The Top 10 Websites for Freelance Writers in 2025

Finding freelance writing jobs can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. With so many potential platforms promising opportunities, how do you know where to start?

This definitive guide compares the top 10 websites for freelance writers in 2025 based on reputation, reach, quality, and career growth potential. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, these sites can launch your writing business to new heights.

Let’s dive in and explore the best places to find writing gigs that match your niche, experience level, and income goals.

The Top 10 Websites for Freelance Writers in 2025

An Overview of the Top 10 Freelance Writing Websites

1. Upwork

As the largest global freelance marketplace, Upwork provides access to top brands and well-paying assignments across niches. While competition is high, smart leveraging of skills and client reviews can lead to steady, high-quality work.

Ideal For: All experience levels Key Features: Large client pool, feedback system, secure payments

2. Fiverr

Fiverr’s model makes it easy to offer niche gigs and build a profile as a go-to expert. Beginners can start small with gigs as low as $5, while professionals can charge premium rates for specialized services.

Ideal For: Beginners, niche offering Key Features: Gig-based pricing, flexible packages, strong search visibility

3. Freelancer

Freelancer boasts an impressive roster of clients across fields like tech, design, marketing, and more. The bidding system allows flexible pricing, while reputation stats help top talent stand out.

Ideal For: All levels, especially technical/design pros Key Features: Bidding on projects, large global reach, broad niches

4. ProBlogger

With a tight focus on writing and blogging jobs, ProBlogger offers curated, quality opportunities without overwhelming volume. Writers can filter by niche and level to find the perfect fit.

Ideal For: Bloggers, content writers Key Features: Specialized listings, job alerts, industry focus

5. Contently

Contently provides access to elite brands and premium pay rates through a selective application process. Writers can build professional portfolios and benefit from networking in the Contently community.

Ideal For: Experienced freelancers Key Features: High-paying gigs, portfolio building, talent pool

6. WriterAccess

WriterAccess emphasizes tailored matching between clients and writers through skill testing and evaluations. Supported by quality training resources, it provides stable opportunities for qualified pros.

Ideal For: Intermediate and advanced
Key Features: Skills assessments, quality matching tools, writing resources

7. Compose.ly

Compose.ly sets a high bar for talent, accepting less than 5% of writer applicants. Successful candidates gain access to steady, long-term writing and editing roles with reputable companies.

Ideal For: Highly skilled writers Key Features: Selective application, consistent work, top-tier clients

8. FlexJobs

Trusted as a leader in vetted remote and flexible opportunities, FlexJobs enables writers to find legitimate, professional roles while avoiding scams.

Ideal For: All levels, remote work Key Features: Strict scam filtering, flexible and telecommuting options

9. LinkedIn

Beyond networking, LinkedIn provides visibility to a huge range of employers via targeted job posts. Writers can optimize profiles and join industry groups to get noticed.

Ideal For: Professionals, networkers
Key Features: Massive reach, company pages, profile building

10. Freelance Writing Gigs

This aggregator compiles listings from top job boards and client sites, saving writers time hunting across platforms. Active community forums provide support and resources.

Ideal For: All levels Key Features: Aggregated listings, community support, writing resources

Now that we've covered the landscape, let's do a deep dive into the key features and benefits of each platform.

In-Depth Analysis of the Top 10 Freelance Writing Platforms

1. Upwork

Founded in 2015, Upwork is the leading freelance services marketplace, with over $1 billion in annual revenue. A merger of Elance and oDesk, the site has an unmatched reach of 5+ million clients posting jobs across niches and over 12 million registered freelancers.

Upwork

Key Benefits

• Large volume of opportunities: Upwork provides access to quality clients, from small businesses to Fortune 500s. Writers can easily apply to dozens of well-paying jobs in their niche.

• Feedback and ratings: Ratings and client reviews allow writers to build a visible reputation over time. This improves visibility for future opportunities.

• Secure payments: Upwork offers reliable tools for tracking hours, securing contracts, and ensuring on-time payment for completed work.

• Wide range of services: Beyond writing, Upwork caters to pros in web, mobile, software, design, accounting, consulting and more. Writers can diversify their services under one profile.

Potential Drawbacks

• High competition: With so many freelancers on the site, writers need to carefully craft proposals and differentiate themselves to stand out.

