I think joining a freelancing company can actually be a good move, at least in the beginning. Sure, the terms on some of these platforms aren’t great, but a lot of people forget that when you’re just starting out, your skills, workflow, and overall management aren’t great either. These companies give you a structured way to get your feet wet and see how the freelance world operates without having to build everything from scratch.
Once you’ve built up your skills, confidence, connections, and a bit of a client base, that’s when it makes sense to break away and go more independent. At that point, you’re bringing more value to the table, and you don’t need to rely on a platform’s ecosystem as much.
To me, it’s not that different from a tradesperson starting out in a shop or union. You learn the ropes, develop your abilities, and then decide whether you want to stay or go fully independent once you’re ready.
Of course, it’s not a one‑size‑fits‑all situation. Some people never leave the platforms because it works for them, and others skip them entirely and jump straight into independent freelancing. Sometimes the best approach is simply to try it and see what fits your style and goals.