Top Upwork Alternative In 2026: 14 Sites Like Upwork for Business Owners

Before we reveal Upwork alternative platforms that offer similar professional services like Upwork, here's a quick question.

Have you decided how you want to hire? And get things done on time?

Hiring from Upwork-like platforms costs time and money because they are freelancers, and they can't be held accountable for the mistakes they make.

Hiring from a managed virtual assistant company like Wishup gives you 100% accountability and reliability because the assistants are pre-vetted, trained, and monitored by the company.

Here are more differences.

If you still need more information, you can compare freelancers and virtual assistants here in detail.

Wishup is the best alternative to Upwork for two key reasons.

Reason 1: Wishup offers a wide pool of over 1,500 rigorously vetted and pre-trained virtual assistants who can be hired in 60 minutes for any task, be it part-time or full-time, ensuring speed and reliability.

Reason 2: Unlike Upwork’s freelancers, Wishup’s assistants are full-time employees under the company’s payroll and supervision. They’re trained on more than 120 AI and productivity tools, which enhances accountability, performance, and overall efficiency for clients.

In this section, we'll break down 14 Upwork alternatives to help you hire either a mere freelancer or a reliable managed virtual assistant.

1. Wishup Inc

Wishup Inc is a US-based virtual assistant company that specializes in providing virtual assistant services to entrepreneurs looking for highly qualified assistants to get tasks done on time.

Pros:

• Top 0.1% applicants ensure that customers get the best possible virtual assistant.
• Unlimited FREE virtual assistant interviews.
• 60-minute hiring process ensures quick and easy setup.
• Instant replacement in case the customer is not satisfied with their virtual assistant.
• Free dedicated account manager and customer support manager to provide personalized service and support.
• 8-week intensive in-house training in 70+ no-code tools and 200+ skillsets ensures that virtual assistants are well-equipped to handle a variety of business needs.
• Option to choose from US-trained and US-based virtual assistants to match the customer's needs and time zone.

Cons:

• Wishup does not provide freelancers. All the virtual assistants are strictly full-time employees, monitored and managed by Wishup. Accountability matters! And that's why the average client-VA retention rate is 36 months.

Pricing: Starts from $1299 per month for a part-time virtual assistant trained on 200+ AI tools.

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2. Fiverr

Fiverr is a popular freelance marketplace that allows businesses to connect with freelancers offering a wide range of services, from graphic design and programming to writing and translation.

Pros:

• Wide range of services offered
• Simple and easy-to-use interface
• Ability to set project budgets
• Plenty of affordable options

Cons:

• Quality can vary widely among multiple freelancers
• Limited communication tools
• Additional fees for certain services
• Higher fees for expedited delivery

Pricing: Fiverr charges freelancers a 20% commission fee on all completed projects. Buyers are also charged a processing fee of $2 on purchases up to $40 and 5% on purchases above $40.

3. Solidgigs

Solidgigs is a subscription-based site like Upwork that provides curated freelance job listings to subscribers, along with a suite of resources and tools to help freelancers succeed.

Pros:

• High-quality job listings curated by experienced freelancers
• In-depth training materials and resources
• Access to a supportive community of freelancers
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Limited job listings compared to larger freelance marketplaces
• Higher subscription fees than some other job listing services
• No guarantee of job placement
• Limited customer support

Pricing: Solidgigs charges a monthly subscription fee of $19 for access to its job board and resources. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4.PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelance platform that connects businesses with a range of freelancers, including writers, designers, developers, and marketers.

Pros:

• Wide range of services offered
• Ability to set project budgets
• Simple and intuitive user interface
• High-quality freelancers

Cons:

• Fees can be high for both freelancers and buyers
• Quality can vary among freelancers
• Limited communication tools
• Limited payment protection

Pricing: PeoplePerHour charges freelancers a commission fee of 20% on all completed projects. Buyers are also charged a fee of 5-10% on purchases, depending on the value of the project.

Cheap freelancers cost more in lost time.

Missed deadlines. Rework. Rehiring. Wishup removes freelancer risk from your operations entirely.

5.Freelancer

Freelancer is another popular online platform that connects businesses with freelancers from around the world. It offers a range of services, including writing, design, programming, and virtual assistant work.

Pros:

• Large pool of freelancers to choose from
• Option to post contests to receive creative ideas
• Escrow system for secure payments
• Option to set project milestones
• Mobile app available for both Android and iOS users

Cons:

• Limited customer support options
• High fees for posting projects
• Freelancers may not always have the required skills or experience

Pricing:

• Basic: Free to post a project, 10% fee on project payments
• Plus: $5/month, 10% fee on project payments
• Professional: $29.95/month, 10% fee on project payments

6.Guru

Guru is a freelance marketplace that offers a variety of services, including web development, design, writing, and administrative support. It has a large pool of freelancers from around the world, and offers several features to help businesses manage their projects efficiently.

