99designs vs DesignCrowd: Which Graphic Design Platform is Better?

Need help finding the right online platform to source high-quality graphic design work for your business?

If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur on a budget, websites like 99designs and DesignCrowd offer an appealing solution by allowing you to crowd-source your design needs and get multiple options from professional designers worldwide. 

However, with so many talented designers on each platform, it can be challenging to determine which site is the best fit for your specific needs and budget. 

I’ll break down the key differences between 99designs and DesignCrowd in this article. I will explore pricing structures, graphic designer quality, turnaround times, and other factors to help you decide which platform may work better for your projects. 

By the end, you’ll clearly understand whether 99designs or DesignCrowd is the right graphic design solution to take your business to the next level.

Brief Overview: 99designs vs DesignCrowd

First, I’ll give you a quick overview of 99designs and DesignCrowd:

99designs

99designs is a global creative platform connecting freelance designers with businesses seeking custom design work. The platform offers various design services, from web and logo design to packaging and book covers, facilitated through contests or direct hires.

Key Selling Points:

• A vast network of talented designers from around the globe
• Customizable design contests to meet specific project needs
• Direct collaboration with designers for tailored results
• Satisfaction guarantee ensures quality outcomes for clients
• Diverse design softcopy and printing services catering to all business needs

DesignCrowd

DesignCrowd is a competitive marketplace offering customized design solutions through a crowd-sourcing model. You can receive various design options from multiple top-level designers, enabling you to choose the best fit for their one-on-one project needs.

Key Selling Points:

• Access to over 600,000 freelance designers worldwide
• Wide range of design submissions for each project
• Cost-effective design solutions for businesses of all sizes
• Fast turnaround times for urgent design projects
• Flexible pricing options to suit budget constraints

Quick Verdict: 99designs vs DesignCrowd

This platform delivers exceptional design solutions through a model emphasizing direct collaboration between clients and designers. By allowing clients to run design contests, 99designs ensures they receive a wide array of design concepts directly aligning with their vision and requirements. 

This approach not only fosters creativity but also guarantees satisfaction by providing clients with numerous options to choose from. The platform’s emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction, backed by a satisfaction guarantee, positions it as a premium service for those prioritizing bespoke designs and a personalized process.

Leveraging its vast network of over 600,000 designers, DesignCrowd offers clients many creative options through a competitive crowd-sourcing approach. This model provides businesses with diverse designs, catering to different styles and preferences at a fraction of the cost. 

The platform’s strength lies in its ability to deliver a high volume of design submissions, allowing clients to choose the perfect design that best represents their brand. This, combined with its affordability and quick turnaround times, makes DesignCrowd a compelling option for startups and small businesses looking for cost-efficient design solutions.

Product Overview: 99designs vs DesignCrowd

What is it?

99designs is a global platform where businesses launch design contests. Every professional designer worldwide submits entries, and businesses select their favorite for refinement and finalization.

DesignCrowd is a marketplace connecting businesses with custom logo designers. It offers contests and the option to work directly with freelance graphic designers for specific projects.

Who is it for?

99designs is ideal for businesses prioritizing premium design quality and desiring extensive creative options. It’s a great fit if you have the budget to match this quality focus.

DesignCrowd is well-suited for budget-conscious businesses and those seeking flexibility. It works for smaller projects or when you value affordability over a vast pool of top-tier talent.

What makes it special?

99designs stands apart with its focus on attracting high-caliber designers. The contest format fosters creativity and ensures top-notch results that stand out in the marketplace.

DesignCrowd emphasizes affordability and versatility. It provides cost-effective design solutions and options between contests or direct designer collaboration.

What does it do?

99designs facilitates designing logos, websites, product packaging, and various other graphic assets.  Businesses outline their design vision and then receive multiple tailored design concepts.

DesignCrowd offers similar design categories, plus a streamlined process for posting projects and finding designers with desired skills.

