7 Best online worker websites to outsource jobs
What are the best online worker websites to outsource jobs?
The best online worker websites to outsource jobs are Outsource Accelerator, UpWork, FreeUp, Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, Toptal, and Guru, each giving employers a safe way to hire vetted remote talent.
- These platforms handle hiring, collaboration, time tracking, and secure payments in one place.
- Rates and vetting standards vary widely. So match the platform to your budget and project.
- Outsourcing online is usually cheaper than hiring an in-house employee for the same role.
Online worker websites let businesses hire skilled remote professionals from anywhere in the world. For example, a GetApp report said the number of online workers rose by up to 400% over the past decade. In the US alone, that was a rise of 159% from 2005 to 2017, according to Global Workplace Analytics.
Many employers are shifting to online work. Still, research suggests that most people choose to work from home beyond necessity.
Online work is cheaper than hiring an office worker. As a result, businesses now outsource jobs online. It also lets the online worker join the client’s team from thousands of miles away.
What is an online worker?
An online worker is a remote employee who specializes in a particular role. They may be hired directly or through a third-party company. Either way, they carry the same workload as in-house staff, but they sit in a different city or country.
The work varies with the role and skill they specialize in. For example, it can range from a virtual assistant to a bookkeeper, graphic designer, or copywriter, to name a few.
Online workers come from different locations. As a result, they also use payment platforms to get paid easily.
Why should you outsource jobs online?
When businesses outsource jobs online, they save the resources needed to hire an in-house employee. The best creative professionals are often based in different locations. As a result, outsourcing gives businesses access to them.
In addition, clients gain diverse perspectives. So different outputs from online workers help improve their processes.
Best ways you can outsource online jobs
Online workers can be hired in different ways. Below, learn how to use each one as you outsource online jobs.
Freelance job sites
These platforms let employers hire a freelancer directly when they need to. For example, they can post jobs, contact candidates, track their performance, and process payments in one place.
Freelance sites are built to be a one-stop shop. Because everything happens in one place, they protect employers and workers from suspicious activity outside these sites.
Agencies
Different agencies can also refer online workers to their clients, most often virtual assistants. For example, employers contact an agency online for their staffing needs. The agency then matches them to the most qualified applicants.
Clients can hire a single worker or a team. In this case, the salaries and benefits of each employee come directly from their employers.
BPO companies
Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies are third-party firms hired to set up an individual or team for the client. In addition, the company covers the workspace, tools, and equipment the team uses.
Employee salaries, benefits, and bonuses, including holiday pay and leave, are also handled by the outsourcing company. However, employers still need to provide training materials and systems so staff learn the company processes.
Online worker salary
Payoneer’s global freelancer income report tracks the average pay of the most popular remote roles. Over time, average pay in each role shifts with demand.
Because rates shift, businesses and workers can use figures like these as a guide. In this way, they set fair hourly rates and avoid pay gaps. The table below shows representative hourly rates by field.
| Field | Hourly rate |
| Finance | $41.00/hour |
| Marketing | $34.00/hour |
| Multimedia production | $33.00/hour |
| Content writing | $24.00/hour |
| Web and graphic design | $21.00/hour |
| Project management | $28.00/hour |
The best online worker websites to outsource jobs
In short, here are the top online worker websites businesses can outsource workers from.
Outsource Accelerator
Outsource Accelerator is the leading marketplace for business process outsourcing. In addition, the company offers advisory and consultancy services plus access to online workers for fully managed outsourcing.
OA lists over 3,600 outsourcing companies in the Philippines. It also has a large library of articles, whitepapers, videos, and podcasts for people keen to start outsourcing.
Benefits of partnering with Outsource Accelerator
- A more competent talent pool. For example, most online workers are from the Philippines, a leading outsourcing destination with proven skills in fields like customer service and project management.
- Strong English proficiency. Workers communicate clearly. As a result, they understand client concerns and collaborate well.
- Safe and secure. For instance, a verified third-party company screens and trains employees before they start.
UpWork
UpWork is a merger of Elance and oDesk. It is one of the most popular freelancing websites for outsourcing online jobs. In fact, it is one of the biggest marketplaces for employers and job seekers, and big enterprises such as Airbnb and Microsoft use it.
Employers usually post the jobs they need to fill. Freelancers then bid on these postings and get contacted when they qualify. Meanwhile, employers can collaborate with freelancers, track performance, and process payments within the platform.
Benefits of UpWork
UpWork offers the following pros:
- All-in-one platform. For example, it combines profiles with collaboration, time tracking, and payment processing on one site.
- Efficient profile search. For instance, its algorithm suggests the best applicants and ranks them by ratings and qualifications.
- Safe payments. For example, employers can connect bank accounts, cards, or processors and pay workers after reviewing their work.
FreeUp
One notable highlight of FreeUp is its refined way of vetting online workers. For example, it accepts only the top 1% of freelance applicants. It then suggests them to employers who need those skills.
The site is best known for hiring virtual assistants with different specializations. In addition, freelance rates on the platform range from $5 to $75 per hour, depending on skill and expertise.
Benefits of FreeUp
- Selection of quality applicants. For example, the platform picks only the top 1% of applicants, and employers can run a short interview to confirm fit.
