10 Marketplaces for Hiring Product Designers and UX Researchers Based on Your Project Needs
Finding the right product designer or UX researcher can make or break your project. Whether you need someone for a quick usability test or a full product redesign, the marketplace you choose matters. Each platform has its own strengths, pricing models, and talent pools. This list walks you through ten solid options, organized by the kind of work you need done. You’ll learn what makes each marketplace different and which one fits your specific situation best.
- Legiit
Legiit stands out as a marketplace built specifically for digital services, including product design and UX research. The platform uses a service-based model where designers and researchers list specific offerings with clear deliverables and pricing. This makes it easy to know exactly what you’re getting before you commit.
What makes Legiit particularly useful is its focus on transparency and speed. You can browse portfolios, read detailed service descriptions, and see reviews from previous clients. Many designers on the platform offer fixed-price packages for common needs like wireframing, prototype testing, or user flow mapping. This works well if you have a clear project scope and want to avoid hourly billing surprises.
The platform also includes a rating system that helps you identify reliable freelancers quickly. If you need UX research services like user interviews or usability audits, you’ll find specialists who package these as standalone services. Legiit works best for small to medium projects where you value straightforward pricing and fast turnaround times.
- Toptal
Toptal positions itself as a marketplace for the top 3% of freelance talent, and they back this up with a rigorous screening process. Every designer and researcher goes through multiple rounds of testing before joining the platform. This means you’re working with people who have proven skills, but it also means higher rates.
The matching process at Toptal is hands-on. You don’t browse profiles yourself. Instead, you describe your project needs to a matcher who then suggests candidates. This saves time if you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for, but it removes some control from the process. Toptal works well for complex projects that need senior-level expertise, like designing a multi-platform SaaS product or conducting extensive user research across different markets. Expect to pay premium rates, but also expect high-quality work.
- Behance
Behance isn’t a traditional hiring marketplace, but it functions as one for creative professionals. Designers and researchers showcase their portfolios here, and many are open to freelance work. You can search by skill, location, or project type, then reach out directly to people whose work matches your vision.
The advantage of Behance is that you see extensive portfolio work before making contact. You can evaluate visual style, problem-solving approach, and the types of projects someone has completed. The downside is that there’s no built-in payment system or project management tools. You’ll need to handle contracts, payments, and communication outside the platform.
Behance works best when you have a strong sense of the aesthetic or approach you want. If you see a designer who created something similar to your vision, you can reach out and start a conversation. Just be prepared to do more legwork in terms of vetting and negotiation compared to full-service marketplaces.
- Dribbble
Dribbble operates similarly to Behance but with a more focused community of designers. The platform has a job board and a freelancer directory where product designers and UX specialists list their availability. Many designers on Dribbble specialize in interface design, making it a strong choice if visual polish matters to your product.
The hiring process on Dribbble is straightforward. You can post a job listing or browse the freelancer directory and filter by skills, location, and availability. Each profile shows portfolio shots, which give you a quick sense of someone’s style. Reviews and ratings are less prominent here than on other platforms, so you’ll need to do more due diligence through interviews and reference checks.
Dribbble tends to attract designers who care deeply about craft and visual detail. If you’re building a consumer app where first impressions matter, or if you need someone who can create a distinctive visual language, this platform has a strong talent pool. Pricing varies widely depending on experience level and project scope.
- Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, with thousands of product designers and UX researchers available at any given time. The sheer size of the talent pool means you can find someone for almost any budget or project type. You post a job, receive proposals, review profiles and work history, then hire someone.
The platform includes time tracking tools, milestone-based payments, and a messaging system that keeps everything in one place. This integration makes project management easier, especially if you’re hiring multiple freelancers. The challenge with Upwork is sorting through the volume of applicants. You’ll often receive dozens of proposals, many of which are generic or from people who don’t quite fit your needs.
Upwork works well when you have clear project requirements and can evaluate proposals effectively. Look for freelancers with strong ratings, detailed profiles, and relevant portfolio work. The platform supports both hourly and fixed-price contracts, giving you flexibility in how you structure the engagement. Rates range from budget-friendly to premium, depending on experience and specialization.
- Coroflot
Coroflot specializes in design talent, including product designers and UX professionals. The platform combines a job board with a portfolio hosting service, creating a space where designers showcase work and companies post opportunities. It’s less transaction-focused than other marketplaces and more about building connections between designers and companies.
