Looking for the best freelance platform in the UK? Compare Wootly, Upwork, Fiverr and PeoplePerHour, including their features, fees and who they're best suited for.
Did you know there are over 2 million freelancers in the UK, with that number continuing to grow every year? As businesses increasingly embrace flexible working, remote collaboration and AI-powered workflows, demand for skilled freelancers has never been higher. From designers and developers to marketers, copywriters and AI consultants, professionals now have more opportunities than ever to build successful independent careers.
With so many freelance marketplaces available, choosing the right platform is becoming increasingly important. Each offers different features, fee structures, levels of competition and opportunities, all of which can have a significant impact on your earnings and the type of clients you attract.
In this guide, we've compared four of the UK's leading freelance platforms, exploring their key features, freelancer fees and who they're best suited for, helping you choose the platform that best supports your freelance business.
Wootly is a new UK-focused freelancer marketplace built around trust, transparency and long-term freelance success. Unlike many marketplaces, Wootly verifies freelancers and clients using ID before they can post projects and send proposals. All payments are processed through a secure payment payment system and they reward experienced freelancers with lower platform fees through its Flight Path progression system.
Whether you're selling fixed-price services or applying for client projects, Wootly is designed to help UK freelancers build lasting client relationships while keeping more of what they earn.
Wootly uses a transparent fee structure that rewards freelancers as they grow.
Freelancers pay between 5% and 15% depending on their Flight Path level:
There are no bidding credits or proposal tokens to purchase, allowing freelancers to focus on winning work rather than paying to apply.
Upwork is one of the world's largest freelance marketplaces, connecting businesses with freelancers across industries including development, design, writing and marketing.
Client payments are held securely in escrow for fixed-price contracts, while hourly projects are billed weekly.
Upwork charges freelancers using a sliding fee model based on lifetime earnings with each individual client.
Clients also pay marketplace fees, and freelancers purchase proposal credits ("Connects") when applying for many jobs. These can add up quickly when applying for projects each month.
Fiverr is another global giant. A Freelance marketplace built around fixed-price service packages, commonly known as "Gigs". It's particularly popular among creative freelancers, marketers, writers and video editors.
Fiverr charges freelancers a flat 20% commission on every completed order.
Additional considerations include:
PeoplePerHour is a UK-focused freelance marketplace connecting businesses with freelancers in areas such as marketing, SEO, design and development.
PeoplePerHour uses a tiered commission structure:
Additional costs may include proposal credits, withdrawal fees, currency conversion charges and dispute fees.
Every freelancer has different priorities.
If you're looking for the largest international marketplace, Upwork offers access to a huge client base.
If you prefer selling packaged services, Fiverr remains a popular option for creative professionals.
PeoplePerHour continues to be a strong choice for freelancers targeting UK businesses.
If you want a UK-focused platform that allows both package services and project-based work with transparent fees and lower commissions as your business grows, Wootly offers an alternative built specifically with freelancers in mind.
When comparing platforms, consider:
A lower commission doesn't always mean better value if the platform doesn't generate quality opportunities.
Fiverr is often recommended for beginners because of its gig-based model.
However, beginners looking to build long-term client relationships may also benefit from platforms like Wootly, where transparent pricing, verified users and project opportunities can help freelancers establish credibility as they grow.
Start by choosing a skill you can offer, building a portfolio and completing smaller projects to gain reviews and experience. Optimising your profile, responding professionally to clients and delivering high-quality work consistently will help you build a strong reputation over time.
