Yay or nay?
Discover what the internet is saying about 99designs.
Upgraded Reviews scanned the web to find out what real users are saying about 99designs.
See the highlights below and decide for yourself!
Table of contents
- ✅ Pros
- ❌ Cons
- ⚖️ Summaries
- 💸 Top Discount
✅ Pros
“It is affordable.”
“99designs prioritizes security in all transactions.”
“You can message designers directly.”
“You get tons of ideas and options.”
“99designs has one of the biggest design communities of all the freelancing platforms.”
“It has a clever rating system.”
“Excellent feedback channels that let you add comments and even annotations to submitted designs.”
“You can edit your request at any time.”
“You can select from among the hundreds of bids you receive for a single job.”
“With 99designs, you have the opportunity to receive multiple design concepts and choose the one that resonates with you the most.”
“It offers different price ranges and fixed packages.”
“You’ll discover an extensive array of skilled designers on 99designs, each bringing a unique flair and expertise to the table.”
“You will always pay the agreed upon amount established at the beginning of the project.”
“You can hold open, closed, and blind design competitions.”
“You can talk to the designers and tell them your idea.”
“It gives you the ability to make suggestions and revisions.”
“I like how you get an estimate of the expected number of submissions based on your budget.”
“It gets you thinking more about your brand, product fit, and marketing.”
“There are multiple design packages to choose from.”
“99designs has an intuitive design posting process that helps you present your vision to designers in an organized fashion.”
“It offers quick turnaround time with designers from around the world.”
“If you’re commissioning a design contest, 99designs has certain safety nets in place to ensure your satisfaction.”
“They are the largest crowdsourcing graphic design platform.”
“It offers Escrow payments to designers.”
“The platform is easy to use.”
“When you use 99designs, you gain access to a global community of talented designers who can bring your vision to life.”
“90 different design categories are available.”
“It has high success ratings (4.7/5 stars).”
“They have a money back guarantee which means you won’t have to pay for a result that doesn’t satisfy you.”
“Huge number of designers means lots of talent for competitions.”
“The design competition offers many different quality styles to choose from for one price.”
“Several pricing tiers allow businesses to stay within their budgets.”
“Turnaround times are relatively short – around 7 days till completion for more basic projects.”
“It’s like having a team of designers at your disposal, all working to bring your vision to life.”
“Email communication about the process is top notch.”
“Whether you need a logo or a website, you have lots of choices.”
“You can choose between 1-on-1 projects or contests.”
“No need to write a lengthy brief – 99designs guides you through this process with a series of questions around your requirements and preferences.”
“It offers a great setup for giving designers guidance/information on designs.”
“You can receive custom-made designs for countless design categories.”
“This platform allows you to connect with designers from different backgrounds and cultures, providing you with a diverse range of design perspectives.”
“Contests tend to get dozens, if not hundreds of submissions.”
“99designs provides an extensive range of design services. It covers everything from new logo creation and brand identity to web design and product packaging.”
“99designs is known for its prompt and accessible customer support, which is ideal if you need help throughout the whole process.”
“The website provides a professional and interactive approach for the designers to define your idea.”
“You can easily ask for the return of your money if the supplied design needs to meet your aesthetic standards.”
“It has very reasonable fixed prices.”
“There is no more payment; therefore, you must pay what you said.”
“By using 99designs, you become part of a supportive and inclusive community where your design needs are met, giving you a sense of belonging and satisfaction.”
“Freelance designers can be hired through crowd-sourcing or 1-to-1 projects.”
“It’s like having a simple and clear way to get the designs you want without any fuss.”
“It is a well-designed website.”
“The platform helps optimize the number of submissions you can get based on your preferred budget.”
“Handy features such as polls, in case you’re struggling to pick a winner.”
“99designs is a global platform connecting clients with talented designers from all over the world.”
“It has an innovative design process that is a fantastic alternative for small business.”
“Bundle packs are available at affordable prices.”
“The website walks you through the brief process to help you really understand your taste, so if you aren’t quite sure what you want, you can still end up with the perfect design.”
“If you do not like the results, they have a money back guarantee.”
“If the designs don’t meet your expectations, the platform offers a level of financial protection, providing peace of mind.”
“Not all freelancing platforms offer features like 99designs logo design contests or the ability to talk directly with designers.”
“99designs simplifies the process of finding, hiring, and collaborating with designers.”
“99designs offers a secure payment system, ensuring that you only pay for the design you love.”
“Over 15 years, they’ve developed a smooth-running and intuitive design experience with a perfect balance of simplicity and detail.”
“You have the option to run a blind contest where no one gets to see the submissions other than you.”
“You’ll never pay more than what you set upfront.”
“There is 100% money-back guarantee.”
“It is well-established with customer service and a money back guarantee on design packages.”
“You can sometimes find 99designs promo codes to knock a little off the cost.”
💸 Top Current Discount
❌ Cons
“Another downside I didn’t like is the availability of premium packages to access top designers.”
“Depending on the package you choose, you may have limited revisions available.”
“While 99designs is cheaper than big-name designers or digital agencies, it is considerably expensive.”
“Not the cheapest service—packages for a single logo start at just under $300 with the prize and fees included.”
“Among the graphic design community, some say these crowdsourcing platforms only attract inexperienced designers looking for work.”
“Contestants get paid, even if they don’t win.”
“It is difficult to fully vet candidates for on-going projects.”
“The business model of 99designs is based on the concept of crowd-sourcing, so some designers end up working for free.”
“Since 99designs is a freelance hub, the quality of designs varies.”
“Not all designs will be top notch.”
