Freelance.nl
Freelance.nl is the Netherlands' largest online freelance marketplace, connecting self-employed professionals (zzp'ers) with organizations across ICT, management, and engineering via automated matching, subscription services, and the Freelance Markt Index.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersUtrecht, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Freelance.nl does
Freelance.nl, operated by Freelance Fair BV and headquartered in Utrecht, is the largest online freelance marketplace in the Netherlands, connecting self-employed professionals (zzp'ers) with organizations seeking interim and project-based expertise across ICT, Management & Organization, Communication, and Engineering. Founded in 2003, the platform hosts more than 50,000 assignments annually and serves both direct clients and intermediary agencies (detachering, staffing, and recruitment firms). Its core technology is an automated matching engine that pairs freelancer profiles with assignment postings and delivers email notifications to relevant candidates, supported by search filters, multi-profile management, and a 24-hour candidate response commitment to organizations.
The company operates a multi-product platform: the Freelance.nl marketplace, the Mijn Freelance member portal for profile and application management, and the Freelance Markt Index, a quarterly market research publication that benchmarks Dutch freelance rates (averaging €76/hour, with a 22% gap between client offers of €87/hour and freelancer asks of €106/hour). The business model combines freelancer-side freemium access with organization-side paid subscriptions, including Premiumpartner and Supremepartner tiers. Go-to-market is hybrid: self-serve product-led registration for freelancers, sales-assisted support for organizations, and an active intermediary channel comprising agencies such as T2 IT Detachering, Anderis, Human Source Group, Alteza, and Cavero. The platform does not take transaction fees on engagements, positioning monetization in subscription access, premium visibility, and data products rather than marketplace take rate.
Freelance.nl firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Freelance.nl
- Legal name
- Freelance Fair BV
- Website
- https://freelance.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Freelance.nl is the Netherlands' largest online freelance marketplace, connecting self-employed professionals (zzp'ers) with organizations across ICT, management, and engineering via automated matching, subscription services, and the Freelance Markt Index.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Freelance.nl industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Freelance Marketplace Platform
- NAICS
- Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Agent of Record (AOR) / Contractor Engagement Services (BPACAGAB)
Keywords
Where Freelance.nl is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Utrecht
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Freelance.nl business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Organization Subscriptions: Organizations (opdrachtgevers) pay for access to post assignments and connect with freelancers. Free registration available, with premium paid services implied through Premiumpartner and Supremepartner programs.
- Freelancer Premium Services: Freelancers receive free basic access with optional premium features for enhanced visibility and profile optimization.
- Freelance Markt Index: Quarterly market research publication providing insights on freelance market trends, rate negotiations, and sector developments. Downloadable research report generates data monetization revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free registration for freelancers with basic profile and matching services |
| Subscription | Monthly | Organization paid services for posting assignments and accessing freelancers |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Others | Market research and industry reports |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Freelance.nl product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Freelance.nl operates an online freelance marketplace platform that connects Dutch self-employed professionals (ZZP'ers) with organizations seeking temporary professional expertise. The platform provides automated matching between freelancer profiles and assignments, centralized access to over 50,000 annual assignments across ICT, Management, Engineering, Communication and other sectors, email-based job alerts, profile management tools, and direct communication channels between freelancers and clients or intermediaries.
Product overview
Freelance.nl operates as a unified freelance marketplace platform in the Netherlands, connecting freelancers with organizations seeking temporary expertise. The core product consists of the Freelance.nl marketplace platform and the associated Mijn Freelance member portal. The platform covers multiple professional categories including ICT (development, architecture, testing), Management & Organisatie (interim management, project management), Engineering, Financial Experts, IT-Architects, Marketers, Text Writers, and Testers. Additional offerings include the Freelance Markt Index for market intelligence. The platform provides matching services, job posting capabilities, and direct communication tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Freelance.nl Marketplace Platform The primary freelance marketplace platform connecting Dutch self-employed professionals (ZZP'ers) with organizations seeking temporary expertise. Features include job postings, automated profile matching, email notifications, search filters, candidate comparison tools, and direct communication between freelancers and clients or intermediaries.
- Mijn Freelance (Member Portal) The personalized member portal at mijn.freelance.nl where freelancers and organizations manage their accounts, profiles, job applications, response profiles, candidate selections, notes, and communications through a dedicated dashboard.
- Freelance Markt Index A quarterly market research publication providing insights into Dutch freelance market trends, salary data, rate negotiation dynamics (e.g., €87/hour client offerings vs €106/hour freelancer requests, ~22% gap), and sector-specific developments. Available as a downloadable report.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50,000+ assignments available annually on the platform
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Freelance.nl
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Freelance.nl technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Freelance.nl partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- T2 IT DetacheringminorIT detachment agency that uses Freelance.nl to source freelancers for end clients including De Politie, Politieacademie, various municipalities, hospitals, and banks. Supports freelancers through the entire application process.
- AnderisminorRecruitment partner using Freelance.nl to connect freelancers with client organizations. Praised platform for its reach and ability to find right candidates quickly.
