Last updated: May 9, 2025
Want a polished brand identity without hiring a full-time designer? 99designs promises to connect you with global freelance designers through contests or direct hire. But does it actually deliver quality work at a fair price?
We looked at how 99designs works for ecommerce projects—logos, packaging, website mockups—and compared it with alternatives like Fiverr and Upwork, based on its published pricing and process. Here's what you need to know.
| Key Takeaway | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Branding projects (logos, packaging) for ecommerce brands and startups needing quick turnaround |
| Starting Price | Design contests from $299; 1-on-1 projects negotiated with freelancers |
| Speed | Contest results in 3–5 days; final files typically delivered within a week |
| Design Quality | Highly variable—depends on brief clarity and price tier. Higher budgets attract more experienced designers |
| IP Rights | Automatically transfer to you with winning design; no ongoing licensing fees |
How 99designs Works: Two Paths to Design
99designs offers two distinct workflows, and choosing the right one matters.
1. Design Contest (Crowdsourced)
You post a brief, dozens of designers submit concepts, and you pick the winner. This is 99designs' flagship model.
How it works:
- Select contest type (logo, packaging, website, etc.)
- Write a detailed brief with style preferences and competitor examples
- Choose your price tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
- Receive 20–100+ submissions over 3–5 days
- Provide feedback and request refinements
- Award the winner and receive final files
Best for: Logos, brand identity, packaging, and one-off creative projects where you want to see multiple interpretations before committing.
2. 1-on-1 Designer Hire
Work directly with a freelancer on your project. You can hire someone after a contest or search the designer directory.
Best for: Ongoing design work, revisions, or when you've found a designer you want to work with repeatedly.
99designs Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay
According to 99designs' official pricing structure, design contests start at $299 for the Bronze tier and scale up to Platinum for premium projects.
Here's what you need to know:
| Contest Tier | Price Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $299 | Basic contest; attracts emerging designers |
| Silver | $499–$699 | Mid-tier; good balance of quality and cost |
| Gold | $999–$1,299 | Premium; attracts experienced designers |
| Platinum | $1,299+ | Top-tier; for complex or high-stakes projects |
Pricing as of May 2025—always verify on the official 99designs website for current rates.
1-on-1 project costs are negotiated directly with the designer. Expect $50–$200+ per hour depending on experience and project scope.
Hidden costs to watch for:
- Rush fees if you need work faster than standard timelines
- Revision limits—additional rounds may incur extra charges
- Extended licensing if you need commercial rights beyond standard scope
How to Get Better Results From a Contest
The quality of contest entries depends heavily on your brief. A vague brief tends to attract generic, low-effort entries; a detailed brief with examples of what you like and dislike gives designers something concrete to work with.
Before you launch, decide on your budget tier, your style preferences and the files you need at the end, such as vector files, font details and colour codes. If you like working with one designer, 99designs also lets you hire them directly for a 1-on-1 project afterwards.
99designs Pros: What Works Well
✔️ Fast turnaround for branding projects
Logo contests deliver results in 3–5 days. Final files typically arrive within a week. For ecommerce brands launching quickly, this is a real advantage over hiring a traditional agency (which takes 4–8 weeks).
✔️ Multiple design directions in one contest
Instead of commissioning one designer and hoping they nail it, you see 20–100+ interpretations. This reduces the risk of a complete miss.
✔️ IP rights transfer automatically
You own the winning design outright. No ongoing licensing fees, no royalties, no strings attached. This is cleaner than some freelance platforms.
✔️ Helpful customer support
99designs offers live chat and email support. Its support team can help with questions about contests, projects and disputes.
✔️ No long-term commitment required
You pay for the project, get the files, and you're done. Perfect for one-off needs or testing design directions before investing in a full rebrand.
99designs Cons: Real Limitations
❌ Design quality varies wildly by price tier
Bronze contests attract newer designers. You'll see more template-like work. Silver and Gold tiers attract experienced professionals. If your budget is tight, expect to sift through more mediocre submissions.
❌ Not all designers understand ecommerce conversion
A beautiful logo doesn't guarantee it'll convert customers. Many designers on 99designs excel at aesthetics but lack ecommerce or direct-to-consumer (DTC) experience. You need to brief them on conversion principles or hire someone with that background.