“You can find lower minimums on other platforms, but the concept of setting your own prices is kind of pointless if there is a minimum I have to meet.”
“It’s pricier than other freelance design websites.”
“You can’t review resumes, portfolios, or employer feedback and you can’t hold an interview.”
“In some cases, one design from 99designs costs more than a month of designs from an unlimited service.”
“You may not be a good judge of quality.”
“While on the platform, you will be subject to some restrictions, such as the inability to conduct interviews or evaluate portfolios and resumes.”
“You can’t see portfolio work ahead of time if you prefer the 1-on-1 professional route.”
“For the designers, a lot of the work they put into submitting designs goes uncompensated – which was sometimes reflected in the quality of the designs.”
“Since designers on 99designs come from different backgrounds and skill levels, there’s a risk of receiving designs that may not meet your expectations in terms of quality and professionalism.”
“There’s a camp of people that believe design contests are where newbie designers go because they can’t find steady jobs yet.”
“While 99designs may have a higher price tag compared to some alternatives, remember that you’re paying for quality and expertise.”
“There aren’t multiple sizes of the logo on delivery – mainly just the standard.”
“Expert designers are available only in more expensive packages such as Gold and Platinum.”
“You can’t review the credentials or feedback on a design contestant.”
“Running a design contest on 99designs could be time-consuming. Having to sort through many designs, giving feedback, and selecting a winner does take time.”
⚖️ Final Say
Read the summaries of what reviewers think about 99designs below.
“According to our research team, 99designs is among the best for affordable logo design, web design, and other illustrations. The 99designs is one of the best locations to hire a freelancer or conduct a contest to get your work done because of its significant features. The website offers a money-back guarantee if the designers need to meet your aesthetic expectations. As an alternative, we advise choosing Kimp.”
“99designs is a fantastic option if you are looking for 1 or 2 specific and high quality brand assets like a logo. While it may be more expensive than fiverr, and not unlimited like some other services, it excels at what it promises – A LOT of high quality logo options. Ultimately, I think it’s silly to not use 99designs if you are looking for a new logo or other piece of brand content.”
“Overall, our 99designs review puts it at the top of its game for crowdsourcing design. The huge base of designers also ensures that there will always be lots of talented artists available to offer bids. Everything is organized into payment packages that include everything, so there are no hidden fees that will pop up later.”
“99designs is more than just a platform to help you find a designer for your current design needs. It’s about meeting the right designer and building a relationship that lasts. A designer who understands your designs needs and creates exceptional designs is a keeper. So instead of running a contest for every time you need a design, you can opt for a one-on-one project. This saves time and money down the line too. If you’re looking for a great design for your next project, head on over to 99designs and create your design brief today.”
“If you’re looking for a platform that offers access to a diverse range of skilled designers and a risk-free guarantee, I’d encourage you to consider 99designs.”
“Prices are relatively affordable for custom designs. And the price ranges make it suitable for most budgets. What makes 99designs stand out from other freelancer services? This company carefully screens and categorizes their designers based on performance. So, when you pay for mid or top-level design talent, that’s exactly what you get.”
“In short, while 99designs and Fiverr have their strong sides, the variety and diversity of Fiverr, and the cost-friendliness, direct communication options, and comprehensive rating system normally situate it as the one preferable for a broader span of freelance services. A quite easy user interface and the ability to suit different budgets and needs make Fiverr an attractive platform for clients seeking to get efficient and reliable freelancers. However, the choice should be made in line with your individual project needs and preferences.”
“Whether 99 Designs is worth it or not depends on your needs and your budget. Crowdsourcing your work through 99designs is a great way to see a variety of options for your project. If you’re not 100% sure how exactly you want your designs to look, it’s a great way to get fresh perspectives and creative ideas that could help you build a more cohesive brand image.”
“99Designs is an excellent place to find high-quality designers to handle your design needs. And their contest feature is a particularly great way to find all sorts of design options you otherwise wouldn’t get.”
“Finding good design platforms can be quite tough, but 99designs is an all-encompassing service that will cover all your design needs. If you want to elevate your brand’s presence with unique designs, you should try 99designs and explore its possibilities. It bridges the gap between your brand and an ocean of creative possibilities, transforming your ideas into compelling visual stories. Their competitive design contests and personalized projects ensure you’ll receive a variety of high-quality options to choose from, making 99designs a go-to destination for all your design needs.”
“All art, including design work, is subjective. It’s less about the skill of the designer and more about the audience’s taste. To get the most out of your design project, it needs to be optimized for your customer base. By getting feedback on your designs with PickFu, you’ll understand your target audience’s preferences so you can be sure you’re choosing the best design for your business.”
“If you’re looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to get high-quality designs, 99designs is a great option. With its wide range of design services and competitive pricing model, it offers a platform that connects businesses with talented designers. While there may be some drawbacks like limited control over the design process, the overall experience is positive.”
“Overall, 99designs delivers on its promises, but there are flaws with the design contest model. They compensate for high prices and inevitable issues with great support and a sleekly-designed platform. It’s not a long-term solution, but it’s a helpful tool for the indecisive that’s worth trying out if you can afford it.”
“It’s fair to say that 99designs created the concept of “crowdsourced design”, and it does it well. 99designs takes out the more time-consuming aspects of sourcing designers – searching through profiles, holding interviews, and one-to-one briefings – and focuses instead on delivering you the final product.”
“99Designs is a fantastic tool for small businesses that do not have the resources to hire a full-time creative or agency. It produces the same quality designs as agencies or full-time creatives for a fraction of the cost. Plus, many businesses do not need a full-time creative, so 99Designs is a cheaper option because you pay on a need to need basis.”