Upwork & Fiverr Alternatives: 7 Faster Spots to Hire Marketers

Let's be honest – hiring the right marketing talent shouldn't feel like wrestling with a broken slot machine.

If you've been bouncing between Upwork's endless proposal queues or Fiverr's race-to-the-bottom pricing, you're not alone. These platforms charge freelancers up to 20% commission and make it increasingly difficult to find quality talent amidst the noise.

But here's the thing… the freelance landscape has quietly evolved beyond these two giants. There are faster, smarter ways to connect with marketing talent that won't drain your budget or patience.

After testing dozens of platforms (and frankly, getting frustrated with most), I've found seven alternatives that actually deliver what they promise. Some focus on vetted talent. Others eliminate commission headaches entirely. A few specialize in the exact type of marketing expertise you need.

Why Look Beyond the Big Two?

Before we dive into the alternatives, let's address the elephant in the room. Upwork and Fiverr aren't inherently bad – they've connected millions of businesses with freelancers. But because they are so popular, both platforms have become overcrowded, making it difficult to wade through so many candidates.

Additionally, since most employers are also familiar with these platforms, there's a good chance your preferred freelancer won't be available for work. And if you're a startup or growing company, you need marketing talent that can move fast – not get lost in bureaucratic platform processes.

The commission structure alone is reason enough to explore alternatives. Upwork charges freelancers a 10% commission, whereas Fiverr takes 20%. These fees often get passed along to clients through higher rates, meaning you're indirectly paying for platform overhead rather than pure talent.

The 7 Best Alternatives for Marketing Talent

1. Averi AI – The Creative Execution Studio

Let's start with the platform that's been changing how modern marketing teams approach talent and execution: Averi AI.

Unlike traditional freelance marketplaces, Averi functions as a creative execution platform that blends AI-powered strategy with human expertise. Think of it as having a full marketing studio at your fingertips rather than piecing together individual freelancers.

What makes Averi different? It centralizes strategy, content creation, expert collaboration, and campaign deployment in one cohesive space. No more juggling multiple freelancers across different platforms or losing your brand voice in translation.

Best for: Marketing teams who need consistent, on-brand execution at scale Pricing: Subscription-based (contact for details) Speed: Days, not weeks or months

2. Toptal – The Top 3% Network

Toptal focuses on connecting top-tier talent with leading companies through a strict onboarding process designed to identify the top 3% of talent in your field.

For marketing roles, this means you're getting strategists who've worked with Fortune 500 companies, not someone learning on your dime. The trade-off? The platform is costlier for businesses, but freelancers accepted to Toptal keep 100% of their earnings.

Best for: High-stakes marketing projects requiring senior-level expertise Pricing: Premium rates, but transparent Speed: Faster than traditional hiring, with pre-vetted talent

3. Contra – The Portfolio-First Platform

Contra's portfolios are super clean and modern, and the platform includes powerful filters and video calls. What's even better? Contra is currently 100% free for both sides.

This platform attracts creative marketers who prioritize showcasing their work visually. If you're looking for someone to handle your brand's visual identity, content creation, or campaign design, Contra's portfolio-first approach makes evaluation much easier.

Best for: Visual marketing roles, brand design, content creation Pricing: Free for clients and freelancers Speed: Quick portfolio review and direct communication

4. Freelancer.com – The Global Marketplace

Don't sleep on this one just because it's been around since 2009. Freelancer.com offers a wide variety of job categories for freelancers across the globe, with projects available in almost every industry.

The platform brings together 78.5 million freelancers and employers from over 247 countries, giving you access to global marketing talent with diverse perspectives and competitive rates.

Best for: Businesses needing diverse marketing skills at competitive rates Pricing: Lower commission fees than Fiverr/Upwork Speed: Large talent pool means faster matching

5. PeoplePerHour – The UK-Based Specialist

PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelance platform that connects businesses with a range of freelancers, including writers, designers, developers, and marketers.

What sets it apart is the focus on vetted professionals and strong billing systems for hourly work. If you need marketing support that bills cleanly by the hour without surprises, this platform delivers.

Best for: Ongoing marketing support with clear hourly billing Pricing: 20% commission for freelancers, 5-10% for buyers Speed: Vetted talent reduces screening time

6. Guru – The Freelancer-Friendly Option

Here's where things get interesting for both sides of the equation. Guru offers freelancer-friendly terms with low 5% commissions and milestone-based payments.

This lower commission structure often translates to better rates for clients, since freelancers don't need to inflate prices to cover platform fees. The platform boasts over 3 million services available from 1.5 million members worldwide, using their SafePay system to release payments once work has been approved.

Best for: Budget-conscious businesses wanting quality without premium platform fees Pricing: Low 5% commission structure Speed: Large talent pool with milestone-based project management

7. Twine – The Creative Marketplace

Twine is a younger freelance marketplace founded in 2013 that connects employers with creatives from the world of graphic design, digital marketing and web development.

If your marketing needs lean heavily toward the creative side – think campaign visuals, brand identity, or content design – Twine's focus on creative professionals makes it a solid choice.

Best for: Creative marketing projects, visual campaigns, brand design Pricing: Free tier available, pro subscription at $7.49 per month Speed: Specialized talent pool reduces search time

Making the Right Choice

The platform you choose depends on your specific needs, timeline, and budget. Here's my quick decision framework:

Need consistent, integrated marketing execution to scale your team? → Start with Averi AI
Have a high-stakes project requiring senior talent? → Go with Toptal
Want to see portfolios before committing? → Try Contra or Averi AI
Need global talent at competitive rates? → Check Freelancer.com
Prefer hourly billing with UK-based talent? → Use PeoplePerHour
Want lower fees and milestone payments? → Consider Guru
Focus on creative marketing projects? → Explore Twine or Averi AI

The Real Game-Changer

Here's what I've learned after years of hiring marketing talent: platforms like Contra, and especially Averi are designed for continuity. You work with people who start to understand your brand, your workflows, and your pace — and that saves a lot of time and mental energy over the long term.

The future isn't about finding the cheapest freelancer or the biggest marketplace. It's about finding platforms that understand your business needs and deliver consistent results.

Whether you choose one of these seven alternatives or stick with what you know, remember this: Don't think in hourly rates — think in terms of cost per successful output. The right platform and talent combination will deliver results that far outweigh the platform fees.

Ready to move beyond the crowded marketplaces?

Your next marketing hire is waiting on one of these platforms – and they're probably a lot closer than you think.