15 Best Freelance Writing Websites to Find Work and Hone Your Skills (& 14 Others to Try)

Even with access to a list of the best freelance writing sites out there, you’ll eventually need to narrow down your search to a handful (or even just one) that matches your experience level, the types of freelance writing you specialize in, your schedule, and your overall goals as a freelance writer.

First, figure out which type of freelance writing site you’re looking for. Maybe you want a freelancing marketplace where you can have full control over your rates and projects. Maybe you want a site that hires freelance workers and outsources work to them from other companies. Or maybe you want a site that compiles the best freelance writing jobs from across the web.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all these types of sites. We’ll go over them in detail and give you a look into the highest-paying freelance writing sites and the best freelance writing websites for beginners to break into the industry.

Do you need to use writing sites to find work?

It’s possible to land gigs without using a freelancing platform by pitching to magazines and other publications directly. This has several advantages—most significantly, you won’t have to give a cut of your profits to the writing platform (something that you’ll have to do with most of the sites below). That said, pitching independently is hard work, and it’s reasonable to use a website when you’re starting out and trying to find your feet.

There are a few different types of platforms on this list, including:

• Freelancing sites and marketplaces: These are a great option if you want to stay fully in control of your rates and what writing projects you take on. They’re some of the best sites for new writers to land freelance work since you don’t necessarily need any experience to get started. It can be tough to beat the competition to get those first few gigs, but there’s plenty of potential to grow.
• Content writing websites: Also known as content mills, these sites serve as middlemen connecting you with clients. You don’t need to pitch to businesses or apply to jobs—instead, these sites will simply send you projects from clients that suit your expertise or experience. The downside is that there’s no guaranteed work, and pay rates are often very low.
• Freelance writing job boards: Similar to regular job boards, you can browse listings on these sites and apply for the ones that you’re interested in. Many of these sites not only offer freelance work, but also traditional, full-time jobs and part-time gigs.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at all of your options.

1. SideHustles.com

SideHustles.com is a job site that focuses on remote, freelance, and part-time work, along with other flexible opportunities you can fit around your pre-existing commitments. This makes it ideal for scoring freelance writing gigs (although it covers many other fields, such as editing, SEO, and translation).

We recommend it because, unlike the other general freelancing websites on this list, SideHustles.com features a job board rather than a marketplace. This means you can only use it to find clients—not to do business with them. However, it also means you won’t pay hefty commissions like those charged by many freelancing marketplaces; in fact, the SideHustles.com job board is completely free, with no fees whatsoever.

Our website also has articles about how to become a freelance writer and how much freelance writers make. Check out our freelance writer hub for more articles about how to develop your writing skills and branch out into different niches.

What you need to know about SideHustles.com

• Jobs available: SideHustles.com has a variety of jobs available for writers, many of which are freelance jobs. These include journalism, news reporting, and content writing opportunities.
• Earnings: Rates vary depending on the project.
• Fees and commissions: The SideHustles.com job site is completely free for all users.
• Experience level: Some jobs may be suitable for new freelance writers; others will require you to have paid experience or share a portfolio of your previous work.
• Signup requirements: None.

2. Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces in the world. It connects freelancers in all fields with businesses and individuals seeking talent, and it’s an ideal marketplace for content writers and other writers.

Users report that the amount of job availability is higher than on many other platforms, although the rates can be low. It’s a good idea to be selective and only accept work with reasonable pay.

What you need to know about Upwork

• Jobs available: You can find virtually every kind of freelance writing job on Upwork (as well as gigs of other types).
• Earnings: Earnings vary from project to project and are set by the clients who use the platform. You’re free to accept or reject jobs based on how much they pay.
• Fees and commissions: Freelancers are charged a 10% fee on all their earnings through the platform.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners and experienced writers.
• Signup requirements: No special requirements; anyone can create an account.

3. Contently

Contently recruits content creators, including writers, and matches them with suitable brands. They are a little more selective when it comes to hiring freelance writers compared to some other websites for content writing, and you’ll need to show that you have paid writing experience before you can join their team.

We recommend this platform to experienced writers with a niche, as they have a better chance of landing higher-paying work.

