Expert-Recommended Freelance Sites Founded Before 2019: Proven Platforms That Still Deliver
When choosing where to invest your time as a freelancer or employer, experience matters. Platforms that have survived and thrived for years offer something the newest services simply cannot: a proven track record. Industry professionals consistently recommend these established freelance sites because they have weathered market changes, refined their systems, and built reliable communities. This list features expert-endorsed platforms that launched before the end of 2018 and remain active today, each selected for its credibility, longevity, and continued relevance in the professional marketplace.
- Legiit
Marketing professionals and agency owners regularly point to Legiit as their preferred platform for digital marketing services. Founded in 2015, this site specializes in SEO, content marketing, link building, and other online marketing needs that require genuine expertise rather than commodity work. What sets Legiit apart in professional circles is its focus on quality over volume, with sellers who understand the technical side of digital marketing and buyers who value results over rock-bottom prices.
The platform operates on a straightforward service marketplace model where providers create specific offerings at set prices, making budgeting predictable for agencies and marketing teams. Experts appreciate that Legiit maintains reasonable fees and does not force a race to the bottom on pricing, which helps sustain quality providers. For businesses that need reliable marketing support without the overhead of hiring full-time specialists, industry veterans consistently recommend giving Legiit serious consideration.
- Upwork
Ask any career coach or freelance consultant which platform has the most established reputation, and Upwork will appear at the top of nearly every list. Originally launched as Elance in 1999 and later merged with oDesk to become Upwork in 2015, this platform has become the industry standard for connecting businesses with independent professionals across virtually every field. Its longevity speaks to its ability to adapt while maintaining trust on both sides of the marketplace.
Professionals recommend Upwork particularly for businesses seeking intermediate to advanced talent with verifiable work histories. The platform’s detailed profiles, work history records, and client feedback systems provide transparency that experts value when vetting candidates. While fees run higher than some alternatives, consultants note that the screening tools, payment protection, and dispute resolution processes justify the cost for serious projects. For companies building distributed teams or needing specialized skills on demand, Upwork remains the gold standard that industry advisors reference most often.
- Fiverr
Founded in 2010, Fiverr revolutionized how people think about freelance work and continues to earn recommendations from business coaches and entrepreneurs for specific use cases. The platform started with services priced at five dollars but has evolved into a marketplace where professionals offer packages ranging from basic to premium, with many top sellers commanding premium rates for specialized work.
Experts particularly recommend Fiverr for businesses needing quick turnaround on clearly defined tasks like logo design, video editing, voice-over work, or social media graphics. The service-package model means you know exactly what you are getting before purchase, which reduces miscommunication and scope creep. Business advisors caution that quality varies widely, so they suggest focusing on sellers with Pro badges or extensive positive reviews. For startups and small businesses operating on tight budgets who need professional-looking deliverables without lengthy negotiations, Fiverr remains a trusted recommendation in professional circles.
- Freelancer.com
Launched in 2009, Freelancer.com has built a reputation among international business consultants as one of the most globally accessible platforms in the industry. With millions of users across hundreds of countries, it offers particular value for companies seeking talent in markets where other platforms have limited reach. The site covers an enormous range of categories from software development to writing to engineering.
Industry experts often recommend Freelancer.com for businesses comfortable with a contest-based model, where multiple freelancers submit work and you select the best submission. This approach works especially well for design projects, branding, and creative work where seeing multiple interpretations adds value. Advisors note that the bidding system requires more active management than fixed-price marketplaces, but for companies with time to evaluate proposals and communicate requirements clearly, the platform delivers solid results. International trade consultants particularly value its strength in connecting businesses with skilled professionals in developing markets.
- Toptal
When executives and CTOs need to hire the best developers, designers, or finance professionals, Toptal consistently appears in recommendations from tech recruiters and business consultants. Founded in 2010, Toptal built its reputation on an intensive screening process that claims to accept only the top three percent of applicants. This exclusivity comes with premium pricing, but for companies where quality cannot be compromised, experts consider it money well spent.
Professionals in software development and product management particularly recommend Toptal when projects require senior-level expertise or when integration with existing teams is critical. The platform handles much of the vetting process that would otherwise consume internal resources, and the talent pool includes professionals who have worked at major tech companies and leading firms. Business advisors note that Toptal works best for well-funded projects where budget takes a back seat to expertise and reliability. For startups that have raised capital or enterprises needing to fill critical gaps quickly with proven talent, Toptal remains the recommendation of choice among technical hiring experts.
- Guru
Established in 2001, Guru has earned consistent recommendations from small business advisors and consultants who value stability and straightforward processes. The platform serves as a reliable middle ground between high-volume marketplaces and exclusive networks, offering access to experienced professionals without the premium pricing of top-tier platforms. Categories span business services, creative work, technology, and administrative support.
