Getting a standout logo doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Crowdsourcing platforms have emerged as the go-to solution for businesses wanting top-notch design at an affordable price. Whether you’re a small startup or an established company, these platforms offer access to creative talent from around the world, making it easy to find the perfect logo that reflects your brand.
Looking to revamp your logo or start from scratch? We’ve done the homework for you—check out our 2024 review of the best logo crowdsourcing platforms, starting with 99Designs at the top!
1. 99designs
With its vast designer community and flexible project options, 99designs is a standout platform for custom and crowdsourced logo design.
Founded in 2008, 99designs has grown into one of the most recognized platforms for crowdsourced logos, website design, graphic design, and more. Their global community of 150K active designers in more than 180 countries has earned over $450 million so far, making it one of the largest and most trusted design crowdsourcing sites out there. Despite its size, 99designs keeps the process simple with an easy-to-use, step-by-step approach.
There are two main ways to get a logo designed on 99designs: through a design contest or by hiring a designer directly.
If you’re unsure of what you want, the logo design contest is a great option. After filling out a design brief with your preferences and specifications, designers from around the world will submit their concepts. You’ll be able to review a wide range of creative ideas before selecting the winning design.
Once you’ve chosen a design, you can collaborate with the designer to make tweaks until it’s just right. Payments are secure and only released when you’re fully satisfied, and you’ll get production-ready files for both print and digital use.
For those with a clearer vision, the platform also offers the option to hire a designer directly. You can browse designer portfolios, review their pricing, and negotiate the details of your project before kicking things off.
Logo design contests start at $299 and businesses can typically expect around 30 designs. and include full copyright ownership. Premium packages offer access to top-level designers, higher prize money, and prioritized support. All packages come with a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied and includes full copyright ownership.
2. LogoArena
LogoArena offers a hassle-free way to connect with professional designers through curated logo design contests.
LogoArena was founded in 2010 and boasts over 11,500 completed logo design contests, giving individuals and businesses access to a community of pre-vetted designers. Recognizing the frustrations that can come with working with a single designer, LogoArena makes it easy to connect with multiple professionals who are eager to bring your logo vision to life.
At the moment, logo design on the platform is exclusively done through contests. Unlike 99designs, 1-on-1 projects on LogoArena are only available with the designer of your winning logo.
Contests start with an interactive brief where you describe your business and logo needs. This is your chance to share your brand’s personality, style preferences, and any specific design requests. Once the contest goes live, designers from around the world will submit their logo ideas, giving you a variety of options to choose from.
As the designs roll in, you’re in the driver’s seat. You can rate logos, leave feedback, and request revisions, helping to fine-tune the submissions until you find the perfect fit for your brand. Most contests on LogoArena last between 3 to 14 days, allowing ample time for designers to submit their best work.
Creating a membership account on LogoArena is free for both designers and clients, but logo contests start at $299. You can enhance your contest with optional upgrades, like making it private for an additional $50 or offering higher prizes to attract more submissions. For peace of mind, LogoArena also offers a money-back guarantee if you don’t receive a minimum number of entries
3. DesignCrowd
DesignCrowd banks on a global pool of designers and flexible project options at an affordable starting price.
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace that connects start-ups, businesses, and entrepreneurs with a global network of talented designers. Since its launch in 2008, the platform has facilitated design contests with over 32.8 million designs uploaded and more than $74.2 million earned by its creative community.
Known for offering a wide range of design services—from logos and posters to brochures and web pages—DesignCrowd allows clients to host design contests by submitting a brief and setting a budget. Once your brief is live, designers from all over the world will submit their concepts based on your specifications.
You can choose deadlines of 3, 5, or 10 days, and the first designs often come in within 24 hours. Expect a steady flow of designs up until the contest ends, with over 50 submissions typically arriving from multiple designers. The timeline can vary depending on your feedback and the number of designs submitted.
Logo contests on DesignCrowd start at $99, but higher budgets attract more submissions. Keep in mind, however, that the platform charges additional fees—a $129 posting fee, a 4% transaction fee, and a 20% project management fee for projects over $200. If you’re not satisfied with the results, DesignCrowd offers a money-back guarantee on all refundable projects.
4. Designhill
DesignHill offers a broad range of design services, with logo contests starting at $249 and access to a growing community of global designers.
Launched in 2014, Designhill has grown from a design crowdsourcing platform to a full-fledged creative marketplace. While it offers a variety of design services, you can still run design contests where you provide a brief and budget, and designers submit their ideas for your logo.
With a smaller yet active community of over 330,000 designers and artists from 52 countries, Designhill has generated over 10 million designs across 55 different categories since its launch.
The design contest process on Designhill is straightforward. Clients start by filling out a brief, which includes details like business information, target audience, design preferences, and preferred colors. Once the contest is live, designers begin submitting concepts, with the first designs usually arriving within 24 hours. Communication happens directly on Designhill’s platform, allowing for seamless collaboration and feedback.
Once a winner is selected, the handover process begins. The winning designer signs a Design Transfer Agreement and provides all the necessary file formats. Both clients and designers have a 14-day window to finalize revisions and downloads.
Designhill’s logo contests start at $249, with packages like the Premium plan at $999 offering more features and designer submissions. Each package includes a 100% Money Back Guarantee, although the entry-level option limits designs to four per designer.
Verdict
99designs is the best logo crowdsourcing platform due to its large designer community and flexible options, while LogoArena, DesignCrowd, and Designhill each offer unique strengths for specific business needs.
When it comes to logo crowdsourcing platforms, 99designs stands out as the top choice. With its massive community of over active designers and the flexibility to either launch a logo design contest or directly hire a designer, 99designs offers unparalleled versatility. Whether you’re unsure of your vision and need multiple design options, or you already know what you want and prefer a one-on-one project, this platform ensures you get high-quality results with a smooth, user-friendly experience.
While 99designs leads the pack, other platforms have their strengths. LogoArena excels in providing a straightforward contest system with pre-vetted designers, perfect for businesses wanting a more curated process. DesignCrowd is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with access to a wide range of designers, though keep in mind the extra fees. Finally, Designhill is a great fit for those seeking a more comprehensive design marketplace with competitive packages and additional creative services beyond just logos. However, if flexibility and designer variety are your top priorities, 99designs remains the top contender.