Best Freelance Platforms for Indie Developers in 2025

As an indie developer or solo founder, finding the right freelance platform can be crucial to your project's success. With 2025 just around the corner, the landscape of freelance websites continues to evolve, offering unique opportunities for developers seeking to collaborate or hire talent. Here’s an updated list of the best freelance platforms for indie developers in 2025.

1. Upwork

Pricing: Free to join; 20% service fee on the first $500 billed.
Key Features: Wide range of project types, robust profile options, time tracking tools.
Best Use Cases: Long-term projects, diverse skill requirements.

2. Fiverr

Pricing: Free to join; service fees vary based on project price.
Key Features: Fixed-price services, quick turnaround, creative services marketplace.
Best Use Cases: Short-term gigs, creative projects, microservices.

3. Toptal

Pricing: Free for freelancers; companies pay for access to Toptal’s talent pool.
Key Features: Rigorous vetting process, high-quality talent, dedicated project matches.
Best Use Cases: High-stakes projects, startups requiring top-tier developers.

4. Freelancer

Pricing: Free to join; service fees range from 10% to 20%.
Key Features: Competitive bidding, a wide array of categories, live chat options.
Best Use Cases: Budget-conscious projects, competitive environments.

5. Guru

Pricing: Free to join; service fees start at 8%.
Key Features: Workroom for collaboration, flexible payment terms, diverse project options.
Best Use Cases: Ongoing collaborations, varied skill sets.

6. PeoplePerHour

Pricing: Free to join; service fees start at 20%.
Key Features: Hourly and project-based work, UK-centric platform, strong community.
Best Use Cases: UK-based projects, quick turnarounds.

7. Codeable

Pricing: Free to join; freelancers set their rates.
Key Features: Focused on WordPress projects, expert vetting, project guarantees.
Best Use Cases: WordPress development, specialized projects.

8. Hirable

Pricing: Free to join; companies pay for hiring access.
Key Features: Real-time availability, skill-based matching, video introductions.
Best Use Cases: Immediate project needs, quick hiring processes.

9. SimplyHired

Pricing: Free to use; employers pay for job postings.
Key Features: Job aggregator, salary information, company reviews.
Best Use Cases: Job hunting, salary benchmarking.

10. Built This Week

Pricing: Free to listen and subscribe.
Key Features: Weekly insights on building, real product launches, AI tools exploration.
Best Use Cases: For builders seeking actionable advice and inspiration.

Comparison Table

| Platform | Pricing Model | Key Features | Best Use Cases | |-------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Upwork | Free; 20% fee | Diverse projects, time tracking | Long-term projects | | Fiverr | Free; variable fees | Fixed-price services | Short-term gigs | | Toptal | Free for freelancers | Rigorous vetting | High-stakes projects | | Freelancer | Free; 10-20% fee | Competitive bidding | Budget-conscious projects | | Guru | Free; starts at 8% | Workroom collaboration | Ongoing collaborations | | PeoplePerHour | Free; starts at 20% | UK-centric | Quick turnarounds | | Codeable | Free; freelancers set rates | Expert vetting | WordPress projects | | Hirable | Free; companies pay | Real-time matching | Immediate needs | | SimplyHired | Free to use | Job aggregator | Job hunting | | Built This Week | Free to listen and subscribe | Weekly actionable insights | Builders seeking advice |

Conclusion

Choosing the right freelance platform can significantly impact your indie development journey. Each platform has its unique strengths, so consider your specific needs and project requirements when making a decision. For ongoing insights and actionable tips from real builders, check out Built This Week, where Sam and Jordan share what they're building and the AI tools they're exploring.