• Risk of low-paying clients: Upwork attracts a minority of low-quality clients looking for cheap labor. Screen clients carefully when applying.

• Work not guaranteed: While Upwork provides opportunities, writers still need to actively pitch and negotiate to win clients and projects.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr, launched in 2010, introduced a revolutionary gig-based model letting sellers offer services starting at just $5 per job. Despite the name, projects can range into thousands based on complexity, service upgrades, and more.

Fiverr

Key Benefits

• Low barrier to entry: For new freelancers, offering $5 gigs (called “gigs”) is a perfect way to build a profile and clientele with minimal risk.

• Niche targeting: Fiverr’s categories and filters make it easy for writers to specialize and get discovered by buyers seeking specific skills.

• Clear pricing: Sellers create predefined packages, removing the guesswork of bidding for projects. Complex orders can be priced higher via add-ons.

• Quick payments: Buyers pay Fiverr when placing orders. The funds are held safely until work is done, then released to sellers.

Potential Drawbacks

• $5 gigs may undervalue work: Writers should carefully consider pricing packages fairly based on effort and market rates.

• Impatient buyers: Some buyers may lack understanding of custom writing and have unrealistic expectations for delivery times.

• Limited screening: Unlike invitational platforms, anyone can join Fiverr with no skill verification. This impacts overall quality.

3. Freelancer

With over 50 million registered users, Freelancer provides a massive international pool of writing talent and clients. The site facilitates matching through project postings, bids, and contests.

Freelancer

Key Benefits

• Huge selection of projects: Robust search and filters make finding relevant writing opportunities intuitive based on skills, payment, deadlines, and more.

• Bidding model: Writers can flexibly set rates for each project based on details instead of pre-set pricing. Bids also showcase interest.

• High customer satisfaction: Freelancer maintains reasonable fees for clients while treating freelancers fairly, leading to strong retention and loyalty.

• Wide range of fields: Not limited to writing, Freelancer offers diverse opportunities in tech, design, accounting, consulting, and virtual assistance.

Potential Drawbacks

• Impersonal bidding process: Having clients pick from a stack of bids can feel disconnected compared to platforms that match writers.

• Need to bid competitively: Landing jobs may require aggressively pricing bids rather than simply offering quality and fit.

• Less vetting: Without tests or invitations, writers must prove skills through bid quality, reviews, and portfolio samples.

4. ProBlogger

Founded in 2007 by expert blogger Darren Rowse, ProBlogger aims to help writers develop sustainable blogging careers. All job listings are carefully screened for quality and legitimacy.

ProBlogger

Key Benefits

• Specialized blogging opportunities: The niche focus provides a targeted way for bloggers to find paid writing and sponsorship opportunities.

• Curated listings: Strict vetting results in a smaller but more relevant selection of jobs for serious full-time bloggers.

• Industry-specific training: ProBlogger offers high-quality paid courses on succeeding as a blogger on topics like social media, SEO, and more.

• Supportive community: Writers can network with successful bloggers, promote their own content, and more in the forum ecosystem.

Potential Drawbacks

• Limited general writing gigs: Unless running a blog, writers may find fewer opportunities for other content like articles or webpages.

• Smaller job volume: ProBlogger's specialized scope yields fewer but better matches compared to giant marketplaces.

• Paid community access: While some content is free, full access to forums, courses, and more requires a paid membership.

5. Contently

Founded in 2010, Contently built an elite talent network by recruiting the top 1% of freelance writers through a selective application process. The invite-only model results in premium pay rates and opportunities.

Contently

Key Benefits

• High pay: Contently writers average around $0.50 per word, significantly above general marketplace averages of $0.05 to $0.20. Yearly earnings can surpass six figures.

• Direct relationships: Pre-vetted writers have a straight pipeline to Contently’s Fortune 500 clients like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft.

• Portfolio building: Writers develop rich published portfolios of high-quality content to showcase their expertise.

• Talent community: Membership provides access to masterclasses, networking, and promotion opportunities within the platform.

Potential Drawbacks

• Extremely competitive: With under 5% acceptance, writers need top-notch skills and experience to qualify. Applicants must pass writing tests and interviews.

