Disclosure: Fiverr is a FreelanceMile partner, and that partnership affects where it appears in this guide. Some links are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The pros, cons and fees for every platform, including Fiverr, are my honest take.
The best freelance websites in the UK are Fiverr, PeoplePerHour and Upwork for most freelancers, with YunoJuno, Malt and Toptal for experienced specialists.
This guide compares 11 platforms UK freelancers use, with fees as each platform states them, plus the HMRC, VAT and IR35 basics you need before your first invoice.
Key takeaways
- Start with one marketplace. Fiverr suits packaged services; PeoplePerHour suits UK small businesses; Upwork suits long-term contracts.
- Fees differ a lot. Fiverr keeps 20% of each order; PeoplePerHour charges 20% to 3.5% excluding VAT; Upwork charges 0% to 15% per contract.
- Curated networks pay for experience. YunoJuno, Malt, Worksome and Toptal mostly hire seasoned freelancers.
- Register with HMRC. Self-employed income usually means a Self Assessment return; the first £1,000 of trading income can be tax-free.
- Know the thresholds. VAT registration starts at £90,000 taxable turnover, and IR35 matters if you work through your own limited company.
Best freelance websites UK at a glance
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Platform | Best for | Freelancer fee (as stated) | UK angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fiverr | Packaged services | You earn 80% of each order | Huge buyer base; prices in USD |
| 2. PeoplePerHour | UK small businesses | 20% / 7.5% / 3.5% excl. VAT | UK-founded, GBP pricing |
| 3. Upwork | Long-term contracts | 0% to 15% per contract | Global clients, UK time zone |
| 4. YunoJuno | Agency creative and tech | Contractors not charged | London office, IR35 tools |
| 5. Malt | Consultants, specialists | Check in your account | UK site, London office |
| 6. Freelancer.com | Bidding and contests | 10% or $5 (fixed), 10% hourly | freelancer.co.uk domain |
| 7. Toptal | Senior tech and finance | Screened network | Fewer than 3% accepted |
| 8. Worksome | Enterprise contracts | Client-side platform | Inside/outside IR35 hiring |
| 9. Contra | Creative portfolios | Commission-free (per Contra) | Global, remote |
| 10. Contently | Freelance writers | Free portfolio to join | Brand content work |
| 11. Bark | Local and online services | Check pricing for pros | UK customer requests |
Fees and rules were checked on each platform’s own page on 7 November 2026. They change, so confirm before you sign up.
The 11 best freelance websites in the UK
1. Fiverr
Fiverr lets you sell fixed-price “Gigs” that UK buyers can order straight away, so you do not have to bid on every job.
Fiverr’s help centre says you earn 80% of each completed order, including Gig Extras and tips. Gig prices are set in US dollars, with a $5 minimum.
Best for: designers, writers, video editors and marketers who can package a service. Watch out for: the 20% cut and pricing in USD, not GBP.
Join Fiverr as a freelancer or read what Fiverr is and how it works. Fee source: Fiverr earnings page.
2. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour started in 2007 and calls itself the longest running freelance service in the UK. It says it has paid over £100 million to freelancers.
Freelancer fees fall as you bill more with each buyer: 20% below £250, 7.5% from £250 to £5,000 and 3.5% above £5,000, all excluding VAT.
Freelancer access is through an annual PPH Basic subscription. You get a monthly allotment of proposal credits and can buy more; PPH shows the amounts on the site.
Best for: UK small-business clients and fixed-price Offers. Sources: PeoplePerHour about page and PeoplePerHour terms.
3. Upwork
Upwork is the biggest general marketplace UK freelancers use for long-term hourly and fixed-price contracts with clients worldwide.
Its freelancer service fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract. You see the exact rate before you submit a proposal, and it is locked once the contract starts.
Best for: developers, writers, VAs and consultants who want repeat clients. Source: Upwork fee help page. Is it worth it? See is Upwork worth it.
4. YunoJuno
YunoJuno is a freelancer management platform with a London office, used by agencies and brands that hire creative and tech freelancers.
Its pricing page says contractors are not charged to join, work or get paid through YunoJuno. It also offers IR35 compliance tools for UK clients.
Best for: experienced creatives, developers and marketers who want agency work. Source: YunoJuno pricing.
5. Malt
Malt is a European freelance platform with a UK site and a London office. It reports 1,000,000+ freelancers and focuses on tech, design, marketing and consulting.
Clients use it to find, contract and pay freelancers in one place. Check current freelancer fees in your Malt account before taking a project.
Best for: consultants and senior specialists who want corporate clients. Site: Malt UK.
6. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com (also at freelancer.co.uk) is a bidding marketplace with projects and contests across many categories.
Its fee page says freelancers pay 10% or $5.00 USD, whichever is greater, on fixed-price projects, and 10% on hourly projects.
