Upwork alternatives for developers: find clients without paying to apply
On ErdiBuilds, developers apply to projects for free and without a limit. Developers pay 8 percent plus payment processing. Every milestone is funded before work starts, and projects cover apps, SaaS, websites and games.
Last updated:
If you are a developer looking for a place to find clients, the questions that matter are what it costs to apply, what you pay when you get paid, and whether the client's money is committed before you start. This page answers them for ErdiBuilds.
What developers get on ErdiBuilds
- Applying is free, with no paid bids.
- Developers pay 8 percent plus payment processing.
- Each milestone is funded before work starts and runs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 weeks.
- Milestones are from 50 to 2,000 each in your project currency.
- Projects for apps, SaaS, websites and games.
- Developers come from the 27 EU countries.
- Developers are independent professionals, not our employees.
How getting hired works
- Show what you have shipped: add the apps, SaaS products, websites and games you have launched.
- Get verified. Verified means an ErdiBuilds admin has reviewed the developer and approved the profile by hand.
- Apply to projects that fit. You need a match score of at least 40, and you see what would raise it.
- Get paid per milestone. The client funds the milestone first and you are paid after approval.
Matching, in plain words
You pick the kinds of help and projects you offer and list your technologies as Expert in or Also works with. Clients see proposals sorted by match score and read the reasons for each score. Read more in the guide to writing a winning proposal.
Who can join
Developers come from the 27 EU countries. Developers are registered businesses, sole traders included. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to apply?
Applying is free, with no paid bids. Developers pay 8 percent plus payment processing.
Link to this answerWhat exactly do developers pay?
Developers pay 8 percent plus payment processing. Nothing else: no membership and no paid bids. See pricing.
Link to this answerWhen is the client money committed?
Each milestone is funded before work starts and runs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 weeks. You start work only after the milestone is funded.
Link to this answerWho can join as a developer?
Developers come from the 27 EU countries. Developers elsewhere can join the waitlist.
Link to this answerDo I work as an employee?
Developers are independent professionals, not our employees. Your contract is with your client, and ErdiBuilds handles the payment.
Link to this answerRelated pages
- For developersHow independent developers join and get hired.
- Find App Clients Without Paying to ApplyHow freelance developers find app, SaaS, website and game clients: where to look, how to cost channels fairly and why a free application model helps.
- How to Write a Proposal That WinsHow developers can write a proposal clients choose: read the brief, answer the real problem, split the work into clear milestones and show relevant proof.
- Upwork alternatives for app and SaaS buildsUpwork alternatives for app, SaaS, website and game projects: ErdiBuilds, Fiverr, Toptal, Malt, Freelancer.com and Contra, with sourced facts.
- PricingWhat ErdiBuilds costs for clients and developers.