Finding freelance and consulting work online
Published on 6th August 2025 Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutesThis is a second post following the theme of seeking work, with more of a freelance emphasis than its predecessor. While my line of freelancing involves longer engagements, there are other options for shorter pieces of work, and that is the theme of this piece. Thus, I am collecting a compendium of online portals where you can explore a variety of opportunities, applying for those where you can bring value. Some are project based, while others centre on consultancy. All serve independent professionals in seeking work, and vice versa for clients. As you will find out by reading further, some of these have more of a gig market feel to what you find, though there can be longer engagements to be found too.
Founded in 2007 and later acquired by Heidrick & Struggles in 2021, the high-end consulting talent marketplace connects independent senior consultants, subject-matter experts and interim executives with Fortune 1000 companies, private equity firms and nonprofits across more than 39 countries. The platform features thousands of professionals with impressive credentials, many having Big-3 consulting backgrounds, executive roles or deep domain expertise. Areas of specialisation include strategy, mergers and acquisitions, operations, digital transformation, interim leadership and project management across industries ranging from technology and healthcare to consumer goods. The company provides comprehensive support throughout the engagement lifecycle, from project scoping to compliance and invoicing, reporting a 99 per cent fill rate on talent requests and a 97 per cent client repeat rate. While the platform offers access to high-level strategic assignments and reliable administrative infrastructure, its highly selective vetting process makes it less accessible for early-career professionals or niche freelancers without significant prior experience.
Founded in 2013 by Harvard Business School students, this expert network consultancy platform offers access to over 70,000 vetted independent consultants averaging 19+ years of experience, including former Big 3 consultants and Fortune 500 operators. The company employs machine learning algorithms paired with human success teams to match clients with suitable experts, typically providing several profiles within 48 hours. The platform handles all administrative aspects including contracts, invoicing and payments, guaranteeing consultants are paid even if clients default. Projects span areas such as strategy, digital transformation, mergers and acquisitions, and operations, serving approximately 30% of Fortune 500 firms. While the platform offers high impact, higher value work with reliable payment and administrative support, many consultants report high competition for projects, with limited feedback on declined pitches. The platform is most suitable for experienced industry professionals seeking substantial engagements with enterprise clients who can differentiate themselves through proven expertise.
Founded around 2017-2018 in Berlin, this consulting platform connects businesses with independent management consultants, digital experts and interim managers across various industries. The service employs a rigorous vetting process, accepting only approximately 2 percent of applicants to ensure high quality expertise. Companies typically receive 3-5 consultant profiles within 48 hours after submitting project requirements, benefiting from both artificial intelligence matching and manual curation. The platform maintains a pool of over 10,000 vetted consultants across more than 50 countries, serving private equity firms, multinational corporations and scale-ups. Clients reportedly save up to 70 percent compared to traditional consulting firms due to reduced overhead costs. While the platform boasts high client satisfaction rates exceeding 97 percent, consultant experiences vary considerably, with some professionals reporting limited project opportunities after completing the onboarding process despite the platform's claims of robust demand.
The modern, AI enhanced platform offers a straightforward approach to freelancing, providing users with a commission-free experience that allows them to retain all earnings. Built with a focus on usability, the service features rapid registration, an easy-to-navigate interface and comprehensive tools for tracking reputation and performance statistics. It caters to independent professionals across various disciplines who value efficient onboarding processes and direct connections to relevant work opportunities. As a relatively new entrant in the technology-driven freelance marketplace, the platform emphasises simplicity and quality engagements for its users.
Established in 2000, the London-based consulting firm Eden McCallum disrupts traditional consulting models by combining independent senior consultants with an in-house team to deliver strategy and transformation projects. The firm operates through hybrid teams tailored to client needs, with consultants having the freedom to select projects individually without exclusivity requirements. Having supported over 3,000 projects for more than 500 global clients including a third of the FTSE 100, Eden McCallum maintains a network of approximately 2,500 independent consultants who are selectively chosen with only one in ten applicants accepted. Most consultants possess experience from top-tier firms such as McKinsey, BCG or Bain, alongside industry roles, providing clients with deep expertise while offering cost savings of 30-50% compared to traditional consulting firms. Although the model provides flexibility for consultants who can choose projects without sales pressure, it does not guarantee consistent workload, and some consultants report challenges with coordination across international offices as the firm has expanded.
Founded in 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel, this global online marketplace specialises in pre-scoped "gigs" offered by freelancers to clients across hundreds of digital service categories. The platform has evolved beyond its original $5 price point, now allowing sellers to set their own pricing tiers with upfront payment held in escrow until delivery approval. Operating in over 160 countries, the service features a gig-based structure with clearly defined packages at set prices, premium vetted sellers, AI-enhanced workflows, and career counselling options. While the platform retains a 20% commission on all transactions, it offers streamlined processes ideal for beginners and businesses seeking quick support, though low rates and high competition can limit earning potential and long-term relationship building. It is particularly suitable for entry to intermediate freelancers offering standardised digital services who prioritise rapid client acquisition.