What you need to know about Contently

• Jobs available: Contently has a variety of jobs available for writers (as well as creators with other skills, such as graphic design and video editing). For writers, these projects include blog posts, white papers, and articles for print magazines.
• Earnings: Rates vary from project to project and depend on your level of experience, but on average, Contently pays between $0.05 to $0.10 per word.
• Fees and commissions: Unclear, but anecdotal reports claim that they charge a 4.75% commission fee.
• Experience level: Suitable for relative beginners, but you’ll need at least some paid experience. Contently requires you to set up a portfolio with at least 7 projects before they’ll consider matching you with clients.
• Signup requirements: As mentioned, you must have completed at least 7 projects for paying clients.

4. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is another legit freelancer marketplace where you can bid on various job postings. It’s a lot like Upwork in that it’s not just a place to find work as a freelance writer—you can also find a huge range of jobs contracted on a freelance basis, including remote jobs that require no paid work experience in various fields.

What you need to know about Freelancer.com

• Jobs available: You can find all sorts of gigs on this site. These obviously include writing projects, but also include projects for freelancers with other skills.
• Earnings: Your earnings will vary depending on the projects you take on.
• Fees and commissions: It’s free to sign up, although you’ll only be allowed to bid for projects 6 times per month. If you’d like more bids, you’ll need to pay. Freelancer.com also takes a commission from both businesses and freelancers. For fixed-fee projects and contests, they charge freelancers 10% or $5.00, whichever is higher, and for hourly projects, they charge 10%.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners and experienced writers, although experienced writers may find it easier to land projects.
• Signup requirements: No special requirements; anyone can create an account.

5. WriterAccess

WriterAccess is another marketplace that connects companies with content creators. However, acceptance isn’t automatic; WriterAccess will contact you if their editors decide that you meet their criteria.

What you need to know about WriterAccess

• Jobs available: The platform features all sorts of writing jobs, although many of them involve writing web content (SEO blog posts, etc.). WriterAccess also has a variety of freelance projects available in other industries, including editing, proofreading, content strategy, translating, web design, photography, and more.
• Earnings: Pay per word ranges from $0.02 to $2 before writers are charged WriterAccess’s fee.
• Fees and commissions: The platform is free to join for writers, but WriterAccess charges a hefty 30% commission on each project.
• Experience level: The application process is fairly extensive, so this platform is arguably better suited for experienced writers.
• Signup requirements: To work for WriterAccess, you’ll have to submit an application, which will involve a number of stages and include several different writing tests. You must be a resident of the US, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, or the Republic of Ireland.

6. Fiverr

Fiverr is a lot like Upwork and Freelancer in that it’s a general digital marketplace freelancers can use to find all types of online work, including coding, data entry, virtual assisting, and content creation, to name just a few.

It’s definitely worth mentioning as a site to find freelance writing work since there are always plenty of writing gigs going, and it’s an excellent site for beginner freelance writers to get their start and gain some experience.

What you need to know about Fiverr

• Jobs available: You can find all sorts of writing gigs on Fiverr as well as a huge range of other digital freelancing jobs.
• Earnings: Your earnings will vary depending on the projects you take on.
• Fees and commissions: It’s free to sign up, although Fiverr will take a 20% cut of your revenue, including your tips. If you’re invited to join the exclusive Seller Plus program, that comes with a premium fee of $20 per month, although you’ll get perks like faster payouts and analytics tools.
• Experience level: Best suited to beginner freelance writers. Experienced writers may find the going rates too low.
• Signup requirements: No special requirements; anyone can create an account.

7. ClearVoice

You can use ClearVoice to find work if you want to become a content creator or writer. ClearVoice also features jobs in other industries besides writing, including graphic design. If you’re accepted into the “ClearVoice Talent Network,” you’ll get matched with assignments by the ClearVoice team based on your rates and experience.

What you need to know about ClearVoice

• Jobs available: ClearVoice offers a variety of content creation projects. In your profile, you can specify your preferred industry (advertising, business, education, finance, etc.) and your “content role” (copy editor, SEO specialist, ghost writer, technical writer, etc.).
• Earnings: Writers are paid per word. Rates vary by assignment, and you can set the minimum you’re willing to work for. On average, assignments pay between $0.10 and $0.30 per word, which is a reasonably high range.
• Fees and commissions: You’ll have to pay a 25% service fee on each project.
• Experience level: Given the somewhat involved application process, this site is best suited for writers with some professional experience.
• Signup requirements: Freelance writers need to apply to ClearVoice by creating a profile and a portfolio, which must include at least 6 work samples and an example of previously published work.

8. Compose.ly

Compose.ly is a curated content marketplace, and it’s one of the most well-known content writing sites. Writers can’t directly browse or apply for jobs; instead, Compose.ly’s editors send offers to the writers they think would be a good fit for each project.

