Contra vs Freelancer:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Freelancer had more branded searches than Contra among freelance marketplaces worldwide. Freelancer had about 86,100 branded searches, while Contra had 12,100. Freelancer made up 1.3% of all freelance marketplace searches we track, and Contra accounted for 0.19%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, both Contra and Freelancer appeared in all four answers. Contra was mentioned before Freelancer in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Freelancer, about 7 searches for every 1 for Contra
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Contra, named ahead of Freelancer in 3 of 4 answers
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Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, both Contra and Freelancer showed up in all four answers. Contra was listed before Freelancer in three of them.
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 Contra or Freelancer more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Contra and Freelancer 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 Freelancer, Contra. 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 Contra and Freelancer comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Freelancer 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, Freelancer’s share of searches among freelance marketplaces worldwide moved from 1.2% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 103K to 86.1K.
How did search popularity change for freelance marketplaces worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Contra worldwide rose 49.4% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 12.1K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Freelancer worldwide fell 16.1% over 12 measured months, from 103K to 86.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Contra’s and Freelancer’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
Freelancer
3 branded search terms
- freelancer app
- freelancer com
- freelancer.com
Other head-to-heads among freelance marketplaces
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