99designs
99designs is a graphic-design marketplace owned by Vista that supports two main buying models. Clients can hire an individual designer after reviewing portfolios and requesting quotes, or run a contest in which multiple designers submit concepts against the same brief.
At a glance
- Best for
- Businesses that need professional graphic design and want either a curated one-to-one designer relationship or a contest-based way to explore multiple creative directions.
- Verified pricing / fees
- Logo contests from $249; 5% client fee on direct projects
Overview
99designs is more focused than general freelance marketplaces: it is built around design. Clients can browse vetted designers and request quotes, or run contests with fixed packages. Logo contests currently start at $249, while other design categories have their own pricing. For one-to-one work, clients pay a 5% platform fee; designers pay a 5% to 15% platform fee based on level and can also face a one-time client-introduction fee on new relationships.
Contest pricing varies by design category. For logo design, the current U.S. packages are Bronze at $249, Silver at $399, Gold at $799 and Platinum at $1,050. Higher packages provide access to more experienced designer levels and, at Platinum, dedicated management and prioritized support.
For direct one-to-one work, clients pay a fixed 5% platform fee. Designers pay 5%, 10% or 15% depending on their level. When a designer begins work with a new client, a client-introduction fee equal to 20% of the first $500 in paid invoices can apply, capped at $100, although 99designs documents several waiver situations.
Key features
- Direct hiring from a curated designer marketplace with portfolio browsing and quote requests.
- Design contests for exploring multiple concepts from different designers.
- Designer levels based on 99designs quality curation: Entry, Mid and Top Level.
- Category-specific fixed contest packages with defined creative access and support levels.
- Secure payment release and platform-supported project workflow.
- Copyright/ownership transfer to the client after successful completion and handover.
Pricing and fees
| Fee / plan | Current amount | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Logo contest | From $249 | Bronze $249, Silver $399, Gold $799, Platinum $1,050; pricing differs for other design categories. |
| 1-to-1 client fee | 5% | Added to the cost of direct project work. |
| Designer platform fee | 5%-15% | Top Level 5%, Mid Level 10%, Entry Level 15%. |
| Introduction fee | Up to $100 | 20% of first $500 of paid invoices with a new client; can be waived in specified cases. |
| Contest refund | 100% guarantee subject to rules | Refund generally must be requested within 60 days; guaranteed contests and later-stage contests have exceptions. |
Contest pricing is category-specific, so the $249 figure should not be generalized to every type of design. Taxes may also apply. Direct-hire prices are negotiated with the designer and then the client’s 5% platform fee is added.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Specialization in design makes portfolio comparison and talent discovery more relevant than on a general marketplace.
- Clients can choose between direct collaboration and crowdsourced concept exploration.
- Designer curation reduces some of the quality noise common on open platforms.
- Contest packages make design budgets relatively predictable.
- Money-back guarantee can reduce risk on eligible non-guaranteed contests.
Cons
- Contest pricing can be high for simple design needs compared with low-cost gig platforms.
- Designers pay meaningful platform and possible introduction fees, which can affect quoted rates.
- Contest models ask multiple designers to create speculative work, which some buyers and designers prefer to avoid.
- Platform is focused on creative design rather than broad business services.
Who is it for?
Who should use 99designs?
99designs is a strong fit when visual quality matters and the buyer either wants to compare several creative directions or select from a curated pool of designers. It is particularly well suited to logos, brand identity, packaging and web-design concepts.
Who should consider an alternative?
Consider a general marketplace if you need design as only one part of a wider project involving development, writing or administration. If you already know the exact independent you want to hire, Contra may offer a simpler payment relationship; if you want much broader talent categories, Freelancer.com or Guru may fit better.
ToolRankers verdict
99designs earns its place as a specialist marketplace because its workflow is designed around creative work rather than retrofitted from a generic freelance platform.
The direct-hire option is best when you have a clear style preference and want an ongoing designer relationship. Contests are more useful when you deliberately want to explore multiple creative directions. Buyers should compare contest-package pricing and the direct-hire 5% fee against their project’s expected scope before choosing the model.
ToolRankers research on 99designs
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Sources and fact-checking
Product details and fees were checked against these official sources on 7 October 2026. Marketplace fees and terms can change; confirm the current terms with the provider.