99designs has one of the biggest pools of graphic designers in the design community. However, there are some other cost-effective platforms that you might want to give a try. Some of the graphic design services are monthly services so you can outsource everything design related and focus on what matters most.
Whereas other platforms let you purchase one-off services like logos. Those are very similar to 99designs contests.
In this post, we’re comparing some great alternatives to 99designs that can help you with all types of design tasks.
Table of Contents
- Why Look For an Alternative to 99designs?
- Top 99designs Alternatives – Our List
- 1. DesignCrowd – Cheaper Alternative Similar to 99designs
- 2. 48HoursLogo – Get Logo Quickly at a Low Cost
- 3. DesignContest – Effective and High-Quality Designs
- 4. ManyPixels – User-Friendly On-Demand Graphic Design Service
- 5. Design Pickle – Great Quality Unlimited Graphic Design
- 6. Kimp – All-Inclusive Alternative with a Free Trial
- 7. Fiverr – Best 1-on-1 Platform
- Which 99designs Alternative Should You Choose?
- What‘s the Difference Between Design Contests and Unlimited Graphic Design?
- How We Picked 99designs Alternatives
Why Look For an Alternative to 99designs?
99designs is one of the best logo contest platforms out there, but it isn‘t flawless, and there are better solutions for those who have specific needs. Here are some reasons why it‘s worth checking other design service providers:
- Get lower pricing. Many of 99designs’ features are only available if you pay extra. For instance, speeding up a contest costs an additional $39–$79. Also, Gold and Platinum plans are pricey.
- Receive designs faster. For example, some unlimited graphic design platforms have a turnaround time of 24-48 hours, so you could get your designs faster. Additionally, some crowdsourced platforms also have shorter duration contests than 99designs.
- Try different features. There are platforms offering features that 99designs is missing or charges extra for. For example, you get a dedicated project manager only with the 99designs Platinum package, while some other platforms offer this for free. Also, there are design services that offer unlimited design for a fixed price while 99designs charges per contest.
Top 99designs Alternatives – Our List
We researched dozens of graphic design services to find which ones provide you with quality designs, features, and great prices. Below, you’ll find our detailed list.
1. DesignCrowd – Cheaper Alternative Similar to 99designs
Type: | Crowdsourced |
Contest Duration: | 7 days by default |
Best for: | Small businesses |
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace that offers services such as logo, website, print and graphic design. It does so by giving access to freelance graphic designers as well as design studios around the globe.
DesignCrowd vs 99designs
It is similar to 99designs since it is also a crowdsourced design platform that operates with a system based on contests.
With DesignCrowd you are not made aware of the prices at the beginning of the design contest which might make you feel like you are going in a bit blind.
DesignCrowd also charges a minor transaction fee to start a competition which is not commonly the case with other platforms.
Moreover, it is more flexible with contest times as well as more affordable than 99designs.
Even though the platform has got a lower entry price it functions a lot better with designer invitations.
Compared to DesignCrowd, 99design’s website is modern and upbeat. It is also more intuitive. Furthermore, you get extraordinary results on 99Design even just by posing for your competition.
2. 48HoursLogo – Get Logo Quickly at a Low Cost
Type: | Crowdsourced |
Contest Duration: | 2–5 days by default |
Best for: | Individuals and small businesses |
Review: |
Popular logo design service provider 48hourslogo offers exceptional speed. You can get a logo design in as quickly as 2 days. As well as 99designs, it also offers additional design services such as brand identity assets, website or print design.
There are 2 great things about 48hourslogo: speed and price. You can get a logo in 48 hours for as low as $129. There is even a 24 hours express package for an additional $20. Their Premium package costs $299, the same price as 99designs cheapest plan.
Keep in mind that 48hourslogo has a smaller graphic designer pool. However, this is a great design platform for individual projects or small businesses.
3. DesignContest – Effective and High-Quality Designs
Type: | Crowdsourced |
Contest Duration: | 7 days by default |
Best for: | Small businesses |
DesignContest is one more crowdsourced platform in our list with thousands of qualified graphic designers. It also has both options of starting a contest or having a dedicated professional designer. Their 4.8/5 customer satisfaction rate confirms that the platform is highly reliable.
