99designs vs DesignCrowd: An Honest Breakdown for Design Contests
Design contests have become a popular way for freelance designers to earn money and build their portfolios. Two platforms that appear regularly in this space are 99designs and DesignCrowd. Both platforms connect designers with clients who need design work through a contest model, but they operate with different approaches to contest structure, payouts, and designer experience. This article is the result of hands-on testing of both platforms over approximately three months.
Everything here is based on personal experience using both platforms. I did not receive any compensation from either company, and I have no affiliation with them. I have written about freelance work and design before, including Fiverr vs Legiit and 30 websites for microtasks, and this piece continues that approach with a focused comparison of design contest platforms.
My Honest Take: Both 99designs and DesignCrowd are established platforms for design contests, but they serve different markets. 99designs offers contests with larger payouts but more competition. DesignCrowd is more accessible with lower barriers to entry but smaller prize pools. The right choice depends on design experience and earning goals. Results vary based on skill and contest performance.
Quick Overview: What Each Platform Offers
99designs is one of the better-known design contest platforms. The platform offers contests for logo design, brand identity, web design, and more. Designers submit their work to contests, and clients select winning designs. Prize money ranges from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The platform is known for its high-quality contests and professional client base.
DesignCrowd is another design contest platform with a global reach. The platform offers similar contest types including logos, business cards, and web design. The prize pools tend to be smaller than 99designs. The platform is known for its accessibility and lower barriers to entry. DesignCrowd is suited for designers who want to enter contests without the intense competition of larger platforms.
The main difference between the two platforms tends to be the contest quality and prize pools. 99designs offers premium contests with larger payouts but more competition. DesignCrowd offers more accessible contests with smaller payouts. Understanding this difference tends to be essential for choosing the right platform. My earlier guide on Fiverr vs Legiit provides additional context on freelance platform selection.
The most important difference between 99designs and DesignCrowd is not the contest types. It is the prize pools and competition levels. 99designs offers larger prizes but attracts more designers. DesignCrowd offers smaller prizes but with less competition. Understanding where design skills fit tends to determine which platform offers better opportunities.
Setup and Participation Experience
Setting up on 99designs was professional and organized. A designer profile was created, a portfolio was built, and browsing contests began. The platform provides clear contest briefs and design requirements. The quality of contests was high, with professional clients and detailed specifications. The competition was intense, with many experienced designers submitting to each contest.
Setting up on DesignCrowd was simpler. A profile was created and browsing contests started immediately. The contest briefs were less detailed, and the quality of clients varied. The competition was less intense, with fewer designers per contest. The accessibility made it easier to participate in multiple contests.
The difference in setup experience reflected the platforms' different target markets. 99designs focused on professional quality, while DesignCrowd focused on accessibility. Both approaches have merit, but they appeal to different types of designers.
Understanding Design Contest Dynamics
Design contests operate on a fundamentally different model than traditional freelance work. Instead of being hired directly by a client and paid for time invested, designers compete against many other designers. Only the winning designer receives payment. All other participants invest time and effort without any compensation. This winner-takes-all dynamic shapes every aspect of the contest experience and explains why contest platforms can offer substantial prizes while remaining profitable.
The contest model has both advantages and disadvantages for designers. The primary advantage is the potential for larger payouts from a single submission. Winning a brand identity contest represents meaningful compensation for the time invested in that specific winning design. The primary disadvantage is the uncertainty. Excellent work can be submitted to multiple contests without winning, leaving designers with limited income despite significant time investment. This uncertainty is the price of the contest model's potential rewards.
Understanding the contest dynamics tends to be essential for developing a sustainable strategy. Designers who do well in contests typically enter multiple contests simultaneously, accepting that most submissions will not win. They focus on producing their best work consistently rather than becoming emotionally attached to any single contest outcome. Designers who struggle with contests are often those who expect every submission to win and become discouraged when they do not. The contest model tends to require a portfolio approach: submit quality work across multiple contests and let the mathematics of probability work over time.
Contest Types and Prize Pools
Contest types on 99designs include logo design, brand identity packages, web design, packaging design, and more. The prize pools tend to be substantial, with logo contests typically offering approximately three hundred to one thousand dollars, and brand identity packages offering approximately one thousand dollars or more. The higher prizes attract many experienced designers, making the competition intense.
