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99designs vs Contra
99designs and Contra are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $850–$950 on 99designs and $1,000 on Contra, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Updated · from each platform’s published fees and payout terms · how we verify
Key differences
- On a $1,000 payment you keep about $850–$950 on 99designs and $1,000 on Contra, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only 99designs offers PayPal and prepaid card and more). Only Contra offers Stripe.
- Only 99designs lists built-in payment protection (Money-back guarantee on contests).
- 99designs is the older platform — founded in 2008, 11 years before Contra (2019).
- 99designs is based in Australia, Contra in United States.
Which should you choose?
Choose 99designs if…
- You want to withdraw via PayPal and prepaid card and more).
- You want built-in payment protection.
- You prefer a long track record (since 2008).
Choose Contra if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via Stripe.
Side by side
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99designs
A design marketplace where clients launch contests that many designers enter, or hire a designer directly. Str…
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Contra
A commission-free platform where independent workers showcase portfolios, sell services, and get hired for fle…
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Freelance sites like Upwork | Freelance sites like Upwork |
| Category | Design & Creative | General Marketplace |
| Vetted | No | No |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | Platform fee from 5% to 15% | 0% commission for freelancers |
| Minimum payout | $25 | — |
| Payout speed | Automatic, about 6-10+ business days after client releases payment | Standard 4-9 business days, faster payouts in 0-30 minutes |
| Payment protection | Money-back guarantee on contests | — |
| Withdraw via | Hyperwallet only (bank transfer, PayPal, prepaid card and more) | Bank transfer, Stripe |
| Availability | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Founded | 2008 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Popularity | 47 views · 0 likes | 73 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, 99designs or Contra?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $850–$950 on 99designs and $1,000 on Contra, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
How fast do 99designs and Contra pay out?
99designs: Automatic, about 6-10+ business days after client releases payment. Contra: Standard 4-9 business days, faster payouts in 0-30 minutes.
Where are 99designs and Contra available?
99designs: Worldwide. Contra: Worldwide.