❌ Costs escalate quickly beyond basic assets
A logo contest is $299–$1,299. Add packaging ($500–$1,500), website mockups ($800–$2,500), and social templates ($300–$800), and you're looking at $2,000–$6,000+ for a full brand refresh. This isn't cheap.
❌ No all-in-one design + development bundles
99designs handles design mockups, not web development. If you need a website, you'll design it here, then hire a developer elsewhere. This creates coordination friction.
❌ Revision limits can be restrictive
Most contests include 2–3 rounds of revisions. Beyond that, you may pay extra. If you're indecisive or your stakeholders keep changing direction, costs add up.
99designs vs. Competitors: How It Stacks Up
How does 99designs compare to other design platforms? Here's a comparison based on each platform's published information:
| Feature | 99designs | Fiverr | Upwork |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crowdsourced Contests | ✔️ Core feature | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| 1-on-1 Freelancer Hire | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| Speed (Logo) | 3–5 days | 3–7 days | 5–14 days |
| Starting Price (Logo) | $299 | $5–$50 | Varies |
| Design Quality Range | Medium–High | Low–Medium | Low–High |
| IP Rights | ✔️ Automatic | ✔️ Automatic | ✔️ Negotiable |
| Best For | Branding, ecommerce | Budget-conscious, quick turnaround | Complex projects, ongoing work |
Data sourced from official platform websites and industry standards, May 2025
The verdict: 99designs wins if you want crowdsourced design contests and are willing to pay for quality. Fiverr wins if budget is your primary constraint. Upwork wins for complex, long-term projects where you need deep collaboration.
Who Should Use 99designs?
Perfect fit:
- Ecommerce brands launching new products and needing logos, packaging, or labels
- Startups building brand identity from scratch
- Agencies outsourcing design work to freelancers
- Businesses wanting multiple design directions before committing
- Teams with a budget of $500–$2,000+ for design projects
Not ideal for:
- Shoestring budgets (under $300)
- Projects requiring ongoing design support (retainers work better on Upwork)
- Complex web development (99designs is design-only)
- Highly specialized design (e.g., technical illustration, 3D rendering)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 99designs contest actually take?
Contests run for 3–5 days by default. You'll see submissions within the first 24–48 hours. After selecting a winner, final file delivery typically takes 3–7 days. Total timeline: 1–2 weeks from start to finished files.
Can I use the designs I don't choose?
No. Only the winning design transfers to you. Non-winning designs remain the property of their designers. This is standard across crowdsourced platforms.
What if I'm not happy with the winning design?
You can request revisions (typically 2–3 rounds included). If you're fundamentally unhappy, 99designs offers a satisfaction guarantee—though the specifics depend on your contest tier. Check their current policy on the official website.
Do I need to pay for revisions after the contest ends?
Revision rounds are usually included in your contest fee. Additional rounds beyond the limit may incur extra charges. Clarify this in your brief before launching.
Can I hire a designer for ongoing work after a contest?
Yes. Many clients hire their winning designer for follow-up projects through 1-on-1 contracts. Rates are negotiated directly with the designer.
Is 99designs safe? Will my brief be stolen?
99designs has confidentiality agreements in place. Designers sign NDAs. That said, briefs are shared with multiple designers, so there's inherent risk. Avoid sharing proprietary information or trade secrets in your brief.
Final Verdict: Is 99designs Worth It?
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)
99designs delivers on its promise: fast, crowdsourced design with automatic IP transfer. For ecommerce brands and startups needing logos, packaging, or brand identity, it's a solid choice.
The reality: You're paying for speed and variety, not guaranteed perfection. Quality depends on your brief clarity and budget tier. A $299 contest will feel different from a $1,299 one.
When to use it: You have a clear design vision, a budget of $500+, and need results in 1–2 weeks. You're willing to sift through submissions and provide detailed feedback.
When to skip it: Your budget is under $300, you need ongoing design support, or you require web development alongside design.
If you're exploring design platforms, also check out SkillLinkup's platform comparison guide to see how 99designs stacks against other options for your specific needs.
This article was researched on May 9, 2025 by SkillLinkup. Pricing and features were verified against official 99designs sources. Platform details change frequently—always verify current pricing and features on the official website before committing to a project. For the latest platform reviews and comparisons, visit the SkillLinkup Blog.