Faizan Ayaz
If you’re a Pakistani writer looking to earn online, you’ve probably searched for freelancing platforms that actually work. There are tons of options out there, but not all are beginner-friendly or worth your time. After digging through experiences, testing some myself, and learning from seasoned freelancers, I’ve put together a guide to the best freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers.
Whether you’re into blogging, copywriting, ghostwriting or website content – think of this as your roadmap to success on the best freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers.
What are the top freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers?
The right freelancing platform can make or break your online writing journey. You don’t want to spend hours bidding on low-paying gigs or fighting through platforms that charge high fees without any client guarantees.
That’s why it’s important to start on the right freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers – ones that offer good opportunities, fewer headaches, and real chances to grow long-term.
1. Upwork – great for building your career (If you’re persistent)
If there’s one name that immediately pops up into everyone’s mind when talking about freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers, it’s Upwork. With a professional setup and millions of jobs, you can find a ton of potential clients and gigs on this platform. If you get to be really skilled at bidding and/or find some repeat clients, business can be good. Upwork is fairly different from many freelancing websites – so it’s a buyer’s market instead of a seller’s market.
To simplify that phrase, Upwork functions by letting you browse project listings, submit proposals outlining your qualifications and rates, and secure work based on client selection.
Now, you can choose between fixed-price projects, where you agree on a set fee upfront, or hourly projects, where you get paid based on the time you invest
However, there’s some downsides to Upwork. Competition is fierce, and you need to “pay for connects” to apply for gigs beyond the first few each month. There’s also high commission rates (could go up to 20%). While I did initially start on Upwork, the fierce competition and high commission rates have pushed out a few of the better clients and freelancers to different platforms.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating a solid profile and applying to niche jobs where you can stand out.
2. Fiverr – great for niche writers
Another of the top freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers is Fiverr. Like Upwork, the biggest advantage that fiverr has over other platforms is how big it is. Unlike Upwork, fiverr does not have a bidding system. For someone who doesn’t like spending money for “connects,” (yes, I’m talking about myself), it’s a pretty good option.
Unlike Upwork, Fiverr is more of a sellers market. You create a gig with your rates and skill set and people looking for your services reach out to you over the platform.
Here’s the drawback as one of the top freelance platforms for Pakistani writers, Fiverr is notoriously tough to get into because the competition out here is insane. The market is flooded and getting started is tough. It eats a chunk of your earnings through high commission rates and it does not allow you to speak with your clients off-platform.
If there’s a particular niche that you specialise in, Fiverr could work for you.
Pro tip: Fiverr works well if you specialize in something like blog writing, SEO content, or ad copy.
3. Contra – Clean, client-focused, commission-free (my personal favourite)
Contra is a relatively new freelancing platform designed for modern independent workers – and it stands out in some important ways. Unlike traditional freelance sites (Yes, we’re all thinking Upwork here) that charge hefty commissions and have a cluttered user experience, Contra is sleek, transparent, and commission-free.
That means you can apply to as many jobs as you want, and keep more of the money you earn. Basically, it works similarly to Upwork but with greater focus on North America based employers that tend to pay better + no fees.
It has all the major advantages of UpWork (ease of booking for clients, portfolio, reviews, etc. in one place), but lets you offer all of that without fees.
Any downsides? First, it’s heavily focused on US based employers and most of the clients I’ve seen have been tech or startup related. If you don’t have a portfolio or writing to show clients, you’ll likely have a harder time than Fiverr/UpWork as you can’t bid under $25/hour. Overall, there are less clients than UpWork for the same reason.
Contra, as one of the leading freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers, is something I would highly recommend, if you have a solid portfolio.
Best for:
- Writers with polished portfolios
- Those targeting high-paying Western clients
- Freelancers who want a minimalist, no-middleman experience
- People willing to set up a workaround for Stripe access
4. Facebook groups – Fastest way to land your first gig (Hidden goldmines)
There are a number of Facebook groups that function as marketplaces for freelance writing. You may not think of Facebook as a freelancing platform, but for Pakistani writers, it can be gold.
Groups like the Copywriting Job Hub and the Cult of Copy Job Board (the best one by far) are active and regularly post gigs.
Rates are usually decent through these groups, and competition is not as intense as it is through a major freelancing site like Upwork or Fiverr. Some clients here do not really seem serious/ready to hire (they do not know what they want), but others are fantastic.
Your best bet here is to wait for a job in your niche to come along, and then apply to it. There is no middleman, no limitation or fees, making it one of the top freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers.
5. Freelancer – Decent option (but not my favourite)
Like Upwork, Freelancer.com is a site that has millions of active users. There are some things I like about it, like its on-page chat, competency tests, and flexible withdrawal options. And once again, you can find a ton of potential clients here. It’s a good starting choice as a freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers.
There are some downsides. Just as on Upwork, those who pay the most stand the best chance of getting gigs. Also, I have not been too impressed with the quality of the gigs that I have found through this site.
6. Medium – Publish, build and earn (sort of)
Medium is a popular platform where writers can publish articles directly to a wide audience without needing to bid for jobs or find clients upfront. It’s a great platform for Pakistani writers who want to build their personal brand, share their expertise, and potentially earn money through the Medium Partner Program, which pays writers based on reader engagement.
It’s not one of the top freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers, but rather a platform where writers can build a personal brand.
Here’s why it’s a great option:
- You don’t need to apply for jobs – just write and publish
- You can earn through the Medium Partner Program, which pays based on reading time
- It’s excellent for building your portfolio and personal brand
But there are some cons:
- Income is unpredictable (and often low unless you go viral)
- Not ideal for client-based freelancing work
- Competition is high, and success depends on how well your content performs with readers
Best for: Writers who love creating their own content and want to build long-term visibility or passive income.
Final Thoughts on freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers
Freelancing can be overwhelming in the beginning, but the right platform can make a huge difference. Whether you’re pitching clients on Upwork or sharing your voice on Medium, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Try a few, see what feels right, and most importantly – keep writing.
If you’re serious about building a career as a writer, these freelancing platforms for Pakistani writers can be your stepping stones to consistent income and freedom.
