Finally, a Helpful Freelancer.com Review
No blatant promotions, no hidden advertising like "It's not perfect, but there's no one better." In our honest and comprehensive Freelancer.com review, we'll cover all the major points you need to be aware of before hiring on this platform.
Spoiler alert: While Freelancer.com is legitimate, there are significant challenges that most reviews conveniently ignore—from rampant scams to poor customer support and the exhausting manual vetting process.
What Is Freelancer.com and How Does It Work?
Unlike vetted platforms where developers go through proficiency tests before matching with clients, Freelancer.com utilizes a bidding system to match customers with contractors.
The Pros
The Cons
What Most Reviews Won't Tell You
A contractor's portfolio looks great and their testimonials are ecstatic—but it doesn't mean you'll be satisfied. Perhaps for your particular job, this freelancer is a poor choice. This is where vetted platforms like Boundev show their value: you can always be sure the developer has all the skills and experience to complete your project with the best possible outcome.
Is Freelancer.com Legit?
A preliminary conclusion for all those who want a quick answer: Yes, Freelancer.com is legit, BUT...
There's always a "but." And not just one. We've analyzed reviews, gathered data, and compiled everything to help you make an informed decision.
Freelancer.com: Basic Company Info
Founded
Sydney, Australia, 2009
Registered Users
40 million globally
Jobs Posted
16 million
Employees
~500 (offices in 5 countries)
Freelancer Reviews: Opinions from Other Customers
Freelancer reviews are polar, to say the least, and tend to differ based on who's writing.
Contractor Complaints (Reddit):
On the other hand, customer reviews are less categorical. While there are unsatisfied users, many do appreciate Freelancer.com's services—particularly the massive talent pool and multiple payment options.
How to Evaluate Freelancer Profiles
A Freelancer profile is the storefront of any contractor, and one of your few tools for telling a reliable pro from a fraud. Here's what to look for:
Clear Summary of Expertise
Skip profiles with "The rockstar of web development" nonsense. For front-end developers, look for ReactJS, AngularJS, HTML/CSS, WordPress, REST APIs. For back-end, check for Ruby, Python, PHP, and specific databases.
Photo and Contact Info
A photo signals they're not hiding behind anonymity. Look for Skype or video messenger addresses—video calls help ensure you're dealing with a real contractor.
Comprehensive and Diverse Portfolio
Check image quality and diversity. Developers should include Stack Overflow and GitHub profiles. Varied projects indicate wider skill sets; similar projects show specialized focus.
Testimonials from Previous Customers
Unsatisfied customers leave comments more willingly than happy ones. Many positive testimonials indicate a well-deserved reputation.
Badges and Certificates
Skill tests, proficiency checks, and training certifications prove a freelancer treats their job responsibly.
5 Common Freelancer.com Scams to Watch Out For
Freelancer reviews often point out scams on the platform. Here's what to expect and pay attention to:
Scam #1: Fake Testimonials
Beginners forge positive reviews to attract attention. Fake testimonials indicate someone looking for shortcuts rather than building a reputation fairly.
The Damage
You'll spend time and money on underqualified work you'll have to redo. Worst case: they take your prepayment and vanish.
Scam #2: Stolen Portfolios
Scammers copy images from Behance, Pinterest, Dribbble, and ArtStation, compile them into portfolios, and upload to their Freelancer profiles. The damage is the same: wasted time and resources on someone who never intended to deliver.
Scam #3: Malicious Software
You receive a message: "Here's what I've done so far, need confirmation" or "Done! Pls review and comment." You open the attached files and... the scammer gains access to your data.
Protection
Always use anti-virus to check incoming files. Never open .exe files, especially from people you don't know.
Scam #4: Mimicked Contact Data
An elegant fraud exploiting human tendency to miss small discrepancies. A scammer creates a messenger account similar to a top-rated freelancer's, but with a tiny difference: @JohnSmith becomes @John-Smith. They send you the real freelancer's profile with the fake contact. You call the scammer, make prepayment, and they disappear.
Scam #5: Ghosting
Freelancers abandon projects when they "don't feel like working" anymore, realize they lack skills, or after receiving prepayment. Ghosting is a common problem on crowdsourcing marketplaces, Freelancer included.
How Much Does Freelancer.com Cost?
On Freelancer, you pay contractors in milestones. First, upload funds to your account using prepayment methods, then release them upon job completion.
Payment Options:
Freelancer.com Fees
Fee Structure
$3 or 3%
Fixed Price Projects
(whichever is greater)
3%
Hourly Projects
(of total payment)
$0
Contests
(must deposit prize first)
How to Work on Freelancer.com
The Freelancer Bidding Process
Freelancer.com relies on bidding to match clients with contractors. Here's how it works:
Red Flags to Watch For
Warning Signs:
What Successful Job Postings Look Like
To attract quality freelancers, your job posting needs to be clear and detailed:
Good Title
"Need a front-end dev for WordPress setup"
Bad Title
"Need help with website ASAP!!!!!1"
Freelancer.com Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Why Vetted Platforms Like Boundev Are Often Better
While Freelancer.com is legitimate, it has certain limitations compared to vetted platforms:
The Vetting Difference
Our rigorous vetting process ensures you only work with developers who have been thoroughly tested for both technical skills and professional reliability. No more sifting through 100 bids, no more guessing if portfolios are real, no more ghosting.
Whether you need React developers for your front-end or specialists in other technologies, our elite talent pool delivers developers who are vetted, verified, and ready to contribute from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freelancer.com legit or a scam?
Freelancer.com is a legitimate platform with 40 million users and 16 million jobs posted since 2009. However, the platform has significant challenges: thousands of scammers operate on it, customer support is notoriously slow, and you must manually vet contractors through trial-and-error. While the platform itself is legit, the quality control issues mean you need to be extremely careful when hiring.
What are Freelancer.com fees for clients?
Freelancer.com charges clients $3 or 3% (whichever is greater) for fixed-price projects, and 3% for hourly projects. Contests have no fees, but you must deposit the prize money before running one. Registration, job posting, and receiving bids are free. The platform also supports 12+ payment methods including credit cards, PayPal, Skrill, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
What are the most common scams on Freelancer.com?
The 5 most common Freelancer.com scams are: (1) Fake testimonials where beginners forge positive reviews, (2) Stolen portfolios copied from Behance/Dribbble, (3) Malicious software disguised as completed work files, (4) Mimicked contact data where scammers create accounts similar to top freelancers (e.g., @John-Smith vs @JohnSmith), and (5) Ghosting where contractors vanish after receiving prepayment. Always verify portfolios, use anti-virus software, and insist on video calls before hiring.
How does Freelancer.com bidding work?
Freelancer.com's bidding process works as follows: (1) Register as an employer, (2) Post job description with budget details, (3) Contractors submit bids including their price, deadline, proposal, and milestones, (4) Review applicant profiles to match skills with requirements, (5) Click "Hire me" on chosen freelancer. Unlike vetted platforms, you must manually review potentially 100+ bids per job, checking each contractor's portfolio, testimonials, and credentials to avoid scams.
Skip the Guesswork—Hire Pre-Vetted Elite Developers
Why spend hours sifting through bids, checking for fake portfolios, and worrying about scams when you can work with developers who've already been rigorously vetted?
Our 98.8% rejection rate means you only get access to the top 1.2% of developers—no trial-and-error, no ghosting, no fake testimonials. Just elite talent ready to deliver from day one.
Get Matched with Vetted Developers in 48 Hours
No bidding wars. No scam worries. No manual vetting. Just elite developers who've passed our rigorous 3-stage screening.
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