/ Honesty Index / 99designs
99designs
Freelance Professional · Design contest + 1-on-1, 5-15% take rate
C+
Mixed (C+) — Side Hustle Honesty Grade
The original spec-design contest platform. The contest model is structurally controversial — many designers do unpaid speculative work in pursuit of a single winning prize — but the platform has improved 1-on-1 client matching since the Vista acquisition. Pricing model rewards established designers with portfolios.
66
Composite / 100
Where this grade comes from.
Take Rate Transparency
B-
Worker Protection
C+
Payment Reliability
B
Talent Vetting
B-
Honest Earning
C+
Key events & disclosures.
- Acquired by Vista (parent of VistaPrint) 2022
- Design contest model receives sustained criticism for unpaid speculative work
- Mid-tier take rate
- BBB rating: A-tier
/ Best for
Established designers who can win contests reliably (top 5% of platform) or who use the platform's 1-on-1 product.
/ Watch out for
The contest model produces a long tail of unpaid speculative work for designers who do not win. New designers should expect to lose more than they win in the first 90 days.