Contest types on DesignCrowd are similar but with smaller prize pools. Logo contests typically offer approximately one hundred to five hundred dollars. The smaller prizes attract fewer designers, making the competition less intense. The accessibility makes it easier for newer designers to participate and potentially win.
Approximate Results Overview
Three-Month Overview (Approximate):
99designs:
- Contests entered: approximately 8
- Designs submitted: approximately 24
- Contests won: approximately 1
- Prize money: approximately $500
DesignCrowd:
- Contests entered: approximately 12
- Designs submitted: approximately 30
- Contests won: approximately 2
- Prize money: approximately $350
These figures suggest interesting patterns in design contest participation. 99designs produced higher total earnings from a single win, reflecting the larger prize pools. DesignCrowd produced more wins but with smaller prizes. The total earnings were higher on 99designs despite fewer wins.
What the figures do not show is the time investment. Design contests tend to require meaningful time for each submission, regardless of whether it wins. The approximately twenty-four submissions to 99designs contests and approximately thirty submissions to DesignCrowd contests represented substantial time investment. The effective earnings per hour were modest when factoring in all contest entries.
One observation is that design contests tend to be competitive, and winning is not guaranteed. The prize money can be attractive, but the time investment tends to be significant. Designers who do well typically enter many contests and win a small percentage.
Payment Processing and Reliability
Payment reliability is one of the main factors when choosing a design contest platform. Both 99designs and DesignCrowd process payments through PayPal and bank transfer. Both platforms have payment histories spanning years and handle prize distribution professionally. When contests were won on both platforms, the payment was processed within a reasonable timeframe, typically approximately one to two weeks after the contest closed.
Payment timing is worth understanding. After a contest closes and the client selects a winner, there is typically a payment processing period. On 99designs, the payment processing took approximately one week from contest closure to funds appearing in the account. On DesignCrowd, the processing was slightly faster, approximately five to seven days. Both platforms communicate clearly about payment status and provide tracking so designers know when to expect payment.
The payment threshold is another consideration. Both platforms process payments directly to the chosen method without requiring a minimum balance. This is in contrast to some micro task platforms that require accumulating a minimum amount before withdrawing. The direct payment processing on design contest platforms means prize money is received in full once the processing period completes. This reliability tends to be important for designers who depend on contest winnings as part of their income.
Side-by-Side Platform Comparison
This comparison shows the main differences between the two platforms. 99designs offers premium contests with larger prizes but more competition. DesignCrowd offers accessible contests with smaller prizes and less competition. The right choice depends on design experience and earning goals.
Pros and Cons Summary
99designs Pros
- Larger prize pools
- Professional clients
- High-quality contests
- Better portfolio building
- Professional platform experience
- Multiple design categories
99designs Cons
- Intense competition
- High-quality requirements
- More demanding clients
- Time-intensive submissions
- Not beginner-friendly
DesignCrowd Pros
- Lower competition
- Easier to participate
- Accessible for beginners
- Simple setup process
- More contest variety
- Less demanding clients
DesignCrowd Cons
- Smaller prize pools
- Variable contest quality
- Lower earning potential
- Mixed designer quality
- Less professional platform
Strategies for Winning Design Contests
After entering approximately twenty contests across both platforms and winning approximately three, several strategies tend to improve chances of winning design contests. The first strategy is reading the contest brief thoroughly before starting any design work. The brief contains important information about the client's preferences, target audience, brand personality, and specific requirements. Designers who carefully study the brief and create designs that directly address the client's stated needs tend to have higher win rates than those who create generic designs. The brief tends to be the roadmap to a winning submission.
The second strategy is submitting multiple design concepts to each contest. Many contests allow designers to submit multiple entries, and clients often provide feedback that helps refine the approach. A first submission is rarely the best work. By submitting an initial concept, receiving feedback, and iterating, designs can be progressively improved based on the client's reactions. This iterative process tends to be where experienced designers gain their advantage. They treat the contest as a conversation rather than a single submission.
The third strategy is studying previous winning designs on each platform. Both 99designs and DesignCrowd display previous contest winners. Analyzing these winning designs tends to reveal patterns in what clients prefer: color choices, typography, design styles, and overall approach. The winning designs on 99designs tend to be more polished and professional, while DesignCrowd winners often favor simpler, more straightforward approaches. Understanding the aesthetic preferences of each platform's client base tends to help with tailoring submissions accordingly.
