Contra: The Commission-Free Freelance Platform Changing the Game in 2025

Tired of losing 20% of your earnings to platform fees? There's a revolutionary freelance platform that's flipping the script on how independent professionals connect with clients—and it won't cost you a dime in commissions.

What Makes Contra Different?

Contra is not just another freelance marketplace. Launched in 2019 and backed by $45 million in funding from top-tier investors like New Enterprise Associates, this San Francisco-based platform has one mission: empower freelancers to keep 100% of what they earn.

While traditional platforms like Upwork take up to 20% of your hard-earned money, Contra operates on a fundamentally different model. No hidden fees. No percentage cuts. Just pure, transparent earnings that go straight to your pocket.

Join Contra today and start keeping 100% of your earnings →

Who's Using Contra?

Contra has grown to over 1 million independent professionals worldwide, spanning diverse creative and technical fields:

• Web Developers & Software Engineers - Building websites, apps, and digital products

• Designers - UI/UX, graphic design, brand identity, and more

• Writers & Content Creators - Copywriting, technical writing, content marketing

• Marketers & Strategists - Social media, SEO, digital marketing campaigns

• Animators & Video Editors - Motion graphics, video production, 3D modeling

The platform caters to both emerging freelancers launching their careers and established professionals scaling their independent businesses.

Key Features That Set Contra Apart

1. Zero Commission Fees

This is the headline feature. When you complete a project worth $5,000 on Upwork, you lose $1,000 to fees. On Contra? You keep the full $5,000. Over time, this difference is massive.

2. Beautiful Portfolio System

Contra offers stunning, customizable portfolio pages that showcase your work in the best light. Think of it as your personal website, but integrated with a job marketplace. Your profile becomes a powerful tool for attracting high-quality clients.

3. Built-in Project Management

Handle contracts, invoices, and payments all in one place. Contra Pro members get access to advanced features like:

• Professional contract templates

• Automated invoicing

• Milestone-based payments

• Time tracking tools

4. Transparent Pricing Structure

While the platform is commission-free, Contra does have minimal operational fees:

• Free accounts - Full access to create profiles and connect with clients

• Contra Pro - $29/month for advanced features and Indy AI (more on this below)

• Contract fees - $29 per one-time project or $29/month for ongoing contracts

• Job posting boost - Optional $199 to increase visibility

Game-Changing Innovation: Introducing Indy AI

Here's where Contra truly separates itself from the competition. In 2025, they launched Indy AI, an artificial intelligence-powered tool that fundamentally changes how freelancers find work.

How Indy AI Works

Imagine having a personal career assistant that quietly monitors your professional network 24/7, surfacing warm opportunities you'd otherwise miss. That's Indy AI.

The browser extension connects to your LinkedIn and X (Twitter) accounts and:

✅ Scans your extended network - Not just your direct connections, but second and third-degree contacts ✅ Identifies hidden opportunities - Finds people hiring before they post public job listings
✅ Matches based on your skills - Uses your Contra profile, work history, and preferences to surface relevant opportunities ✅ Delivers warm leads - Focuses on connections through people you already know, not cold outreach

The Magic Behind the Algorithm

Indy AI analyzes multiple signals from your profile:

• Your listed skills and services

• Project history and client testimonials

• Earnings patterns and rate preferences

• Work preferences (remote, location, project types)

• Your engagement with different opportunity types

The more you use it and provide feedback (dismissing irrelevant matches, marking interests), the smarter it becomes at understanding exactly what you're looking for.

Get access to Indy AI by joining Contra Pro →

Real Results from Real Freelancers

Early adopters are raving about Indy AI's impact:

"Been testing Indy AI and it genuinely feels like the future of finding work. No more job board doomscrolling, just warm leads from your own network."

"Indy AI has completely changed the way I work. I used to spend so much time searching for the right projects, now I just check Indy and the perfect matches are already waiting for me."

The best part? Indy AI never posts on your behalf. You maintain complete control over your professional presence. It simply surfaces opportunities—you decide what to pursue.

