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3d โข Business & Strategy ๐ง
Contra, Braintrust, Toptal - Freelance Platforms Beyond Upwork ๐ฅ
Upwork takes 20%.
These platforms take 0%. Here is which one fits your situation.
CONTRA:
Commission: 0% (you keep everything)
Best for: Building portfolio, smaller projects
Audience: Startups, small businesses
How it works: Project-based matching + portfolio hosting
Catch: Lower volume than Upwork, still growing
Who should use: Beginners wanting to build portfolio without losing 20% to fees
BRAINTRUST:
Commission: 0% to freelancers
Best for: Higher-end, longer engagements
Audience: Fortune 1000 (Nike, Nestle, NASA are clients)
How it works: Blockchain-based network, talent-owned
Catch: More selective, interview required
Who should use: Experienced freelancers ready for enterprise clients
TOPTAL:
Commission: 0% (they mark up to clients instead)
Best for: Top-tier rates ($55-150+/hour)
Audience: Premium clients, funded startups, enterprises
How it works: Rigorous screening (top 3% accepted)
Catch: Hard to get accepted, requires strong track record
Who should use: Established freelancers with proven results wanting premium positioning
THE STRATEGY:
Do not pick just one. Use multiple platforms:
- Contra for building portfolio (0% fees)
- Upwork for volume (accept the 20% for deal flow)
- Apply to Braintrust/Toptal as you build experience
THE AUTOMATION ANGLE:
All these platforms have "automation" categories. Set your profile to highlight:
- Make.com / Zapier / n8n expertise
- Document processing
- Workflow automation
- Specific industries you serve
THE NUMBERS:
A $2,000 project:
- Upwork: You keep $1,600 (20% fee)
- Contra: You keep $2,000 (0% fee)
Over 10 projects, that is $4,000 difference.
Which platform fits your current experience level?
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Contra, Braintrust, Toptal - Freelance Platforms Beyond Upwork ๐ฅ
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