Pricing Guide
99designs Pricing 2026: Contest & 1-to-1 Costs Explained
99designs offers two ways to buy design: fixed-price contest packages (Bronze to Platinum tiers) and 1-to-1 Projects with designer-negotiated rates plus a 5% platform fee. Contest pricing varies by category—logo design starts at $349, while product packaging begins at $449—making it easy to plan budgets upfront, though final costs can shift based on guarantees, promotions, and add-ons.
Last updated: March 2026
Key Takeaways
- 99designs offers two pricing models: fixed-tier contests (Bronze $349–Platinum $1,699) and 1-to-1 projects (designer rate + 5% platform fee). Contest pricing varies by category—logo design starts at $349, product packaging at $449.
- The 100% money-back guarantee is only valid within 60 days and only if the contest hasn't entered the Final round. Selecting finalists triggers the guaranteed stage and forfeits refund eligibility—a critical timing trap.
- Your final cost can exceed the listed tier price due to sales tax, contest promotions, privacy upgrades, and prize increases. Always budget 10–15% above the base tier for these add-ons.
- 1-to-1 Projects are ideal for repeat work or when you've found a designer you love. The 5% platform fee is straightforward and lower than running a new contest, with no waiting period.
- Higher tiers (Gold, Platinum) unlock dedicated account managers, prioritized support, and access to top-level designers only. Bronze and Silver are solid for budget-conscious teams and still include full copyright ownership.
Pricing Plans
Bronze
$349–$449
One-time (contest)
- ~30 design concepts
- 100% money-back guarantee (60 days)
- Full copyright ownership
- Mid & top-level designers
- Standard support
Silver
$549–$749
One-time (contest)
- ~60 design concepts
- 100% money-back guarantee (60 days)
- Full copyright ownership
- Mid & top-level designers
- Standard support
Gold
$999–$1,199
One-time (contest)
- ~90 design concepts
- 100% money-back guarantee (60 days)
- Full copyright ownership
- Mid & top-level designers
- Dedicated account manager
- Prioritized support
Platinum
$1,499–$1,699
One-time (contest)
- ~60 design concepts
- 100% money-back guarantee (60 days)
- Full copyright ownership
- Top-level designers only
- Dedicated account manager
- Prioritized support
1-to-1 Projects
Designer rate + 5% platform fee
Negotiated (one-time or ongoing)
- Work with single designer
- Custom scope and timeline
- No contest waiting period
- Flat 5% client platform fee
- Refund policy per designer agreement
How 99designs Pricing Works: Two Models
99designs operates two distinct pricing models. The first is **Design Contests**, where you select a fixed-tier package (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum), post a brief, and receive multiple design concepts from competing designers worldwide. You then choose a winner and receive full copyright ownership. The second is **1-to-1 Projects**, where you negotiate directly with a single designer at their quoted rate, and 99designs adds a flat 5% client platform fee on top.
Contest packages are category-specific, meaning a logo design contest has different pricing than a product packaging contest. For example, a Gold logo contest costs $999, while a Gold product packaging contest costs $1,199. This tiered approach lets you match your budget to the complexity and scope of the work. Each tier includes a set number of design concepts (ranging from 30 to 90 depending on the package), and higher tiers unlock perks like dedicated account managers, prioritized support, and access to top-level designers only.
Design Contest Package Pricing by Tier
99designs offers four standard contest tiers across most design categories. The **Bronze tier** is the entry-level option, starting at $349 for logo design and ranging up to $449 for product packaging. Bronze packages include approximately 30 design concepts and come with a 100% money-back guarantee (within 60 days, with conditions).
The **Silver tier** ($549–$749) doubles the concept count to around 60 and adds access to mid and top-level designers. **Gold tier** ($999–$1,199) provides approximately 90 concepts and includes a dedicated manager plus prioritized support. The **Platinum tier** ($1,499–$1,699) is the premium option, offering top-level designers only and the full suite of support features. All packages include full copyright ownership of the winning design, meaning you own the final work outright once the contest concludes.
1-to-1 Projects: Designer Rates + 5% Platform Fee
If you prefer working with a single designer rather than running a contest, 99designs' 1-to-1 Projects model lets you negotiate a custom rate directly. The designer sets their creative fee based on scope and complexity, and you pay that amount plus a flat 5% client platform fee. For example, if a designer quotes $2,000, your total cost is $2,100 ($2,000 + $100 platform fee).
This model works well for ongoing relationships, revisions-heavy projects, or when you've found a designer whose style matches your vision. The 5% fee is straightforward and scales with project size—it's minimal on smaller projects but becomes more noticeable on larger engagements (e.g., $500 on a $10,000 project). Unlike contests, 1-to-1 projects don't include a money-back guarantee; refund policies depend on your agreement with the individual designer.
Hidden Costs and What Can Increase Your Final Bill
While contest pricing appears fixed, several factors can raise your actual spend. **Guaranteed contests** (where you commit to awarding the prize) forfeit the 100% money-back guarantee, meaning you cannot get a refund even if you're unhappy with the results. Contests automatically become guaranteed once they enter the Final round, so selecting finalists is a critical decision point. **Sales tax** is also excluded from listed prices and varies by location, adding 5–10% depending on your jurisdiction.
Additional cost drivers include **contest promotions** (to boost designer participation), **privacy upgrades** (blind or private contests with NDA requirements), and **prize increases** (if you want to attract more or higher-quality submissions). Custom contest budgets above the standard tiers are also available but must exceed the category minimum. The refund window is strict: you have 60 days to request a refund, but only if the contest hasn't entered the Final round and no winner has been selected.
Real-World Pricing Examples
**Example 1: Logo Design (Gold Tier)** – A Gold logo contest is listed at $999. If you add a contest promotion and account for sales tax (assume 8%), your total reaches approximately $1,079. If you later decide to increase the prize to attract better designers, costs rise further.
**Example 2: Product Packaging (Gold Tier)** – A Gold product packaging contest starts at $1,199, significantly higher than logo design due to the complexity. With tax and optional add-ons, expect to spend $1,300–$1,400.
**Example 3: 1-to-1 Project** – You negotiate a $3,500 project with a designer. Your total cost is $3,675 ($3,500 + 5% platform fee of $175). This model is predictable once you agree on the designer's rate.
**Example 4: The Refund Trap** – You launch a $999 Gold logo contest, receive 90 concepts, select 5 finalists to refine, and enter the Final round. At this point, the contest becomes guaranteed and you lose refund eligibility. If you're unsatisfied, you cannot get your money back.
Money-Saving Tips and Best Practices
**Start with Bronze or Silver if you're budget-conscious.** Bronze packages ($349–$449) still deliver 30 concepts and full copyright ownership. Unless you need a dedicated manager or top-level designers only, the lower tiers offer solid value. **Avoid the refund trap by being decisive early.** Don't select finalists unless you're genuinely ready to commit; once you enter the Final round, refunds are off the table. If you're uncertain, request revisions from multiple designers before narrowing down.
**Use 1-to-1 Projects for repeat work.** If you find a designer you love, negotiate a 1-to-1 project for future work. The 5% platform fee is lower than running a new contest, and you skip the waiting period. **Compare category pricing upfront.** A logo contest and a brand identity pack have different baselines; choose the package that matches your actual scope to avoid overpaying. **Factor in taxes and add-ons.** Always budget for sales tax and assume you may add a promotion or privacy feature; don't treat the listed price as your final cost.
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