Best freelance, gig and earning platforms in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia pairs a government-backed freelance system with Arabic marketplaces and delivery apps. Bahr, an initiative of the Human Resources Development Fund, connects clients with Saudi freelancers and advertises no additional fees. Mostaql (bid-based projects) and Khamsat (fixed-price services) are Arabic freelance marketplaces that deduct their commission from the freelancer. HungerStation and Mrsool offer delivery work, Careem offers driving, Haraj and OpenSooq carry classified ads, and Noon hosts online sellers. Citizens can issue a freelance document on freelance.sa, a Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development platform whose programmes include order delivery, accounting and tour guiding. Money is in Saudi riyals (SAR). PayPal accounts in Saudi Arabia can receive payments and withdraw to a local bank, and Upwork pays out to Saudi banks in SAR. Wise does not list Saudi Arabia as a destination, so clients cannot use Wise to pay into a Saudi account. Tip: issue the freelance document first, because holders can open a bank account linked to the activity and use digital payment solutions.
Updated · how we verify platforms
Saudi Arabia at a glance
Platform types: 4 freelance sites, 2 marketplaces, 2 delivery platforms, 2 card processing platforms, 1 ride platform and 1 big marketplace
How they pay out: Bank transfer (10)
On this page: Local platforms (12) How to get paid (5 confirmed) Global platforms that accept you (49)
Local platforms in Saudi Arabia, compared
| Platform | Type | Fees / commission | Pays via | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bahr
|
Freelance marketplace | 0% - government-subsidized, no commission | E-payment to Saudi bank accounts | 2020 |
Careem
|
Ride-hailing company | ~20-25% commission per ride | Bank transfer | 2012 |
Haraj
|
Classifieds marketplace | Free ad posting - no listing fees | Direct payment from buyers | 2007 |
HungerStation
|
Food delivery company | Freelance couriers paid per delivery | Bank transfer | 2012 |
Khamsat
|
Gig marketplace | 20% commission per order | Bank transfer (Arab countries) | 2010 |
Mostaql
|
Freelance marketplace | 15-20% commission per project by membership tier | Bank transfer (Arab countries) | 2014 |
Mrsool
|
Delivery platform | Couriers bid delivery fee, commission per order | Bank transfer | 2015 |
Noon
|
Online marketplace | Category referral commission ~4-27% | Bank transfer | 2017 |
OpenSooq
|
Classifieds marketplace | Free listings - no commission, paid promotions | Cash in person / direct arrangement | 2011 |
Paymob
|
Payment processor | 2.75% + EGP 3 per online transaction | Bank transfer | 2015 |
Tap Payments
|
Payment processor | ~2.75% standard cards | Bank transfer ~T+3 | 2013 |
Ureed
|
Freelance marketplace | 20% commission on all project payments | Bank transfer, PayPal | 2017 |
BahrA Saudi government-backed freelance platform connecting Saudi freelancers with local and government projects.
bahr.910ths.sa62 viewsCareemThe leading ride-hailing and everything app across the Middle East and North Africa (it left Pakistan in July 2025), owned by Uber. Captains…
careem.com54 viewsHarajSaudi Arabia massive classifieds market - cars, goods, and services traded directly between Saudis.
haraj.com.sa44 viewsHungerStationSaudi Arabia leading food delivery platform, part of Delivery Hero, with courier sign-up across the Kingdom.
hungerstation.com50 viewsKhamsatThe Arabic equivalent of Fiverr, where sellers offer micro-services starting at a low base price.
khamsat.com56 viewsMostaqlOne of the largest Arabic-language freelance marketplaces, used across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Arab world.
mostaql.com69 viewsMrsoolA Saudi on-demand delivery platform where customers describe any order and independent couriers bid to deliver it. Operates in Saudi Arabia,…
mrsool.co51 viewsNoonThe Middle East homegrown marketplace - sellers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt list to the region fastest-growing buyer base.
noon.com33 viewsOpenSooqA leading Arab-world classifieds marketplace for goods, cars, and services.
opensooq.com72 viewsPaymobA leading MENA payments company - merchants in Egypt, the Gulf, and Pakistan accept cards, wallets, and installments online and in person.
paymob.com47 viewsTap PaymentsA MENA payment gateway letting businesses accept cards and local methods across the Gulf.
tap.company50 viewsUreedA MENA-focused freelance marketplace strong in Arabic-English language services, content, and translation. Connects clients in the Gulf and…
ureed.com93 viewsHow to get paid in Saudi Arabia
Payment services whose official country lists include Saudi Arabia. Check that the platform you join pays out to at least one of them, or to a local bank.