• Limited control over assignments: Writers don’t bid for projects but are matched to clients based on their expertise, availability, and portfolio.

• Exclusivity discouraged: Contently nudges writers to avoid exclusivity to prevent over-reliance on their closed ecosystem.

6. WriterAccess

Since 2010, WriterAccess has focused on data-driven matching between clients and writers through skills assessments, rating systems, and personalized recommendations. The platform boasts clients like Salesforce, CBS, and Visa.

WriterAccess

Key Benefits

• Skills validation: Applicants take grammar and subject matter tests to prove expertise before accessing opportunities.

• Quality matching: Complex proprietary algorithms make WriterAccess stand out for optimally pairing projects to qualified writers.

• Steady stream of work: Writer profiles highlight specialties, availability, and other factors to facilitate continuous matching with suitable projects.

• Robust writer resources: From guides to expert coaching and more, the site provides rich training content to help writers succeed.

Potential Drawbacks

• High volume of tests: Writers seeking to maximize visibility and opportunities may need to pass many assessments across niches and formats.

• Impersonal system: The automated process sometimes falls short on the human touch of direct relationship building between clients and writers.

• Lower pay ceilings: Top rates max out around $0.25 per word, below the premium tiers of vetted talent platforms.

7. Compose.ly

Compose.ly brings clients like Facebook, Buzzfeed, and Amazon exclusive access to elite writers carefully selected through a rigorous application and interview process, resulting in less than 5% acceptance.

Compose.ly

Key Benefits

• Client prestige: Compose.ly maintains direct partnerships with globally recognized brands. Once accepted, writers have visibility to these coveted opportunities.

• Guaranteed monthly work: Compose.ly provides consistent assignments instead of one-off gigs, enabling writers to focus on delivery rather than business development.

• Higher pay for top talent: Compose.ly claims to pay 2–3x industry averages. However, exact rates are not public.

• Professional development: The site provides feedback, training, and support at no cost to help writers continue excelling.

Potential Drawbacks

• Extreme exclusivity: The sub-5% acceptance rate makes Compose.ly extremely competitive, even compared to vetted talent platforms.

• Intense workload expectations: To maintain active status, writers must consistently deliver high volumes of content at top quality. This eliminates work-life balance.

• Lack of rate transparency: Unlike most platforms, Compose.ly does not share an exact pay scale or breakdown, making earnings potential opaque.

8. FlexJobs

Launched in 2007, FlexJobs quickly became the #1 job site for professionals seeking legitimate remote and flexible opportunities. All roles are carefully screened for quality to help job seekers avoid scams.

FlexJobs

Key Benefits

• Strict vetting process: FlexJobs puts every employer through a meticulous 50-point evaluation, rejecting over 95% that don’t meet their standards.

• Work from anywhere: Every opportunity on FlexJobs offers remote work, part-time schedules, or flexible arrangements that support location independence.

• Diverse roles: Beyond writing, FlexJobs includes opportunities in fields like programming, marketing, customer service, finance, HR, and more.

• Simplified job search: Users can filter by role type, date posted, experience level, keywords, and other criteria to pinpoint ideal matches.

Potential Drawbacks

• Limited writing opportunities: While growing, writing roles still represent a small subset compared to other common fields posted.

• Membership fee: Users pay a monthly fee to access listings, premium filters, and dashboard tracking features. However, prices are reasonable.

• Generalist focus: For writers seeking writing-specific platforms, FlexJobs’ broader professional scope may dilute relevancy.

9. LinkedIn

With over 675 million users, LinkedIn dominates professional social media. Beyond networking, LinkedIn provides huge visibility to job opportunities through company pages, groups, and direct postings.

LinkedIn

Key Benefits

• Massive reach: LinkedIn grants access to a giant candidate pool. Attaching writing credentials to a full professional profile adds credibility.

• Company pages and groups: Following relevant company pages and joining writing-focused groups surfaces targeted postings.

• Extended networks: Seeing jobs posted within a trusted contact’s network builds legitimacy through social proof.

• Profile optimization: Highlighting writing expertise, accomplishments, testimonials, and portfolio samples attracts recruiter attention.

Potential Drawbacks

• Mixed quality: Unlike vetted boards, anyone can post jobs on LinkedIn across the spectrum of legitimacy. Some screening is required.

