Brandwave

Freelancer vs Zealancer:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Freelancer had more branded searches than Zealancer among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand. Freelancer had about 20 branded searches, while Zealancer had 10. Freelancer made up 0.21% of all freelance marketplace searches we track, and Zealancer accounted for 0.11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, Freelancer and Zealancer each appeared in two of the five answers. Freelancer and Zealancer were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.

Among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Freelancer, about 2 searches for every 1 for Zealancer

Freelancer 20 searchesZealancer 10 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.

Freelancer in 2 of 5Zealancer in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.

Freelancer first in 1Zealancer first in 1

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Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Freelancer and Zealancer were each mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Freelancer and Zealancer were each listed first in one of the two 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 Freelancer or Zealancer more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Freelancer and Zealancer 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.

Freelancer and Zealancer among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Freelancer, Zealancer. 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 Freelancer and Zealancer changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Zealancer fell from 7th to 8th among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand.

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

How are Freelancer’s and Zealancer’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Freelancer’s and Zealancer’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.

Freelancer

1 branded search term

  • freelancercom

Zealancer

1 branded search term

  • zealancer

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among freelance marketplaces

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