Pros:

• Secure payments with SafePay system
• Multiple payment options
• Option to set milestones and deadlines
• Free invoicing and time-tracking tools
• Good customer support options

Cons:

• Higher fees compared to other platforms for hourly projects
• Limited pool of high-quality freelancers
• Some freelancers may not be fluent in English

Pricing:

• Basic: Free to post a project, 8.95% fee on project payments
• Basic+: $11.95/month, 7.95% fee on project payments
• Professional: $21.95/month, 5.95% fee on project payments

7.Indeed

Indeed is a job board that connects businesses with job seekers from around the world. While it is primarily focused on traditional jobs, it also has a large pool of remote job opportunities in various fields, including writing jobs, customer service, and data entry.

Pros:

• Large pool of job seekers
• Option to post freelance jobs for free
• Advanced search filters for job postings
• Good customer support options

Cons:

• Limited to job postings only
• No dedicated platform for managing remote teams
• No option to track project progress

Pricing:

• Free to post a job
• Sponsored job postings: Cost varies based on the job posting location and duration.

8.Craigslist

Craigslist is a classified ads platform that includes a job section. It's not specifically designed for remote workers, but it can be a useful resource for finding the best freelance talent or short-term contractors.

Pros:

• Free to post job requirements
• Wide variety of job categories available
• Large user base

Cons:

• Limited screening or vetting of applicants
• No built-in payment or invoicing system
• High competition for jobs in some categories

Pricing: Free to post job listings.

9.Credo

Credo is a platform that specializes in connecting businesses with vetted digital marketing providers. It's a good choice if you're specifically looking for marketing-related services. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

• Providers are carefully vetted for quality
• Personalized support and guidance throughout the process
• Strong focus on transparency and communication

Cons:

• Limited to digital marketing services
• Can be more expensive than other platforms
• Smaller provider pool than some other platforms

Pricing: Credo charges a one-time fee of $249 to start a project, plus a monthly subscription fee of $99.

10.ContentFly

ContentFly is a content creation platform that specializes in written content. It's a good choice if you need high-quality blog posts, articles, or other written content. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

• Freelance writers are carefully vetted for quality
• Easy to use platform with a streamlined process
• Unlimited revisions and a satisfaction guarantee

Cons:

• Limited to written content services
• Can be more expensive than some other platforms
• Smaller freelance writer pool than some other platforms

Pricing: ContentFly offers a range of pricing plans, starting at $250/month for 4 blog posts per month.

11.Traktion

Traktion is a platform that connects businesses with pre-vetted marketing freelancers. It's a good platform for any business or individual look for assistance and help with all their digital marketing needs:

Pros:

• Traktion's freelancers are pre-vetted, saving you time on screening applicants.
• The platform offers a wide variety of marketing specialties, including social media, SEO, and PPC.
• Traktion provides a dashboard for tracking and managing projects.

Cons:

• Traktion's pricing is not transparent, and you need to get in touch with them to get a quote.
• As a relatively new platform, Traktion has a smaller pool of freelancers compared to some of the more established players in the market.

Pricing: Traktion does not have a fixed pricing model. Instead, you need to request a quote by filling out a form on their website.

12.FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a trusted platform that has been helping job seekers find flexible and remote job opportunities since 2007. With over 50 job categories, ranging from entry-level to executive, FlexJobs caters to a wide range of professionals looking for remote work options.

Pros:

• FlexJobs has a large database of flexible job opportunities, including remote, part-time, and freelance roles.
• The platform verifies job postings to ensure they are legitimate and high quality.
• FlexJobs offers various resources, such as job search tips, resume review, and skills testing, to help job seekers find the right role.

Cons:

• FlexJobs has a monthly subscription fee, which can be a turn-off for some job seekers.
• While FlexJobs does offer a money-back guarantee, it only applies if you cancel within 30 days of signing up.

Pricing: FlexJobs offers three subscription plans - $14.95/month for monthly, $29.95 for quarterly, and $49.95 for annual.

13.Useme

Useme is a global freelancing platform that simplifies cross-border transactions by handling invoicing, legal compliance, and payments. It offers a job marketplace and portfolio tools and enables freelancers to work with international clients without a registered business.