Lemon SqueezyStore activation needs a questionnaire and ID check (about 2-3 business days), payouts go by bank in listed countries or by PayPal elsewhere.
PayPalNot available in Pakistan or Bangladesh, and in some listed countries accounts may only send or cannot withdraw locally, so check in the app.
GreyGives USD, GBP and EUR receiving accounts for foreign clients and platforms like Upwork, Deel and Payoneer, payments from sanctioned countries fail.
WiseOnly residents of listed countries can hold money and get account details, so Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and India cannot receive.
PaddleFor software and digital products only, individuals can sell, and payouts go monthly by wire or Payoneer once you reach $100.
Not available for receiving money in Saudi Arabia: NayaPay, bKash, CIH Bank, Mercado Pago, M-Pesa, PayPay, Paytm, Mollie, SadaPay, Razorpay, Stripe, Bancontact Pay, PicPay, Tikkie, Paystack, Midtrans, MoMo, MTN MoMo, PayMongo, AlipayHK, ChapChap, Nequi, Tenpo, TrueMoney, Yoco, Chipper Cash, dLocal, Easypaisa, Khalti, OPay, Telebirr, ExpressPay, GCash, Fawry, JazzCash, Revolut, Xendit, Zalopay, CashPlus, Monobank, Square, Yape, Maya, Vipps, Wave, Daviplata, Flutterwave, Hubtel, Toss, Uala.
Global platforms that accept people in Saudi Arabia
Each one's official sign-up or terms pages list the countries it accepts, and Saudi Arabia is on the list. Check them against your age and what you have →
Freelance sites 6
UpworkYou'll need: A computer
You need a verified ID, an approved profile and a tax form (W-8BEN outside the US) before withdrawing. Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk are also restricted.
FiverrYou'll need: A computer
Fiverr can ask any seller for a government ID to confirm you are 18+, and PayPal withdrawals arrive in about 24 hours with a $1 minimum.
ToptalYou'll need: A computer, Good English, A skills test
Fewer than 3 percent pass the English interview, skills tests, live screening and 1-3 week test project.
GuruYou'll need: A computer
Free Basic plan gives 10 bids a month with a 9 percent job fee, paid plans from $11.95/mo add bids and lower fees.
PeoplePerHourYou'll need: A computer
Profiles are reviewed within 2 business days and new earnings clear 14 days after the invoice is approved.
FreelancerYou'll need: A computer
Identity verification is required before withdrawing, and your first withdrawal can be held up to 15 days.
Music distribution platforms 4
AmuseThere is no free plan now, the cheapest Artist plan costs $23.99 a year.
CD BabyOne-time $9.99 per single or $14.99 per album, payout within 15 business days of hitting your $25 default threshold, W-9 or W-8 required.
DistroKidAges 13-17 need parent or guardian consent, and you pay the annual fee by credit card.
TuneCoreAges 13-17 need parent consent, artists outside the US sign with Believe International instead of TuneCore.
Ride platforms 3
inDriveYou'll need: A smartphone, A car, A driver's licence
Operates in about 48 countries, and drivers can counter the passenger's offered fare in the app.
BoltYou'll need: A smartphone, A car, A driver's licence
Phone must run Android 9 or iOS 16 or newer, and Bolt partners can rent you a car if you do not own one.
UberYou'll need: A smartphone, A car, A driver's licence, Vehicle insurance, A background check
US drivers must meet the local minimum age and need 1 year of US driving experience (3 years if under 25).
Microtask sites 2
ProlificYou'll need: A computer, A PayPal account
New sign-ups join a demographic waitlist that can take hours or months, and you must verify ID and live in a supported country.