DesignContest vs 99designs
Compared to 99designs, you can set your own contest price in DesignContest. Which provides you with more control. However, keep in mind that there is a minimum fee that you must set in each category contest.
Also, DesignContest might be a faster way to get your desired design. There are extra options like settings 2nd and 3rd place awards which help to attract more designers.
The main drawbacks are that the price of the contest might be high. Also, there are several conditions that have to be met in order to be available for the money-back guarantee.
4. ManyPixels – User-Friendly On-Demand Graphic Design Service
Type: | Unlimited graphic design |
Turnaround Time: | 1–2 days |
Best for: | Entrepreneurs and companies without in-house designers |
Another popular on-demand graphic design service is ManyPixels. It offers flexibility to the users by offering an intuitive interface and simple features for managing tasks.
Once you submit your design request, you can get the first draft within 2 days. And all of it for only $549/month, a flat fee, and no contract.
ManyPixels vs 99designs
The main difference between the two is that ManyPixels has a monthly flat rate and it does not have contests.
Besides having high quality content, it also offers users to submit as many designs as they like and get feedback on them.
Users can also dig out their previous files by going into the history settings. In this way, they can work on their original source.
It also enables you to create your own brand profiles so that designers could recognize your profile and easily grasp the brand guidelines.
Another benefit of ManyPixels is that it paves a way for small startups to develop their branding profiles, and take advantage of its graphic design services at affordable rates.
The only limitation in using ManyPixels is that if you want to get more than your assigned work, you need to pay more, which is not the case with 99designs.
5. Design Pickle – Great Quality Unlimited Graphic Design
Type: | Unlimited graphic design |
Turnaround Time: | 1–2 days |
Best for: | Entrepreneurs and companies without in-house designers |
Review: |
Design Pickle is the pioneer when it comes to the on-demand graphic design business model. The platform offers affordable prices, quick turnarounds, and positive customer experiences.
The standard plan of Design Pickle starts at $499 each month. If you pay the fees quarterly, then you get a 5% discount while a 10% is reserved if you choose to pay annually.
With Design Pickle you also get a 14-day free trial period.
Design Pickle vs 99designs
Unlike 99Designs, users are allowed to request multiple projects via email or directly through the platform. This is possible if you have the Design Pickle Pro Plan.
99Designs is great as a one-time service as it is a contest-based graphic design platform so if you need a logo or a t-shirt design for single time use then 99Designs is the one to choose.
On the other hand, Design Pickle is subscription-based where you pay a monthly fee and get access to unlimited design services with as many revisions as you require.
This works best for long-term commitments. However, 99Designs might be more affordable than Design Pickle if you consistently don’t need graphic design services.
6. Kimp – All-Inclusive Alternative with a Free Trial
Type: | Unlimited graphic design |
Turnaround Time: | 1 day |
Best for: | Entrepreneurs and companies without in-house designers |
Review: |
Kimp is one of the most versatile graphic design companies. It gives an opportunity to the users to submit numerous design requests.
The best thing about Kimp is that it offers a 7-day free trial.
Another benefit of using Kimp is that it offers multiple users to work on the same project at a time. So, you can accomplish your biggest goals within a limited timeframe by working together on a project.
If we talk about pricing, it offers a great deal on the $389 a month plan as well as a free trial for those who are unfamiliar with it and want to furnish their skills first.
Kimp vs 99designs
Users can either submit their design request by means of an email or Trello and wait for a few days until they get a project to get started. It also offers several revisions and feedback options.
As far as the design types are concerned, users can use several standardized design options ranging from logos, billboards, T-shirts and infographics.
Whereas if we talk about 99designs, they don’t offer extensive design options until you pay them. Whereas Kimp lets you have a vast variety of designs for a single monthly fee.
7. Fiverr – Best 1-on-1 Platform
Type: | 1-on-1 projects |
Delivery Time: | About 1–5 days |
Best for: | Individuals |
Fiverr is a marketplace where designers from all over the globe provide design services. However, as opposed to 99designs, it offers more user-generated content to clients. It works like a social media site wherein clients sponsor gigs offered by the sellers.
Fiverr is unique in that it has a variety of gigs. As the platform has progressed, more sophisticated professions like digital marketing, article writing or graphics design have taken importance on the site.
Fiverr allows designers to cut off the middleman and offer their services directly to the client. The designers get the upper hand as they are allowed to ask their own prices. However, as the market is open and the competition is high, designers usually ask for minimum prices so that they can land enough gigs.
