The global freelance platforms market size is expected to reach USD 14.39 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 17.7% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The freelance platform connects businesses looking for skilled professionals and individuals looking for freelancing opportunities. Freelance platforms enable companies to post their workforce requirements, and freelancers display their skills and experience by creating profiles.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift in the employment marketplace due to lockdown and social distancing norms. There was a shift to remote working from the traditional in-office work model. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic-induced job losses led to more people considering freelance work. In October 2020, Toptal, LLC, a freelance platform market player, reported that it experienced a rise of 55% in the number of applications for joining the company’s global talent network in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Businesses are embracing freelancing as they can avoid adding permanent employees to their workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic-led economic uncertainties. Freelance platforms help businesses find talent for special projects or temporary job roles, helping them reduce costs. The companies can outsource tasks that require a specialized workforce, reducing the workload of full-time employees and helping them focus on other business activities. Freelancing platforms are also getting more specialized as there are platforms for specific skill sets. For instance, 99designs, an Australia-based freelance platform, connects designers to companies. Hence, employers looking for specialized skills can access the niche freelance platform directly.
Based on application, the market for freelance platforms is divided into project management, sales & marketing, IT, web and graphic design, and others. Growing project complexities across industries drive the demand for experienced project managers on freelance platforms. Based on end-user, the market for freelance platforms is divided into enterprises and freelancers (by age group). Large enterprises and SMEs are using freelance platforms due to growth in the adoption of the remote work model. Younger generation freelancers are attracted to freelancing as it offers a greater work-life balance.
The market players are introducing new solutions for freelance platform end-users. For instance, in June 2022, Upwork Global Inc. announced the launch of Upwork Academy, an interactive suite of tools and courses to help professionals succeed on Upwork Global Inc.’s freelance platform. With this launch, the company aimed to help professionals get the required skills.
The market for freelance platforms is highly competitive. Major players are investing in Research & Development (R&D) to drive innovation. Some prominent players include Upwork Global Inc.; Fiverr International Ltd.; Toptal; People Per Hour Ltd; Freelancer.com; Guru.com; and 99designs. These key players are adopting different development strategies such as product launches, mergers & acquisitions, and others to expand their presence and market share. Along with key strategies, these players are introducing new features to improve the customer experience.
In May 2023, Fiverr International Ltd. announced the launch of Fiverr Enterprise, a solution providing employers and enterprises with comprehensive control and a seamless all-in-one solution for sourcing, managing, onboarding, and paying their freelance talent. It simplifies essential tasks such as budget tracking, tax compliance, legal processes, and workforce classification. By offering these features, the company aims to streamline the freelancer management process and ensure compliance with relevant regulations, enabling businesses to work with freelancers effectively and efficiently.
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The platform segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 51.0% in 2024. The platform segment is further categorized as project-based, solution-based, talent-based, and hybrid.
The freelancers segment accounted for a significant revenue share of over 51.0% in 2024. The freelancer segment is further categorized into age groups: 18 - 34, 35 - 54, and above 55.
The project management segment accounted for a significant revenue share of over 23.0% in 2024. The rising demand for specialized project management skills is a critical driver in the freelance platforms industry.
The North America freelance platforms market held a share of nearly 31.0% in 2024. The rise of the gig economy is a major factor contributing to the growth of the freelance platforms industry in North America.
Asia Pacific is growing significantly at a CAGR of 20.1% from 2025 to 2030. The increasing adoption of remote and flexible work arrangements across countries in APAC drives market growth.
Grand View Research has segmented global freelance platforms market report based on component, end-user, application, and region:
Freelance Platforms Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)
Platform
Project-based
Solution-based
Talent-based
Hybrid
Services
Freelance Platforms End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)
Employers
SMEs
Large Enterprises
Freelancers (by Age Group)
18 - 34
35 - 54
Above 55
Freelance Platforms Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)
Project Management
Sales & Marketing
IT
Web and Graphic Design
Others
Freelance Platforms Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2018 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Europe
UK
Germany
France
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Australia
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Middle East & Africa
UAE
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
List of Key Players in the Freelance Platforms Market
Upwork Global Inc.
Fiverr International Ltd.
Toptal, LLC
People Per Hour Ltd
Freelancer Technology Pty Limited
Guru.com
99designs
DesignCrowd
Crowdspring
WorkGenius
Paro, Inc.
Contently
Gigster LLC
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