A freelance workforce drives agility, specialization, and cost-efficiency for modern businesses. But as more companies embrace remote talent, managing freelancers without structure leads to compliance headaches, missed deadlines, and duplicated efforts.
Spreadsheets and ad hoc tools can work in a pinch, but they don’t scale. That’s where Freelance Management Software (FMS) comes in. The right platform helps you centralize hiring, onboarding, task management, and payments into a single system, so your team stays focused and your operations stay compliant.
Here’s our curated shortlist of the 10 best Freelancer Management Software (FMS) tools to consider in 2025.
TalentDesk simplifies every step of freelancer and vendor management, from sourcing talent to managing global payments.
The onboarding process is customized for compliance and transparency, and freelancers are stored in a searchable database for easy reuse.
If you’re hiring internationally, TalentDesk can act as the Agent of Record (AOR), a shield for risk and a partner in compliance.
Built-in project management tools let you assign tasks, form teams, monitor deadlines, and control budgets.
All timesheets consolidate into a single automated invoice, and payments are processed globally—accurately and on time.
TalentDesk is also the only option on this list that specializes in vendor management, allowing you to streamline how you onboard, organize, and pay external suppliers, freelancers, agencies, and contractors, within one centralized platform.
Worksome simplifies bulk contractor management for fast-moving teams..
Import and onboard dozens, or hundreds, of contractors at once, whether sourced internally or externally.
Centralize contracts, classification, and compliance in one streamlined workflow.
Contractors submit timesheets and invoices through the platform, with automated approvals and payments.
It’s built for companies that need to scale their external workforce quickly, without sacrificing control or compliance.
Lifted offers three distinct ways to hire:
Post a project and review incoming proposals.
Browse curated freelancer services via its project catalog.
Use Lifted’s recruiter support to find top candidates fast.
Recently, Upwork launched Lifted, a new enterprise-focused subsidiary designed to better serve large organizations with tailored contingent workforce solutions.
This signals a shift toward more structured enterprise support, separating high-volume hiring and compliance needs from its core marketplace, though questions remain about whether this is a reinvention or a strategic repositioning.
YunoJuno helps businesses hire, manage, and pay freelancers across creative, tech, and marketing roles, while staying fully compliant with UK regulations.
Its closed network of vetted freelancers ensures quality and reliability across every project.
The platform manages contracts, timesheets, and IR35 compliance, making it ideal for UK-based teams navigating legal complexities.
Built-in tools allow you to brief, schedule, and communicate with freelancers directly.
Invoicing and approvals are automated for faster payment cycles and reduced admin overhead.
YunoJuno is a smart choice for UK companies that need freelancer compliance.
WorkMarket brings intelligence to freelancer management with built-in automation and mobile-first tools.
It uses AI to verify identity and classify freelancers properly, ensuring full compliance with employment laws.
You can assign tasks, track project progress, and make payments, all from your mobile device.
This platform is especially useful for organizations managing field teams or gig workforces that operate on the move.
Worksuite is a comprehensive platform that manages freelance sourcing, onboarding, task management, and payments from one place.
It integrates directly with your existing HR and accounting software, reducing the learning curve and manual data entry.
Built-in messaging allows real-time communication with freelancers for quick updates and approvals.
For enterprise teams juggling multiple systems, Worksuite keeps everything connected.
These four platforms cater to specific use cases or regional needs:
TalentDesk | Worksome | Lifted (Upwork) | YunoJuno | WorkMarket | |
G2 Rank | 4.8 ★★★★★ | 4.7 ★★★★★ | 4.6 ★★★★★ | 4.7 ★★★★★ | 4.2 ★★★★☆ |
Best for | Companies managing freelancers and vendors at scale | Teams managing large contractor volumes quickly | Businesses exploring different sourcing models or scaling enterprise hiring | UK-based companies needing freelancer compliance | Organizations with mobile or field-based gig teams |
Key Differentiator | Freelancer and vendor management in one platform | Bulk contractor onboarding with excellent compliance | Three flexible sourcing paths + dedicated enterprise unit (Lifted) | IR35 compliance and curated UK freelancer network | AI-powered classification and mobile-first workflow |
Free Trial | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Customers | 4,000+ companies | Undisclosed | Millions of users globally | 12,000+ companies | Undisclosed |
Manual systems slow you down. Tracking contractors in spreadsheets might work for five freelancers, but not for 50. Or 500. As your workforce grows more global and project-based, the complexity compounds.
Freelance Management Software removes bottlenecks by giving you structure, automation, and visibility. It helps you:
Hire smarter with curated talent pools and integrated sourcing.
Onboard quickly with templates, document storage, and compliance workflows.
Manage better with dashboards, task lists, and budget tracking.
Pay accurately with consolidated invoicing and automated global payouts.
If you're building a freelancer-heavy business, the stakes are high. The right platform can save time, reduce costs, and protect you from legal exposure.
While all ten platforms listed here bring something to the table, TalentDesk stands out for teams that want true end-to-end control, from first touch to final payment. It’s particularly strong for companies scaling up and navigating international hiring.
Ready to leave spreadsheets behind? Choose the Freelancer Management Software (FMS) that matches your growth goals, and get back to focusing on the work that matters.