Pros:

• Simplifies international invoicing for freelancers
• No setup or subscription fees (pay only when you earn)
• Legal cross-border invoicing in 170+ countries

Cons:

• Limited market reach - Useme is less popular in certain regions
• Limited vetting may lead to variable service quality

Pricing:

• Freelancers: 4.99% service fee (capped at €99/month)
• Employers: Tiered fees (4.2%-4.5%) based on freelancer volume

14.OysterLink

OysterLink is a job platform designed for businesses that want to hire reliable talent without competing in freelancer bidding wars. It allows employers to post jobs directly and connect with candidates who are actively looking for long-term or part-time roles, particularly in hospitality, operations, and service-focused positions.

Pros:

• Simple job posting process with direct access to motivated candidates
• Better suited for long-term and recurring roles than short-term freelance tasks
• Eliminates freelancer bidding and profile screening overload
• Ideal for businesses that want more control over hiring

Cons:

• Too many candidates will apply to your job, you can't handle it.
• You'll spend all your money because you'll want to use the platform over and over again, too good to be true.
• You can't drink your coffee properly because job is posted in 2 minutes.

Pricing:

• Paid website depending on hiring needs.
• Use this coupon to get 10% off: Oyster10.

Small businesses require affordable and reliable talent to keep their operations running smoothly. Wishup offers virtual assistants with a range of skills, including data entry, administrative support, social media management, and customer service.

With Wishup, you can hire dedicated virtual assistants starting at just $10/hour, making it a great option for small businesses on a budget.

Other notable Upwork competitors for small businesses include:

• Fiverr: A platform that connects businesses with freelancers across various industries, offering services at affordable rates.
• PeoplePerHour: A platform that allows businesses to hire skilled freelancers for small projects or ongoing work, with flexible pricing options.

Digital agencies require top-notch talent to stay competitive in the industry. One great option for digital agencies is Fiverr.

Fiverr offers a wide range of freelance talent for digital marketing services such as social media management, content creation, SEO optimization, and more. With Fiverr, you can find experts in various niches and hire professionals for a specific project or on a recurring basis.

Other options for digital agencies include:

• Freelancer: A platform that offers a wide range of freelancers who specialize in digital marketing, web development, and more.
• PeoplePerHour: A platform that connects businesses with freelancers across a wide range of industries.

For businesses looking specifically for link-building support, another strong alternative is Create & Grow. Instead of relying on marketplace freelancers, brands can work directly with a team that focuses entirely on earning high-quality, relevant backlinks that improve long-term SEO performance. Create & Grow provides more comprehensive backlink plans.

Solidgigs is a platform that specializes in connecting talented graphic designers with businesses looking for high-quality design work.

Solidgigs offers a variety of projects in different design categories, including web design, branding, and graphic design. It also provides resources like templates, courses, and tutorials to help designers grow their skills.

Other options for graphic and web designers include:

• Guru: A platform that connects businesses with freelancers across a wide range of industries, including design.
• Indeed: A popular job search platform that features a wide range of design jobs from different companies.

Bookkeeping is a crucial aspect of any business, and hiring a virtual bookkeeper can save time and money.

Wishup offers virtual assistants who are skilled in bookkeeping, invoicing, and other accounting tasks. With Wishup, you can hire a dedicated, pre-trained virtual assistant who can manage your bookkeeping tasks. In addition to streamlining your bookkeeping tasks, if you're looking for an alternative to Citrix that can support your remote workforce more broadly, there are several options available.

Bench: A platform that offers online bookkeeping services for small businesses. Bookkeeper.com: A platform that offers bookkeeping and accounting services for small businesses of all sizes.

Upwork alternatives open the door to outsourcing, but how you outsource matters far more than where you do it.

Freelancers are useful for short, one-off tasks. But for growing businesses, agencies, and founders who need consistency, accountability, and repeatable execution, virtual assistants from a managed company like Wishup are the stronger long-term choice.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Upwork?

Yes, there are other freelancing platforms to Upwork, such as Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer, which are more affordable. However, while they may be cheaper, they may not offer the same level of quality or range of services. Wishup offers a great balance of affordability and quality, with skilled virtual assistants starting from $1299 per month.

Which freelancing website is best?

There are several great freelancing websites, each with its own unique strengths. Freelancer marketplaces like Fiverr and PeoplePerHour are great for smaller, one-off projects, while larger projects and ongoing work may benefit from the more extensive talent pools of platforms like Freelancer or Guru. Wishup offers a dedicated virtual assistant service with a range of skills, making it a great option for businesses of all sizes.

Which is the biggest competitor to Upwork?

While there are several competitors to Upwork, some of the biggest include Freelancer and Guru. However, Wishup offers a different approach to virtual staffing with dedicated virtual assistants, allowing businesses to have a more personal and long-term relationship with their virtual personal assistants. With affordable rates and a range of skills available, Wishup is a great alternative to Upwork and its competitors.