- Human Source GroupminorStaffing firm that places nearly all assignments directly on Freelance.nl, benefiting from the broad freelancer pool available on the platform.
- AltezaminorRecruitment partner that finds candidates quickly through Freelance.nl, emphasizing the platform's efficient candidate sourcing capabilities.
- Advise BVminorAdvisory firm using Freelance.nl for direct freelancer connections, saving costs as platform only facilitates connections without taking transaction fees.
- CaverominorStaffing firm that uses Freelance.nl to find assignments for their freelance colleagues, appreciating the market overview and tools provided.
- Hermsen CSminorSustainability and innovation consultancy that finds project managers through Freelance.nl, even for specialized positions in sustainability, innovation, and subsidy management.
- IF Solutions BVminorIT solutions firm using Freelance.nl as an efficient tool for finding freelancers when receiving client requests for freelance assignments.
- Source Group International B.V.minorInternational recruitment firm that posts assignments and finds candidates through Freelance.nl, appreciating the engaged personnel who help with the process.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Freelance.nl competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ZZPvacatures.nl: Dutch freelance job board focused on ZZP assignments, with a self-serve posting and matching flow very similar to Freelance.nl. Directly comparable in customer segments (freelancers and Dutch organizations) and product category (freelance assignment marketplace).
- Hoofdkraan.nl: Hoofdkraan.nl is the most direct Dutch competitor, running a freelance marketplace connecting Dutch ZZP'ers with organizations seeking interim professionals. Operates in the same Netherlands-only geography with similar ICT/management focus and a comparable freelancer-organization matching model.
Emerging players
- Fiverr: Fiverr operates a global freelance marketplace, traditionally for project-based creative and digital work but expanding into IT and consulting. Comparable freelance marketplace mechanics, though currently weaker in the Dutch enterprise segment than Freelance.nl.
- Upwork: Upwork is the largest global freelance marketplace for knowledge work, including ICT, consulting, and project-based roles. Comparable marketplace business model and target professional segments, though Upwork's footprint in the Netherlands is limited and Dutch-specific compliance (Wet DBA) gives Freelance.nl an edge.
- Toptal: Toptal is an invite-only freelance platform focused on top-tier software developers, designers, and finance consultants. Comparable in the high-end ICT and management segments of Freelance.nl's customer base, though operating at the premium end of the market.
Broad incumbents
- Werk.nl: Werk.nl is the Dutch public employment service (UWV) job platform with nationwide reach for both permanent and freelance placements. Comparable in matching Dutch workers with Dutch employers, though it operates under a government mandate rather than as a private marketplace.
- Indeed: Indeed is the largest global job aggregator with a significant Dutch presence. While focused on permanent roles, Indeed increasingly indexes freelance/contract postings and competes for the same Dutch employer demand that Freelance.nl monetizes.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the broad incumbent professional network that increasingly competes for freelance matching via LinkedIn Services Marketplace, Recruiter, and ProFinder. Comparable as a destination for Dutch professionals and enterprises seeking talent, though it offers freelance as one capability within a much broader professional platform.
Regional players
- Malt: Malt is the leading European freelance platform, headquartered in France and operating across multiple European countries. Comparable freelance marketplace model focused on independent consultants and IT experts; a potential cross-border expansion reference point for Freelance.nl.
Others
- Marktplaats: Marktplaats is the largest Dutch classifieds platform owned by Adevinta. While primarily a goods marketplace, its jobs section and massive Dutch consumer reach make it a potential adjacent platform for low-end freelance services, indirectly competing for SMB and individual freelance supply.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Freelance.nl social profiles
Digital presenceFreelance.nl financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Freelance.nl leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Freelance.nl funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Freelance.nl M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Freelance.nl
What does Freelance.nl do?
Freelance.nl operates an online freelance marketplace platform that connects Dutch self-employed professionals (ZZP'ers) with organizations seeking temporary professional expertise. The platform provides automated matching between freelancer profiles and assignments, centralized access to over 50,000 annual assignments across ICT, Management, Engineering, Communication and other sectors, email-based job alerts, profile management tools, and direct communication channels between freelancers and clients or intermediaries.
Is Freelance.nl a public or private company?
Freelance.nl is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Freelance.nl founded?
Freelance.nl was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Freelance.nl based?
Freelance.nl is headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Freelance.nl make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Organization Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are freelancer Premium Services and freelance Markt Index.
Who are Freelance.nl's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ZZPvacatures.nl and Hoofdkraan.nl. Emerging players are Fiverr, Upwork and Toptal. Broad incumbents are Werk.nl, Indeed and LinkedIn. Malt is listed as a regional player. Marktplaats is listed as an others.
Does Freelance.nl have an API?
No public API is recorded for Freelance.nl.
What industry is Freelance.nl in?
Freelance.nl's product category is Freelance Marketplace Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAGAB, Agent of Record (AOR) / Contractor Engagement Services. Its NAICS code is 561311 and its SIC code is 7361.