When you post a job on Coroflot, it reaches a targeted audience of design professionals. The quality of applicants tends to be high because the platform has built a reputation within the design community over many years. You can also browse portfolios proactively and reach out to designers whose work interests you.
Coroflot works particularly well for companies looking to hire full-time or long-term contract designers, though freelance opportunities are common too. The platform attracts mid-career to senior designers who take their craft seriously. If you need someone with a strong foundation in design principles and a thoughtful approach to UX, Coroflot is worth exploring. The hiring process requires more direct communication and negotiation compared to fully automated marketplaces.
- Gun.io
Gun.io focuses on pre-vetted tech talent, including product designers and UX researchers who work on software products. The platform screens candidates before they join, which means you’re working with people who have been evaluated for both skills and communication ability. This reduces the risk of hiring someone who looks good on paper but struggles with execution.
The matching process at Gun.io involves describing your project needs and having their team suggest candidates. You can interview these candidates and choose who you want to work with. The platform handles contracts and payments, and they provide support if issues arise during the project. This level of service comes with higher fees compared to open marketplaces, but many companies find the reduced risk worth the cost.
Gun.io works best for software companies that need design talent to integrate with development teams. If you’re building a web app, mobile app, or SaaS product and want someone who understands the technical constraints of digital products, this platform has a strong fit. Most engagements are longer-term contracts rather than one-off projects.
- Working Not Working
Working Not Working takes a curated approach to connecting creative talent with companies. Designers and researchers apply to join the platform, and only those who meet certain quality standards are accepted. The result is a smaller but higher-quality talent pool compared to open marketplaces.
The platform shows you who’s currently available for work, along with their portfolios, skills, and the types of projects they’re interested in. You can reach out directly to people who match your needs. There’s no bidding system or proposal process. Instead, it’s about direct conversation and building a relationship with the freelancer.
Working Not Working attracts creative professionals who value quality over quantity. If you’re working on a project where the design thinking and creative process matter as much as the final deliverable, this platform connects you with people who approach their work that way. Rates are typically mid to high range, reflecting the experience level of the talent pool. The platform works well for agencies and startups that need flexible access to senior design talent.
- Fiverr Pro
Fiverr Pro is the vetted tier of Fiverr, featuring hand-selected freelancers who have demonstrated high-quality work and professional communication. While regular Fiverr has a reputation for budget services, Fiverr Pro focuses on experienced professionals, including product designers and UX researchers.
Each Pro seller has been evaluated by Fiverr’s team and offers clear service packages with defined deliverables. You can see exactly what you’ll get, how long it will take, and what it costs before you place an order. This transparency makes it easy to compare options and choose someone who fits your project scope and budget.
Fiverr Pro works well for specific, well-defined tasks like creating user personas, conducting competitive analysis, designing a landing page, or running a usability test. The service package model means you need to know what you want before you start. If your project scope is unclear or likely to change, you might find the structured approach limiting. However, for straightforward projects with clear outcomes, Fiverr Pro offers quality talent at reasonable rates with a simple booking process.
- Contra
Contra is a commission-free platform where freelancers keep 100% of what they earn. This model attracts independent professionals who want to avoid the fees charged by other marketplaces. For product designers and UX researchers, this often means you’re working with people who are intentional about their freelance careers and value autonomy.
The platform provides tools for proposals, contracts, and invoicing, making it easy to manage projects from start to finish. You can browse profiles, review portfolios, and reach out to freelancers directly. Since there are no platform fees eating into freelancer earnings, some professionals price their services more competitively here than on other marketplaces.
Contra works well if you want to build direct relationships with freelancers without a platform taking a cut of every transaction. The talent pool skews toward independent professionals who are building sustainable freelance practices rather than people doing gig work on the side. You’ll find designers and researchers who think strategically about their work and can contribute to product thinking, not just execute tasks.
Each of these marketplaces serves different needs and project types. If you want transparent pricing and quick turnaround, service-based platforms like Legiit or Fiverr Pro make sense. If you need senior-level talent for complex projects, vetted networks like Toptal or Gun.io are worth the premium. If you value creative vision and want to see extensive portfolio work first, visual platforms like Behance or Dribbble help you find the right fit. Think about your project scope, budget, and timeline, then choose the marketplace that aligns with those factors. The right platform makes hiring easier and leads to better project outcomes.