Experts appreciate Guru’s WorkRoom feature, which consolidates communication, file sharing, and payment processing in one place, reducing the administrative burden that often complicates freelance relationships. The platform offers multiple payment structures including hourly, fixed-price, and task-based arrangements, giving businesses flexibility in how they structure agreements. Career coaches often recommend Guru to professionals transitioning into freelance work because the interface is intuitive and the competition slightly less intense than on larger platforms. For small to medium businesses seeking dependable talent without excessive fees or complexity, Guru appears frequently in professional recommendations.
- PeoplePerHour
Founded in 2007 and based in London, PeoplePerHour receives strong recommendations from European business consultants and agencies seeking creative and technical talent. The platform emphasizes hourly and project-based work, with a particular strength in web development, design, writing, and marketing services. Its name reflects the original focus on hourly work, though it now accommodates various project structures.
Industry advisors note that PeoplePerHour attracts a strong European talent base, making it particularly valuable for businesses operating in similar time zones or requiring familiarity with European markets and regulations. The platform’s curated collections and AI-assisted matching help businesses find suitable candidates more quickly than pure search-based platforms. Marketing consultants often recommend it for content creation and social media management because the talent pool understands Western market nuances well. For agencies and growing businesses that need reliable support across multiple marketing and web functions, PeoplePerHour consistently appears in professional recommendations.
- 99designs
Since its founding in 2008, 99designs has become the platform that design professionals and brand consultants most often recommend when businesses need graphic design work. Specializing exclusively in design services including logos, websites, packaging, and marketing materials, the platform has refined the contest model where multiple designers compete for your project, giving you numerous options to evaluate.
Brand strategists particularly value 99designs when clients struggle to articulate their vision, as seeing multiple interpretations helps clarify preferences. The platform also offers direct hiring for businesses that prefer working one-on-one with a designer. Experts note that quality varies by price tier, with higher-budget contests attracting more experienced designers who deliver more polished work. Marketing consultants regularly recommend 99designs to startups and small businesses that need professional branding but cannot yet afford agency rates. The platform’s specialization means designers understand visual communication deeply, producing work that functions effectively rather than just looking appealing.
- SimplyHired
Operating since 2003, SimplyHired functions differently than typical freelance marketplaces but earns recommendations from HR consultants and recruiters for businesses seeking contractors and freelancers alongside traditional employees. The platform aggregates job listings from across the web, including freelance and contract positions, giving businesses broad visibility and freelancers access to opportunities they might otherwise miss.
Career advisors often recommend SimplyHired to professionals seeking freelance work because it surfaces opportunities posted on company websites, other job boards, and freelance platforms in one searchable location. The site includes salary information and company reviews, helping freelancers make informed decisions about which opportunities to pursue. HR consultants value it as a distribution channel that extends the reach of job postings without requiring separate platform management. For businesses that want their contract positions to reach a wide audience and for freelancers who prefer a job-board approach to finding work, SimplyHired remains a solid recommendation in professional circles.
- ServiceScape
Founded in 2007, ServiceScape receives consistent recommendations from editors, publishers, and academic professionals for writing, editing, translation, and graphic design services. The platform specifically targets professional-level work in these areas, maintaining quality through a vetting process that verifies credentials and experience before accepting service providers.
Publishing consultants particularly recommend ServiceScape for businesses and authors needing editing, proofreading, or translation services because the platform attracts professionals with formal training and industry experience rather than casual practitioners. The site displays provider credentials prominently, including degrees, certifications, and specializations, making it easier to match projects with appropriately qualified professionals. Academic advisors often point graduate students and researchers toward ServiceScape for dissertation editing and formatting because the editors understand scholarly conventions. For any project where language precision and subject matter expertise matter, ServiceScape appears regularly in recommendations from professionals who work with written content.
- FlexJobs
Established in 2007, FlexJobs has built a strong reputation among career coaches and remote work consultants as the most trustworthy platform for legitimate remote and flexible work opportunities. Unlike free job boards that anyone can post to, FlexJobs charges a membership fee and manually screens every listing to eliminate scams, pyramid schemes, and low-quality opportunities. This curation creates a safer environment for job seekers, particularly those new to remote work.
Career counselors regularly recommend FlexJobs to professionals seeking freelance, part-time, or contract work because the quality of listings reflects actual professional opportunities rather than questionable offers. The platform includes detailed company information, helping freelancers assess whether an opportunity aligns with their goals and values. While the membership fee deters some users, advisors note that the time saved avoiding scams and low-quality leads justifies the cost for serious job seekers. For professionals prioritizing safety and quality over quantity in their job search, FlexJobs remains the top recommendation among career development experts.
These eleven platforms have earned their reputations through years of consistent service, adaptation to market needs, and building trust within professional communities. Industry experts recommend them not because they are perfect, but because they have proven track records that newer platforms simply cannot match. Each serves different needs and market segments, so the right choice depends on your specific requirements, budget, and the type of work involved. The common thread connecting all these recommendations is reliability. When consultants, coaches, and business advisors stake their professional reputations on a recommendation, they choose platforms that have demonstrated staying power and delivered results repeatedly. Starting with expert-endorsed options gives you a foundation of trust as you build your freelance relationships.