Fiverr vs 99designs
Unlike 99designs, Fiverr does not have as many graphic designers as listed on the platform. Moreover, you are more likely to find a lot more artistic styles on 99designs as opposed to Fiverr. 99designs also has a search engine that is designed specifically with the designer search in mind.
I would recommend Fiverr over 99designs only if you need a basic and simple graphic design for a cheaper price since the platform might contain less experienced graphic designers. In all other cases, I would say 99designs is a better choice.
Which 99designs Alternative Should You Choose?
To ease your journey toward choosing the best 99designs alternative we have put all the most important information of our listed providers in one place. So, compare and see which one is the best for you.
| 99designs Alternative | Service Model | Delivery Time | Best For | What’s To Remember |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DesignCrowd | Crowdsourced | About 7 days | Logos and brand-related designs | You have to pay extra for upgrades |
| 48HoursLogo | Crowdsourced | About 2-3 days | Logos | The quality might be not the best |
| DesignContest | Crowdsourced | About 7 days | Logos and brand-related designs | Several conditions have to be met in order to apply for money-back guarantee |
| ManyPixels | Unlimited graphic design | 1-2 days | Custom designs | Expensive if you don’t need consistent graphic design |
| Design Pickle | Unlimited graphic design | 1-2 days | Custom designs | Expensive if you don’t need consistent graphic design |
| Kimp.io | Unlimited graphic design | 1 day | Custom designs | Expensive if you don’t need consistent graphic design |
| Fiverr | 1-on-1 | Usually a few days | Small projects | Can take time to find a graphic designer that meets your needs |
Our Verdict
The best alternative for 99designs is DesignCrowd when you have a big project (like a logo or website).
With DesignCrowd, you will have the option to set your own price for the contest. Also, you will be getting lots of designs from different graphic designers to choose from.
But:
If you need consistent graphic design, we would say Kimp is the best pick. Its customer service is extremely friendly and fast. You get not only a dedicated graphic design team but also a dedicated project manager.
Kimp is a great option for small businesses and a cheaper option than having a freelancer or hiring a full-time graphic designer (you can check our guide on graphic designer rates). What’s more, Kimp has a 7-day free trial to see if they are the right fit for you.
Best For Contests
DesignCrowd is the best choice to launch a design contest. Especially great for big projects like a logo or website design. Also, you will be getting lots of designs from different designers to choose from.
Best For Unlimited Graphic Design
Kimp offers unlimited graphic design for a flat monthly fee. It is a great option for small businesses and cheaper than having a freelancer or hiring a full-time graphic designer.
What‘s the Difference Between Design Contests and Unlimited Graphic Design?
In short:
- Contests provide more high-quality options to choose from
- Unlimited graphic design allows you to get many designs for a flat price
99designs, DesignCrowd and DesignContest are contest-based websites. In their marketplace of graphic designers, a competition is launched to win the contest. The great outcome of this is that you can choose from many different design options.
Manypixels, Kimp and Design Pickle are unlimited graphic design services that provide you with dedicated graphic designers who create designs for you.
So the question is – which type of service you should choose?
Well, it depends on your needs.
For example, if you need a logo or website design for your new brand, DesignCrowd or DesignContest might be a better option.
On the other hand, if you have lots of design requests and need consistent graphic design for your business, then unlimited graphic design providers would be a perfect fit.
How We Picked 99designs Alternatives
In case you’re interested in the process itself, here are a few bullet points that explain some of the more general details:
- Delivery time. Delivery or turnaround time is usually extremely important. For big contests like logo design time might be less important, but when you need consistent graphic design then it becomes one of the main factors.
- Price. Price is the essential factor in choosing the best option. We mainly checked and compared what the pricing type is – per project, per contest or per month.
- What you get. For the price you pay, it is very important to know what you are getting. There is a huge difference between launching a contest versus working with a dedicated graphic designer. One graphic designer won’t provide you with 50 different design options. On the other hand, having a dedicated graphic designer can be a huge advantage in the long term.
- Service model. Our list includes platforms with 2 different service models: crowdsourced contest-based platforms (same as 99designs) and unlimited graphic design, services that have logo design included but also benefit you with unlimited graphic design.
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