Brandwave

99designs vs Freelancer:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, 99designs had more branded searches than Freelancer among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand. 99designs had about 40 branded searches, while Freelancer had 20. 99designs made up 0.43% of all freelance marketplace searches we track, and Freelancer accounted for 0.21%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, 99designs and Freelancer each appeared in two of the five answers. Freelancer was mentioned before 99designs in two out of three answers that named either.

Among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

99designs, about 2 searches for every 1 for Freelancer

99designs 40 searchesFreelancer 20 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.

99designs in 2 of 5Freelancer in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Freelancer, named ahead of 99designs in 2 of 3 answers

Freelancer first in 299designs first in 1

Follow 99designs vs Freelancer 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

Track your brand against a rival →

Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, 99designs was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Freelancer was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Freelancer was listed before 99designs in two out of three answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Upwork1st
  2. Fiverr2nd
  3. Contra3rd
  4. Zealancer4th
  5. Toptal5th
  6. Freelancer5th
  7. 99designs7th
  8. DesignCrowd–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Upwork5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Fiverr4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Toptal2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • 99designs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Freelancer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Contra2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Zealancer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • DesignCrowd0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about freelance marketplaces

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is 99designs or Freelancer more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for 99designs and Freelancer by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight freelance marketplaces we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

99designs and Freelancer among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for 99designs, Freelancer. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFiverrUpworkToptal99designsDesignCrowdFreelancerContraZealancer
Nov 202561.9%34.8%1.4%0.53%0.38%0.53%0.08%0.3%
Dec 202562.3%34.8%1.4%0.61%0.38%0.38%0.08%0.15%
Jan 202657.6%39.2%1.5%0.35%0.49%0.63%0.07%0.21%
Feb 202662%35.6%1.1%0.38%0.38%0.38%0.08%0.15%
Mar 202655.3%41.5%1.5%0.67%0.47%0.34%0.07%0.2%
Apr 202656.6%41%1.2%0.34%0.34%0.27%0.07%0.21%
May 202659.9%37.5%1.2%0.51%0.29%0.37%0.07%0.15%
Jun 202660.7%36.4%1.1%0.52%0.52%0.52%0.07%0.07%
Jul 202656.3%40.9%1.2%0.42%0.42%0.59%0.08%0.08%
Aug 202656.4%40.6%1.5%0.59%0.42%0.25%0.08%0.17%
Sep 202657.4%40.2%1%0.52%0.43%0.17%0.09%0.17%
Oct 202657.9%39.7%1.3%0.43%0.32%0.21%0.11%0.11%

How has branded search for 99designs and Freelancer changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Freelancer took it in January 2026, 99designs took it in March 2026, Freelancer took it in July 2026, 99designs took it in August 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, 99designs’ share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand moved from 0.53% to 0.43%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 40.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Freelancer’s share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand moved from 0.53% to 0.21%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 20.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand freelance marketplaces in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Freelancer in New Zealand fell 71.4% over 12 measured months, from 70 to 20 in October 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for 99designs in New Zealand fell 42.9% over 12 measured months, from 70 to 40 in October 2026.

How are 99designs’ and Freelancer’s branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 99designs’ 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.

99designs

2 branded search terms

  • 99designs
  • 99designs freelance

Freelancer

1 branded search term

  • freelancercom

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among freelance marketplaces

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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.

Start free