Companies are fiercely competing today to attract top freelance talent, particularly in tech and IT. While startups were long favored by independents, things are shifting. Large companies are gaining appeal. So, who is more attractive to freelancers today: large companies or startups?
Freelancers’ preferences : beyond company size
In our survey "The French corporations that make freelancers dream", we asked a panel of over 700 freelancers what company size they preferred for their assignments. 47% answered they had no preference. Key takeaway: the majority of freelancers don’t focus too much on the type of structure they work for.
Next, 33% preferred working with large companies, 9% favored mid-sized businesses, and 11% leaned toward small and medium-sized enterprises. Startups, typically falling into the latter category, seem less in demand than expected. Freelancers who do care about company size clearly lean toward larger organizations.
But the reality is more nuanced. Interviews with freelancers and Future of Work experts reveal that preferences depend largely on individual expectations and ambitions.
As Future of Work experts remind us, motivations differ widely among independents. Each freelancer defines success in their own way, whether it’s about income, variety, or learning opportunities.
Each freelancer has different motivations. Some want to earn a lot of money quickly ; others want to juggle different projects to build skills.
In short, every freelancer has a personal idea of what makes a good assignment, and by extension, what kind of company offers such opportunities.Startups : for freelancers seeking impact and direct access to decision-makers.
Startups : for freelancers seeking impact and direct access to decision-makers
The younger and more dynamic brand image that startups and scaleups portray compared to large corporations can definitely be a deciding factor for freelancers, especially younger ones
Beyond just the image of innovation and modernity, startups often provide great autonomy and tangible impact on projects, which isn’t always the case with large companies.
Chams Sallouh, a data freelancer and freelance coach, shares his experience: "In large companies, the room for maneuver is often very limited. They don’t expect creativity or innovation in their IT departments. On the contrary, small companies hire freelancers specifically to bring fresh ideas and innovation."
Same feedback from Rémi Rivas, independent designer specializing in innovation projects: "In mid-sized companies or large SMEs, the hierarchy is simpler. You have direct contact with the board, decisions are faster, and the impact is more visible. You feel the difference you make."
Startups and scaleups remain highly attractive to many freelancers. But large corporations have some strong arguments too.
Large companies : for ambitious freelancers seeking stability
Samuel Durand, Future of Work consultant, explains that the "shine" of startups has faded: "People know now that startups can have the same financial issues or even workplace harassment problems as any other company. That doesn't mean large companies suddenly became 'sexy' to everyone, but they’ve made serious efforts to transform and attract talent. They now offer more impactful projects, good budgets, and flexibility, previously the strong suit of startups."
Large companies offer long-term assignments, more stability, and often better pay than smaller firms.
They also serve as a real springboard for freelancers.
In the long term, it pays off in terms of visibility and reputation
Hannah Peters agrees: "Landing a mission with a well-known corporation is a real reassurance. Freelancers are their own brand, it’s part of their personal marketing. Plus, there’s always some pride in being able to say you work with a major company."
Finally, another major advantage of working with large companies, according to Chams Sallouh, is the enriching environment: "For someone just starting out, it’s essential. Large corporations mean knowledge transfer and best practices in areas they’ve mastered for decades. You work to high standards with expert teams. You grow. In smaller companies, freelancers often end up patching things together, with no one to challenge or supervise their work."
In summary, while startups have long been attractive to freelancers, they now face growing competition from large companies. These organizations can no longer rely solely on their reputation to attract top talent. They are implementing increasingly targeted employer branding strategies for this audience.