Amazon Mechanical TurkYou'll need: A computer, A tax ID number
MTurk is closing on September 30 2026, so new workers should not sign up, and US persons living abroad were never supported.
Open source funding platforms 2
GitHub SponsorsYou'll need: A bank account, A tax ID number
Needs 2FA on GitHub, a bank account in the same supported region you live in and a W-9 or W-8BEN tax form, review takes a few days.
LiberapayYou'll need: A bank account
41 countries get Stripe bank payouts, the other 71 listed can only receive through PayPal, processor fees average 3 to 5 percent.
Creator platforms 2
GumroadYou'll need: A bank account
Listed countries get bank payouts, others PayPal only (no Payoneer or Wise), $100 minimum payout, and US sellers need an SSN.
PatreonYou'll need: A tax ID number
Under 18 needs a parent or guardian's permission, and you must give tax info or Patreon may withhold tax.
Social platforms 2
YouTubeYou'll need: An existing audience
Partner Program needs 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours (12 months) or 10M Shorts views (90 days), and an AdSense account.
SnapchatYou'll need: A smartphone, An existing audience
Snap Stars earn from ads on public content, eligibility depends on authenticity, engagement and quality (help centre would not load).
Marketplaces 2
StockXYou'll need: Products to sell
Sellers must live in a StockX seller country (Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt and Turkey cannot sell), and items ship to StockX for checks first.
GrailedYou'll need: A smartphone
Must be 16+ (18 in China) and pass a Persona government ID check, and you must connect a payment account before listing.
Stock marketplaces 2
ShutterstockYou'll need: A tax ID number
You need an approved tax form before any payout, and contributors in some countries face a 90-day waiting period.
EnvatoYou'll need: A portfolio or work samples, A tax ID number
New author applications are paused until further notice, when open they need portfolio review (about 30 days), tax info and an ID check.
Tutoring platforms 2
PreplyYou'll need: A computer, A webcam, A headset
Profiles reviewed within 3 business days, no certificate needed, but the first trial lesson with each new student pays 100% commission.
CamblyYou'll need: A computer, A webcam, Native-level language skills, Good English
No degree or certificate needed but tutors must be native English speakers and cannot tutor from California, Massachusetts or New Jersey.
Template marketplaces 2
CodeCanyonOfficial Envato author help blocked automated reading (HTTP 403) so eligibility could not be verified.
ThemeForestOfficial Envato author help blocked automated reading (HTTP 403) so eligibility could not be verified.
Print-on-demand platforms 2
RedbubbleYou'll need: A computer
Paid monthly by the 15th once you pass the payment threshold, via PayPal or bank transfer (US, AU and UK banks), and inactive accounts can be charged a fee.
ZazzleYou'll need: A computer, A PayPal account
Royalties are paid by PayPal (from $50) or check (from $100) within 45 days after month end, and tax forms are needed.
Bug bounty platforms 2
HackerOneYou'll need: A computer
Under 18 needs parental consent, and payouts need a Veriff ID check plus an approved tax form.
BugcrowdYou'll need: A computer
A Jumio ID check is required before reporting to managed programs, and payouts need a tax form plus bank transfer or PayPal.
Mentorship platforms 2
Clarity.fmExpert applications are reviewed on background, demand and profile completeness, and Clarity keeps a 15% fee on every call.
ADPListMentoring is unpaid volunteer work, applicants need 5+ years of industry experience and only about 30% are approved.
Photography gig platforms 2
FlytographerYou'll need: A camera, A portfolio or work samples, Good English
Needs 2+ years of paid lifestyle photography experience and conversational English, and only about 3% of applicants are accepted.
LocalgrapherYou'll need: A camera, A portfolio or work samples, Good English
Needs 3+ years of experience, professional gear with backups, very good English, and you must live in the destination you shoot.
Passive income apps 2
HoneygainMust be 18+ on your own home network (no shared or work networks) and payouts start at a $20 minimum.
GrassYou'll need: A computer
Terms bar minors and sanctioned regions (list not itemised) and rewards are points or tokens with no promised cash value.
Course platforms 2
SkillshareYou'll need: A computer, A portfolio or work samples
First-time teachers must be approved (English-language applications only) and earnings are forfeited while Tipalti payment setup is incomplete.
