99designs vs Toptal:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Toptal had more branded searches than 99designs among freelance marketplaces worldwide. Toptal had about 110,000 branded searches, while 99designs had 49,500. Toptal made up 1.7% of all freelance marketplace searches we track, and 99designs accounted for 0.76%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, Toptal appeared in all four answers and 99designs in three. Toptal was mentioned before 99designs in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Toptal, about 2 searches for every 1 for 99designs
Who does AI mention more?
Toptal, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Toptal, named ahead of 99designs in every answer
Follow 99designs vs Toptal and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Toptal appeared in all four answers. 99designs was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Toptal was listed before 99designs in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Upwork1st
Fiverr2nd
Contra3rd- Toptal4th
Freelancer5th
99designs6th
PeoplePerHour7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Fiverr4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Upwork4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Toptal4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Freelancer4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Contra4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- 99designs3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- PeoplePerHour1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about freelance marketplaces
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which freelance marketplace should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best freelance marketplaces?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best freelance marketplace for a skilled freelance designer?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“freelance marketplaces”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“top freelance platforms”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is 99designs or Toptal more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for 99designs and Toptal by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven freelance marketplaces we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Toptal, 99designs. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fiverr | Upwork | PeoplePerHour | Toptal | Freelancer | 99designs | Contra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 60.3% | 33% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.2% | 0.89% | 0.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 60.8% | 33.3% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.9% | 0.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 56.2% | 37.6% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.09% |
| Jan 2026 | 56.2% | 37.6% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.07% |
| Feb 2026 | 56.1% | 37.6% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.07% |
| Mar 2026 | 56.6% | 37.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.68% | 0.09% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.5% | 37.9% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.68% | 0.11% |
| May 2026 | 55.9% | 37.5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.1% | 0.83% | 0.14% |
| Jun 2026 | 56.1% | 37.6% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.17% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.2% | 37.6% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.68% | 0.17% |
| Aug 2026 | 56.2% | 37.6% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.68% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.7% | 42.3% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.76% | 0.19% |
How has the 99designs and Toptal comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Toptal was ahead of 99designs in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 99designs’ share of searches among freelance marketplaces worldwide moved from 0.89% to 0.76%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Toptal’s share of searches among freelance marketplaces worldwide moved from 2% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 110K.
How did search popularity change for freelance marketplaces worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 99designs’ and Toptal’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among freelance marketplaces
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.