Established in 2009 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Freelancer.com stands as one of the longest-running general freelancing marketplaces available today. The platform offers users access to an extensive community and diverse job opportunities across numerous categories. Among its notable features are the ability to participate in contests that allow freelancers to demonstrate their capabilities, along with its significant global presence. The service typically charges freelancers a 10% fee (with a minimum of US$5), though this can be lowered through subscription options. The platform is designed to serve freelance professionals of all experience levels who are particularly interested in accessing a high volume and wide variety of potential work opportunities.
Established in the mid-2010s, Kolabtree operates as a specialised freelancing platform connecting organisations with technical professionals who possess expertise in scientific and analytical fields. The platform facilitates consultation services and project-based work for highly qualified individuals in data science, machine learning, engineering, biotechnology and various research disciplines. What distinguishes this marketplace is its focus on substantial remuneration, appealing to experienced practitioners. The client base spans both academic institutions and industry players seeking genuine subject matter specialists rather than general freelancers, making it particularly valuable for professionals with advanced qualifications and demonstrated expertise in their respective domains.
Formerly known as Talmix, High5Hire operates as a global talent marketplace connecting senior business and consulting professionals with enterprise-grade and private equity clients for Statement-of-Work or interim assignments. The platform utilises AI-driven algorithms to match consultant profiles (called "Talent Passports") with relevant projects, featuring over 60,000 consultants across more than 150 countries. High5Hire typically retains 15-25 percent of consulting fees as commission, paid by the client side. While the service offers effective global project access for senior professionals and a flexible, project-based work model with high-impact roles, some reports on user platforms highlight potential concerns including internal management instability, capped commissions, and low pay for certain contractor positions. The platform is particularly suitable for experienced consultants from recognised firms seeking global interim or project-based work, though prospective users should seek clear payment guarantees and compare with similar platforms like Maven, Consultport, Catalant or Eden McCallum before committing.
Connecting clients seeking expertise with professionals who can provide insights, this micro-consulting platform hosts over 500,000 experts across virtually every industry. The service operates by matching client requests with relevant professionals who set their own rates, typically 2 to 4 times their regular hourly compensation. Unlike many competitors, consultants retain 100% of their fees, with no platform charges deducted from earnings. The system facilitates brief engagements such as Zoom calls, surveys, written questions and answers, or advising sessions, making it ideal for supplemental income. While offering flexible side income opportunities with minimal administrative burden and fast payments, the platform primarily focuses on smaller, shorter engagements rather than long-term strategic projects. This arrangement particularly benefits experienced professionals looking to monetise their knowledge without full-time commitments, though those seeking extended consulting assignments might find traditional consulting platforms more suitable.
A specialised UK-based job board devoted to connecting contractors with engagements that are classified outside the intermediaries legislation and off-payroll tax rules, enabling genuine business-to-business arrangements rather than employment relationships. The platform features over 50,000 opportunities across numerous sectors including IT, engineering, marketing, finance and healthcare, with comprehensive filtering options for workplace type, region, category and minimum daily rates. Particularly valuable for professionals operating through limited companies who wish to maintain tax efficiency and control over their business structure, the service allows users to search roles throughout major UK regions and international locations. While the site provides an optional IR35 calculator to estimate status implications, users should exercise due diligence regarding contract terms, as the actual IR35 determination depends on working practices and contractual details that must align with legal requirements concerning substitution, control and mutuality of obligation.
Established in the United States in 2010, Toptal stands as a selective freelance marketplace that exclusively accepts the top 3% of applicants. The platform specialises in connecting highly skilled professionals across engineering, design and finance domains with prominent global companies. Toptal distinguishes itself through a comprehensive vetting process comprising skills assessments, interview stages and practical test projects. Freelancers joining this exclusive network typically command premium hourly rates and frequently secure extended or full-time professional opportunities. The service primarily caters to experienced senior-level specialists who are seeking valuable, high-calibre professional engagements rather than short-term projects.
Created in 2015, Upwork stands as one of the largest global freelance marketplaces, connecting over 12 million freelancers with approximately 5 million clients across more than 180 countries. The platform facilitates roughly 3 million job postings annually in fields such as writing, technology, marketing and design. The system allows employers to post jobs while freelancers apply using credits called "connects," with additional Premium features available including Talent Scout and a Project Catalogue for fixed-price services. Freelancers pay service fees on a sliding scale of 5-20% based on client earnings, while clients often pay additional costs through subscription tiers ranging from Free to Enterprise. Although the platform offers highly vetted profiles, verified reviews and extensive job categories that create trust and scale, some freelancers have criticised the increasingly client-centric marketplace approach. The platform is particularly suitable for freelancers at various experience levels seeking both short and long-term projects, while corporate clients benefit from structured hiring processes and premium staffing tools.
This specialised platform serves as a commission-free marketplace connecting marketing professionals with freelance opportunities. The service offers personalised assistance to help freelancers secure work when required, making it particularly valuable for those with expertise in marketing strategy, analytics and copywriting disciplines. While its founding date remains unspecified, it appears to be a relatively recent addition to the freelance ecosystem, catering specifically to marketing specialists rather than general freelancers. The zero commission structure represents a significant advantage for professionals looking to maximise their earnings in this niche.