What you need to know about Compose.ly

• Jobs available: Varies, but most of the work consists of writing SEO blog posts. You can select the types of jobs you’re interested in.
• Earnings: Compose.ly generally pays between $0.10 and $0.14 per word. Its editors manually set the rate for each project.
• Fees and commissions: No fees for writers. Companies pay a monthly fee to find writers.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners and experienced writers (although the amount of work you land depends on whether or not Compose.ly’s editors and clients like your writing).
• Signup requirements: You’ll need to complete a writing test. If you pass, you’ll be invited to join the platform.

9. Stellar Content

Stellar Content, formerly known as Crowd Content, connects writers with businesses seeking content. The platform offers two ways for writers to earn:

• Freelance Writing Marketplace: This section of the site will connect you with clients. You’ll contact them directly and follow their instructions to complete projects.
• Managed Content Projects: On these projects, you’ll work with a project manager (an employee of Stellar Content), who will act as a liaison between you and the client.

What you need to know about Stellar Content

• Jobs available: You can work on projects in a wide variety of industries, including e-commerce, health and fitness, legal, marketing, outdoor activities and sports, real estate, technology, and travel and leisure. The types of content you might be asked to produce are similarly diverse, ranging from white papers to blog posts to social media content (e.g., Tweets).
• Earnings: Pay varies based on the project. You’ll be paid twice per week.
• Fees and commissions: Appears to be free for writers.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners.
• Signup requirements: You must be a native English speaker from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. You will also have to complete a writing task and will be given a rating based on your performance. This will determine which jobs you’ll have access to in the marketplace. You can increase your rating over time.

10. Textbroker

Textbroker is a writing agency that acts as a bridge between writers and companies looking to buy content. The platform features three types of orders that all work a little differently:

• DirectOrder: These are orders that clients submit directly to you. You can set your own rate for these (at a minimum of 2.2 cents per word).
• TeamOrder: On Textbroker, you can (optionally) join “teams” of writers. Teams are dedicated to producing a specific type of content, or content for a particular set of clients. TeamOrders are available to any writer on a given team on a first-come, first-served basis. Rates are set by the client at a minimum of 2.15 cents per word.
• OpenOrder: These are orders that are available to all writers on the platform. You can choose an assignment from the projects available to you based on an externally assigned rating system, which in turn is based on what Textbroker’s editors think about the quality of your writing. At 3 stars, you earn 1.1 cents per word, and at 4 stars, you earn 1.6 cents per word. If you’re classed as a 5-star writer, you’ll earn the highest rate of 5.5 cents per word.

What you need to know about Textbroker

• Jobs available: You can find all sorts of writing jobs on Textbroker.
• Earnings: Payouts are processed twice per week. You must have earned a minimum of $10 to cash out.
• Fees and commissions: Free for writers.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners. The earnings listed above are relatively low and you generally shouldn’t take jobs at those rates once you’re an experienced freelancer.
• Signup requirements: When you create an account, you’ll be prompted to submit a writing sample. This sample will be evaluated and will determine your initial Order Quality Rating.

11. Verblio

Verblio provides clients with content writing services for marketing and SEO purposes. This is a beginner-friendly writing company that may consider hiring you as a freelance writer even if you have no writing experience.

What you need to know about Verblio

• Jobs available: You can pick from a wide range of projects, although most involve producing web content of some type.
• Earnings: Dependent on the project.
• Fees and commissions: Free for writers.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners and experienced writers.
• Signup requirements: To work as a freelancer on Verblio, you must be a US citizen with a valid Social Security number, and you must be over the age of 18 years old.

12. nDash

nDash provides content creation software and services for businesses and agencies. It’s a lot like other content mills and writing agencies. They work with diverse clients who request many different types of writing projects, which may be ideal for you if you’re pursuing a niche type of content.

What you need to know about nDash

• Jobs available: nDash offers a variety of job types. You can select the kind of content you’re interested in writing from a list, which includes blog posts, articles, white papers, case studies, sales and marketing materials, email newsletters, social media content, and website copy.
• Earnings: You can set your own rates on nDash, but on average, assignments pay between $150 and $450.
• Fees and commissions: Apparently free for writers.
• Experience level: Given nDash’s requirements (described below), this site may be more suitable for established freelancers.
• Signup requirements: Anyone can create a profile, but you’ll need to wait to be approved by nDash’s editorial staff, which they claim is reserved for professional freelance writers.