Designers who consistently win contests are not necessarily the most talented. They tend to be the ones who understand what clients want and deliver designs that directly address those needs. They study briefs carefully, iterate based on feedback, and learn from previous winners. Talent provides the foundation. Strategy tends to provide the wins.
Who Should Choose Which Platform?
99designs may suit you if you are an experienced designer with a strong portfolio and can compete at a professional level. The larger prize pools make 99designs attractive for serious designers. The competition is intense, but the rewards can be substantial for those who win. My earlier guide on Fiverr vs Legiit provides additional guidance on freelance platform selection.
DesignCrowd may suit you if you are a newer designer looking to gain experience and build a portfolio. The lower competition and smaller prize pools make DesignCrowd more accessible. The platform provides opportunities to practice contest participation without the intense pressure of larger platforms. Many designers start with DesignCrowd and move to 99designs as they gain experience.
One practical approach: Use both platforms strategically. Starting with DesignCrowd to build contest experience and develop design skills in a less competitive environment may help. As confidence grows and the portfolio improves, entering 99designs contests where the larger prize pools justify the increased competition becomes more viable. This progression allows designers to develop their skills while gradually accessing higher-paying opportunities.
Final Verdict: Which Platform Is Better?
Final Verdict
99designs tends to be the stronger platform for experienced designers seeking larger prizes and professional work. DesignCrowd tends to work better for newer designers seeking accessible contests and portfolio building. One practical approach is to use both platforms: DesignCrowd for building experience and 99designs for higher-paying opportunities once skills have developed. Individual results vary significantly based on design skills, contest selection, and competition levels. For more ideas on building multiple income streams, see my guide to 30 websites for microtasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform tends to have larger prize pools?
99designs tends to have larger prize pools, with logo contests typically offering approximately three hundred to one thousand dollars and brand packages offering more. DesignCrowd typically offers approximately one hundred to five hundred dollars. The larger prizes on 99designs attract more competition.
Which platform is more beginner-friendly?
DesignCrowd tends to be more beginner-friendly due to lower competition and smaller prize pools. The accessible contests allow newer designers to participate without facing intense competition. 99designs tends to suit experienced designers with strong portfolios.
Can I use both 99designs and DesignCrowd at the same time?
Yes, many designers use both platforms. DesignCrowd provides accessible contests for portfolio building, while 99designs offers premium contests with larger prizes. Using both platforms tends to maximize opportunities and allows competing at different levels.
How do 99designs and DesignCrowd pay designers?
Both platforms pay through PayPal and bank transfer. Payments are processed after the client selects the winning design. In my personal experience, the payment process was consistent across both platforms.
What types of contests are available on each platform?
Both platforms offer logo design, brand identity, web design, packaging design, and more. 99designs tends to focus on premium contests with professional clients. DesignCrowd offers similar contest types with varying quality levels.
How competitive are design contests on these platforms?
Design contests tend to be competitive on both platforms. 99designs has more intense competition due to larger prize pools and professional designers. DesignCrowd has moderate competition. Winning typically requires high-quality designs and persistence.
How does design contest work compare to direct client work?
Design contests offer the potential for larger prizes but with uncertainty. Direct client work through platforms like Fiverr provides more predictable income. Many designers combine contest participation with direct client work for a balanced approach. For a comparison of freelance platforms, see my article on Fiverr vs Legiit.
How long does it take to win a design contest?
The timeline varies significantly. In my testing, winning one contest on 99designs required entering approximately eight contests. Winning approximately two contests on DesignCrowd required entering approximately twelve contests. Submitting consistently and learning from each contest experience tends to help.
Disclosure: This article contains links to external websites and platforms. These links are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the platforms mentioned. They are provided only for ease of access and reference. We do not receive any commission or compensation from these links. All opinions expressed are based on personal testing experience.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional financial, legal, or career advice of any kind. The content describes personal experience with design contest platforms and is not a promise of income or results. Individual results vary significantly based on design skill, contest selection, competition levels, platform policies, and market conditions. All income figures mentioned are approximate estimates from personal experience and are not guaranteed. Prize amounts, platform policies, and availability may change at any time. Design contest income is subject to taxation. Always verify current platform terms before investing significant time. For more details about our publishing standards, please review our About Us page and Disclaimer. If you have any questions, visit our FAQ page or reach out through our Contact Us page. You can also review our Privacy Policy to understand how we handle your information.
