Brandwave

Contra vs PeoplePerHour:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, PeoplePerHour had more branded searches than Contra among freelance marketplaces worldwide. PeoplePerHour had about 135,000 branded searches, while Contra had 12,100. PeoplePerHour made up 2.1% of all freelance marketplace searches we track, and Contra accounted for 0.19%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, Contra appeared in all four answers and PeoplePerHour in one. Contra was mentioned before PeoplePerHour in three out of four answers.

Among freelance marketplaces worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

PeoplePerHour, about 11 searches for every 1 for Contra

PeoplePerHour 135K searchesContra 12.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Contra, mentioned in every answer we collected

Contra in 4 of 4PeoplePerHour in 1 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Contra, named ahead of PeoplePerHour in 3 of 4 answers

Contra first in 3PeoplePerHour first in 1

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Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Contra appeared in all four answers. PeoplePerHour was mentioned in one out of four: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in the Google AI Overview. Contra was listed before PeoplePerHour in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Upwork1st
  2. Fiverr2nd
  3. Contra3rd
  4. Toptal4th
  5. Freelancer5th
  6. 99designs6th
  7. 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

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Contra or PeoplePerHour more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Contra and PeoplePerHour 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.

Contra and PeoplePerHour among freelance marketplaces worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for PeoplePerHour, Contra. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFiverrUpworkPeoplePerHourToptalFreelancer99designsContra
Oct 202560.3%33%2.4%2%1.2%0.89%0.1%
Nov 202560.8%33.3%2%1.6%1.2%0.9%0.1%
Dec 202556.2%37.6%2.3%1.9%1.2%0.83%0.09%
Jan 202656.2%37.6%2.3%1.9%1.2%0.83%0.07%
Feb 202656.1%37.6%2.3%1.9%1.2%1%0.07%
Mar 202656.6%37.9%1.9%1.9%1%0.68%0.09%
Apr 202656.5%37.9%2.3%1.5%1%0.68%0.11%
May 202655.9%37.5%2.7%1.8%1.1%0.83%0.14%
Jun 202656.1%37.6%2.3%1.9%1.2%0.83%0.17%
Jul 202656.2%37.6%2.3%1.9%1.2%0.68%0.17%
Aug 202656.2%37.6%2.3%1.9%1.2%0.68%0.17%
Sep 202651.7%42.3%2.1%1.7%1.3%0.76%0.19%

How has the Contra and PeoplePerHour comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • PeoplePerHour was ahead of Contra in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Contra’s share of searches among freelance marketplaces worldwide moved from 0.1% to 0.19%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 12.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PeoplePerHour’s share of searches among freelance marketplaces worldwide moved from 2.4% to 2.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 135K.

How did search popularity change for freelance marketplaces worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Contra worldwide rose 49.4% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 12.1K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for PeoplePerHour worldwide fell 32.8% over 12 measured months, from 201K to 135K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Contra’s and PeoplePerHour’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.

Contra

1 branded search term

  • contra freelance

PeoplePerHour

1 branded search term

  • peopleperhour

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among freelance marketplaces

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