Freelancing in America has expanded at a phenomenal rate over the last ten years. Millions of professionals are leaving behind nine-to-five jobs for flexible schedules and the ability to choose their own clients. While this expansion has produced a thriving gig economy, it has also produced a more competitive marketplace for freelancing. But what if we tell you about the hidden gem freelance platforms in the USA?
Marketplaces such as Upwork and Fiverr dominate the market, and freelancers and clients use them as their go-to marketplaces. However, their popularity has a few negative consequences, like overcrowding, extortionate prices for services, and a lack of reasonable entry for newbies.
For most newbies, the aspiration to receive continuous work comes into conflict with the not-so-appelling reality of competing against seasoned experts who have hundreds of reviews. The silver lining is that the freelance marketplace itself is far larger than the two industry behemoths. There are under-acknowledged freelance platforms within the United States that are less competitive, beginner-friendly, and more productive for beginners. Looking for these underrated sites may be a better strategy for getting your foot in the door in your freelance life.
Why Look Beyond Mainstream Freelance Platforms?
When it comes to building a career in the gig economy, most people immediately think of big names like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. While these mainstream freelance platforms in the USA dominate the market, they also come with challenges — high competition, steep fees, and limited visibility for new freelancers. Looking beyond these platforms can open doors to niche opportunities, better-paying clients, and more control over your work.
The Downsides of Popular Platforms
When people usually think of freelancing, they tend to think of Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com. These sites have millions of members, and appear to be fertile ground for growth. But the same popularity that makes them attractive has some severe drawbacks. Oversaturation is one of the biggest issues. For each job posting, hundreds of people apply. This high degree of competition can make it quite challenging for new entrants to differentiate themselves. Another issue is the fees. Popular platforms have service fees, which would eat into your profits.
Upwork, for example, takes a 10% to 20% cut of your profits based on the customer, but Fiverr takes 20% on all gigs, no matter how small. These fees are discouraging to a new freelancer who may be underpricing himself in an attempt to make a splash. Aside from competition and fees, newcomers have additional challenges. Without proof, most freelance writers are in a ‘catch-22’ situation: clients will not hire them because they have no proof of past works.
The Benefits of Hidden Gem Platforms
On the other hand, less popular freelance sites present new opportunities. They charge low or no fees, making them attractive to freelancers who want to keep their hard-earned money. Most significantly, likely, these sites tend to support specialized or niche customer groups, which can provide opportunities that mainstream sites miss.
Top Hidden Gem Freelance Platforms in the USA
Jobbers.io – 100% Commission-Free Platform
One of the most underrated gems is Jobbers.io, which is entirely commission-free. Unlike big services, Jobbers.io lets freelancers retain all their payments. This makes it particularly inviting for beginners who are already offering competitive prices to begin with. The UI/UX feature is even easier to work with, so transitioning to freelancing is less daunting. It has set out to empower freelancers by cutting the economic barriers, a relief in the high-fee-driven profession of platforms.
Hubstaff Talent – Fee-Free Freelance Marketplace
Another great option is Hubstaff Talent, a revenue-free marketplace where freelancers can directly engage with clients. It works toward empowering organizations to hire remote talent without any platform charges, and freelancers don’t need to share revenues.
Feedcoyote – Smooth & Beginner-Friendly Platform
Feedcoyote is another underutilized website that has become popular because of its simplicity and minimalistic design. It includes a reward system to motivate participation in the freelancing process. Its interface is extremely easy, therefore reducing the resistance to learning to use a new website. Feedcoyote is an ideal website for beginners who do not want to be overwhelmed.
FreeUp – Specialized in eCommerce Freelancing
For individuals interested in being part of e-commerce, FreeUp is a go-to freelance platform. It’s niche-specific to Shopify and Amazon, so people who have experience handling online stores, product listings, or digital marketing for eCommerce stores can earn a decent living here. Since it is niche-specific, it has less wide-ranging competition relative to famous websites, so freelancers have a greater chance of establishing their credibility.
Workana – Growing Global Platform
Workana is an another interesting platform. While it is well known in Latin America, it remains unfamiliar in the United States. This international focus makes it ideal for small production houses. Workana is an excellent gateway for freelancers seeking to establish a portfolio, particularly for work that does not require decades of experience.
Guru – Veteran but Underrated Freelancing Site
Perhaps the most overlooked is Guru, a veteran freelance site far too often forgotten. Even though it’s been around for a while, it doesn’t draw the same attention as Upwork or Fiverr. But Guru does offer robust collaboration tools and flexible payment terms, such as milestone payments and hourly terms.
How to Choose the Right Hidden Freelance Platform?
Choosing the best freelance platform depends on your field, the type of work you wish to do, and how much you can tolerate paying and competing. For example, if you seek generic freelancing and want to retain all your earnings, Jobbers.io or Hubstaff Talent might be your safest bets. If you’re in the market for e-commerce jobs, FreeUp is a better fit. If you like flexible payment arrangements, Guru might be more suitable. Beginners should start with a small scale and grow their profiles. That means being willing to do short-term projects initially just so you can get feedback and gain trust.
Pro Tips for Succeeding on Lesser-Known Freelance Sites
Achieving success on off-the-beaten-path platforms takes the same amount of effort as usual ones, although the process will usually be easier. Begin by establishing a professional profile that states your specialization clearly and includes keywords that prospective customers will use to search. Initially, don’t be afraid to take on small projects as they can help you gain trust in no time. Be professional in communication with clients, meet deadlines, and emphasize long-term relationships.
Final Thoughts: Are Hidden Gem Freelance Platforms Worth It?
Finding undiscovered freelance marketplaces in the United States is well worth your time, particularly for beginners. They have fewer competitors, very low fees, and off-the-beaten-path opportunities that mainstream sites tend to overlook. Moving away from the popular rings provides you with space to establish your freelancing career with less stress and more wiggle room for growth. If you’re just starting out, don’t let what’s trending on big platforms get you depressed. Try one of these gems, ease in, and give yourself room and time for growth.
Don’t just read about finance — act on it. Head over to The Finance Gig for more guides.