TeachableYou'll need: A computer, A bank account
No free plan (7-day trial), the Starter plan adds a 7.5% transaction fee, payouts can arrive within minutes of a sale.
Ticket resale platforms 2
viagogoOfficial pages blocked automated reading so eligibility is unverified.
StubHubOfficial seller pages blocked automated reading so eligibility is unverified.
Shipping gig platforms 1
LalamoveYou'll need: A smartphone, A driver's licence, A car, A motorbike or scooter
Rules are set per city, in Hong Kong you must be 18+ with a local licence and HKID and own or rent a van, truck or motorbike.
Delivery platforms 1
MrsoolCountry list from Wikipedia because the official courier page gives no details.
Task platforms 1
Urban CompanyYou'll need: A smartphone
Official partner site blocked by a bot check, countries from Wikipedia, which reports partners paying for training and products before working.
Paid blogging platforms 1
MediumOfficial Medium pages blocked automated reading (HTTP 403) so Partner Program eligibility could not be verified.
Prize competitions 1
TopcoderYou'll need: A computer
Quebec, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk are also barred, winners pass an ID check and file a W-9 or W-8BEN, prizes paid within 90 days.
Big marketplaces 1
eBayYou'll need: A bank account
New private sellers get funds 2 to 7 days after delivery, and payouts go to a checking account or debit card, not PayPal.
Not available to people in Saudi Arabia (69)
Their official pages list the countries they accept, and Saudi Arabia isn't one of them right now: Coople, Superprof, GoStudent, Glovo, Angkas, Swagbucks, Hipcamp, Outschool, Tutor.com, bol, Airtasker, Awign, Rappi, iFood, Instacart, Bykea, Jumia, Substack, Grab, Deliveroo, Uklon, 1111 Job Bank, Bark, Belay, foodpanda, Kickstarter, Lyft, Shopee, Talabat, TaskRabbit, DoorDash, Flipkart, Gojek, MercadoLibre, Talkspace, Zomato, Boldly, Lazada, Varsity Tutors, Vinted, Daraz, DiDi, Getir, Pathao, Thumbtack, TikTok, Turo, 104 Job Bank, Etsy, Ola, Swiggy, Allegro, Depop, Poshmark, Whatnot, Grubhub, Wolt, Amazon Flex, BetterHelp, Getaround, Coupang, Kiva, Mercari, Rover, Ghost, OfferUp, Vivid Seats, Walmart Marketplace, GoFundMe.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best freelance and gig platforms in Saudi Arabia?
Bahr is a government-backed marketplace for Saudi freelancers with no additional fees. Mostaql suits bid-based projects and Khamsat suits small fixed-price services, both in Arabic. HungerStation and Mrsool offer delivery work, and Haraj is a classifieds site for selling goods.
How do freelancers in Saudi Arabia get paid by international clients?
Options include PayPal, which lets Saudi accounts receive payments and withdraw to a local bank, and marketplace payouts. Upwork pays directly to Saudi bank accounts in SAR for USD 0.99 per withdrawal, and Fiverr pays out through PayPal or Payoneer. Wise does not send to Saudi Arabia, so it is not an option for clients.
Does PayPal work in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. PayPal accounts registered in Saudi Arabia can send and receive payments, and receiving personal payments is free when no currency conversion is involved. PayPal's Saudi fee schedule lists withdrawals to local bank accounts and to US bank accounts, the latter with a 3% fee.
Can people in Saudi Arabia work on Upwork and Fiverr?
Yes. Upwork supports Direct to Local Bank withdrawals in SAR for USD 0.99 each, but the bank account name must match your verified Upwork name. Fiverr pays out through PayPal, Payoneer or bank transfer via Payoneer, and freelancers must be at least 18 to withdraw earnings.
What is the freelance document in Saudi Arabia?
It is a document issued through freelance.sa, a Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development initiative that regulates and encourages freelance work by citizens. Holders can open a bank account linked to their activity and access digital payment solutions and financing. Programmes include order delivery, accounting services, handicrafts, food trucks and tour guiding.