Upwork vs 99Designs Showdown: How to Leverage Both Platforms for Maximum Success

The world of freelancing has grown exponentially in the past decade, with various platforms catering to a range of skillsets and industries. Two of the most popular platforms for finding work and hiring freelancers are Upwork and 99Designs. In this comprehensive guide, we will compare the Upwork vs 99Designs showdown, exploring their key differences and similarities, and evaluating the pros and cons of each platform. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to leverage both platforms for maximum success in your freelance career.

What is Upwork and what is 99Designs?

Upwork is a global freelancing platform that connects businesses and independent professionals across various industries. The platform allows freelancers to create profiles, apply for jobs, and build their reputation through client reviews. Upwork covers a broad range of categories, from graphic design and web development to content writing and administrative support.

99Designs, on the other hand, is a platform specifically tailored for graphic designers. It operates on a contest-based model, where businesses post design briefs and multiple designers submit their proposals. The client then selects the winning design, and the chosen designer receives payment.

Key differences between Upwork and 99Designs

1. Scope: Upwork offers a wider range of freelancing opportunities, whereas 99Designs is focused solely on graphic design.
2. Payment Model: Upwork supports hourly and fixed-price contracts, while 99Designs primarily uses a contest-based model.
3. Client Interaction: Upwork allows for direct communication between clients and freelancers during the hiring process, while 99Designs typically only allows interaction once a designer has been selected.
4. Skill Levels: Upwork features freelancers with varying skill levels, from beginners to experts, whereas 99Designs attracts more specialized and experienced designers.
5. Fees: Upwork has a sliding fee scale depending on the freelancer’s lifetime billings with a client, while 99Designs charges a flat fee for its services.

Key similarities between Upwork and 99Designs

1. Both platforms are designed to connect freelancers with clients in need of their services.
2. Both Upwork and 99Designs provide an opportunity for freelancers to build a reputation through client feedback and reviews.
3. Both platforms offer a secure payment system to protect freelancers and clients.
4. Upwork and 99Designs each have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
5. Both platforms offer customer support to help freelancers and clients resolve any issues that may arise during projects.

Feature	Upwork	99Designs
Scope	Broad range of industries	Graphic design only
Payment Model	Hourly and fixed-price contracts	Primarily contest-based model
Client Interaction	Direct communication throughout hiring process	Limited interaction until a designer is selected
Skill Levels	Beginners to experts	Specialized and experienced designers
Fees	Sliding scale based on lifetime billings	Flat fee structure
Opportunities	Various industries and job types	Graphic design contests and projects
Client-Freelancer Relation	Long-term relationships possible	Focused on individual projects
Competition	High due to diverse freelancer pool	High within design contests
Community Focus	General freelancing community	Focused on graphic design community
Predictability of Earnings	Depends on lifetime billings with a client	More predictable with flat fee structure

Pros of Upwork over 99Designs

1. Upwork offers a broader range of freelance opportunities across various industries.
2. The platform enables more direct communication between freelancers and clients throughout the hiring process.
3. Upwork allows for both hourly and fixed-price contracts, offering flexibility in payment options.
4. The platform caters to freelancers with varying skill levels, from beginners to experts.
5. Upwork’s sliding fee scale can benefit freelancers who establish long-term relationships with clients.

Cons of Upwork compared to 99Designs

1. Upwork can be more competitive due to its broader range of freelancers and industries.
2. The platform may require more time and effort to find suitable jobs and clients.
3. Upwork’s fees can be higher, especially for new freelancers with lower lifetime billings.
4. The platform can be more susceptible to low-quality job postings and clients.
5. It may be more difficult for freelancers to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Pros of 99Designs over Upwork

1. 99Designs is tailored specifically for graphic designers, making it easier for them to find relevant projects.
2. The contest-based model allows designers to showcase their creativity and stand out among competitors.
3. 99Designs typically attracts more specialized and experienced designers, leading to higher-quality job opportunities.
4. The platform offers a flat fee structure, making it more predictable for freelancers in terms of earnings.
5. 99Designs provides a more focused community, allowing designers to network and learn from their peers.

Cons of 99Designs compared to Upwork

1. The contest-based model can be risky, as designers may invest time and effort without a guaranteed payout.
2. 99Designs offers fewer opportunities for non-design freelancers, limiting its appeal to a specific niche.
3. The platform may have less client interaction during the hiring process, which could hinder relationship-building.
4. 99Designs’ fees can be higher compared to Upwork’s sliding scale for established freelancers.
5. The platform may not be suitable for designers seeking hourly or ongoing work arrangements.

Category	Upwork	99Designs
Pros
	1. Broader range of opportunities	1. Tailored for graphic designers
	2. Direct communication with clients	2. Contest-based model
	3. Flexible payment options	3. Specialized and experienced designers
	4. Caters to varying skill levels	4. Flat fee structure
	5. Sliding fee scale for long-term relationships	5. Focused community
Cons
	1. Higher competition	1. Risky contest-based model
	2. Time-consuming job search	2. Limited to graphic design opportunities
	3. Potentially higher fees	3. Less client interaction during hiring
	4. Susceptible to low-quality postings	4. Fees can be higher for established freelancers
	5. Difficulty standing out in crowded marketplace	5. Not suitable for hourly or ongoing work

Situations when Upwork is better than 99Designs

1. When you’re looking for opportunities in various industries, not just graphic design.
2. If you prefer hourly or fixed-price contracts over a contest-based model.
3. When you want to have more direct communication with clients throughout the hiring process.
4. If you’re a beginner or intermediate freelancer looking to gain experience and build a diverse portfolio.
5. When you’re seeking long-term relationships with clients that could result in lower fees over time.

Situations when 99Designs is better than Upwork

1. When you’re a graphic designer seeking specialized opportunities within your niche.
2. If you enjoy the excitement and challenge of competing in design contests.
3. When you’re looking to showcase your creativity and stand out among your peers.
4. If you prefer a more focused community where you can network and learn from other graphic designers.
5. When you’re seeking a platform with a predictable fee structure that doesn’t depend on your lifetime billings with a client.

Situation	Upwork	99Designs
1. Industry and Job Type	Diverse industries and job types	Graphic design specialization
2. Payment Preferences	Hourly or fixed-price contracts	Contest-based model
3. Client Communication	Direct communication throughout hiring process	Limited interaction until a designer is selected
4. Freelancer Skill Level	Suitable for beginners to experts	Ideal for specialized and experienced designers
5. Long-term Client Relationships	Beneficial for establishing long-term relationships	Focused on individual projects and contests

Upwork vs 99Designs Summary

The Upwork vs 99Designs showdown offers valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each platform. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and skillset. If you’re a graphic designer seeking a specialized platform and enjoy the contest-based model, 99Designs might be the right choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a broader range of opportunities and prefer more direct communication with clients, Upwork could be a better fit.

By understanding the key differences and similarities between Upwork and 99Designs, you can make an informed decision about which platform to invest your time and effort in. By leveraging the strengths of each platform, you can maximize your success and thrive in the competitive world of freelancing.