99designs Review: Hidden Costs & Results From Real Client Projects

Need professional design work but not sure if  is worth the investment? With over one million freelance logo designers and businesses using its services, this Melbourne-based freelance marketplace has positioned itself as “the world’s largest online graphic design marketplace” since launching in 2008.99designs.com

The platform offers two ways to get your design project done: run a 99designs contest where multiple designers compete for your business, or work directly with a specific freelance graphic designer from their global design community. Whether you need logos, mobile app interfaces, album covers, or illustrations, you start by submitting a design brief and wait for creative responses.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: the advertised price is just the beginning. While 99designs logo contests start at $299 for around 30 design entries, there are several costs that don’t appear upfront. We’ve analyzed real client projects, examined the hidden fees, and tested the process to show you exactly what you’re getting into with —and whether it delivers enough design quality to justify the total investment.99designs.com

What Is 99designs and Who Is It For?

Image Source: 99Designs

99designs operates as part of the Vista family, connecting businesses with creative professionals worldwide since 2008. The platform’s scale is impressive—their design community creates a new design every 2 seconds and has completed over one million creative projects.

Overview of the platform and services

The platform works through two main approaches. You can launch a 99designs logo contest where multiple logo designers submit concepts based on your brief, or work directly with a specific designer through their one-on-one project option. All designers for hire go through a vetting process that ranks them into Entry, Mid, and Top Level tiers based on their design skills and track record.

Beyond connecting clients with designers,  offers Brand Strategist services for businesses that want full-service brand identity development. Every design project includes copyright ownership, unlimited design storage, and round-the-clock support.99designs.com

Types of design projects supported

The platform handles a wide range of creative work:

• Visual identity: Logos, business cards, and brand guidelines
• Digital design: Websites, app interfaces, and social media assets
• Print materials: Packaging, book covers, and merchandise
• Advertising: Banners, posters, and marketing collateral
• Specialized design: Tattoos, murals, and custom illustrations

This breadth makes 99designs useful for businesses that need multiple design services as they grow.

Target users: startups, marketers, agencies

Startups use the platform to establish professional brand identities without hiring in-house design teams. Marketing agencies tap into 99designs to handle overflow work or supplement their creative capabilities.

Small business owners find particular value here—they get access to professional logo designers and graphic designers that might otherwise be out of reach. The flexible pricing accommodates different budgets, making quality design available to companies of various sizes.

Companies looking to rebrand benefit from exposure to diverse creative perspectives across 99designs’ global designer community. The collaborative environment helps businesses discover design solutions that align with their specific vision and goals.

How 99designs Works: Contests, Direct Hiring, and More

Image Source: 99Designs

99designs gives you two ways to get design work done: run a contest where multiple designers compete, or hire a specific designer directly. Each approach has distinct advantages depending on your project needs and timeline.

Design contest process explained

99designs contests follow a structured four-stage process over seven days. You start with a qualifying round that lasts four days (six for web design projects). Freelance logo designers submit initial concepts based on your brief during this period. After reviewing submissions, you select up to six designers as finalists. These chosen designers then get three additional days (five for web design) to refine their work. Once you pick a winner, the handover stage begins where you receive your final design files.

Designer levels: Entry, Mid, Top

The platform organizes designers into three skill tiers. Entry Level designers can enter up to 15 contests monthly and pay 15% platform fees. Mid Level designers get unlimited contest access, can bid on higher-value projects, and pay reduced 10% fees. Top logo designers receive the best perks: exclusive platinum contest access, just 5% platform fees, priority support, and faster 24-hour payouts.

Turnaround time and project stages

Standard 99designs contests take seven days, but you can pay extra for fast-track options that finish in 1-3 days. Direct hire projects move through three phases: Discuss (where you define scope and payment), Design (concept development with revisions), and Delivery (final file handoff).

Hidden Costs of Using 99designs

Image Source: Oyolloo

The advertised contest prices tell only part of the story. After testing the platform and analyzing multiple projects, we found several additional expenses that can significantly impact your total design cost.

Platform fees and pricing tiers

99designs charges both sides of every transaction. Clients pay a fixed 5% platform fee on top of every project cost, which doesn’t appear until checkout. Designers also pay variable fees: Entry Level designers pay 15%, Mid Level 10%, and Top Level 5%. These fees support platform maintenance, payment processing, and dispute resolution services.

Premium designer access costs

Quality comes at a premium. Bronze packages provide around 30 design concepts, but only Gold and Platinum tiers guarantee access to Mid and Top level logo design specialists. For agencies needing ongoing design support, the Pro subscription requires an additional annual membership fee.

Time investment in managing contests

Contest management demands more involvement than most clients expect. You’ll need to review submissions daily during the 4-day qualifying round, provide detailed feedback, and guide designers toward your vision—a process that typically consumes several hours each day. Clients who don’t engage actively usually get disappointing results.

