pricing | Best Feature | Best For | ||
Fiverr | $ | Customizable search filters that make it easy to find UK freelancers | Finding reliable UK freelancers that suit every budget | |
Upwork | $$ | Freelancer profiles that display the freelancer’s local time – ideal if you’re hiring from outside the UK | Hiring UK freelancers for both short- and long-term projects | |
Toptal | $$$ | A highly vetted talent pool with UK freelancers who are constantly assessed for quality | Finding the best UK freelance talent | |
DesignCrowd | $$ | Design contests that allow multiple designers to contribute ideas to your project | Giving hands-off creative direction to UK freelancers | |
Bark | $$ | The ability to search for UK freelancers by city or your postcode | Hiring UK freelancers from within the UK | |
Fiverr Pro | $$$ | A vetted and verified talent pool where only the best Fiverr sellers make the cut | Finding the best UK freelancers Fiverr has to offer | |
99designs | $$ | Automated contacts system that saves the details of designers you’ve worked with previously | Building long-term relationships with UK freelancers |