13. BloggingPro

BloggingPro publishes blogging tutorials and hosts a job board for writers. The site is primarily geared toward blog writing, but you can also use it to find other freelance writing jobs.

What you need to know about BloggingPro

• Jobs available: The website features ads for jobs of all types, including full-time and part-time jobs, remote work, freelance gigs, temporary contracts, and internships. You can find clients who need content in virtually every niche, including travel, parenting, finance, health, and dozens of others.
• Earnings: Earnings vary from project to project.
• Fees and commissions: Free for writers, although companies have to pay to post jobs on BloggingPro.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners and experienced writers.
• Signup requirements: No registration is required; writers are directed to their potential clients’ websites and must apply directly.

14. ProBlogger

Much like BloggingPro, ProBlogger provides blogging resources, including a job board with many listings. It’s a good place to find freelance writing gigs and access resources that can help you further your writing career.

What you need to know about ProBlogger

• Jobs available: You can find traditional, full-time writing jobs on ProBlogger, as well as freelance work.
• Earnings: Varies from listing to listing.
• Fees and commissions: Writers can apply for free. Businesses have to pay to list jobs.
• Experience level: Suitable for beginners and experienced writers.
• Signup requirements: No special requirements; anyone can create an account.

15. Writers Work

Writers Work markets itself as an all-in-one membership platform for freelance writers. They offer writing tools and resources, as well as access to job postings. They’ll also match you with opportunities they think will be relevant for you.

What you need to know about Writers Work

• Jobs available: You can find all sorts of freelance writing gigs on Writers Work.
• Earnings: Earnings vary from project to project. Writers Work doesn’t disclose the average per-project rate on their site.
• Fees and commissions: You have to pay to find jobs on Writers Work. It costs $49 for a lifetime membership or $15 per month for a monthly subscription.
• Experience level: Suitable for all levels.
• Signup requirements: No special requirements; anyone can sign up.

These companies are a little different from the other websites for freelance writers on this list. They’re not freelance writing platforms, and they don’t connect you with third-party companies or clients. Instead, they’re sites that regularly produce large volumes of content and tend to be open to looking for freelance writers to write content for them.

These are websites that pay for articles, and they offer relatively high-paying freelance writing jobs. The catch is that it’s harder to land these writing gigs since they generally go to very high-quality content writers.

16. Valnet

Valnet is a media company that owns several well-known sites, including Screen Rant, TheGamer, and CBR. If your dream is to get paid to review movies or games, one of the more interesting ways to make money writing, then this could be one of the best freelance writing platforms for you to work for.

What you need to know about Valnet

• Jobs available: When you sign up to write for Valnet, you’ll create content for their own network of sites. Many of the jobs involve writing about pop culture, such as movies, TV, and video games.
• Earnings: While none of the jobs that Velnet lists specify their rates, anecdotal sources report that the pay is quite low, at around $0.02 per word. Valnet sites often pay writers a bonus if their articles reach a certain number of views. This bonus is reportedly between $0.50 to $0.60 per 1000 views, which is also on the low end relative to other pay-per-view sites, such as Medium.
• Fees and commissions: As Valnet is essentially a client and not a marketplace or job board, they don’t charge fees or take a commission. However, as mentioned, their rates are fairly low.
• Experience level: The level of experience required varies from one position to another, with some ostensibly requiring at least 1 or 2 years of writing experience. That said, given Valnet’s low pay, this might not be a very strict requirement. For most roles, you’ll need in-depth knowledge of the topic you’re applying to write about, as well as strong time management skills (to meet Valnet’s tight deadlines).
• Signup requirements: You’ll need to submit an application that includes your CV or resume, a cover letter, and several writing samples and/or pitches.

17. Static Media

Static Media is another company that owns a family of websites, including Tasting Table, House Digest, Explore, and many others. There’s a huge range of different subjects you can write about, and the company is always on the lookout for new freelance writers to contribute content to their sites.

What you need to know about Static Media

• Jobs available: The company hires freelance writers to create news and feature articles on an incredibly wide range of topics, including food, movies, tech and auto, travel, finance, health, and more.
• Earnings: Pay rates vary depending on which website you write for and the type of articles you write. Many feature content writing jobs seem to pay 8 cents per word, whereas, at the time of writing, freelance news writers for the tech and auto site SlashGear earn $21 per hour.
• Fees and commissions: You don’t pay any fees to write for Static Media.
• Experience level: The company looks for freelance writers who have at least 3 years of experience.
• Signup requirements: To apply for a freelance writing job with one of Static Media’s sites, you need to send in a resume, cover letter, and three professional writing samples.