- Remote work management. For instance, employers can collaborate, delegate tasks, and track performance in one place.
- Secured weekly billing. In addition, employers are billed weekly and can pay for rendered hours through several methods.
Fiverr
Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services. Founded in 2010, it serves millions of users worldwide. As a result, it suits one-off jobs and services well.
Instead of employers posting a job, freelancers offer their services directly. For example, they post a project and price it. Employers then search these postings and buy the services. So buyers can get to know their workers before hiring them.
Benefits of Fiverr
- Freelance profile transparency. For example, employers can check a freelancer’s skills, portfolio, and cancellation rate, grouped into levels by expertise.
- Categorized services. In addition, services are sorted into categories, mostly creative work, so employers can browse or search by keyword.
- Private communications and protected payment. For example, after purchase, employers message workers privately and pay through cards or processors.
Freelancer
Freelancer is one of the oldest platforms in the market and a popular marketplace for freelancers and employers. In fact, it acquired the websites Get A Freelancer, EUFreelance, and Scriptlance.
This platform works much like UpWork. For example, employers post projects for applicants to bid on, then interview and hire through the site. In addition, it offers a wide range of services, such as web design, digital marketing, and data entry.
Benefits of Freelancer
- Wide range of talents worldwide. For example, employers can hire an expert or a promising beginner with a strong portfolio.
- Refined employee search. For instance, its Preferred Freelancer Program tags elite talent by expertise and satisfaction rate.
- Milestone payments. In addition, employers pay per phase until the worker finishes the project, as long as they are satisfied.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is one of the more reliable freelance sites in the market. Like FreeUp, it does not accept applicants easily. For example, each freelancer takes tests to prove they fit client needs.
To find talent, employers submit detailed information about their projects. Applicants then send tailored proposals for review and approval. Finally, work starts once a deposit is paid.
Benefits of PeoplePerHour
- Wide range of worldwide talents. For example, employers can choose workers by location, whether local or overseas.
- Projects done quickly. For instance, the platform selects freelancers who can start right away, so work arrives sooner.
- Fast and secure payment. Deposits use escrow, and full payment can be sent instantly once the project is done.
Toptal
Unlike other platforms, Toptal is a more specialized freelance site. For example, it offers freelancers with expertise in web and software development, design, and finance, drawn from the top 3% in their field.
The platform matches an industry expert to coordinate with employers about their needs. After a short window, employers are matched to a qualified worker. They can then begin on a trial basis to confirm fit.
Benefits of Toptal
- Remote and on-site options. For example, employers can find a remote worker locally or internationally, or ask them to relocate for office work.
- Employment without risk. Toptal offers a trial period, and employers pay only once satisfied.
- English proficiency. Talents communicate clearly for a smooth, efficient workflow.
Guru
Guru is among the oldest and best freelance websites. It was founded in 1998 as eMoonlighter.com. In short, it is a marketplace for freelancers with skills mostly in programming, writing, and design.
The platform works like other online worker websites: employers post a project and freelancers send proposals. In addition, it offers Featured jobs, a premium service that highlights postings so employers attract more high-quality applicants.
Benefits of Guru
- Featured jobs. For example, featured projects stay on top of searches for 30 days for more exposure.
- More payment methods. Guru allows cards, checks, e-checks, wire transfers, and in-site cash funds.
- Long-term employment. In addition, employers can rehire trusted workers, which assures quality and saves time.
How to choose among online worker websites
No single platform fits every business. For example, Toptal suits specialized senior roles, while Fiverr works well for quick, one-off tasks. Because vetting and fees differ, compare each site against your budget and timeline before committing.
For fully managed teams, a BPO marketplace like Outsource Accelerator removes much of the hiring and compliance work. As a result, you can focus on the output instead of the admin.
Frequently asked questions
What are online worker websites?
Online worker websites are platforms that connect employers with remote freelancers and outsourced teams. In short, they handle job posting, hiring, collaboration, and secure payments in one place.
Is it cheaper to hire online workers than in-house staff?
Yes, in most cases. Because you avoid office space, equipment, and local salary rates, outsourcing online is usually cheaper than hiring an in-house employee.
Which online worker website is safest for payments?
Most major platforms protect payments through escrow or milestone systems. For example, UpWork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour release funds only after work is reviewed and approved.
Do online worker websites vet their freelancers?
Vetting varies by platform. For example, FreeUp and Toptal accept only a small percentage of applicants, while open marketplaces like Fiverr rely on ratings and reviews.
Can I hire a full team through these platforms?
Yes. For example, agencies and BPO providers listed on marketplaces such as Outsource Accelerator can staff an entire team, including workspace, tools, and payroll management.
Key takeaways
- In short, the best online worker websites include Outsource Accelerator, UpWork, FreeUp, Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, Toptal, and Guru.
- Outsourcing online is typically cheaper than in-house hiring and gives access to global talent.
- Vetting standards and fees differ widely, so match the platform to the project and budget.
- Escrow and milestone payments protect both employers and workers on most major sites.
- For fully managed teams, a BPO marketplace removes much of the hiring and compliance burden.
Independent
