Fees · 99designs
99designs fees explained
| Item | What 99designs publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Client platform fee | Fixed 5% per 1-to-1 Project, shown as a line item on the quote | Help |
| Designer platform fee | Entry Level 15%; Mid Level 10%; Top Level 5% | Help |
| Client introduction fee (designer pays) | 20% of the first $500 of paid invoices with a new client; maximum $100 total | Help |
| Introduction fee waivers | You won or were a finalist in a contest with that client, or you invited a client new to 99designs through the email invitation feature | Help |
| Contest finalist payments | In Gold and Platinum contests, 15% of the total prize is split among finalists; the winner gets a share of that plus the rest of the prize | Help |
| Signup and payout timing | Free to sign up; designers are paid in three business days (or less at Top Level). Client payment is secured up front and released when the project is done | Designer page |
What the fees cover
- 99designs says the platform fee covers secure payment holding, dispute resolution, anti-fraud work, payout processing, educational resources and platform development.
- The introduction fee is pitched as the cost of bringing clients to designers (promotion, search, paid ads and matching).
- Help recommends building both designer fees into your quoted price using the "Create a quote" calculator, which shows what you will earn after fees.
$500 first project example (illustrative)
Assume an Entry Level designer, a brand-new client found on 99designs (no waiver), a single $500 quote, and that both designer fees apply to the quoted price. Ignore FX, payout method costs and tax. Check the quote calculator for the real number.
- Client platform fee: 5% of $500 = $25.
- Designer platform fee at Entry Level: 15% of $500 = $75.
- Client introduction fee: 20% of $500 = $100 (this hits the $100 cap, so later invoices with this client carry no introduction fee).
- Designer keeps roughly $325 on this first project; on the next $500 with the same client, roughly $425 at Entry Level, or $475 at Top Level.
Hub: multi-platform fee comparison.
FAQ
What does a 99designs client pay on a 1-to-1 Project?
The client pays a fixed 5% platform fee on each 1-to-1 Project. It appears as its own line item on the designer's quote.
What platform fee does a 99designs designer pay?
Designers pay a platform fee by level: 15% at Entry Level, 10% at Mid Level and 5% at Top Level.
What is the 99designs client introduction fee?
When a designer starts working with a new client, 99designs deducts 20% from the first $500 of paid invoices with that client, capped at $100 total. It is waived if the designer won or was a finalist in a contest with that client, or invited a client who had never used 99designs through the email invitation feature.
Sources
- 99designs Help — What is a platform fee?: support.99designs.com/.../What-is-a-platform-fee (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- 99designs Help — What is a client introduction fee?: support.99designs.com/.../What-is-a-client-introduction-fee (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- 99designs Help — Benefits for each designer level: support.99designs.com/.../benefits-for-each-designer-level (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- 99designs Help — Creating a quote for 1-to-1 Projects: support.99designs.com/.../create-a-quote-for-1-to-1-Projects (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- 99designs — Designers page: 99designs.com/designers (checked Nov 7, 2026)
No affiliate links on this page. Figures change; re-check the official page before you rely on them.