What percentage does 99designs take from designers?
99designs charges a commission of 5–25% depending on designer level: Top Level (5%), Mid Level (10%), Entry Level (15%), and new/unrated designers (25%) on their first few projects. A Top Level designer winning a $1,000 project keeps $950. An Entry Level designer keeps $850. The commission applies to both contest wins and direct 1-to-1 project fees.
Last verified May 2026 · feebite Editorial · Not affiliated with 99designs
Independent fee analysis for 99designs. For the official platform, go to 99designs.com (now part of Vistaprint). This page breaks down what designers and clients actually pay.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 3.8/5 — ★★★☆½
Best for: Skilled designers who have built a strong portfolio and earned Top Level status — the 5% commission and access to global clients make 99designs competitive at that tier.
Not ideal for: New designers starting out (25% commission is steep while you build your level); or designers who can acquire clients directly through social media or referrals (zero platform fees).
Designer Commission Structure
| Level | Commission | You keep (per $1,000 earned) |
|---|---|---|
| Top Level | 5% | $950 |
| Mid Level | 10% | $900 |
| Entry Level | 15% | $850 |
| New/Unrated | 25% | $750 |
Designers move between levels based on completed projects, client ratings, and design quality scores. There is no way to skip levels — new designers must accept the 25% rate until they build their reputation.
Client Pricing (Contest Packages)
| Service | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logo design | $299 | Bronze tier; upgrades to $599/$899/$1,299 |
| Business card design | $199 | |
| Website design | $699 | |
| Brand identity | $899 | Logo + business cards + guidelines |
| T-shirt / merchandise | $199 |
Clients also pay a platform fee (~5–15%) added to the package or project price. Guaranteed contests cost more but ensure at least one design is selected.
Key Facts
| Category | Freelance design marketplace |
| Designer commission | 5% (Top) · 10% (Mid) · 15% (Entry) · 25% (New) |
| Client platform fee | ~5–15% added to project price |
| Payout methods | PayPal, Payoneer |
| Payout speed | 7 days after project completion (Top Level); 14 days (others) |
| Minimum payout | $20 |
| Founded | 2008 |
| HQ | Melbourne, Australia (now part of Vistaprint/Cimpress) |
Country Availability
| UK 🇬🇧 | Canada 🇨🇦 | Australia 🇦🇺 |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (HQ origin) |
99designs was founded in Melbourne and has strong Australian roots. Designer payouts are in USD; use Payoneer or Wise for better FX rates when converting to GBP, CAD, or AUD.
Features
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Design contests | ✅ |
| 1-to-1 direct projects | ✅ |
| Designer portfolio page | ✅ |
| Client project brief tools | ✅ |
| Revision rounds | ✅ |
| Source file handover | ✅ |
| Money-back guarantee (contests) | ✅ (Platinum tier) |
| Dedicated account manager | ✅ (large clients) |
Pros
- Large, established client base — 99designs has brand recognition that brings clients to the platform without you marketing yourself
- Top Level designers command global clients with competitive project values
- Contest format lets you build portfolio pieces even without winning
- Source file handover and revision rounds are structured; reduces scope creep disputes
- Strong track record with 8 million+ designs delivered
Cons
- 25% commission for new designers is punishing — essentially a 4-month probationary period at reduced earnings
- Contest model means many designers work for free on losing entries; time investment risk is high
- Vistaprint acquisition (2022) raised concerns about platform direction and quality of client briefs
- Payout in USD creates FX conversion costs for UK/CA/AU designers; Payoneer or Wise recommended
- Competition from AI design tools is increasing; commoditised logo contests are less valuable
99designs vs Alternatives
| 99designs | Dribbble Freelance | Toptal (design) | Direct/Referral | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform fee (designer) | 5–25% | 8% | 0% (Toptal bills client) | 0% |
| Client acquisition | ✅ (built-in) | Limited | ✅ (Toptal sends clients) | Self-managed |
| Entry barrier | Low | Medium | Very high | None |
| Average project value | Medium | Medium-high | High | Varies |
| Competition for work | High | Low-medium | Low | None |
Designer Scenario: UK Logo Designer at Entry Level
A UK-based logo designer wins 3 contests per month at an average of $350 each ($1,050 total).
- 99designs at Entry Level (15%): $1,050 × 0.85 = $892.50 before FX conversion
- Using Payoneer to receive USD → GBP (1% fee): ~£660 net at current rates
- If upgraded to Mid Level (10%): same 3 wins → $945 before FX → ~£700 net
The level system creates strong incentive to chase wins — each project completed at good ratings pushes toward lower commission rates.
Who Should Use 99designs
Perfect for: Graphic designers with a strong existing portfolio who want access to a global client base without building their own client acquisition pipeline. Best for those who can reach Top or Mid Level within 6–12 months.
Skip it if: You're a new designer who hasn't built a portfolio yet (the 25% commission + contest failures make early months unprofitable); if you have a strong social media following or referral network (direct clients at 0% commission are always better); or if you specialize in motion design, UX/UI, or 3D (99designs specializes in print/brand).
How to Get Started
- Go to 99designs.com and create a free designer profile
- Upload your 10 strongest portfolio pieces — quality matters more than quantity
- Browse open contests that match your specialty and submit entries to build your level rating
- Focus on quality feedback from winning entries; use the "guaranteed" contests to avoid working for free
- Once at Mid Level or above, start accepting 1-to-1 direct projects for better earnings predictability
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reach Top Level on 99designs? There is no fixed timeline — it depends on the number of winning projects and client ratings. Active designers typically reach Mid Level within 3–6 months and Top Level within 1–2 years of consistent, high-quality contest participation.
Can I work on 99designs part-time alongside other freelance clients? Yes — 99designs does not require exclusivity. Many designers use it as a supplemental income source alongside direct clients or other platforms like Fiverr or Toptal.
What happens to my earnings if a client disputes a project? 99designs has a formal dispute resolution process. For guaranteed contests, the winning designer always receives payment. For non-guaranteed contests, if no design is selected the client gets a refund and designers are not paid. For 1-to-1 projects, payment is held in escrow and released after client approval.
This review was last updated 2026-05-10. Commission rates and platform structure may change following the Vistaprint acquisition — verify current rates at 99designs.com/how-it-works.
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