Quick Comparison: 99designs vs DesignCrowd

Key Features	99designs	DesignCrowd
#1) Pricing	Tie	Tie
#2) Money-Back Guarantee	Tie	Tie
#3) Design & Functionality	Winner
#4) Custom Design Services	Winner
#5) Global Designer Community	Tie	Tie
#6) Design Contests	Tie	Tie
#7) Revision and Feedback System	Tie	Tie
#8) Design Collaboration Tools	Winner
Overall	Winner

Feature Comparison: 99designs vs DesignCrowd

Let’s compare the features of these graphic design platforms so you can make the right decision for you and your business.

#1) Pricing

99designs offers a range of pricing options tailored to different needs and budgets, including fixed-price packages and contests. It provides a range of pricing plans, including contests, projects with set fees, and billing by the hour.

Contests begin at $29, while projects with fixed costs start at $199. This structure allows clients to predict costs effectively and select a package that aligns with their financial constraints and project requirements.

DesignCrowd, on the other hand, operates with a slightly different model, emphasizing custom quotes and competitive bidding for graphic design services. It features a simpler pricing model with Basic, Standard, and Premium tiers.

The Basic package starts at $199. This approach can lead to varied pricing, offering more flexibility for clients looking to balance cost and quality.

99designs offers greater pricing adaptability, while DesignCrowd has a more direct pricing approach. If you have a firm budget, DesignCrowd is the better choice.

Verdict: It’s a tie for pricing, as the choice hinges on personal preference for cost predictability or flexibility.

#2) Money-Back Guarantee

99designs stands out with its strong money-back guarantee policy, providing clients with peace of mind. If clients are not satisfied with the submissions they receive, they can opt for a full refund, showcasing the platform’s confidence in the quality of work produced by its designers.

DesignCrowd also offers a money-back guarantee, emphasizing its commitment to customer satisfaction. This guarantee ensures that clients feel secure in their investment, knowing they can request a refund if the design outcomes do not meet their expectations.

Both platforms demonstrate a commitment to quality and client satisfaction through their money-back guarantee policies. This level of assurance is crucial for clients investing in design work. The decision between 99designs and DesignCrowd may come down to other factors, as both provide similar safeguards against dissatisfaction.

Verdict:  It’s a tie, with both platforms equally committed to ensuring client satisfaction through money-back guarantees.

#3) Design & Functionality

99designs boasts a sleek, user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of starting projects and navigating through design options. The platform’s emphasis on intuitive design ensures clients find it straightforward to post contests, select quality designers, and manage their projects efficiently.

DesignCrowd offers a robust platform that facilitates various design projects, from logos to full web designs. Its functionality caters to diverse needs, enabling detailed project briefs and direct communication with designers for tailored results.

In terms of design and functionality, 99designs edges out slightly due to its more intuitive user interface and streamlined project management process. This ease of use significantly enhances the experience for clients looking for a hassle-free way to obtain quality designs.

Verdict: For those seeking a broader range of design services and robust project management tools, 99designs is likely the better option.

#4) Custom Graphic Design Services

99designs excels in offering custom design services with a personal touch, providing clients access to hand-picked designers from its community. This ensures that projects are matched with the most suitable talents, fostering creativity and unique design solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs.

DesignCrowd prides itself on its broad global network of designers, which allows clients to receive a wide array of design submissions. This diversity ensures that clients have access to a vast range of styles and ideas, making it easier to find a design that resonates with their vision.

When considering custom design services, 99designs offers a more curated experience, which can be particularly beneficial for clients seeking targeted, high-quality design outcomes. The ability to work closely with hand-selected designers provides a level of personalization and quality assurance that stands out.

Verdict: For extensive custom design needs, 99designs offers a broader scope of services and dedicated project management. 

#5) Global Designer Community

99designs is renowned for its expansive and diverse global designer community, with thousands of creatives from over 190 countries. This wide-reaching network ensures clients have access to a vast array of design styles, catering to virtually any aesthetic preference and project requirement.

