The freelance market keeps expanding, driven by the growing appeal of autonomy, flexibility, and high‑value projects.
But independence comes with a challenge: knowing where — and how — to find quality assignments has become crucial.

Not all platforms are created equal: some focus on speed, others on expertise or on human relationships.

Here’s a selection of the five most relevant platforms in 2026 — each catering to a distinct type of freelancer.

Malt: The Historic Benchmark for European Freelancers

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You can’t talk about freelancing without mentioning Malt. Over the years, the platform has become a key player in connecting independents and companies, with a model built on transparency — public rates, verified profiles, and direct exchanges between clients and freelancers.

Malt remains a solid choice for experienced professionals looking for well‑defined, long‑term projects. Its ecosystem is mature, and opportunities abound (provided your profile is well‑positioned).

That said, it’s not all perfect: several users report a sometimes frustrating experience — limited visibility, hit‑or‑miss search algorithms, imperfect integrations (LinkedIn, GitHub, Stack Overflow), and complex administrative steps for international work. Payment transparency and processing times are also recurring concerns.

Upwork: The Global Stage

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Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms in the world.

Its advantage: an incredible diversity of projects, in every domain and at every scale.
Its drawback: global competition that requires real skill to stand out.

Freelancers who succeed on Upwork invest time optimizing their profiles, portfolios, and client communication. In return, they gain access to a global market and international references.

For English‑fluent and fully autonomous profiles, Upwork offers opportunities on a massive scale.

However, that size comes at a cost: competition is brutal. Some job postings attract dozens — even hundreds — of applications in a few hours, pushing prices down and making selection difficult. On Upwork, differentiation, smart keyword use, and patience before landing your first contracts are essential.

Fiverr: Speed and Specialization

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Fiverr takes a very different approach: here, freelancers define their own offer, pricing, and delivery time. This “catalog‑style” model is appealing for its clarity and simplicity. Graphic designers, video editors, copywriters, translators, and developers can all showcase ready‑to‑buy services and land their first clients quickly.

Success on Fiverr rests on three pillars: a clear positioning, a strong visual presentation, and top‑tier responsiveness. A well‑crafted profile can quickly become a real commercial storefront.

But this model has its downsides.

As with Upwork, competition is massive, pricing pressure is intense, and volume often trumps quality. Many freelancers struggle to earn a sustainable living due to high platform fees and undercutting. Visibility is also uneven — dominated by top‑rated profiles — making it tough for newcomers to break through.

Fiverr is therefore a good springboard for testing an offer, building a portfolio, or generating fast income — but rarely a long‑term model for seasoned freelancers.

BeDevs: The New Generation of Tech Freelancing in Belgium

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While most major freelance platforms prioritize volume and speed, BeDevs takes a radically different approach.
Born at the heart of Belgium’s tech community, the platform puts quality, transparency, and trust at the center of every connection between freelancers and companies.

Designed primarily for developers, BeDevs also welcomes other technical profiles such as data engineers, cybersecurity experts, QA specialists, and tech writers. But it doesn’t stop at freelancing — you’ll also find permanent roles, temporary assignments, and internships.

Its AI pre‑review feature helps recruiters evaluate each application faster and more clearly. Key strengths and profile relevance are highlighted transparently and aligned with real business needs — saving time without removing human judgment.

Companies are verified, job conditions are clearly displayed (contract type, rhythm, remote options, etc.), and communication happens directly on the platform — no unnecessary intermediaries.

Though still relatively new, BeDevs is already positioning itself as a strong, promising alternative within Belgium’s digital ecosystem.
Its vision rests on a fairer, more local, and more transparent model — one that builds on trust, clarity, and relationship quality, while embracing AI innovation to make hiring smarter and more efficient.

A philosophy that’s winning over more and more freelancers and companies looking for sustainable professional experiences.

LinkedIn: The Undefeated Giant?

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It’s hard to discuss finding freelance work without mentioning LinkedIn. As a global professional hub, the network has become an essential showcase for freelancers, recruiters, and businesses alike.

Its strength: a huge community, a powerful search engine, and almost unlimited reach to grow your network, share content, and attract new opportunities.

LinkedIn remains an excellent tool for building your personal brand and nurturing long-term professional relationships. Some freelancers get most of their clients through consistent presence, thoughtful posts, and recommendations.

Yet, this openness is also its weakness. LinkedIn isn’t natively built for freelance‑company matchmaking: projects are often buried in the information feed, search filters are limited for short assignments, and competition is omnipresent. Many freelancers struggle to stand out, even with complete and active profiles.

Add to that opaque visibility algorithms and frequent, poorly targeted outreach and the experience can become exhausting over time.

Another key limitation: LinkedIn isn’t truly rooted in the Belgian market. Local offers often mix with unrelated international ones, while paid promotions can widen the gap between candidates and real opportunities.
As a result, many freelancers scroll past countless listings without finding any that truly fit their profile.

LinkedIn therefore remains an outstanding starting point to build presence and connections, but not necessarily the best tool to find or manage quality local projects, especially in a market as specific and demanding as Belgian tech.

Choosing Your Platform Means Choosing Your Trajectory

Signing up for a freelance platform isn’t just about creating a profile. It’s about joining an ecosystem, learning its rules, and investing time to build visibility.

Each platform requires effort — whether it’s optimizing your profile, securing your first clients, or maintaining solid professional relationships.

It’s far better to be active on two or three carefully chosen platforms than scattered across ten inactive ones. Consistency, fresh availability updates, adjusted rates, and quick responses are long‑term trust signals that make the difference.

Take time to adapt your positioning to each platform’s culture — some value speed, others specialization or local proximity. Maintaining your digital storefront helps you attract not just more clients, but the right ones.

Finally, ensure coherence between your profile, your communication, and your professional values. In a fast‑evolving tech world, what stands out most to companies isn’t just skills — it’s authenticity, adaptability, and consistency.