Why Freelancers Are Switching to Contra

The Financial Advantage

Let's do some simple math. If you earn $50,000 annually as a freelancer:

On Upwork (20% fee):

• Gross earnings: $50,000

• Platform fees: -$10,000

• Net income: $40,000

On Contra (0% commission):

• Gross earnings: $50,000

• Platform fees: $0

• Net income: $50,000

That's an extra $10,000 per year in your pocket. Money that can go toward growing your business, investing in tools, or simply improving your quality of life.

Quality Over Quantity

Contra emphasizes quality matches over volume. The platform personally reviews each job posting before publishing it publicly to prevent scams and low-quality listings. While this means fewer total job postings than larger platforms, the opportunities are generally higher quality and better vetted.

Community-Driven Growth

One unique aspect of Contra is its referral system. When you invite other talented freelancers and they upgrade to Pro, both of you benefit. This creates a positive feedback loop where the platform grows with high-caliber professionals who support each other's success.

Speaking of which, if you're ready to join this movement, use this invite link to get started. You'll be joining a community that values your work and doesn't take a cut of your earnings.

Getting Started on Contra: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create Your Profile

Sign up through the referral link here to join the platform. Take time to build out your profile completely:

• Upload a professional photo

• Write a compelling bio

• Add your skills and services

• Showcase your best work samples

• Include testimonials if you have them

The platform is designed to make your profile look stunning with minimal effort. The interface is intuitive and visually appealing.

2. Set Your Services and Rates

Be clear about:

• What services you offer

• Your hourly or project-based rates (remember: $25/hour minimum)

• Your availability and preferred work arrangements

• Any specific industries or project types you specialize in

3. Activate Indy AI (Contra Pro Members)

If you upgrade to Contra Pro:

• Install the Indy AI browser extension (works on Chrome, Brave, Edge, etc.)

• Connect your LinkedIn and/or X accounts

• Set your preferences for opportunity types

• Let it run in the background while you work

4. Apply to Jobs or Wait for Inbound Interest

You can either:

• Proactively apply to posted opportunities that match your skills

• Let clients find you through search and your portfolio

• Leverage Indy AI to discover warm leads in your network

5. Land Your First Project

When you connect with a client:

• Discuss project scope and requirements

• Use Contra's contract templates to formalize the agreement

• Set up milestones and payment terms

• Deliver exceptional work

• Get paid 100% of what you earned

Contra vs. Traditional Platforms: The Real Comparison

Who Should Use Contra?

Contra is perfect for:

• Freelancers tired of losing 20% of their income to platform fees

• Creative professionals who want beautiful portfolio showcases

• Independent workers seeking warm leads through existing networks

• Anyone building a sustainable freelance business

• Professionals who value quality matches over high volume

Contra might not be ideal for:

• Complete beginners with no portfolio or network (larger platforms have more entry-level opportunities)

• Those seeking ultra-high volume of job postings

• Freelancers in very niche markets not yet well-represented on the platform

The Bottom Line: Is Contra Worth It?

Absolutely. The zero-commission model alone makes it worth exploring, but when you add Indy AI's intelligent opportunity discovery, the beautiful portfolio system, and a growing community of quality professionals, Contra represents the future of freelancing.

The platform is still growing, which means early adopters have a unique advantage in establishing themselves as go-to experts in their fields before the marketplace becomes saturated.

Ready to Transform Your Freelance Career?

Stop giving away 20% of your hard-earned income. Join the 1 million+ independent professionals who are building their careers on their own terms.

Click here to join Contra with my referral link and start keeping 100% of what you earn. Plus, by using this link, you'll be supporting a fellow creator in the process.

The freelance economy is evolving. Platforms that take huge cuts are outdated. Contra represents where things are heading: transparent, fair, and built for the modern independent professional.

What are you waiting for? Your next great opportunity might be just one connection away.

Have you tried Contra? Share your experience in the comments below. And if you found this review helpful, consider sharing it with other freelancers who could benefit from a commission-free platform.