Free members get 6 bids a month to start, and you must keep a $20.00 minimum account balance before bidding. Source: Freelancer fees and charges.
7. Toptal
Toptal is a screened network for developers, designers, finance experts and project managers.
Toptal says that of the thousands of applications it sees each month, typically fewer than 3% are accepted.
Best for: senior specialists who can pass a tough screening. Source: Toptal screening page.
8. Worksome
Worksome is a workforce platform that serves UK companies hiring freelancers inside and outside IR35, plus US firms hiring 1099 talent.
It is mostly used by larger businesses, so it suits contractors with a clear specialism. Site: Worksome.
9. Contra
Contra is a portfolio-first network for creative freelancers. Its homepage promotes getting paid commission-free.
Best for: designers and creatives who want a polished portfolio page that clients can hire from directly. Site: Contra.
10. Contently
Contently is a network for freelance writers and content creators who work with brands.
You join by building a free portfolio. Matched freelancers pitch ideas, submit work and get paid in one place. Source: Contently sign-up page.
11. Bark
Bark connects UK customers with local and online professionals, from coaches and tutors to web designers and accountants.
Customers post a request and professionals respond. Check Bark’s pricing for professionals before you join. Site: Bark UK.
How to choose the right UK freelance platform
- New and want quick first orders? Use Fiverr or PeoplePerHour Offers with two or three fixed-price packages.
- Want steady contracts? Build an Upwork profile and pitch on jobs that match one niche.
- Five or more years of experience? Apply to YunoJuno, Malt, Toptal or Worksome for agency and corporate work.
- Writer? Add a Contently portfolio alongside a marketplace profile.
- Local service? Bark brings in UK customer requests for coaching, tutoring and trades-style services.
Compare fees on real numbers: on a £200 first job, a 20% fee costs £40 before VAT. Put that into your price.
Need a wider, global list? See the best freelance websites worldwide.
UK tax, VAT and IR35 basics for freelancers
These rules come from GOV.UK pages checked on 7 November 2026. They are a starting point, not tax advice.
Register for Self Assessment
Most freelancers start as a sole trader. GOV.UK says you must tell HMRC by 5 October 2026 if you need a tax return for the tax year that ran from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026.
Register on the Self Assessment registration page. Telling HMRC late can mean a penalty.
Use the £1,000 trading allowance
You can get up to £1,000 each tax year in tax-free trading allowance (GOV.UK trading allowance). It helps if freelancing is a small side income.
National Insurance on profits
For the 2026 to 2027 tax year, Class 4 National Insurance is 6% on profits over £12,570 up to £50,270, and 2% on profits above £50,270 (GOV.UK NI rates).
If your profits are £7,105 or more, Class 2 contributions are treated as paid, so your NI record is protected without paying them.
VAT registration
You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover for the last 12 months goes over £90,000, or you expect it to in the next 30 days (GOV.UK VAT registration).
Platform fees such as PeoplePerHour’s are quoted excluding VAT, so check your monthly statements.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
If your qualifying income was over £50,000 for 2024 to 2025, you should have started using Making Tax Digital from 6 April 2026. The threshold drops to £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and £20,000 from 6 April 2028 (GOV.UK MTD guidance).
IR35 (off-payroll working)
IR35 rules apply if you work through your own intermediary, usually a limited company. In most cases the client decides your employment status for tax.
If your client is a small business outside the public sector, your own company decides instead. HMRC’s CEST tool helps; see GOV.UK IR35 guidance.
Tips to win more UK clients
- Show prices in GBP where the platform allows it, and say whether VAT is included.
- Mention your UK time zone and response hours in your profile.
- Lead with one niche, such as “Shopify product copy for UK brands”.
- Send clear invoices; see how to invoice as a freelancer.
- Collect two or three reviews fast with small fixed-price jobs, then raise your rates.
New to working for yourself? Start with how to become self-employed and what freelancing is.
FAQ
What is the best freelance website in the UK?
For most beginners, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour and Upwork. Experienced specialists should add YunoJuno, Malt or Toptal.
Is PeoplePerHour UK-based?
Yes. PeoplePerHour started in 2007, describes itself as the longest running freelance service in the UK, and quotes fees in GBP.
How much do UK freelance websites charge?
Fiverr freelancers earn 80% of each order. PeoplePerHour charges 20%, 7.5% or 3.5% excluding VAT by lifetime billing per buyer. Upwork charges 0% to 15% per contract.
Do I need to register with HMRC to freelance?
Usually yes, once you need a tax return. Small side income may be covered by the £1,000 trading allowance. Check the GOV.UK pages above.
Does IR35 apply to sole traders?
IR35 rules apply when you work through your own intermediary, usually a limited company. They are unlikely to apply if you are employed by an umbrella company.