DesignCrowd also boasts a large international community of designers, offering clients a wealth of creative solutions. The platform’s competitive project bidding system encourages a diverse range of submissions, providing clients with numerous design options.

Both platforms excel in connecting clients with a global pool of talented designers, making it difficult to declare a clear winner. The choice between 99designs and DesignCrowd regarding their global designer community hinges on personal preference for the platform’s approach to sourcing creativity—whether through a curated selection process or competitive submissions.

Verdict: It’s a tie, as both platforms offer robust access to a global community of designers, each with its own advantages.

#6) Design Contests

99designs pioneered the design contest model, where clients post a brief, and designers from around the globe submit their concepts. This competitive environment fosters creativity, whether in logo design contests or on the web and provides clients with many design options, ensuring they find the perfect match for their project.

DesignCrowd offers a similar design contest feature, allowing clients to receive various design submissions from its vast community of designers. The platform emphasizes flexibility in the contest process, providing options for budget, timeline, and the number of expected submissions.

Both 99designs and DesignCrowd excel in their design contest offerings, making it hard to pinpoint a definitive leader in this category. The decision boils down to the specific needs and preferences of the client, including the desired level of engagement with the contest process and the importance of platform-specific features.

Verdict: It’s a tie, as both platforms effectively leverage the design contest model to generate a wide range of creative solutions for clients.

#7) Revision & Feedback System

99designs offers a structured revision and feedback system that facilitates clear communication between clients and designers. This system allows for specific feedback and multiple revision rounds, ensuring that final designs closely align with client expectations.

DesignCrowd’s platform also emphasizes effective communication through its revision and feedback mechanism. Clients can provide detailed feedback directly to designers, who then have the opportunity to refine their submissions according to the client’s requests.

When comparing the revision and feedback systems, it becomes clear that each has developed a robust mechanism to ensure client satisfaction through iterative refinement. The choice between the two largely depends on personal preference regarding the interface and user experience of providing feedback.

Verdict: It’s a tie, as both platforms offer comprehensive systems for revision and feedback, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.

#9) Design Collaboration Tools

99designs provides advanced design collaboration tools that streamline the process of working with designers. These tools include interactive feedback capabilities, private messaging, and the option for clients to create mood boards, enhancing the collaborative experience and ensuring design alignment.

DesignCrowd offers a suite of collaboration features that facilitate direct communication between clients and designers. The platform enables detailed feedback, revisions, and the sharing of ideas through its messaging system, ensuring that every project moves forward with clarity and mutual understanding.

Comparing the design collaboration tools of both platforms, 99designs slightly edges ahead due to its more comprehensive suite of interactive tools, which can significantly enrich the collaboration process. However, DesignCrowd’s compelling communication features also provide a solid foundation for client-designer collaboration.

Verdict: For design collaboration tools, 99designs is the winner.

Final Thoughts on 99designs vs DesignCrowd

After comparing the key features of both 99designs and DesignCrowd, it’s evident that each platform has strengths tailored to different needs.

99designs shines with its intuitive design collaboration tools, comprehensive design contest model, and highly curated experience that simplifies the process for clients seeking quality and ease of use. The platform’s robust money-back guarantee and global community of designers ensure a diverse and risk-free environment for sourcing creative designs.

DesignCrowd offers excellent value through its competitive pricing model, flexibility in design submissions, and a wide range of design jobs, appealing to those who prioritize cost-effectiveness and variety.

For those seeking a platform that combines ease of use with a guarantee of quality, I highly recommend 99designs. And I got my own website logo for “The Process Hacker” from a 99designs contest!

Its emphasis on customer satisfaction and an extensive selection of design services make it ideal for businesses and individuals looking for a seamless and reliable design experience.

Choose 99designs for a premium service that meets your design needs with efficiency and creativity!