How we rank: Freelance Platforms
The Score (0–100) is a weighted sum of the factors below. Each factor is the weighted average of its metrics; each metric is calculated from one published fact. Missing facts score zero, and a service is ranked only when enough of its Score is backed by facts.
A service is ranked only when at least 70% of its Score is backed by verified facts.
Fees 35%
The standard fee the freelancer pays (weighted double) and the fee the client pays on top, as a percentage of a USD 500 order with a new client: 0% scores 100, 20% or more scores 0. If the fee is tiered, we take the first tier, the one that applies to a new client; flat fees per order are converted into a share of USD 500. Paid bids, subscriptions and withdrawal fees are listed on the profile but not counted.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Freelancer fee (USD 500 order, new client) | Linear from 0 (100) to 20 (0) — lower is better |
| Client fee on top of the order (USD 500 order) | Linear from 0 (100) to 20 (0) — lower is better |
Deal protection 35%
Whether the client's money is held by the platform (escrow, safe deal, milestones) and released to the freelancer only after the work is accepted (weighted double), whether the platform reviews disputes between the client and the freelancer, and whether it verifies users' identity documents.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Money held by the platform until the work is accepted | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Disputes reviewed by the platform | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Identity verification | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
User ratings 10%
Average App Store rating of the platform's app from Apple's official API (US store; the home-market store if the app is not available in the US): 3 stars or lower scores 0, 5 stars scores 100; a rating with few reviews weighs less (logarithmic, full weight from 1 million ratings).
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| App Store rating | 3★ = 0, 5★ = 100, damped below 1,000,000 ratings |
Track record 20%
Company age (15+ years earns full marks, weighted double) and whether the company's shares trade on a stock exchange, which means audited public reporting. The year comes from the platform's own website or filings.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Year founded | Full score at 15+ years |
| Shares listed on a stock exchange | Yes = 100, No = 0 |