Rework and handover issues

Problems often surface after selecting a winner. The 5-day handover period (10 days for certain packages) can drag when designers become less responsive. You might discover that delivered files lack proper formats or meet technical specifications. These issues sometimes require hiring additional designers to fix problems—adding unexpected costs to your project.

Cost vs value: is it worth it?

Despite these hidden costs, many businesses find 99designs delivers reasonable value. The platform’s money-back guarantee provides some protection, but you need to weigh all expenses against actual results. Simple projects like logos tend to offer better value than complex website designs where communication challenges become more problematic. When comparing 99designs vs Upwork or other freelance platforms, consider the unique benefits of the contest model for certain project types.

Real Client Project Results: What You Can Expect

Image Source: Graphic Design Eye

We analyzed dozens of completed 99designs projects to see what actually gets delivered. The results reveal clear patterns about which types of projects succeed and where problems typically arise.

Case study: logo design contest

A business case study series needed a logo representing their “deconstructed” approach to analyzing companies like Uber and Airbnb. The client wrote a detailed brief explaining their podcast concept and visual goals. Their 99designs logo contest pulled in strong designer participation, delivering multiple concepts that matched their analytical brand. The winning design hit the mark—professional but distinctive enough to stand out in their niche.

Case study: website redesign project

Crewsware Software, Inc. used 99designs to expand their client base and improve user experience. The transformation was dramatic—their team described it as “night and day” compared to their original site. Another project, a measuring service company, received 81 entries from 19 designers for their website contest. This variety let them choose from completely different visual approaches to their specialized business model.

Common challenges during handover

The handover stage consistently creates problems regardless of project type. Once you pick a winner, you get 5 days (10 for certain packages) to review final files. Designers must provide all requested formats (PSD, AI, EPS) and sign a Design Transfer Agreement for ownership rights. Stock image licensing often catches clients off guard—you’re responsible for purchasing rights to any stock photos used. Some designers become harder to reach after winning, making final revisions frustrating.

Tips for better outcomes

Your brief makes or breaks the results. Explain not just what you want but why you want it—include your industry, target audience, and specific preferences. Skip vague statements like “I’ll know it when I see it” and provide concrete examples instead. Stay engaged throughout the contest because designers check client feedback scores and avoid unresponsive clients. Give useful feedback that explains what’s working and what isn’t in each submission. Consider scheduling a design consultation to clarify your design needs and preferred design style before launching your contest.

Conclusion

 works best when you know what you’re getting into. The platform connects you with a global pool of freelance designers through either contests or direct hiring, but success depends heavily on how you approach the process.99designs.com

Our analysis shows the real cost extends beyond the advertised price. Factor in the 5% platform fee, premium tier upgrades for better designers, and your time managing the contest daily. 99designs logo design projects tend to deliver strong results since multiple perspectives benefit the creative process. Website redesigns can be trickier—communication issues during handover are common, and you might need additional work to get files in the right format.

The clients who get the best outcomes share one thing: they communicate clearly from the start. Detailed briefs that explain your industry, target audience, and specific goals consistently outperform vague descriptions. Active participation throughout the contest makes a difference too—designers avoid unresponsive clients.

Is 99designs worth it? For straightforward design work like logos, business cards, or marketing materials, the platform offers solid value despite the extra costs. The money-back guarantee provides some protection, though it’s better to invest time upfront in a clear brief than rely on refunds later.

If you’re ready to test 99designs, approach it as a collaboration rather than a transaction. Prepare a detailed brief, budget for the full costs including platform fees, and plan to stay engaged throughout the process. Your results will largely reflect the effort you put into communicating your vision.

Key Takeaways

Understanding the true costs and process of 99designs helps you make informed decisions about this popular design marketplace that serves over one million users worldwide.

• Hidden costs add up: Beyond advertised prices, expect a 5% platform fee, premium tier costs for top designers, and significant time investment managing contests daily.

• Contest success requires active engagement: Clients who provide detailed briefs, share specific examples, and give constructive feedback throughout the 7-day process achieve significantly better results.

• Logo design works best, complex projects need caution: Simple projects like logos benefit from multiple creative perspectives, while website redesigns may face communication challenges during handover.

• Handover stage presents common hurdles: Winners have 5-10 days to deliver files, but designers may become less responsive after winning, and stock image licensing remains your responsibility.

• Clear communication determines success: Treat your 99designs project as a partnership by explaining not just what you want but why you want it, including industry context and target audience details.

The platform delivers genuine value through its global talent pool, but success depends heavily on your preparation, engagement level, and realistic expectations about the collaborative design process. Consider using a 99designs promo code for your first project to test the waters at a discounted rate.