If you want to be a freelance writer, landing work isn’t your only concern. You also need to find ways to improve your craft constantly—and you need to become comfortable with the ins and outs of being an independent worker, which requires a lot of practical skills that aren’t strictly writing-related but are no less necessary.

We’ve compiled a list of resources to help you acquire the skills you need to be a freelance writer. These sites aren’t job boards you can use to find remote work or freelance gigs, but you should still carve out some time to explore them. They’ll help you become a better writer, as well as a better freelancer.

Websites to help you improve your writing

Check out these sites, which feature articles, free ebooks, and even quizzes that will help you expand your writing skill set. In particular, many of these sites will help you get comfortable with writing website copy and SEO blog content—two of the biggest niches in the freelance writing space.

18. Become a Writer Today

BecomeAWriterToday.com is a site packed with writing resources of all kinds, including blog posts and courses on writing fiction and nonfiction. These include a course on freelance writing.

19. Copyblogger

Copyblogger is a website that contains a free guide on content writing, and it’s one of the best freelance copywriter websites. They have a “Copywriting 101” section with blog posts to get you started on your journey toward becoming a freelance copywriter.

20. Enchanting Marketing

Much like Copyblogger, Enchanting Marketing is a site full of blog posts on copywriting, blogging, and finding your writing voice. It also contains a free general-purpose writing course (delivered via email).

21. Express Writers

Express Writers features both work opportunities and writing resources. For example, you can access multiple free ebooks and blog posts on SEO, copywriting, and email marketing.

22. Make a Living Writing

On the Making a Living Writing website, you’ll find an ebook that offers a 12-point plan on how to become a freelance writer, as well as pitch templates that you can use to land work.

23. Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO

As you’ve probably gathered, many clients will expect you to have at least a basic understanding of SEO. Moz.com offers a Beginner’s Guide to SEO that is a great resource to learn the fundamentals.

24. Writing Blueprints

If you’re interested in becoming a freelance magazine writer, Writing Blueprints offers a course to get you started. They also offer many other writing-related workshops and articles.

25. Writing Revolt

Writing Revolt offers free and paid classes and resources on becoming a freelance writer. Notably, they offer a freelance writing quiz to figure out what writing niche might be a good fit for you.

Websites that will teach you how to be an effective freelancer

As mentioned, you need two separate sets of skills to succeed as a freelance writer: pure writing skills, and business skills (e.g., how to market your services and handle taxes for freelance writers).

The websites below all feature courses that’ll teach you the skills necessary to support a career as a freelancer of any type. (This means they also have plenty of applicability if you decide you want to dip into another type of independent work besides writing.)

26. Coursera

Coursera is full of courses (both free and paid) that are taught by professors from top universities around the world.

Some of these courses are specifically meant to teach you how to launch a freelance writing career, including Building Your Freelancing Career by CalArts.

You can also find more courses to help you develop your writing skills, such as Good with Words by the University of Michigan.

27. Domestika

Domestika is a multilingual learning platform that features marketing, business, and freelancing courses. These will teach you how to find a niche as a freelancer, how to stay organized and find clients, and how to manage your finances (a big help given that as a freelancer, you’ll be responsible for your own bookkeeping and taxes).

Start by looking into these courses and seeing if any appeal to you:

• Creative Career Growth: Find Your Artistic Path
• Creative Freelance Fundamentals: Building Your Business
• Money Management for Creative Freelance and Small Business

Domestika also offers courses on writing to help you develop your craft, such as Copywriting for Social Media and Blogging 101: Tone, Branding, and Strategy.

28. FutureLearn

FutureLearn is another educational platform that includes free and paid writing and business courses, such as:

• Digital Copywriting Fundamentals
• The Freelance Bible: How to Be a Freelancer in Any Industry.

29. Skillshare

Lastly, Skillshare is a subscription-based learning platform. You can explore their writing section, as well as their freelance and entrepreneurship section.

Start by looking into one particularly relevant course, Freelance Writing 101: Build A Successful Writing Career.

Be aware that on Skillshare, most courses are independently created, which means the quality can vary considerably. That said, Skillshare offers a Learning Paths section where they recommend various courses that meet their quality standards and go together (by building and reinforcing the same skills).

In this section, you’ll also find general-purpose writing courses, such as Copywriting Essentials: Write Messaging That Drives Action.