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99designs vs Toptal
99designs and Toptal are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $850–$950 on 99designs and $1,000 on Toptal, 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 Toptal, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer and PayPal. Only 99designs offers prepaid card and more). Only Toptal offers Payoneer.
- Toptal screens providers before they can join, while 99designs is open to anyone.
- 99designs is the older platform — founded in 2008, 2 years before Toptal (2010).
- 99designs is based in Australia, Toptal in United States.
Which should you choose?
Choose 99designs if…
- You want to withdraw via prepaid card and more).
- You are just starting out and want to sign up without a screening.
Choose Toptal if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via Payoneer.
- You are an experienced professional ready to pass a screening.
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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Toptal
A premium network that screens applicants and accepts only a small percentage of freelance developers, designe…
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Freelance sites like Upwork | Freelance sites like Upwork |
| Category | Design & Creative | Vetted Talent |
| Vetted | No | Yes |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | Platform fee from 5% to 15% | 0% - no commission on freelancer's set rate |
| Minimum payout | $25 | — |
| Payout speed | Automatic, about 6-10+ business days after client releases payment | — |
| Payment protection | Money-back guarantee on contests | No-risk trial period for clients |
| Withdraw via | Hyperwallet only (bank transfer, PayPal, prepaid card and more) | PayPal, Payoneer, Wire transfer |
| Availability | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Founded | 2008 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia | United States |
| Popularity | 44 views · 0 likes | 66 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, 99designs or Toptal?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $850–$950 on 99designs and $1,000 on Toptal, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are 99designs and Toptal available?
99designs: Worldwide. Toptal: Worldwide.
Which is easier to join, 99designs or Toptal?
99designs — anyone can sign up, while Toptal screens providers before accepting them.