The best websites to find remote work as a digital nomad are We Work Remotely, Remote OK, LinkedIn and FlexJobs for remote jobs, and Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal and Contra for freelance work. Job boards are free to use (FlexJobs charges a small subscription), while freelance marketplaces take a cut of what you earn — Upwork charges freelancers a variable 0–15% fee and Fiverr takes 20%. The right mix depends on whether you want a salaried remote job or freelance clients.
In this guide
Two kinds of remote work sites
- Remote job boards list salaried or contract positions at companies that hire remotely. You apply like a normal job and get paid by the employer.
- Freelance marketplaces connect you with clients for projects. The platform handles payment and usually charges a fee.
Many nomads use both: a job board to land a stable remote role and a marketplace to build side income.
Best websites to find remote work: comparison table
| Website | Type | Cost to you | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| We Work Remotely | Job board | Free (employers pay) | Tech, design, marketing, support |
| Remote OK | Job board | Free | Tech and startup roles |
| LinkedIn Jobs | Job board | Free (optional Premium) | All professions; filter by “Remote” |
| FlexJobs | Job board | $9.95/month or $24.95/quarter | Hand-screened listings; writing, marketing, admin |
| Wellfound | Job board | Free | Startup jobs, often with salary shown |
| Upwork | Freelance marketplace | 0–15% variable fee + Connects ($0.15 each) | All freelance categories |
| Fiverr | Freelance marketplace | 20% of each order | Packaged services (design, video, writing) |
| Toptal | Vetted network | No visible freelancer fee | Senior developers, designers, finance experts |
| Contra | Freelance platform | 0% commission | Creative and tech freelancers |
Fees from Work-Club (June 2026) and GoLance (Upwork fees verified May 2026). Platform fees change — check each site’s pricing page.
Best remote job boards
1. We Work Remotely
One of the largest remote-only job boards. It is free for job seekers; employers pay to post (from around $299 per listing), which tends to keep listings serious. Strong for programming, design, marketing, customer support and operations.
2. Remote OK
Built by the same maker as Nomad List, Remote OK aggregates remote jobs — heavily tech and startup roles — and lets you filter by salary and time zone. Free to browse and apply.
3. LinkedIn Jobs
The biggest job platform overall. Use the “Remote” workplace filter, set job alerts, and keep your profile updated — many remote recruiters find candidates directly on LinkedIn.
4. FlexJobs
FlexJobs hand-screens remote, part-time and flexible listings to filter out scams. It charges job seekers $9.95 a month or $24.95 a quarter, with no commission on earnings. Worth it if scam listings are wasting your time.
5. Wellfound
Formerly AngelList Talent, Wellfound focuses on startup jobs and often shows salary and equity up front. Good for remote-friendly tech and product roles.
Best freelance marketplaces
6. Upwork
The largest general freelance marketplace. Since May 2025, freelancers pay a variable service fee of 0% to 15% per contract (often around 10%), set when you send a proposal. Proposals cost Connects ($0.15 each), with 10 free per month on the basic plan.
7. Fiverr
Clients buy pre-packaged services (“gigs”) such as logo design, video editing or translation. Fiverr takes a flat 20% of each order, so price your gigs accordingly.
8. Toptal
An invite-style network for senior developers, designers and finance experts. Getting in is hard, but rates are high and there is no visible fee taken from freelancers.
9. Contra
A commission-free platform for creative and tech freelancers, earning its money from clients and optional premium features. Good for building a portfolio and keeping 100% of your rate.
Not sure what kind of work to look for? Start with our list of internet nomad jobs worth trying.
Tips for landing remote work as a digital nomad
- Target companies that hire across time zones, and say clearly which hours you can overlap with their team.
- Show you can work remotely: mention async tools, written communication and past remote projects.
- Check legal limits. Some employers cannot hire in every country because of tax and payroll rules — ask early. Your visa matters too: for example, you can’t legally work remotely in Thailand on a tourist visa.
- Beware of scams: never pay to apply, and be wary of jobs that ask you to buy equipment or move money.
- Set up international payments before your first invoice — see our guide to accounts for getting paid by foreign clients.
- Know your market rate. Our guide on how much digital nomads earn lists typical pay by job.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best website to find remote work?
For salaried remote jobs, We Work Remotely, Remote OK and LinkedIn are strong free options. For freelance work, Upwork has the most clients, while Fiverr suits packaged services.
Is FlexJobs worth paying for?
FlexJobs costs $9.95 a month or $24.95 a quarter and hand-screens listings to remove scams. It can save time if you keep running into fake or low-quality remote job ads.
How much does Upwork charge freelancers?
Since May 2025, Upwork charges freelancers a variable fee of 0% to 15% per contract, often around 10%, plus Connects at $0.15 each to send proposals.
Can I get a remote job and live abroad?
Yes, but some employers can only hire in certain countries because of tax and payroll rules. Ask early whether you can work from abroad.
How do I avoid remote job scams?
Never pay to apply, be wary of jobs that ask you to buy equipment or move money for them, and research the company before sharing personal details.
Sources
- Work-Club — Best job boards for freelancers in 2026
- GoLance — Upwork fees explained (2026)
- FTC — Job scams
Last updated . Fees, rules and prices change often — confirm current details with the official source before you act. This article is for information only and is not financial advice. See our disclaimer.
