Where to Find Specialists for Long-Term Projects: 10 Freelance Marketplaces Worth Exploring
Finding the right specialist for an extended project requires more than a quick hire. You need platforms that support ongoing relationships, reliable communication, and fair pricing structures that make sense over months, not just days. Whether you’re building a marketing team, assembling developers for a product launch, or hiring consultants for strategic work, the marketplace you choose matters. This list focuses on platforms that excel at connecting businesses with specialists who can commit to longer engagements and deliver consistent results over time.
- Legiit
Legiit specializes in digital marketing services and offers a straightforward approach to hiring specialists across SEO, content creation, social media management, and web development. The platform features fixed-price services that make budgeting simple, along with custom project options for more complex needs.
What sets Legiit apart is its focus on building trust between buyers and sellers through verified reviews and a community-driven approach. Many specialists on the platform offer retainer packages specifically designed for ongoing work, which removes the hassle of renegotiating terms every month. The interface is clean and easy to use, and the support team actually responds when you need help. If you’re looking for marketing specialists who understand the value of long-term partnerships, Legiit provides a solid foundation for those relationships.
- CloudPeeps
CloudPeeps caters specifically to businesses looking for marketing, content, and community management specialists. The platform pre-vets every freelancer before they can join, which saves you from sifting through dozens of underqualified applicants.
The focus here is on quality over quantity. You won’t find hundreds of thousands of freelancers, but the ones you do find tend to be experienced professionals who know their craft. CloudPeeps works particularly well for startups and growing companies that need dedicated help with content strategy, email marketing, or social media without bringing someone on full-time. The platform charges a monthly subscription fee rather than taking a cut of each transaction, which can work out cheaper if you’re hiring regularly.
- Codeable
If your project involves WordPress, Codeable is worth serious consideration. This platform exclusively features WordPress developers and designers who have been carefully vetted through a rigorous application process. Only about 2% of applicants make it through, which tells you something about the quality bar.
Codeable handles the project management side of things, including escrow payments and milestone tracking. You submit a project, receive proposals from qualified developers, and choose who you want to work with. The developers on Codeable often handle ongoing maintenance contracts and long-term development projects, making it a good fit if you need someone to stick around after the initial build. Pricing runs higher than general freelance platforms, but the reduced risk and dedicated support often justify the cost.
- Working Not Working
Working Not Working takes a different approach by focusing on creative professionals in advertising, design, and content production. The platform functions more like a curated portfolio site where creatives showcase their work and availability status.
Companies can browse profiles, filter by specialty and location, and reach out directly to freelancers who match their needs. The platform attracts senior-level creatives who have worked with major brands and agencies, so it’s particularly useful if you need someone who can operate independently without much hand-holding. Many of the professionals on Working Not Working prefer project-based work that spans several months rather than quick turnaround gigs. The platform doesn’t handle payments or contracts, so you’ll need to manage those details directly with the freelancer.
- Gun.io
Gun.io specializes in connecting companies with pre-vetted software developers for contract and full-time positions. The screening process includes technical assessments and background checks, which reduces the risk of hiring someone who can’t deliver.
The platform works well for companies that need developers for multi-month projects or ongoing product development. Gun.io handles the administrative side of things, including contracts and payments, and provides account managers who help match you with developers who fit your technical requirements and company culture. The talent pool includes specialists in various programming languages and frameworks, from front-end React developers to back-end Python engineers. Rates reflect the premium nature of the service, but the time saved on screening and the reduced risk of bad hires often make it worthwhile.
- Mayple
Mayple focuses exclusively on marketing specialists and uses an algorithm to match businesses with freelancers based on industry experience and campaign type. Instead of browsing hundreds of profiles, you answer questions about your needs and budget, and Mayple presents a shortlist of qualified candidates.
The platform particularly excels at finding specialists for specific marketing channels like Facebook ads, Google Ads, email marketing, or conversion rate optimization. Each marketer on Mayple has been vetted and comes with performance data from previous campaigns, giving you more confidence in their abilities. Mayple also provides project management tools and performance tracking, which helps when managing longer engagements. The matching process typically takes a few days, but the quality of matches tends to be higher than platforms where you’re doing all the searching yourself.
- Toptal
Toptal maintains one of the most selective vetting processes in the freelance world, claiming to accept only the top 3% of applicants. The platform covers developers, designers, finance experts, and project managers across a wide range of specialties.
When you work with Toptal, you get assigned a matcher who learns about your needs and presents candidates within a few days. If the first match doesn’t work out, they’ll keep searching at no additional cost. Toptal freelancers typically command premium rates, but they’re often capable of working with minimal supervision and integrating quickly into existing teams. The platform works particularly well for companies that need senior-level talent for extended projects or part-time ongoing work. Toptal handles contracts, payments, and provides support throughout the engagement, which removes a lot of administrative burden.
- Contra
Contra positions itself as a commission-free platform where freelancers keep 100% of their earnings. The platform attracts a diverse mix of specialists across design, development, marketing, and consulting.
The commission-free model means freelancers can charge lower rates than they might on platforms that take 10-20% cuts, which can benefit clients looking for ongoing work at sustainable rates. Contra includes built-in tools for proposals, contracts, and payments, making it easy to manage long-term relationships without jumping between multiple systems. The platform skews toward independent professionals who are building their own brands rather than agency workers, so you’ll often get direct communication with the person doing the work. The user experience is modern and straightforward, though the talent pool is smaller than more established platforms.
- Braintrust
Braintrust operates as a user-owned talent network that focuses on technical roles including software development, product management, and design. The platform uses a cryptocurrency token system that rewards both clients and freelancers for participation, though you don’t need to understand the token mechanics to use the service.
The vetting process ensures that freelancers on Braintrust have substantial professional experience, often from recognizable tech companies. The platform charges clients a 10% fee but pays freelancers 100% of the agreed rate, which is reversed from most platforms. This structure tends to attract high-quality talent who might otherwise avoid traditional freelance marketplaces. Braintrust works well for companies that need developers or designers for several months or longer, particularly if you’re working on complex technical projects that require real expertise.
- Folyo
Folyo takes a simple approach to connecting companies with freelance designers. Instead of browsing profiles, you submit a project brief and Folyo’s team manually matches you with designers from their curated network.
The platform focuses on web design, branding, and UX/UI work, with designers who typically have years of experience and strong portfolios. Folyo handles the initial matching and introduction, but you communicate directly with designers and manage the project on your own terms. This approach works well if you want a curated selection without the overhead of a full-service agency. Many designers on Folyo are open to ongoing relationships for iterative design work, maintenance, and updates beyond the initial project. The matching process usually takes a few days, and Folyo doesn’t charge clients for introductions, making their money from designer membership fees instead.
The right platform depends on what kind of specialist you need and how you prefer to work. Some platforms handle everything from matching to payments, while others simply connect you and step aside. Some focus on specific skills like WordPress or marketing, while others cover a broader range. The platforms on this list all support longer engagements and ongoing relationships, not just quick one-off tasks. Take time to understand how each platform works, what they charge, and what kind of support they provide. The few hours you spend researching upfront can save you months of frustration with the wrong hire.