What Mostaql.com does

Mostaql.com is an Arabic-language freelance marketplace that operates as a two-sided platform connecting project owners with freelancers across the Arab world. Founded in 2014, it is operated by Hsoub, a Saudi Arabia-based technology group, and serves as a localized alternative to global freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, with user interface, support content, and project categories oriented to MENA/GCC markets. The platform covers nine or more skill categories including programming, design, writing, translation, marketing, and AI/ML services.

The product surface includes project posting with templates, built-in escrow-based payment protection, freelancer portfolio galleries, a community forum, and a help center. Payment integrations cover Bank of Palestine, PalPay, PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard, supporting settlement in markets where cross-border freelancing payouts are otherwise difficult. A dedicated Mostaql for Enterprises tier has been launched to serve corporate clients, signaling an upmarket push alongside the long tail of SMB and individual users.

The business model is commission-based: project owners post projects for free, and freelancers pay a fee on completed contracts. Revenue therefore scales with marketplace GMV (gross project value executed through escrow) rather than with listings. There is no public-facing API platform documented, and the platform operates as a private subsidiary without disclosed funding, revenue, or headcount for the standalone unit. Notable customer logos referenced on the platform—Zid, Offto, Mr. Mandoub, and Hsoub Academy—indicate an SMB/startup customer base rather than enterprise anchors.

Name

Mostaql.com

Legal name

Hsoub (حسوب)

Website

https://mostaql.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Arabic-language freelance marketplace connecting project owners with freelancers across the Arab world in 9+ skill categories, with escrow-protected payments and a newly launched enterprise tier for corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Freelance Marketplace

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Agent of Record (AOR) / Contractor Engagement Services (BPACAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contractor Payroll, Invoicing & Payment Services (BPACAGAD), Global Contractor Engagement & Cross-Border Payments (BPACAGAI), Contractor / Freelancer Payments (FSAMAKAC)

Keywords

• Freelance marketplace platform
• Arabic freelance services
• Remote work hiring
• Online talent marketplace
• Project escrow payments

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Commission on completed projects: Mostaql charges a fee (commission) on completed projects. The platform holds payment in escrow until the project is delivered and accepted, acting as a payment intermediary. The specific commission rate is not publicly disclosed on the site.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mostaql.com is a two-sided online freelance marketplace that connects project owners (employers) with professional freelancers across the Arab world. Employers can post projects for free across categories such as programming, design, AI/ML, writing, marketing, training, and engineering; freelancers browse listings and submit proposals. The platform operates an escrow payment system that holds funds until project delivery and acceptance, charges a commission on completed projects, and offers a dedicated enterprise tier (Mostaql for Enterprises) for organizational hiring workflows.

Product overview

Mostaql is a unified freelance marketplace platform for the Arab world operated by Hsoub. The core offering is the main مستقل platform connecting project owners with freelance professionals, supplemented by enterprise-grade مستقل للمؤسسات for organizational clients. The platform includes a portfolio gallery for work showcase, a community forum, an official blog with educational content, and a help center. Service categories span software development, AI/ML, design, marketing, writing/translation, architecture, support, and training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mostaql Core Platform (مستقل)

Quantifiable outcome

• Gaza Talents facilitated over $600,000 in income for Gazan freelancers through Mostaql (among other platforms)

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bank of PalestinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank of Palestine partnered with Gaza Talents and Mostaql to facilitate payment transfers for Gazan freelancers, navigating banking restrictions and enabling digital workers to receive income despite inaccessible banking infrastructure in conflict-affected areas. The partnership enabled over $600,000 in facilitated income.
• PalPaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalPay digital wallet partnered with Gaza Talents and Mostaql to provide an alternative payment channel for Gazan freelancers facing banking restrictions, complementing Bank of Palestine's services to ensure freelancers could receive earnings through digital payment solutions.
• Gaza TalentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaza Talents is an initiative that facilitated over $600,000 in income for Gazan digital freelancers, operating across platforms including Mostaql, Freelancer.com, and Upwork. It partnered with Bank of Palestine and PalPay to navigate payment challenges in Gaza.
• Gaza Sky GeeksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaza Sky Geeks is referenced as one of the initiatives sustaining Gaza's digital freelancing sector, alongside Mostaql and other platforms, providing coworking infrastructure and support for freelancers.
• Taqat GazaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTaqat Gaza is mentioned as one of the initiatives sustaining Gaza's digital freelancing sector alongside Mostaql, helping digital workers continue earning during ongoing conflict.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Guru.com: Guru.com is a long-standing global freelance marketplace connecting employers with professional freelancers across programming, design, writing, and business services. It is a direct peer in the two-sided marketplace category, with comparable commission-based economics.
• PeoplePerHour: PeoplePerHour is a UK-headquartered freelance marketplace matching businesses with freelancers across writing, design, marketing, and development. It serves as another global marketplace peer with similar two-sided dynamics to Mostaql.
• Fiverr: Fiverr operates a leading global freelance services marketplace with a gig-based model covering design, writing, programming, and digital marketing. It is a direct competitor to Mostaql, particularly for SMB buyers seeking standardized services in MENA.
• Upwork: Upwork is the largest global freelance marketplace connecting businesses with independent professionals across writing, design, development, and AI/ML categories. It is the most direct international competitor to Mostaql, competing for the same Arabic-speaking freelancer supply and increasingly for MENA employer demand.
• 99designs: 99designs is a design-focused freelance marketplace operated by Vista, running contest-based and direct-hire models for logos, branding, and creative work. It is a category-overlap peer that competes with Mostaql's design category for Arab-world design buyers.
• Freelancer.com: Freelancer.com is a global two-sided freelance marketplace with explicit MENA presence and a contest-based project model. It directly competes with Mostaql for Arabic-language freelancers and is mentioned alongside Mostaql in regional initiatives like Gaza Talents.
• Toptal: Toptal is a curated freelance marketplace focused on the top 3% of software, design, and finance talent, serving enterprise clients globally. While premium-focused, it competes with Mostaql's enterprise tier for high-skill MENA programming and design engagements.

Emerging players

• Catalant: Catalant is an enterprise-focused independent talent marketplace for consulting, technology, and project-based work. It overlaps with Mostaql's enterprise tier use case of structured, governed contingent hiring, and serves as a model for the B2B trajectory Mostaql may pursue.
• Khamsat: Khamsat is an Arabic micro-tasks and services marketplace that is also a Hsoub project, focusing on small, low-cost gigs like logo design and translation. While from the same parent, it serves as a complementary peer in the Arabic freelance ecosystem, addressing smaller transactions Mostaql does not target.

Broad incumbents

• LinkedIn Services Marketplace: LinkedIn has expanded into freelance services and project-based hiring through its Services Marketplace and ProFinder features. As a broad incumbent, it leverages its professional network to compete with Mostaql for high-end MENA freelance engagements, though it is not a specialist marketplace.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MostaqlCom
• Facebookfacebook.com/MostaqlCom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mostaql.com