• Distractions: LinkedIn caters to broad professional development and networking. Writers may find their focus diluted by the expanded scope.

• Impersonal outreach: Reaching out to connections for opportunities lacks the formal applicant tracking of dedicated job boards.

10. Freelance Writing Gigs

Freelance Writing Gigs provides a meta search engine for writing opportunities aggregated from 70+ job boards, publications, and client websites. Their team vets listings and removes scams.

Freelance Writing Gigs

Key Benefits

• One-stop search: Rather than digging through individual sites, writers can efficiently find aggregated prospects in one place. Advanced filtering narrows options.

• Community: Active forums provide networking, advice, and support between writers at all stages of their careers.

• Curated leads: Listings are hand-selected and vetted, saving writers time wasted on irrelevant or suspicious job posts. Leads are updated daily.

• Writing resources: A library of expert guides covers useful topics for freelance writers like productivity tips, mock interviews, rate calculators, and more.

Potential Drawbacks

• Impersonal sourcing: Aggregators lack direct relationships with clients compared to niche platforms nurturing their own opportunity pipeline.

• Duplicate listings: The same job may be sourced from multiple platforms, cluttering results with repetition. Writers must sift carefully.

• No application tracking: Unlike formal boards, aggregators simply list openings rather than manage applicant status and communication.

Now that we’ve explored the key strengths and weaknesses of the top 10 websites, let’s summarize some of the critical takeaways.

Key Recommendations for Freelance Writers

• Build a portfolio first. Develop 3–5 polished samples showcasing your capabilities before actively applying. Even basic platforms will favor candidates with work to show.

• Apply to multiple platforms. Each site has a different specialty, so casting a wide net maximizes your options. Once established, you can focus on favorites.

• Match platforms to your niche and level. Research sites catering specifically to opportunities that fit your focus, skills, and experience.

• Beware of scams. Steer clear of shady clients on unvetted sites, especially those asking for upfront payments, free work trials longer than 200 words, or off-platform communication.

• Invest in skills training. Build expertise through certifications, courses, and communities to stand out and qualify for the most selective roles.

• Track income and productivity. Use tools like FreshBooks or Wave Accounting to monitor earnings across multiple platforms and set profitability goals.

The freelance landscape will only continue evolving in exciting ways. Here are two key trends to watch that will impact opportunities in the coming years.

The Future of Freelance Writing Platforms

Rising Demand for Niche Expertise

Generalist writers will find it increasingly difficult to compete with specialists. Platforms like Contently and Compose.ly will further reward deep vertical knowledge. Writers should identify and dominate specific niches.

The Rise of Portfolio-Based Platforms

Traditional job boards will be pushed to strengthen vetting and prioritize talent curation. Invite-only sites like Contently will pioneer new ways to validate expertise through rich published portfolios. Portfolios will act as passes to premium opportunities.

The ideal platforms for your freelance writing career are out there. With this comprehensive guide's insights in hand, you're ready to dive in and unlock your potential.

So what's your next step? Sign up, develop your portfolio, and launch the writing business of your dreams today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best freelance platform for beginners?

A: For new writers getting started, Fiverr's gig model provides a friendly entry point to offer services at low risk. Beginners can start with quick, low-priced gigs to build credentials and reviews.

Q: How much do freelance writers typically earn?

A: Depending on niche, experience, and platform, average freelance writing rates range from $0.05-0.25 per word. Top platforms like Contently can drive rates upwards of $0.50 per word. Earnings potential stretches into 6 figures yearly at the high end.

Q: What does a freelance writer portfolio include?

A: A strong writing portfolio shows 3-5 samples of published articles, blog posts, web copy, or other content highlighting skills in areas like research, formatting, tone/voice, and more. Include brief descriptions of each sample.

Q: Is freelance writing a stable career?

A: Building a sustainable freelance writing business requires consistency, professional development, financial planning, and leveraging multiple income streams. While unstable at first, writing careers can become quite stable long-term.

Q: How do I stand out on freelance platforms?

A: Ways to get noticed include niche specialization, an excellent profile summary, strong client reviews, high proposal quality, fast and communicative delivery, and portfolio pieces demonstrating impact for past clients.